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MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax to Hold Second Meeting

ATLANTA (September 10, 2025) — On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., the Senate Study Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax, chaired by Sen. Blake Tillery, (R–Vidalia), will hold its second hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Location: Georgia State Capitol, Room 341, 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
  • This event is open to the public and will be streamed via the Senate website here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax, created by Lt. Governor Burt Jones pursuant to Senate Rules, will deliver on the Lt. Governor’s commitment to chart a path for the state to eliminate the income tax and provide meaningful relief to all Georgians. This bipartisan committee will work with experts, parents, citizens, businesses, policymakers, and other leaders to explore effective, research-backed strategies to reform Georgia’s tax code while maintaining strong fiscal soundness.

Additional Senators appointed to the special committee include Senators Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas), Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming), Ed Harbison (D–Columbus), Chuck Hufstetler (R–Rome), Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega), John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), Nan Orrock (D–Atlanta), Michael “Doc” Rhett (D–Marietta), Larry Walker III (R–Perry) and Sam Watson (R–Moultrie).

SPEAKERS FOR THIS MEETING:

  • Ben Watkins, Director of the Florida Bond Finance Office, State of Florida
  • Tom Sands, former State Representative and Ways and Means Chair, State of Iowa
  • Tony Niknejad, former Policy Director to Governor Bill Lee, State of Tennessee
  • Sarah Hicks, former Senior Advisor & Budget Director to Governor Greg Abbott, State of Texas

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

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

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Sen. Blake Tillery serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. He represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Bacon, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Wayne and Wheeler counties, as well as a portion of Coffee County. He can be reached at (404) 656-5038 or by email at Blake.Tillery@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes Denounces ICE Raid on Bryan County Hyundai Factory Site

ATLANTA (Sept. 5, 2025) — Today, Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D–Duluth) released a statement regarding a major immigrant enforcement operation conducted by multiple federal organizations, including the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), on September 4 at the Hyundai factory site near Savannah:

Continue reading “Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes Denounces ICE Raid on Bryan County Hyundai Factory Site”
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Senate Study Committee on Recovery Residences to Hold Second Hearing

ATLANTA (September 5, 2025)—On Friday, September 12, the Senate Study Committee on Recovery Residences, chaired by Sen. Randy Robertson (R–Cataula), will hold its second hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: September 12, 2025
  • Time: 9:00 a.m.
  • Where: 450 State Capitol, 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
  • Open to the Public: The event is open to the public. The committee meeting will be live-streamed on the Senate website here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The Senate Study Committee on Recovery Residences, created through Senate Resolution 311, will examine the current conditions, needs and challenges related to recovery residences in Georgia. This bipartisan committee will hear from residents, policy experts and representatives from state agencies and private organizations to explore ways to improve safety and enhance the quality of services these residences provide.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

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

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

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Sen. Kenya Wicks Issues Statement Regarding Georgia National Guard Deployment to Assist ICE

ATLANTA (September 4, 2025) — Today, Sen. Kenya Wicks released a statement regarding the State of Georgia’s recent decision to deploy the Georgia National Guard to support ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) operations. 

“I cannot stay silent as our state misuses the Georgia National Guard beyond its lawful purpose. As a retired Army officer who proudly served this nation for 30 years, I know the dangerous precedent associated with deploying our state’s National Guard to assist ICE. This decision is misguided, dangerous and unconstitutional.

Georgia’s National Guard should not be deployed to carry out a political agenda in a nation known for welcoming immigrants and offering them the prospect of freedom and opportunity. The Guard’s oath remains the same: to defend our nation against foreign and domestic threats and to respond in times of true emergency. Using them against immigrant families is a misuse of military force that tears at the fabric of who we are as a nation.

I spent three decades serving our country because I believe in its promise of liberty, equality and opportunity. I fought overseas so our people could live free at home. To see the uniform misused to senselessly round up families is not just a policy disagreement but a betrayal of what the uniform stands for.

As someone who has worn the uniform, I urge us to remember that the strength of America comes from upholding the Constitution, respecting our freedoms and protecting the dignity of every person who calls this land home.”

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Sen. Kenya Wicks represents the 34th Senate District, which includes portions of Clayton and Fayette Counties. She may be reached by email at Kenya.Wicks@senate.ga.gov.

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