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Majority Leader Steve Gooch: Week One Under the Gold Dome

By: Majority Leader, Sen. Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega)

The second session of the 157th General Assembly began this week. With every New Year comes new opportunities and challenges. As a working member on a multitude of committees within the Senate such as the Senate Committees on Finance, Appropriations, Transportation and more, our days will be filled with many robust discussions as the Senate body tackles pressing matters that concern all Georgians.

On Thursday, the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives gathered for a Joint Session of the General Assembly where Governor Brian P. Kemp gave his annual State of the State Address. This event marks a time for Gov. Kemp to lay out his legislative and budgetary priorities for the duration of the legislative session. These priorities included pay raises for law enforcement officers, funding for the betterment of Georgia’s university system, and key updates to the technology of state agencies. These changes will not only retain and recruit staff across a number of state divisions, but will also give much needed modernization to state facilities for greater effectiveness across the board. I appreciate the efforts of Gov. Kemp and his staff to put the public safety of Georgians first, as it is also a high priority of mine. Pay raises are well-deserved for law enforcement officials, state employees and teachers who work to serve our state year-round.

Education continues to be a focal point of Gov. Kemp and the Majority Party, as Gov. Kemp aims to provide $11 million for coaches to improve reading instruction and finance literacy screening tests. Additionally, Gov. Kemp emphasized the importance of advancing education through school choice. The Majority Caucus is firm in their belief that school choice will offer our children the best educational opportunities, regardless of their zip code. It is imperative that the Senate body continues to work closely with to tackle a wide range of challenges that our state currently faces, and I hope this budgetary process will bring forth positive change in the coming months. Next week will mark the start of what is known under the Gold Dome as budget week. Considerably the most important week of session, we will be working hard to craft the Fiscal Year 24-25 budget. Passing the budget is the sole constitutional obligation of the General Assembly each session, and the coming week will be filled with a number of joint committee meetings between the House and Senate to dive deep into the needs of our state.

This will be a very busy and exciting session, and I will strive to represent the 51st Senate District to the best of my ability. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.

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Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and Pickens counties and a portion of White County. He may be reached at 404.656.7872 or via email at steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov

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Williams: Week One Under the Gold Dome

By: Sen. Rick Williams (R–Milledgeville)

The 2024 Legislative Session is underway, marking the beginning of my renewed commitment to serving the 25th Senate District. Each session brings its own set of opportunities and challenges, but I want to assure you that your needs and concerns will always be my top priority beneath the Gold Dome.

Convening on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, the Second Session of the 157th Georgia General Assembly promises to be a busy and productive season. I am eager to champion and support various pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing the quality of life in our district and making Georgia the best state to live, work, and raise a family.

A noteworthy event this week was the joint session of the Georgia Senate and the House of Representatives in the House chamber. We gathered to listen to Governor Brian P. Kemp’s annual State of the State Address, where he outlined his priorities for the upcoming legislative session. As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Retirement, I am pleased with the increased allocation of funds to state retirees. I commend the Governor for prioritizing workforce funding, pay raises for law enforcement and state employees, and crucial updates to state technology.

In my role as a funeral director, I consistently prioritize authoring and supporting positive legislation for the funeral industry. Senate Bill 205, heard and unanimously passed in the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities this week, is a significant step. This bill allows funeral directors with lapsed licenses to apply for reinstatement, and its next hurdle is the Senate Committee on Rules.

Looking ahead, the focus shifts to budget hearings next week. The Senate and House will devote their time to discussions on the Fiscal Year 2024 amended budget and the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Recognized as the most critical week of the session, Budget Week is our constitutional obligation under the Georgia State Constitution.

These upcoming months promise to be both busy and eventful as we strive for a better and brighter Georgia. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any questions, comments, or concerns throughout this session. Together, let’s work towards a thriving future for our state.

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Sen. Rick Williams serves as Chairman for the Senate Committee on Retirement. He represents the 25th Senate District, which includes Baldwin, Butts, Jasper, Jones, and Putnam County as well as portions of Henry and a small portion of Bibb County. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0082 or by email at rick.williams@senate.ga.gov.

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Anavitarte: Week One Under the Gold Dome

By: Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas)

Happy New Year, West Georgia! I hope that 2024 is finding you both happy and healthy. Each new year brings with it new challenges and opportunities, and I’m excited to represent Georgia’s 31st Senate District during this year’s Legislative Session. The time between each session, often referred to as the interim, has finally come to a close. I’m looking forward to working on your behalf over the course of our remaining legislative calendar days.

The Georgia State Senate kicked off the Second Session of the 157th Georgia General Assembly on Monday, January 8, 2024. This legislative session is sure to be important as we continue to pass effective legislation for Georgians, while specifically prioritizing issues important to the 31st District.

We began the week by passing Senate Resolution 431, officially convening the General Assembly for the 2024 Regular Session. On Thursday, I listened to Governor Brian P. Kemp’s joint State of the State address to the House and Senate.  While we already agree on numerous items, it remains encouraging to see that we each remain committed to specific conservative principles such as backing the blue, ensuring that our communities are safe and keeping the scope of government small.

Next week, I look forward to listening to Gov. Kemp, various State officers and numerous state agency heads as we take time to carefully discuss our state’s budget throughout several subcommittee hearings. I’m excited to support Gov. Kemp’s priorities to strengthen rural Georgia and promote West Georgia businesses. I will always lead the charge when it comes to promoting rural broadband, dismantling Common Core and cutting unnecessary burdens for local entrepreneurs.

Finally, I’d like to express my sincere sympathy and support to recently passed Polk County Commissioner Scotty Tillery’s family, friends, and the entire Polk County community. Commissioner Tillery’s dedication to the City of Cedartown, its residents and citizens such as myself represent his unwavering dedication to service. May we all find strength and solace in the cherished memories of a dedicated public servant and a beloved community leader.

The next few weeks will surely be busy and I am excited for the impactful work that is yet to be done. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns about matters relating to the Georgia Senate.

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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

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Hatchett: Week One Under the Gold Dome

By: Sen. Bo Hatchett (R–Cornelia)

The New Year signals the start of another Legislative Session here under the Gold Dome, and I’m enthusiastic about representing the hardworking constituents of the 50th Senate District once again. Throughout this session, my commitment remains unwavering—to serve the people of District 50 and contribute to making Georgia the best place to live and work.

During the interim, I had the honor of chairing the Senate Study Committee on Rural Medical Personnel Recruitment. Being a rural Georgia native, I’ve witnessed firsthand the negative impact of a shortage of medical personnel on families outside metro Atlanta. While the committee has concluded its work, its recommendations will form the basis for various measures to be considered by the Senate. Additionally, as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Children and Families, I’m eagerly anticipating positive reforms resulting from the actions taken by this committee.

The 2024 Session holds significant importance as we continue to pass effective legislation, prioritizing the hardworking citizens of Georgia. The first week kicked off with the Senate convening on the Senate floor and concluded with Governor Brian P. Kemp’s State of the State address. The address served as a platform for the Governor to outline his legislative and budgetary priorities, emphasizing public safety, school choice, and pay raises for teachers. I am eager to collaborate with colleagues on both sides of the aisle throughout this session in support of Gov. Kemp.

Next week marks the beginning of Budget Week. I look forward to collaborating closely with Gov. Kemp and State Departments as we discuss and amend the Fiscal Year 2024 budget and outline the Fiscal Year 2025 budget in several subcommittee hearings. It’s our responsibility to ensure your tax dollars are allocated fairly.

While this session promises to be fast-paced and busy, rest assured that I will keep your needs and concerns at the forefront of every decision I make. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office for any questions or concerns. Together, let’s navigate this session for the betterment of Georgia.

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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 404.651.7745 or by email at bo.hatchett@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Kirkpatrick Selected as Vice Chair of NCSL Committee on Children, Families and Human Services

ATLANTA, GA (Jan. 5, 2024) — Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R–Marietta) was recently selected to serve a two-year term as vice chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Children, Families, and Human Services Committee.

This newly established committee, previously part of the Health and Human Services Committee, focuses on advocating for states’ interests in federal decisions related to various issues affecting children and families. These matters include child welfare, child support, early learning, youth homelessness, and aging services. Additionally, the committee plays a crucial role in safeguarding vital federal programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, and the Child Care Development Block Grant.

Sen. Kirkpatrick expressed her gratitude for the appointment, stating, “I am deeply honored to extend my work on behalf of children and families to this esteemed national position. The challenges and opportunities we face in these areas are significant, and I am eager to represent and safeguard the interests of Georgia in this new capacity.”

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), founded in 1975, stands as a pivotal organization tailored for state legislators and legislative staff across the nation. It offers a comprehensive range of bipartisan resources, including research, training, and technical assistance, transcending geographical boundaries to support legislators in all 50 states, commonwealths, territories, and the District of Columbia.

NCSL not only serves as a hub for information exchange among state legislators but also actively contributes to enhancing the role of states and state legislatures within the federal system. This involves direct engagement with members of Congress and the administration on NCSL’s state-federal priorities, solidifying the organization’s commitment to fostering collaboration and effective governance.

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Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick serves as Chair of the Children and Families Committee. She represents the 32nd Senate District which includes portions of East Cobb and Cherokee County. She may be reached by phone at 404.656.3932 or by email at kay.kirkpatrick@senate.ga.gov.