ATLANTA (October 31, 2024) – Today, Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus Chair, Sen. Elena Parent (D–Atlanta), addressed maternal health concerns impacting Georgia women, as highlighted by the harrowing experience of her constituent Avery Davis Bell. Bell, a 34-year-old Atlanta resident and mother of one, suffered pregnancy complications, which resulted in a second-trimester miscarriage and a dangerous hemorrhage. Bell, who was awaiting a live-saving dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedure, had to wait 20 hours before receiving the procedure as providers wrestled with the legal limitations surrounding her case.
Continue reading “Sen. Elena Parent Addresses Urgent Maternal Health Concerns in Georgia”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.
# # # #
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.
# # # #
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 Natural Resources and Environment: Disaster Mitigation and Resilience Subcommittee to Hold First Meeting
ATLANTA (October 30, 2024) — On Monday, November 4, at 9:00 a.m., the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Subcommittee on Disaster Mitigation and Resilience, chaired by Sen. Lee Anderson (R–Grovetown), will hold its first meeting in Newnan.
Continue reading “Senate Natural Resources and Environment: Disaster Mitigation and Resilience Subcommittee to Hold First Meeting”Sen. Donzella James to Hold Senate Urban Affairs Committee Meeting on Home Owners/Property Owners/Condominium Owners Associations, Sapelo Island Tragedy
ATLANTA (October 28, 2024) — On Thursday, October 31,at 11:00 a.m., the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs, chaired by Sen. Donzella James (D–Atlanta), will hold its third meeting of the interim. All members of the public who wish to testify via Zoom about the Sapelo Island gangway collapse must sign up prior to the meeting. You may sign up here.
Continue reading “Sen. Donzella James to Hold Senate Urban Affairs Committee Meeting on Home Owners/Property Owners/Condominium Owners Associations, Sapelo Island Tragedy”