Posted on

Sen. Matt Brass Joins British Consul General for Workforce Development Tour in Newnan

ATLANTA (May 23, 2025) — On Tuesday, May 20, Sen. Matt Brass (R–Newnan) joined British Consul General Rachel Galloway for a workforce development tour and roundtable discussion at the Central Educational Center (CEC) in Newnan. The visit, hosted by CEC CEO Mark Whitlock, highlighted the center’s nationally recognized model for preparing students for in-demand careers through academic and technical training. The tour offered an inside look at the center’s innovative programs–from dual enrollment to industry certification pathways–that have become a blueprint for workforce development across the state.

Consul General Galloway, who represents the United Kingdom in the Southeastern United States, visited CEC to learn more about Georgia’s workforce education strategies and explore potential opportunities for collaboration between the UK and Georgia. Her visit underscored the global relevance of the CEC model and the value of cross-cultural dialogue on education and economic growth.

Sen. Brass emphasized the importance of institutions like CEC in building a strong, skilled workforce ready to meet the needs of Georgia employers: “It was an honor to host British Consul General Rachel Galloway in Newnan and show her firsthand the workforce development happening in Senate District 6,” said Sen. Brass. “The Central Educational Center is a blueprint for how we train the next generation of Georgia’s workforce. From manufacturing to healthcare to film production, the CEC prepares students to compete and succeed in a global economy. I’m grateful to Consul General Galloway for visiting and recognizing the value of CEC’s programming. I also want to thank Mark Whitlock and his team for their continued leadership. The impact of CEC isn’t limited to Coweta County. It’s setting a standard that can benefit communities across Georgia and inspire ideas beyond our borders.”

Consul General Galloway added, “Workforce development is a key part of economic growth, which is why CEC’s work in partnering with local industry and building workforce programmes is essential in preparing students to enter the job market. The UK can learn from this expertise to support businesses and drive growth. As our new landmark economic deal with the US demonstrates, the UK and US can go further and faster together and that will happen through partnerships and knowledge sharing at all levels.”

The Central Educational Center continues to serve as a cornerstone of Georgia’s workforce development efforts, bridging the gap between classroom learning and career readiness. Attached is a full itinerary.

Itinerary – British Consul General VisitDownload

# # # #

Sen. Matt Brass serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules. Sen. Brass represents the 6th Senate District, which includes Coweta and Heard, as well as parts of Carroll County. He can be reached at (404) 656-0057 or by email at matt.brass@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

Posted on

Sen. Chuck Payne Appointed to Interim Committees and State Commissions

ATLANTA (May 22, 2025)—Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has appointed Sen. Chuck Payne (R–Dalton) to serve on the following committees and commissions:

  • Career and Technical Education Advisory Commission (Co-Chairperson)
  • Education Commission of the States
  • Georgia Commission on Civics Education
  • High School Athletics Overview Committee
  • Joint Georgia Hall of Fame Authority Overview Committee
  • Joint Recreational Authorities Overview Committee
  • Southern States Energy Board

Sen. Chuck Payne spoke on the appointments, saying, “I’m grateful to Lt. Governor Burt Jones for these appointments and for his trust in me to serve. Promoting education, advancing student athletics and supporting Georgia’s parks and recreational spaces are issues I look forward to seeing reflected through these committees and commissions. These are areas where thoughtful policy can make a difference in people’s lives, and I’m honored to continue this important work on behalf of my district and the people of Georgia.”

Each appointment is effective immediately and will extend for two years, aligning with the remainder of Sen. Payne’s term in the Georgia Senate.

# # # #

Sen. Chuck Payne serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security. He represents the 54th Senate District, which includes Whitfield and Murray County as well as part of Gordon County. He may be reached at 404.463.5402 or by email at Chuck.Payne@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

Posted on

Sen. Matt Brass to Tour Central Education Center with British Consul General

ATLANTA (May 19, 2025)—On Tuesday, May 20, Senate Rules Chairman Matt Brass (R–Newnan) will participate in a tour of the Central Education Center (CEC) with British Consul General Rachel Galloway. The tour will take place at the CEC’s headquarters, where CEO Mark Whitlock will provide an overview of workforce development supporting industries throughout the State of Georgia.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
  • Time: 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
  • Where: 160 M.L.K. Jr. Drive, Newnan, GA 30263
  • This event is open to members of the media ONLY.

Biographies for British Consul General Rachel Galloway and CEC CEO Mark Whitlock can be found below.

Rachel Galloway – British Consul GeneralDownload
Mark Whitlock – BiographyDownload

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

# # # #

Sen. Matt Brass serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules. Sen. Brass represents the 6th Senate District, which includes Coweta and Heard, as well as parts of Carroll County. He can be reached at (404) 656-0057 or by email at matt.brass@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

Posted on

Sen. Islam Parkes Sends Letter to Georgia Attorney General Seeking Answers for Georgia Families

ATLANTA (May 16, 2025) — Today, Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D–Duluth) formally requested a legal opinion from Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr on how Georgia’s abortion law applies in circumstances where the mother is deemed medically brain dead.

Sen. Islam Parkes cited recent news reports detailing the case of Adriana Smith, a Georgia woman who was declared brain dead and is being kept on life support due to her pregnancy. The letter raises questions about whether Georgia law requires life support to be continued under such circumstances, even without the consent of the woman’s family.

The full letter is available below.

Letter_to_Attorney_General_Chris_CarrDownload

# # # #

Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes represents the 7th Senate District including a portion of Gwinnett County. She may be reached at (404) 463-5263 or by email at nabilah.islam@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

Posted on

Sen. Ed Harbison Celebrates Signing of Legislation to Protect Georgia’s Active-Duty Service Members

ATLANTA (May 16, 2025) – Last week, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 109 into law—a measure authored by Sen. Harbison (D–Columbus) to safeguard life insurance coverage for Georgia’s active-duty service members.

The new law, written following the death of Sgt. Brandon Tyrese Fraiser, prohibits group life insurance policies from excluding or restricting coverage solely because the insured is serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, unless the death results directly from an act of war or related hazard.

“As a former Marine and a long-time advocate for our veterans and service members, I’ve always believed that those who serve our nation with honor should never face undue barriers—especially when it comes to something as essential as life insurance. It was extraordinarily moving to witness this legislation be signed into law alongside the late Sgt. Fraiser’s father and family members,” said Sen. Harbison. “SB 109 offers critical financial protection to Georgia’s military families and ensures our service members are treated with the fairness and dignity they deserve. I want to thank Gov. Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, my senate colleagues, and my fellow servicemen and women for their hard work in getting this legislation signed.”

SB 109 received unanimous passage in both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly. Sen. Harbison has consistently aimed to prioritize legislation that honors the service and sacrifices of military families throughout his tenure in the Georgia State Senate.

More information on SB 109 is available here.

###

Sen. Ed Harbison serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on State Institutions and Property. He represents the 15th Senate District, which includes Chattahoochee, Macon, Marion, Schley, Talbot and Taylor counties, as well as a portion of Muscogee County. He may be reached at (404) 656-0074 or via email at Ed.Harbison@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.