Senators Billy Hickman and Clint Dixon Address the “Schools Supplies for Teachers Act”

ATLANTA (March 11, 2024) –Last week, Senators Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) and Clint Dixon (R–Gwinnett) held a press conference alongside Rep. Bethany Ballard (R–Warner Robins) and Chairman of the Georgia Council Literacy, Scott Johnson, to discuss Senate Bill 464, the “School Supplies for Teachers Act.” This measure mandates the State Board of Education to establish a program for the Department of Education to allocate funds for eligible teachers to purchase school supplies online. Additionally, the amendment to SB 464 would specify a universal reading screener that each public school and local school system must adopt and administer.

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Sen. Islam Parkes Celebrates Passage of Military Legislation Through the Georgia General Assembly

ATLANTA (Mar. 8, 2024) —This week marked a significant milestone for Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D—Lawrenceville), Georgia’s youngest-serving female Senator, as she celebrated the successful passage of her bill, Senate Bill 144, through the Georgia General Assembly. SB 144, the first bill to pass both legislative chambers under Sen. Islam Parkes’ leadership, aims to remove the requirement for the Adjutant General to include a roster of all commissioned officers in the annual report to the Governor which will protect the identities of our officers and their families from being targeted by nefarious actors. Additionally, it eliminates the mandate to index, print, bind, and distribute laws and regulations of the militia to all militia forces, which is an unnecessary cost for taxpayers since information can be accessed online.

Expressing her excitement about the legislation’s final passage, Sen. Islam Parkes stated, “This meaningful legislation will reduce administrative burdens, save taxpayers and protect our commissioned officers.”

Continuing, Sen. Islam Parkes remarked, “Being a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military and Homeland Security has afforded me the opportunity to collaborate closely with members of the Georgia Militia and veterans, providing me with invaluable insights. I was proud to carry this valuable legislation for our National Guard”

Looking ahead, Sen. Islam Parkes added, “I am eager to continue working on new legislation in the future, addressing the needs of our communities and striving for positive change in Georgia.”

For more information about SB 144, click here.

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Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes represents the 7th Senate District, which includes a portion of Gwinnett County. She may be reached by phone at 404.463.5263 or by email at NabilahIslamParkes@senate.ga.gov.

Senator Shelly Echols Announces Retirement from Georgia State Senate

ATLANTA (March 8, 2024) — Sen. Shelly Echols (R–Gainesville) of Hall County announced today she will retire from service as a member of the Georgia State Senate.

“Serving the constituents of State Senate District 49 has been a tremendous experience and a true honor. Drew and I are blessed to have two children, Chloe, and Cohen,” said Sen. Echols. “While Chloe is off at college, Cohen is a high schooler with Down Syndrome and still at home; and although I feel called to public service, I have realized over the past two years that my highest calling is being a mother to two of the most important people in my life. For the past sixteen years my duty as a mom has been to provide the structure Cohen needs to live a successful and productive life. I am looking forward to having more time available to spend with my children and family once I fulfill my term in the Senate. Drew has done a phenomenal job maintaining the structure in our home in my absence; but it is time for me to let someone else take the reins in Senate District 49 so that I can be home and focus on being a mom.”

Sen. Echols looks forward to serving out the remainder of her term in the State Senate where she serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. She was elected to the Georgia Senate in 2022.

In addition, she serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and a member of the Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism, Finance, Health and Human Services, and Administrative Affairs.

Sen. Echols, a Gainesville native, attended Gainesville College and North Georgia College & State University (currently UNG), obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree. Sen. Echols began her career as a high school social studies teacher before joining her father’s business, Daniel’s Charters, where she served as the Director of Human Services. In 2007, she began her own business planning education-based field trips for schools across the state, Daniel’s Educational Tours. In 2018, Sen. Echols was elected as the Hall County Commissioner representing District 3. During her tenure, she worked to increase worker pay and benefits along with upgrading parks in the community.

Sen. Echols is active in her community, serving on the board of Choices Pregnancy Care Center in Gainesville as well as the Avita Community Partners Board of Directors. She is married to Drew Echols, local businessman and farmer. They have two children: Chloe and Cohen.

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Sen. Shelly Echols serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. She represents the 49th Senate District which includes Hall County. She can be reached by phone at 404.463.1317 or by email at shelly.echols@senate.ga.gov.

Senators Billy Hickman and Clint Dixon to Hold Press Conference on the “School Supplies for Teachers Act”

ATLANTA (March 6, 2024) — Tomorrow, March 7, Chairman of the Senate Committee of Higher Education Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) will be holding a press conference alongside Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth Sen. Clint Dixon (R–Gwinnett), Rep. Bethany Ballard (R–Warner Robbins) and Chairman of the Georgia Council on Literacy Scott Johnson, to discuss Senate Bill 464, the “School Supplies for Teachers Act.”

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