ATLANTA (October 10, 2024) – On Tuesday, October 15, at 9:30 a.m., the Senate Committee on Education and Youth & the Senate Committee on Higher Education will hold a joint meeting.
Continue reading “Senate Committees on Education and Youth & Higher Education to Hold Joint Meeting on Georgia Educator Pipeline”Sen. Jason Anavitarte and Rep. Joseph Gullett Announce Legislative Priority to Honor Fallen Deputy Brandon Cunningham with Intersection Dedication
ATLANTA (October 10, 2024) — This week, Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) announced a legislative priority for the upcoming session to officially designate the intersection of State Route 92 and State Route 120 in Paulding County as the “Deputy Brandon Cunningham Memorial Intersection.” The dedication honors Deputy Cunningham, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty while serving the community he swore to protect.
The proposal, reviewed and approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation, confirms that no conflicts exist with previous road and bridge naming resolutions. With this confirmation, Sen. Anavitarte will introduce a resolution in the Senate during the upcoming legislative session to formalize the dedication after the session concludes.
“Deputy Cunningham’s sacrifice is a stark reminder of the risks our law enforcement officers take every day to ensure our safety,” said Sen. Anavitarte. “This intersection naming is a small but meaningful way to keep his legacy alive in the community he served so selflessly.”
“Deputy Cunningham laid down his life to keep Paulding County safe, a sacrifice we will never forget,” said Rep. Joseph Gullett (R–Dallas). “Naming this intersection after him is a way to ensure his bravery and dedication to our community will always be remembered by those who pass by.”
“Deputy Brandon Cunningham will always be in the hearts and minds of the citizens of Paulding County,” shared Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge. “This is a fitting tribute to honor and memorialize his service to our community and his ultimate sacrifice should always be remembered. Our prayers continue to be with his family.”
Brandon Cunningham served Paulding County with distinction, known for his dedication, courage, and commitment to his fellow officers and residents. His passing in the line of duty has left a lasting impact on the community and its law enforcement family. The proposed memorial intersection will stand as a testament to his life of service.
The resolution for the “Deputy Brandon Cunningham Memorial Intersection” will be voted on by the Senate and the House Transportation Committee in the upcoming legislative session, ensuring that this tribute becomes a permanent part of Paulding County’s landscape.
# # # #
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.
Senate Special Committee on the Protection of Women’s Sports to Hold Second Hearing
ATLANTA (October 10, 2024) — On Tuesday, October 15 at 8:00 a.m., the Senate Special Committee on the Protection of Women’s Sports, chaired by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming), will hold its second hearing.
Continue reading “Senate Special Committee on the Protection of Women’s Sports to Hold Second Hearing”NFIB Honors Sen. John Albers with Guardian of Small Business Award
ATLANTA (October 9, 2024) — The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has presented its prestigious Guardian of Small Business Award to state Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) this week in Roswell. Sen. Albers, representing parts of Cobb, Cherokee, and Fulton counties, was honored at The Fickle Pickle, a local NFIB member business in Roswell. Business owner Andy Badgett presented the award.
The Guardian of Small Business Award is NFIB’s highest honor, given in recognition of a legislator’s leadership and support for small businesses. The NFIB Georgia Leadership Council, comprised of NFIB members from across the state, voted to honor Sen. Albers for his outstanding advocacy on behalf of small businesses.
“John Albers has been an unwavering supporter of small businesses since entering the Georgia Senate over 10 years ago,” said NFIB State Director Hunter Loggins. “In 2023-24, Sen. Albers achieved a 100 percent NFIB Voting Record and led the charge to place Referendum Question A on the November ballot, which will ease financial burdens on small businesses by raising the threshold for the state tax on tangible personal property.”
In accepting the award, Sen. Albers expressed his gratitude for the recognition and reinforced his commitment to helping Georgia’s small businesses thrive.
“It is an incredible honor to receive the Guardian of Small Business Award from the NFIB,” said Sen. Albers. “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and economy, and I remain deeply committed to championing policies that foster their success. I will continue working to ensure that entrepreneurs across Georgia have the support they need to grow, create jobs, and drive our state’s prosperity.”
Referendum Question A, which Albers helped spearhead, is set to appear on the November ballot. If passed, the measure will raise the tax threshold on tangible personal property, offering much-needed financial relief to small businesses.
**See attached photo for your use.
# # # #
Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy – An Update on Our Interim Committee Work
ATLANTA (October 8, 2024)— We’ve moved forward in our efforts to strengthen Georgia’s forestry industry with our second meeting of the Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee at the Georgia State Capitol. Building on the groundwork established in our initial meeting, where we identified key challenges facing the sector, we are now focused on exploring solutions and emerging markets that have the potential to revitalize our state’s forestry landscape
Unfortunately, the timing of our meeting coincided with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which brought significant hardship to many regions of our state, including those heavily reliant on the forestry industry. Our thoughts remain with all those affected, and we will continue to support our impacted communities and first responders in the days ahead.
At this meeting, we shifted our focus from problems to possibilities. The shrinking markets for traditional forestry products that we discussed in our first meeting are not the whole story—there are emerging markets and new technologies that could represent the future of Georgia’s forestry industry. As chair of this committee, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of experts to explore these opportunities, and the insights they shared during our meeting were nothing short of inspiring.
We first heard from Dr. Andreas Bommarius and Dr. Carson Meredith from the Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) at Georgia Tech, who introduced us to their groundbreaking ReWOOD initiative. This project focuses on “Xylochemistry,” a rapidly growing field that uses sustainable wood-based materials to develop products ranging from industrial solvents to jet fuel. What’s particularly exciting about ReWOOD is its potential to create new demand for Georgia’s vast forestry resources in environmentally sustainable and economically viable ways.
Next, we welcomed Troy Harris of Jamestown LLP, a real estate investment firm with a strong track record in sustainable timberland management. He spoke about Jamestown’s use of innovative practices to boost timberland productivity while ensuring sustainable growth. These practices not only increase the value of timber but also ensure the long-term health and resilience of our forests—an important consideration given the growing threat of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene.
Finally, Smitha Hariharan, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Gulfstream, shared the company’s cutting-edge work in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Gulfstream recently made history with the first-ever trans-Atlantic flight powered by 100% SAF, a major breakthrough that could have significant implications for Georgia’s forestry industry. As demand for SAF grows worldwide, Georgia’s timber could become a key resource in meeting that demand, creating jobs and driving investment in rural communities across the state.
Our meeting made it clear that the future of forestry in Georgia lies in traditional markets and these emerging fields. Exciting opportunities are on the horizon, whether it’s sustainable aviation fuel, wood-based construction materials or innovative new uses for timber byproducts. With Georgia being the #1 state to do business and the #1 forestry producing state in the country, I believe our state is uniquely positioned to lead on this emerging market.
As we continue to work through the challenges and opportunities ahead, I am grateful for the valuable contributions of the experts and industry leaders helping us explore these new possibilities. I’m confident that by embracing innovation and working together, we can create a more sustainable and prosperous future for Georgia’s forestry industry. I look forward to sharing more updates as our committee’s work progresses.
You can find more information about the committee’s work and upcoming meetings here.
# # # #
Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.