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Sen. Kirkpatrick Selected as Vice Chair of NCSL Committee on Children, Families and Human Services

ATLANTA, GA (Jan. 5, 2024) — Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R–Marietta) was recently selected to serve a two-year term as vice chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Children, Families, and Human Services Committee.

This newly established committee, previously part of the Health and Human Services Committee, focuses on advocating for states’ interests in federal decisions related to various issues affecting children and families. These matters include child welfare, child support, early learning, youth homelessness, and aging services. Additionally, the committee plays a crucial role in safeguarding vital federal programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, and the Child Care Development Block Grant.

Sen. Kirkpatrick expressed her gratitude for the appointment, stating, “I am deeply honored to extend my work on behalf of children and families to this esteemed national position. The challenges and opportunities we face in these areas are significant, and I am eager to represent and safeguard the interests of Georgia in this new capacity.”

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), founded in 1975, stands as a pivotal organization tailored for state legislators and legislative staff across the nation. It offers a comprehensive range of bipartisan resources, including research, training, and technical assistance, transcending geographical boundaries to support legislators in all 50 states, commonwealths, territories, and the District of Columbia.

NCSL not only serves as a hub for information exchange among state legislators but also actively contributes to enhancing the role of states and state legislatures within the federal system. This involves direct engagement with members of Congress and the administration on NCSL’s state-federal priorities, solidifying the organization’s commitment to fostering collaboration and effective governance.

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Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick serves as Chair of the Children and Families Committee. She represents the 32nd Senate District which includes portions of East Cobb and Cherokee County. She may be reached by phone at 404.656.3932 or by email at kay.kirkpatrick@senate.ga.gov.

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Statement Regarding Passing of Polk County Commissioner Scotty Tillery

ATLANTA (Jan. 2, 2024) — Please see below for a statement on behalf of Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) regarding the recent passing of Polk County Commissioner Scotty Tillery:

“It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and constituents of Commissioner Scotty Tillery, who passed away last night. Commissioner Tillery’s unwavering dedication and service to the community of Cedartown have left an indelible mark, and his absence will be profoundly felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Commissioner Tillery’s commitment to public service, his passion for the betterment of Cedartown and Polk County, and his tireless efforts to improve the lives of its residents have earned him the respect and admiration of many.

During this challenging time, I want to express my sincere sympathy and support to Commissioner Tillery’s family, friends, and the entire Polk County community. May they find strength and solace in the cherished memories of a dedicated public servant and a beloved community leader.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.”

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Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chair of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents Senate District 31 which includes Paulding and Polk Counties. He can be reached at 404.656.9221 or at Jason.anavitarte@senate.ga.gov

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Georgia Senate Leaders Affirm their Commitment to Prosecuting Attorneys Commission

ATLANTA (Jan. 2, 2024) — Today, Senator Randy Robertson (District 29 – Cataula) and Senator John F. Kennedy (District 18 – Macon) pre-filed legislation to address the Georgia Supreme Court’s November 22, 2023 finding that approving the standards of conduct for the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission (PAQC) is outside the Court’s authority. The new legislation is consistent with many state commissions and will allow the PAQC to adopt its internal guidelines and rules. This simple remedy will allow the Commission to commence its important work.

“We have seen theatrics take hold in Georgia over the safety and welfare of our communities as some prosecutors promise ‘reform’ and then deliver nothing but ineffectiveness and blatant disregard of the law,” stated Senator Robertson, the chief sponsor of SB 92. “Most of the state’s prosecutors follow the law, adhere to their duties, and their communities remain safe and prosperous, and those individuals should be celebrated. On the other hand, you have a few rogue prosecutors that refuse to prosecute violent criminals, lead defunct and understaffed offices, and impose blanket policies for non-prosecution of crimes.”

The PAQC was created after the enactment of Senate Bill 92, which was signed into law by Governor Kemp on May 5, 2023. Modeled after the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which enforces standards of conduct for the state’s judiciary, SB 92 was the culmination of years of work to address the duties that prosecutors are required to carry out under state law.

“My concerns have been and always will be the safety of our communities and justice for victims of crime,” said Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing the exact opposite in jurisdictions across the state, resulting in unmanageable backlogs in our court system, delayed justice for victims, mismanagement of criminal records, and a perversion of the doctrine of ‘prosecutorial discretion.’ These are dangerous practices in misconduct and must stop.”

The President Pro Tempore added: “I respect the Supreme Court’s narrow opinion on this specific issue and appreciate the limits of their authority. We recognize the important role that prosecutors play in our communities and, by prefiling this bill, affirm our intent to hold rogue prosecutors accountable. We believe this bill reinforces the need for Georgia prosecutors to focus on achieving results in the courtroom, not legislating from the desk to appease fringe constituencies.”

Article IV, Section VIII of the state Constitution states that prosecutors can be “disciplined, removed or involuntarily retired as provided by general law,” and further lays out the minimum duties for prosecutors while adding that they must “perform such other duties as shall be required by law.” Among their various duties required by law, prosecutors must review cases and make a prosecutorial decision based on the individual case. Additionally, prosecutors must update criminal records based on their charging decisions, as well as assist victims and witnesses of crime. The PAQC specializes in understanding these duties, guiding prosecutors’ performance of these duties, and disciplining prosecutors who fail to carry out such duties. A full list of a prosecutor’s duties can be found at O.C.G.A. § 15-18-6 and O.C.G.A. § 15-18-66.

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Sen. Randy Robertson serves as Senate Majority Whip. He represents the 29th Senate District which includes Meriwether and Harris County, and Troup County as well as a portion of Muscogee County. He may be reached at 404.656.0045 or by email at randy.robertson@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, and portions of Bibb and Houston Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.

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Statement Regarding Christmas Day Home Invasion Threat

ATLANTA (Dec. 27, 2023) — Please see the following statement from Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R–Marietta) regarding an emergency call in response to a hoax home invasion threat on Christmas Day:

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the law enforcement officers who responded swiftly to a false alarm at our home on Christmas Day. My husband and I were at home, enjoying a quiet holiday, when we received a call from a concerned neighbor informing us that three armed officers were outside our kitchen, responding to a reported hostage situation. To our shock, we had no prior knowledge of any emergency dispatch to our residence.

Upon going outside to meet the officers, it became apparent that this was a hoax—a fake 911 call that led to a significant deployment of resources. I am truly appreciative of the professionalism and efficiency displayed by the law enforcement members who responded to the situation. Their dedication to ensuring the safety of our community is commendable, and I am thankful for their rapid response.

Nevertheless, I am sorry that their time and resources were wasted on a false report. This incident has been the first of its kind for me, and I am relieved that it was indeed a hoax. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by our law enforcement agencies in distinguishing between genuine threats and false alarms. I remain committed to supporting our first responders and working towards ensuring the safety and security of our community. I wish everyone a safe and peaceful holiday season.”

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Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Children and Families. She represents Senate District 32 which includes portions of Cobb and Cherokee Counties. She may be reached at 404.656.3932 or at kay.kirkpatrick@senate.ga.gov

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Majority Leader Steve Gooch Celebrates $400 Million Tax Cut and Commends Ratification of Gas Tax Suspension

ATLANTA (Dec. 6, 2023) — During the second week of the 2023 Special Session, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Resolution 3EX, affirming Governor Brian P. Kemp’s Executive Orders to temporarily halt the collection of motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes. This move comes in response to the State of Emergency precipitated by soaring inflation rates.

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