ATLANTA (October 31, 2024) — Senate Committee on Public Safety Chairman, Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega) today issued statements following the tragic murder of Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez, whose body was recovered last week after her disappearance from Cornelia, Georgia.
Continue reading “Senate Public Safety Chairman John Albers, Majority Leader Steve Gooch Demand Border Security Action Following Murder of Minelys Zoe Rodriguez-Ramirez”Sen. Jason Anavitarte Celebrates Acceleration of SOLARCYCLE Expansion in Polk County, Bringing Jobs and Economic Growth to the 31st District
ATLANTA (October 31, 2024) — Today, Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) celebrated SOLARCYCLE’s announcement to expedite its solar recycling operations in Polk County. The expansion will create 640 new full-time jobs and inject over $62 million into the local economy. This growth will not only increase Georgia’s recycling capacity but also continue to position northwest Georgia as a hub for clean energy innovation and domestic manufacturing.
“SOLARCYCLE’s decision to accelerate their operations in Polk County brings exactly the kind of jobs and forward-thinking industries our district needs,” said Sen. Anavitarte. “I am grateful to our partners and SOLARCYCLE for their commitment to creating high-quality, long-term job opportunities right here in our community. This expansion is proof of the vibrant future that clean energy and manufacturing can offer Georgia families, and I look forward to seeing its impact across the region.”
SOLARCYCLE’s new recycling facility, located adjacent to the company’s future solar glass manufacturing plant, will recycle up to 10 million solar panels per year. The glass produced will contribute directly to the company’s solar glass manufacturing, supporting a full-circle, sustainable energy production process. As Georgia ranks among the top states for cumulative solar capacity, this expansion underscores the state’s leadership in sustainable energy and innovation.
Residents interested in joining SOLARCYCLE’s growing team can find open positions in manufacturing, engineering and more at www.solarcycle.us/careers.
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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.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Russ Goodman Urges USDA Secretary to Extend Indemnity Coverage to Georgia Counties Impacted by Hurricane Helene
ATLANTA (October 30, 2024) —Sen. Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, has formally requested that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) re-evaluate its coverage area for the Hurricane Indemnity Program to include several Georgia counties heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. In a letter sent to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Sen. Goodman emphasized the urgent need for support for Georgia’s agricultural community, citing an estimated $6.4 billion in total damage to the state’s agricultural industry, with direct crop losses expected to exceed $3 billion.
Several counties—Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Effingham, Evans, Jenkins, Lincoln, Long, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall and Wayne—were excluded from the USDA Risk Management Agency’s initial coverage, potentially leaving local farmers without access to vital resources for recovery. Sen. Goodman’s letter, co-signed by several of his legislative colleagues, calls for a thorough analysis of the hurricane’s impact on these areas, leveraging all available data from reliable sources such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and IBTrACS.
“Seeing almost every Senator in our state come together on this issue speaks volumes about the gravity of the situation our farming families are facing,” said Sen. Goodman. “These farmers did their part by investing in Hurricane Indemnity policies. Now, they deserve to see the USDA step up to the plate. The impact of Hurricane Helene is apparent, and our farmers are counting on Secretary Vilsack to act, ensuring they are able to financially recover and rebuild from this devastation. As a legislative body, we’re united in backing our farmers and the belief that they deserve the support they were promised.”
Sen. Goodman’s letter also highlighted challenges due to Hurricane Helene’s impact on the National Center for Environmental Information, emphasizing that these data limitations should not hinder the assessment of damages in affected regions.
You can find a copy of the letter to Secretary Vilsack here.
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Sen. Russ Goodman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. He represents the 8th Senate District, which includes Atkinson, Clinch, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes and Pierce Counties and a large portion of Ware County. He may be reached at 404.656.7454 or at russ.goodman@senate.ga.gov
Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee to Hold Third Meeting
ATLANTA (October 22, 2024) — On Tuesday, October 29th,2024, at 11:00 a.m., the Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee, chaired by President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), will hold its third hearing.
EVENT DETAILS:
- Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
- Time: 11:00 a.m.
- Location: Delta Airlines Headquarters – 1030 Delta Blvd, Hapeville, GA 30354
- This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here. Please note that there is a link to RSVP to the meeting pursuant to Delta’s security policies. We ask that all guests and staff planning to attend fill out this attendance questionnaire and bring a Photo ID to the meeting.
ABOUT THE MEETING:
The Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee examines how public policy can encourage investment in facilities that create sustainable manufacturing components, practices, and energy derived from Georgia-grown products.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
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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, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.
Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Childcare to Hold Second Meeting
ATLANTA (October 22, 2024) — On Wednesday, October 30th, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., the Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Childcare, chaired by Sen. Brian Strickland (R–McDonough), will hold its second hearing.
EVENT DETAILS:
- Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
- Time: 11:00 a.m.
- Location: The Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County, 166 Holly Smith Dr, McDonough, GA 30253
- This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.
ABOUT THE MEETING:
Members will recommend measures to increase access to affordable child care in Georgia. This committee was created pursuant to Senate Resolution 471 during the 2024 Legislative Session. You can find more information about this study committee here.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
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Sen. Brian Strickland serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. He represents the 17th Senate District, which includes all of Morgan and portions of Henry, Newton and Walton County. Sen. Strickland may be reached by phone at 404.463.6598 or by email at Brian.Strickland@senate.ga.gov.