Category: Steve Gooch

ATLANTA (Feb. 12, 2024) — Today, Senate Resolution 543, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Sen. Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega), was passed on the Senate Floor. SR 543 stands in support of increased protections for America’s borders with the goal to end illegal immigration and smuggling.

The resolution was co-sponsored and supported by colleagues such as Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta), Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) and 24 others.

“This resolution represents a crucial stride in safeguarding both Georgians and our fellow Americans nationwide by bolstering protections across all American borders, particularly our Southern Border,” stated Sen. Gooch. “The members of the Georgia Senate stand united with Governor Brian P. Kemp and Texas Governor Greg Abbott in the battle to uphold our nation’s integrity. I commend the Senate for taking a stand against the pressing issues we currently face, such as the trafficking of dangerous drugs like Fentanyl across our Southern border. Despite the lack of support from President Joe Biden and his federal administration, the Senate remains resolute in its commitment to halt the illegal immigration and smuggling activities that plague our nation.”

SR 543 was passed by the Senate after progressing through the Senate Committee on Rules.

You can find more information on SR 543 here.

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Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and Pickens counties and a portion of White County. He may be reached at 404.656.7872 or via email at steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov

ATLANTA (Jan. 29, 2024) — Today the Senate Majority Caucus held a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol to announce the Senate Majority Caucus’s priorities for the 2024 Legislative Session. Majority Leader Steve Gooch was joined by Lt. Governor Burt Jones and President Pro Tempore of the Senate John F. Kennedy, as well as members of the Senate Majority Caucus.

“Here we are in 2024, the second year of our two-year session, and we are looking for a big finish.  We have several momentous efforts that, in one form or another, began a year ago, and Senate Republicans are determined to finish the drill,” said Majority Leader Gooch. “Big Ideas, Big Wins, and a Big Finish to this 2023-2024 convening of the Georgia General Assembly – that’s what Senate Republicans are delivering for everyday Georgians. And that’s why Senate Republicans are committed to finishing the drill.” 

“Senate Republicans have an ambitious agenda to tackle what matters to Georgians by addressing kitchen table issues with an aim to keep Georgia the best state to live, work, and raise a family,” said President Pro Tempore Kennedy. “We are committed to delivering on expanding economic opportunity and innovation, cultivating an educated workforce, increasing the safety of our communities and ensuring the well-being of our most vulnerable in 2024.”

The Majority Leader announced that the caucus would focus on building upon the work of the 2023 Legislative Session to improve the fundamentals that make Georgia the best state to live, work, and raise a family. Georgia Senate Republicans are committed to finishing the drill on the following five priorities.

TAX RELIEF

After delivering $2 billion in tax relief for state income taxpayers and homeowners, we are now accelerating the reduction of the state income tax.  Additionally, Senate Republicans are prioritizing SB 349 by Senator Chuck Hufstetler, a statewide floating homestead exemption.

TORT REFORM

Last year, Senate Republicans tested the waters looking for consensus opportunities to improve Georgia’s troublesome litigation environment.  This year, at a minimum, we will pass legislation to limit direct-action lawsuits carried by Senator Blake Tillery.

EDUCATION

Senate Republicans unanimously support Senator Greg Dolezal’s SB 233, which provides

school choice for students trapped in underperforming public schools. SB 233 is the product of

thoughtful discussion and compromise within our caucus and should be passed by the House.

WORKFORCE

Recently, three Senate study committees addressed deficiencies in our workforce. As a result, our caucus has prioritized improving career and credentialing pathways for veterans and military spouses seeking employment in Georgia’s healthcare system under the leadership of Senator Larry Walker.

PUBLIC SAFETY

In 2023, Senate Republicans led the crackdown on gangs, violent criminals, and rogue prosecutors. In one piece of unfinished business, we will keep more dangerous criminals off the streets by eliminating no-cash bail for violent offenders under the leadership of Senator Randy Robertson.

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Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and Pickens counties and a portion of White County. He may be reached at 404.656.7872 or via email at steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov

By: Majority Leader, Sen. Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega)

The second session of the 157^th General Assembly began this week. With every New Year comes new opportunities and challenges. As a working member on a multitude of committees within the Senate such as the Senate Committees on Finance, Appropriations, Transportation and more, our days will be filled with many robust discussions as the Senate body tackles pressing matters that concern all Georgians.

On Thursday, the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives gathered for a Joint Session of the General Assembly where Governor Brian P. Kemp gave his annual State of the State Address. This event marks a time for Gov. Kemp to lay out his legislative and budgetary priorities for the duration of the legislative session. These priorities included pay raises for law enforcement officers, funding for the betterment of Georgia’s university system, and key updates to the technology of state agencies. These changes will not only retain and recruit staff across a number of state divisions, but will also give much needed modernization to state facilities for greater effectiveness across the board. I appreciate the efforts of Gov. Kemp and his staff to put the public safety of Georgians first, as it is also a high priority of mine. Pay raises are well-deserved for law enforcement officials, state employees and teachers who work to serve our state year-round.

Education continues to be a focal point of Gov. Kemp and the Majority Party, as Gov. Kemp aims to provide $11 million for coaches to improve reading instruction and finance literacy screening tests. Additionally, Gov. Kemp emphasized the importance of advancing education through school choice. The Majority Caucus is firm in their belief that school choice will offer our children the best educational opportunities, regardless of their zip code. It is imperative that the Senate body continues to work closely with to tackle a wide range of challenges that our state currently faces, and I hope this budgetary process will bring forth positive change in the coming months. Next week will mark the start of what is known under the Gold Dome as budget week. Considerably the most important week of session, we will be working hard to craft the Fiscal Year 24-25 budget. Passing the budget is the sole constitutional obligation of the General Assembly each session, and the coming week will be filled with a number of joint committee meetings between the House and Senate to dive deep into the needs of our state.

This will be a very busy and exciting session, and I will strive to represent the 51^st Senate District to the best of my ability. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.

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Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and Pickens counties and a portion of White County. He may be reached at 404.656.7872 or via email at steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov

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.

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