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MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Study Committee on Additional Services and Resources for Transition Age Youth in Foster Care to Hold First Meeting

ATLANTA (August 13, 2025) — On Wednesday, August 20,at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Study Committee on Additional Services and Resources for Transition Age Youth in Foster Care, chaired by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R–Marietta), will hold its first hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
  • Time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Location: Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Room 307, 18 Capitol Square, SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
  • Open to the Public: This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The Senate Study Committee on Additional Services and Resources for Transition Age Youth in Foster Care, created through Senate Resolution 310, will survey what resources and services are currently being provided for Georgia’s transition-age youth. This bipartisan committee will then determine what additional services and resources may be or should be available in order to ensure these youth’s success into adulthood.

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. Kay Kirkpatrick serves as Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Children and Families. She represents the 32nd Senate District, which includes portions of Cobb and Cherokee counties. She may be reached by phone at (404) 656-3932 or by email at kay.kirkpatrick@senate.ga.gov

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Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax to Hold First Meeting

ATLANTA (August 12, 2025) — On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Study Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax, chaired by Sen. Blake Tillery, (R–Vidalia), will hold its first hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025
  • Time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Location: Georgia State Capitol, Room 450, 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
  • This event is open to the public.

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:

Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform

Patrick Gleason, Vice President of State Affairs, Americans for Tax Reform

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. 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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MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools to Hold First Meeting

ATLANTA (July 31, 2025) — On Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., the Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools, chaired by Sen. John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), will hold its first hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Location: Mercer University, President’s Dining Room – 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA, 31207
  • This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools, created through Senate Resolution 217, will examine the root causes and long-term impacts of chronic absenteeism among Georgia students. This bipartisan committee will work with educators, parents, policymakers, and community leaders to explore effective, research-backed strategies, such as early intervention and targeted support programs, that can help reduce absenteeism and improve student success.

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. John F. Kennedy 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.

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Sen. Larry Walker III Honored with Prestigious Georgia 4-H Green Jacket Award

ATLANTA (July 29, 2025)— Senator Larry Walker III (R–Perry) has been named the 2025 recipient of the Georgia 4-H Green Jacket Award—one of the organization’s highest honors—for his exceptional leadership, sustained advocacy and meaningful support of 4-H programming across the state.

Presented annually at State 4-H Congress, the Green Jacket Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding and ongoing contributions to Georgia 4-H. Sen. Walker’s dedication to youth development, civic engagement and agricultural education made him a natural choice for this prestigious honor.

“Georgia 4-H is one of the most impactful youth programs in our state, and I’m truly humbled to receive this recognition,” said Sen. Walker. “I believe in investing in our young people, especially in ways that connect them to public service, agriculture, and leadership opportunities. I’ll continue to proudly support 4-H and all it stands for.”

Sen. Walker has served as Senate host for Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol for five consecutive years, helping expand the program’s reach and offering thousands of 4-H’ers the opportunity to connect with elected officials and experience the civic process firsthand. In 2022, he led the State 4-H Council’s Citizenship Ceremony, administering an oath that challenges new voters to participate in democracy.

In the legislature, Sen. Walker played a key role in securing $3 million in the Fiscal Year 2023 amended budget to support cabin replacements at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center. This investment will serve future generations of 4-H’ers for decades to come. He has also championed the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and helped build support for the UGA Grand Farm initiative.

A native of Perry and graduate of the University of Georgia, Sen. Walker lives in Kathleen with his wife, Adrienne. They have three sons and are active members of Perry Methodist Church.

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. 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.

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

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Sen. Larry Walker III Appointed to Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s State Income Tax

ATLANTA (July 17, 2025) —  Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones appointed Senator Larry Walker III (R–Perry) to the newly formed Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s State Income Tax.

“I’m honored to be appointed by Lt. Governor Burt Jones to serve on this important committee,” said Sen. Walker. “This effort marks a critical step toward shaping Georgia’s economic future. Eliminating the state income tax is a bold goal that requires serious, thoughtful commitment. Our mission is to ensure that any proposed changes are fiscally responsible and in the best interest of Georgia’s families and businesses.”

The Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s State Income Tax is charged with identifying viable pathways to eliminate the state income tax for all Georgians entirely. While the General Assembly has taken steps in recent years to reduce income tax rates for households and businesses, many Georgians still face a heavy tax burden. This committee will work to explore responsible solutions that ease that burden and create a more competitive economic environment.

Senator Blake Tillery (R–Vidalia) will serve as Chairman of the committee.

More information about this committee can be found here.

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. 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.

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