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Sen. Shawn Still Honored as 2023 Freshman Legislator of the Year

ATLANTA (June 15, 2023) | Last week, Senator Shawn Still (R – Johns Creek) was announced as the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Freshman Legislator of the Year.

The award is given to members of the Georgia General Assembly whose efforts have focused on promoting economic development, job creation and free enterprise in their first term of office.

“It is an honor to be recognized as a pro-business legislator during my first year in office,” said Sen. Still. “The Georgia Chamber was an invaluable asset to me throughout the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session, and I look forward to continuing that partnership on behalf of Georgia’s business community throughout my tenure as a State Senator.”

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is the state’s largest business advocacy organization, with a focus of advocating for both state and federal issues.

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Sen. Shawn Still represents the 48th Senate District which includes portions of Forsyth, Gwinnett, and Fulton counties. He can be reached by phone at 404.656.0044 or by email at Shawn.Still@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Bo Hatchett Praises Governor Kemp for Public Safety Grant Awards to Stephens County

ATLANTA (June 9, 2023) | This week, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that he has made preliminary grant awards totaling more than $83.5 million for 118 qualified projects that improve community-level public safety measures and address law enforcement staffing challenges that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program funds will be allotted to supplement local law enforcement staffing, support violent crime reduction or community violence intervention programming, and invest in technology and equipment to address and respond to the rise in community violence across the state.

“I’d like to thank the Governor for directing this funding to the first responders of Stephens County,” said Sen. Bo Hatchett (R – Cornelia). “State leadership will continue to support our Law Enforcement, and I look forward to seeing these funds utilized for the safety of families in the 50th State Senate District. These direct resources to our officers help ensure they have the tools and personnel to continue to serve and protect.”

Funds awarded to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office include $1,185,156.50 to provide more deputies on the streets and more jailers with hopes of reducing the strain currently on staff.

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Sen. Bo Hatchett serves as a Governor’s Administration Floor Leader. He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens and Towns County and portions of Hall, Jackson, and White counties. He can be reached by phone at 404.463.5257 or by email at bo.hatchett@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Bo Hatchett Praises Governor Kemp for Public Safety Grant Awards to Commerce Police Department

ATLANTA (June 9, 2023) | This week, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that he has made preliminary grant awards totaling more than $83.5 million for 118 qualified projects that improve community-level public safety measures and address law enforcement staffing challenges that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program funds will be allotted to supplement local law enforcement staffing, support violent crime reduction or community violence intervention programming, and invest in technology and equipment to address and respond to the rise in community violence across the state.

“I appreciate Governor Kemp and his staff for awarding Commerce’s first responders with this grant funding,” said Sen. Bo Hatchett (R – Cornelia). “The Commerce Police Department is extremely deserving of this grant and I look forward to seeing these key initiatives implemented in the coming months.”

Funds awarded to the Commerce Police Department include $79,310 to implement 21st century intelligence-led policing strategies for crime reduction and enhance quality of life in the community of Commerce.

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Sen. Bo Hatchett serves as a Governor’s Administration Floor Leader. He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens and Towns County and portions of Hall, Jackson, and White counties. He can be reached by phone at 404.463.5257 or by email at bo.hatchett@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Larry Walker III Appointed to 2023 Senate Study Committee on Rural Medical Personnel Recruitment

ATLANTA (June 6, 2023) | Last week, Senator Larry Walker III (R – Perry) was appointed by Lt. Governor Burt Jones to serve as a member of the Senate Study Committee on Rural Medical Personnel Recruitment.

“Healthcare facilities across the state currently struggle to attract and retain staff and specialty personnel, especially outside the metro Atlanta area,” said Sen. Walker III. “This discussion is imperative as we work to find realistic solutions to the shortage of rural medical personnel. Georgians deserve to have dependable care no matter where they are, and I look forward to hearing the perspectives of industry experts as we dive deeper into the workforce needs of this sector. I appreciate Lt. Governor Jones for his part in making sure this study committee is a priority for the Senate body.”

This five-member Senate Study Committee was established through the passage of Senate Resolution 371 during the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session. Rural hospitals are often left behind due to economic factors and a lack of available health care professionals. This Study Committee will aim to raise awareness of the obstacles faced by rural hospitals to recruit an adequate work force and retain their surgical personnel.

The committees will be tasked with holding meetings across the state, with dates and locations to be announced at a later time.

More information on the 2023 Senate Study Committees can be found here.

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus. He also serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He represents Senate District 20 which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen, and Wilcox Counties and a portion of Houston County. He can be reached at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov  

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Senate President Pro Tempore Returns with Georgia Delegation from Trade Mission to Israel

ATLANTA (May 31, 2023) | President Pro Tempore Senator John F. Kennedy (R – Macon) recently joined Governor Brian P. Kemp, Speaker Burns and key Georgia economic development representatives on an international trade mission to the nation of Israel, our state’s 30th largest trade partner. The eight-day mission aimed to bolster economic ties between the nations and promote Georgia as a state primed for economic development and growth.

“America has always treasured its diplomatic ties with the nation of Israel. It is imperative that our state leadership does our part to continue to nurture future opportunities for economic development and tell Georgia’s story as the number one state to do business.” said President Pro Tempore Kennedy. “Georgia continues to be the focal point of a national conversation around economic opportunity and good governance. I was happy to share Georgia’s story with Israel’s top diplomats and begin a conversation about how our nations can work together to yield opportunity for our state throughout multiple sectors of our economy. I appreciate Governor Kemp for the invitation to join him on this key diplomatic endeavor and I look forward to seeing the Georgia Senate continue lead the way in courting economic opportunity for our state.”

Israel continues be among the nations leading the world with significant developments in its robust technological, military and intelligence industries. Georgia’s trade with Israel totaled $1.2 billion in 2022, growing 26.2% since 2021. Israel is also home to roughly 8 Georgia companies headquartered within its borders and 21 Israeli companies have operations in our state. Georgia currently exports $280 million in goods and services to Israel and Israeli companies employ more than 1000 Georgians statewide.

The economic development mission laid out a comprehensive itinerary including tours of world-class cyber security centers at Ben-Gurion University, in-person meetings and discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Herzog, and strategic meetings with many Georgia Companies in headquartered the region. The trip also included a visit to Yad Vashem, the Jewish people’s memorial to the Holocaust. There, President Pro Tempore Kennedy joined others in reflecting on the impact that the Holocaust had on Jewish Israelis and Georgians alike. The delegation also visited key historical areas, touring and meeting with Israeli business leaders at locations such as the Mount of Olives, Nazareth, and Tel Aviv before returning to Georgia.

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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, and portions of Bibb and Houston Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov