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Sen. Bo Hatchett Carries Legislation to Confirm Historic $400 Million Tax Cut, Approving Governor Kemp’s Executive Orders on Fuel Tax Suspension

ATLANTA (December 5, 2023) — Today, Sen. Bo Hatchett (R–Cornelia) proudly announced the passage of House Resolution 3EX, which ratifies Governor Brian P. Kemp’s Executive Orders to suspend the collection of motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes in response to the state of emergency caused by inflation.

Sen. Hatchett, who carried the resolution in the Senate remarked, “As hardworking Georgians and their families continue to weather 40-year high inflation and face uncertain economic headwinds due to failed policies and reckless spending in Washington, D.C., this suspension delivered direct relief to Georgians during times of economic uncertainty. I believe it demonstrates our commitment to putting the needs of our constituents first. I extend my sincere appreciation to Gov. Kemp for his swift and decisive action in response to the challenges Georgians are facing across the state. His dedication to putting Georgians first does not go unnoticed, and I am proud to have collaborated on this resolution to support his efforts.”

The resolution, officially adopted by the General Assembly of Georgia, ratifies the suspension of motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes as declared by Governor Kemp’s executive orders. These measures were enacted to address the economic strain caused by inflation and to alleviate the financial burden on Georgia’s residents.

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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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Senate Study Committee on Truck Driver Shortages Concludes with Recommendations for Georgia’s Transportation Industry

ATLANTA (Dec. 5, 2023) — The Senate Study Committee on Truck Driver Shortages, established by Senate Resolution 155 and chaired by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas), successfully concluded its final meeting with recommendations to address the critical shortage of truck drivers in the state of Georgia.

Formed in response to the growing truck driver shortages that are affecting industries across Georgia, the committee played a key role in facilitating dialogue among stakeholders, industry leaders, and educators. Sen. Anavitarte sponsored SR 155, which received bipartisan support during the 2023 Legislative Session. The resolution mandated the committee’s creation to develop strategies for meeting the increasing demand for skilled truck drivers.

“Through extensive hearings and discussions, we have formulated recommendations that aim to bridge the gap between industry needs and workforce development. I appreciate the bipartisan effort displayed by the committee, as well as Senate Committee on Transportation Chairman Dolezal and Majority Leader Gooch in delving into the complexities of this issue,” said Sen. Anavitarte. “Georgia can lead the nation in tackling the truck driver shortage and I am confident that our recommendations will set the stage for positive change.”

“Effectively addressing and resolving the truck driver shortages impacting our state is imperative to maintaining Georgia’s role as a vital economic hub in the Southeast,” stated Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega). “I appreciate Majority Caucus Chair Anavitarte and the committee members for their efforts, which have provided valuable insight into the intricacies of the transportation industry. This brings us one step closer to ensuring that the workforce demand in our state is fulfilled.”

“I express my gratitude for Sen. Anavitarte’s leadership in his role as the chair of this committee,” remarked Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming). “Our committee has fully achieved its goal to diligently investigate and develop strategies to tackle the truck driver shortage. These efforts will form the basis for well-crafted future legislation aimed at lowering the cost of business, barriers to entry, and ultimately the cost of living for all Georgians.”

The committee’s findings and recommendations will be made available to the public in a detailed report, providing a roadmap for policymakers, industry leaders, and educators to collaboratively implement solutions to the truck driver shortage in Georgia. More information about all 2023 Senate Study Committees can be found here. Read the full text of SR 155 here.

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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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Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch Announced as 2023 GHLA ‘Legislator of the Year’

ATLANTA (Dec. 4, 2023) — In a Nov. 29 ceremony at the GHLA Stars of the Lodging Industry Celebration, Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega) was recognized as the 2023 Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association (GHLA). This prestigious award reflects Leader Gooch’s dedication to public service and his contributions to the betterment of Georgia’s tourism industry.

Jim Sprouse, Executive Director of GHLA, commended the Majority Leader, stating, “Leader Gooch has been a tireless advocate for the lodging industry, demonstrating a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities it faces. His leadership has been pivotal in fostering positive growth and economic development, making him a deserving recipient of the Legislator of the Year award. The Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association looks forward to continued collaboration with Leader Gooch and other dedicated leaders to further the interests of the lodging industry in Georgia.”

GHLA, established in 1907, is the state’s non-partisan trade association representing the lodging industry. With a mission to promote, protect, and educate the lodging industry across the state, GHLA is committed to ensuring positive business growth for its members. As the voice of the lodging industry in Georgia, GHLA plays a crucial role in advocating for the interests of its diverse membership.

Leader Gooch expressed gratitude for the honor, stating, “I am deeply honored to receive the Legislator of the Year award from the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association. The hospitality industry is a vital component of our state’s economy and is an integral part of the state’s hospitable culture. This recognition is not just a reflection of my efforts, but also a testament to the collaborative work of the entire state legislature.”

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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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Draft of Proposed Congressional Map Released to Public

ATLANTA (Dec. 1, 2023) — Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting Sen. Shelly Echols (R-Gainesville) has announced the publication of the draft for the proposed Georgia Congressional districts, inviting the public to provide comment and engage in the redistricting process.

“As we proceed with the 2023 Special Session, we have released the proposed plan for Georgia’s Congressional Districts,” stated Chairwoman Echols. “We invite all members of the public to provide their comment where they see fit. The proposed maps are available on the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office’s website, and written comments can be submitted by the public through the portal available on the Georgia General Assembly website at https://www.legis.ga.gov/joint-office/reapportionment.”

The Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting will hold a public hearing to discuss the Congressional draft plan the week of Dec. 4, 2023. The committee encourages public participation and values the input of the community in this vital democratic process.

*Editor’s note: an earlier version of this release contained a misspelling in the first reference of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting.

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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.

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Statement from Sen. Mike Dugan Regarding Vote on Proposed State Senate District Maps

ATLANTA (Dec. 1, 2023) — Sen. Mike Dugan (R–Carrollton) released the following statement regarding today’s Senate vote on the proposed State Senate district maps in the form of Senate Bill 1EX:

“In late October of this year U.S. District Court Judge Steve Jones determined that Georgia’s District maps drawn after the 2020 Census, which include Congressional, State Senate, and State House seats, violated the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.  He informed the state of Georgia that these maps needed to be modified to include more majority Black districts and set a mandatory completion date of Dec. 8, 2023 to have these new maps completed. As a Senate body, we believe the original maps complied with the Act and the State have appealed his ruling. However, until the appeal process is completed, we are incumbent to comply with the ruling. To meet Judge Jones’ deadline, Governor Kemp called for a Special Session of the Georgia General Assembly to respond to the court’s demand.

Once this Special Session was called, the House and Senate Committees on Reapportionment and Redistricting began their work of determining Judge Jones’ exact ruling so that these new districts could be created. Historically during this process, existing District lines are often adjusted. Typically, these adjustments are minimal, although this was not the case with the 30th State Senate District. Upon this realization, I made the decision vote “no” on the passage of Senate Bill 1EX, which would have adjusted the composition of my district far more than I believe it should have been.

I have been honored to serve the good people of the 30th since 2013. From 2013 until 2021 my district included Carroll, parts of Douglas, and parts of Paulding Counties. As a result of the last redistricting process, I was also proud to include Haralson County in that list. This new map significantly cuts Carroll County, to the point that geographically nearly half of the county is now in another District. People I have known all of my life and have served for a decade are no longer in my area.

There are times during the redistricting process when substantial changes to a district must take place. Those times are truly unfortunate and occur when there are no other viable solutions. That was not the case here. In order to avoid significant changes that would have impacted the entire state, Carroll County did, in fact, need to be adjusted. I did present several alternatives during the Special Session in order to preserve greater county integrity yet, much to my dismay, they were rejected out of hand.

If my perspectives had been taken seriously by the committee, this situation could have and would have been better resolved. I was given no forewarning of how massive this split was until the map was shown to me in front of an entire group. I protested the decision, presented my thoughts on why I was opposed and offered a potential way of improving our district while keeping Carroll County more whole. I was told that the map would be taken into further consideration and analyzation. When I reported to Atlanta for Special Session, I was looking forward to seeing the changes I had hoped would be made. None were. When I inquired into these changes again, I was given a list of things that would have to be accomplished before they could be considered and a deadline to meet. The list was no small feat. I was fortunately able to get everything accomplished two hours before the committee was scheduled to meet. Now, imagine my frustration when I was told a just a few moments before the committee convened that my modifications would not be considered, even though it met every requirement I was given.

To say I was disappointed is an understatement. This is politics at its ugliest.

At the end of the day, it is the impact on the people of the 30th State Senate District and the area I have called home for most of my life that I care about the most. Representing you in the State Senate has been an honor. I would like to express that although I will no longer be on the ballot for many of my current constituents, my door is always open should you ever need anything. You have been my people for nearly all of my life and will continue to be so, even if some crudely drawn line on a map says differently.”

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Sen. Mike Dugan serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security. He represents Senate District 30 which includes Carroll, and Haralson Counties and portions of Paulding and Douglas Counties. He may be reached at mike.dugan@senate.ga.gov