ATLANTA (March 19, 2011) – Today, House Resolution 1162 passed the state Senate with a vote of 40 to 18.  Having received two-thirds majority vote, the Constitutional amendment will now be placed on the ballot for a vote by Georgia citizens. Leadership from the state Senate Majority Party including Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R- Woodstock), President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams (R-Lyons), Sen. Ronnie Chance (R-Tyrone), and Sen. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody), chairman of the Committee on Education and Youth, offered the following statements regarding today’s vote:

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ATLANTA (Monday, March 5, 2012) – Today, President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams (R – Lyons) passed SB 410 which adopts indicators such as quality of learning by students, financial efficiency and school climate for individual schools and school systems. The legislation requires a numerical score rating for individual schools and school systems based on student achievement, achievement gap closure and student progress. It also requires that a letter grade be assigned to each school and school system and included on each school and school system’s annual report card. The grade is derived from the numerical score, with a majority of the grade based on student achievement. SB 410 passed with a vote of 38 to 13.

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ATLANTA (December 6, 2010) – Senate President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) has been named to State School Superintendent-Elect Dr. John Barge’s transition team.

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Sen. Tommie Williams

By President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams
November 19, 2010

The Thanksgiving holiday reminds us that true riches come from the love and support of friends and family, a strong faith, and the privilege it is to be an American and a Georgian. If you can count these among your blessings, you have much to be thankful for this year.

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Sen. Tommie Williams

By President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams
September 17, 2010

Our state and national constitutions are the foundations upon which our government was established.  While the Constitution is a blueprint for how the government is organized, it also defines and protects the rights and liberties of individuals.  That’s why the process to change the Constitution was made to be so difficult.  Proposed changes must pass both the House and Senate by at least a two-thirds vote.  The amendments then go to the people who vote to approve or reject the changes.

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