ATLANTA (March 11, 2024) — On Wednesday, March 13th, Sen. Sonya Halpern, (D–Atlanta) will host a press conference in honor of HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Heritage Day in partnership with Governor Brian P. Kemp.
Continue reading “Sen. Sonya Halpern to Host Fourth Annual HBCU Heritage Day”Capitol Recap – Week Nine
By: Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry)
Following the conclusion of Crossover Day, which marked the final opportunity for Senate and House Bills to proceed through their respective chambers, the Senate is now dedicated to refining House bills as they advance through Senate committees. With only a few weeks remaining in the 2024 Legislative Session, it has been a busy week in committees as we’ve deliberated legislation that seeks to amplify the voices and concerns of all Georgians.
We also dove back into Appropriations subcommittees to further discuss the budgetary needs of various state agencies. I was proud to chair the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture & Natural Resources. I also served as a member of the Subcommittee on Education & Higher Education. Through these presentations and discussions, we were able to assist in the creation of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget. The FY 2025 Budget was passed by the House on Thursday of this week and is one step closer to being signed by Governor Brian P. Kemp.
While we have spent most of our time vetting House legislation this week, I was proud to see my legislative priorities continue to move in the House chamber. First, I am pleased to announce the passage of Senate Bill 345 through the House of Representatives. This bill will authorize the Probate Court of Dooly County to assess and collect a technology fee, and awaits signage by Gov. Kemp. Additionally, Senate Bill 390 is currently awaiting a hearing by the House Committee on Higher Education. Georgia libraries should no longer accept and use funds from the American Library Association, an organization which has lost its way and has no business providing educational materials to Georgians, especially young Georgians. I will not allow the liberal left’s dangerous agenda to creep into local libraries across our state. These are areas where our citizens, especially our children, should feel comfortable learning and opening their minds. I look forward to updating you further on this bill’s progress as makes its way through the remainder of our legislative process.
On another note, this week saw the Georgia Senate exercise its subpoena powers to uncover crucial information pertaining to the allegations directed at Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The Georgia Senate took proactive measures to investigate these claims by summoning defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant to testify before the Senate Special Committee on Investigations. I have full confidence in the leadership of committee chairman, Sen. Bill Cowsert, and I am proud of the valuable information we were able to glean this week for the benefit of the people of Georgia. As a legislative body, we are committed to utilizing every available resource to uncover the truth.
I enjoyed spending time with a few of Georgia’s Boy Scouts from across the state. There are over 40,000 Boy Scouts currently in our state committed to responsible citizenship, character development and participation in outdoor activities. I look forward to hearing about these young men as they take the mantle and become future leaders in our great state.
Please never hesitate to contact my office if I can assist with legislative matters. I hope to see you under the Gold Dome soon as the 2024 Legislative Session enters its final weeks.
# # # #
Sen. Larry Walker serves as Chairman of the Insurance and Labor Committee and Secretary of the Senate Republican Caucus. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Treutlen, Pulaski, and Wilcox counties as well as portions of Houston County. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0095 or by email at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.
Senators Billy Hickman and Clint Dixon Address the “Schools Supplies for Teachers Act”
ATLANTA (March 11, 2024) –Last week, Senators Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) and Clint Dixon (R–Gwinnett) held a press conference alongside Rep. Bethany Ballard (R–Warner Robins) and Chairman of the Georgia Council Literacy, Scott Johnson, to discuss Senate Bill 464, the “School Supplies for Teachers Act.” This measure mandates the State Board of Education to establish a program for the Department of Education to allocate funds for eligible teachers to purchase school supplies online. Additionally, the amendment to SB 464 would specify a universal reading screener that each public school and local school system must adopt and administer.
Continue reading “Senators Billy Hickman and Clint Dixon Address the “Schools Supplies for Teachers Act””Sen. Islam Parkes Celebrates Passage of Military Legislation Through the Georgia General Assembly
ATLANTA (Mar. 8, 2024) —This week marked a significant milestone for Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D—Lawrenceville), Georgia’s youngest-serving female Senator, as she celebrated the successful passage of her bill, Senate Bill 144, through the Georgia General Assembly. SB 144, the first bill to pass both legislative chambers under Sen. Islam Parkes’ leadership, aims to remove the requirement for the Adjutant General to include a roster of all commissioned officers in the annual report to the Governor which will protect the identities of our officers and their families from being targeted by nefarious actors. Additionally, it eliminates the mandate to index, print, bind, and distribute laws and regulations of the militia to all militia forces, which is an unnecessary cost for taxpayers since information can be accessed online.
Expressing her excitement about the legislation’s final passage, Sen. Islam Parkes stated, “This meaningful legislation will reduce administrative burdens, save taxpayers and protect our commissioned officers.”
Continuing, Sen. Islam Parkes remarked, “Being a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military and Homeland Security has afforded me the opportunity to collaborate closely with members of the Georgia Militia and veterans, providing me with invaluable insights. I was proud to carry this valuable legislation for our National Guard”
Looking ahead, Sen. Islam Parkes added, “I am eager to continue working on new legislation in the future, addressing the needs of our communities and striving for positive change in Georgia.”
For more information about SB 144, click here.
# # # #
Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes represents the 7th Senate District, which includes a portion of Gwinnett County. She may be reached by phone at 404.463.5263 or by email at NabilahIslamParkes@senate.ga.gov.
Senator Shelly Echols Announces Retirement from Georgia State Senate
ATLANTA (March 8, 2024) — Sen. Shelly Echols (R–Gainesville) of Hall County announced today she will retire from service as a member of the Georgia State Senate.
“Serving the constituents of State Senate District 49 has been a tremendous experience and a true honor. Drew and I are blessed to have two children, Chloe, and Cohen,” said Sen. Echols. “While Chloe is off at college, Cohen is a high schooler with Down Syndrome and still at home; and although I feel called to public service, I have realized over the past two years that my highest calling is being a mother to two of the most important people in my life. For the past sixteen years my duty as a mom has been to provide the structure Cohen needs to live a successful and productive life. I am looking forward to having more time available to spend with my children and family once I fulfill my term in the Senate. Drew has done a phenomenal job maintaining the structure in our home in my absence; but it is time for me to let someone else take the reins in Senate District 49 so that I can be home and focus on being a mom.”
Sen. Echols looks forward to serving out the remainder of her term in the State Senate where she serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. She was elected to the Georgia Senate in 2022.
In addition, she serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and a member of the Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism, Finance, Health and Human Services, and Administrative Affairs.
Sen. Echols, a Gainesville native, attended Gainesville College and North Georgia College & State University (currently UNG), obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree. Sen. Echols began her career as a high school social studies teacher before joining her father’s business, Daniel’s Charters, where she served as the Director of Human Services. In 2007, she began her own business planning education-based field trips for schools across the state, Daniel’s Educational Tours. In 2018, Sen. Echols was elected as the Hall County Commissioner representing District 3. During her tenure, she worked to increase worker pay and benefits along with upgrading parks in the community.
Sen. Echols is active in her community, serving on the board of Choices Pregnancy Care Center in Gainesville as well as the Avita Community Partners Board of Directors. She is married to Drew Echols, local businessman and farmer. They have two children: Chloe and Cohen.
## # # #
Sen. Shelly Echols serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. She represents the 49th Senate District which includes Hall County. She can be reached by phone at 404.463.1317 or by email at shelly.echols@senate.ga.gov.