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President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy Announces Funding for Middle Georgia Airports

ATLANTA (July 22, 2024) — Georgia’s 18th Senate District is set to receive significant funding to improve and expand regional airport infrastructure, as announced by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The funding appropriated by the Georgia General Assembly will bolster several key projects to enhance the capacity and safety of regional airports across the state.

“Regional airports are catalysts for economic growth in rural communities. These expansions are crucial to bring new investments, good-paying jobs and industry to Middle Georgia. Our communities are filled with one-of-a-kind business, tourism, and recreational opportunities. From historic downtown Macon, our world-class museums and exhibition halls, to the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds, I am committed to making it easier for people across the country to see what the heart of Georgia has to offer,” said President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon). “I want to specifically thank Governor Brian Kemp, Commissioner Russell McMurray and our GDOT Board Members for their support of this funding for the 18th Senate District.”

The projects, totaling $5.5 Million in state funding, announced by the Georgia Department of Transportation include operational and safety improvements for Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Thomaston-Upson County Airport and Perry-Houston County Airport. The additional funding is part of a broader $1.5 billion investment in Georgia’s transportation infrastructure, which includes significant allocations for local roads, capital maintenance, freight programs, and capital construction.

These projects were selected based on a strategic process and project readiness, with strong endorsement and support from the State Board of Transportation.


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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, 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. Blake Tillery Applauds GDOT for Accelerating Phase Two of Crucial Construction Project

ATLANTA, GA (July 19, 2024) —Today,Sen. Blake Tillery (R–Vidalia) commended the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for their decision to expedite phase two of the US-1, State Route 4 bypass project by four years. This significant infrastructure initiative, with a funding allocation of $26.6 million, is a major step forward in improving transportation and economic development in the region.

“I deeply appreciate the commitment of Governor Kemp and Commissioner Russell McMurry to enhancing our transportation infrastructure as southeast Georgia continues to grow,” said Senator Tillery. “His responsiveness to the needs of our community does not go unnoticed, and I look forward to continuing collaboration with GDOT, our local officials and community stakeholders as the project progresses.”

Local officials and community leaders have long recognized the importance of the US-1/SR 4 bypass, with discussions dating back to the 1990s.

“The advocacy and support from our local officials have been instrumental in highlighting the necessity of this bypass,” added Sen. Tillery. “Their voices have been heard, and their persistence has paid off. We’re all excited to see the completion of this project, which will greatly enhance traffic flow, safety and economic opportunity within the 19th Senate District.”

The accelerated timeline for phase two of this project will allow Georgia citizens throughout the Coastal Plain to reap the full benefits of improved transportation while simultaneously reinforcing major transportation corridors for Georgia businesses.

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Sen. Blake Tillery serves as Chairman for the Senate Committee on Appropriations. He represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Bacon, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Telfair, Toombs, Wayne, and Wheeler counties and a portion of Coffee County. He can be reached by email at blake.tillery@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Brian Strickland Commends State Funding for New Lanes on Interstate 75 in Henry County

ATLANTA (July 19, 2024) — Today, Sen. Brian Strickland (R–McDonough) issued a statement commending Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for their leadership and commitment to increasing the ease of transportation in Henry County:

“I am happy to announce that the Georgia Department of Transportation has allocated $10 million in funding to begin the process of adding two new lanes to our express lanes in Henry County. This funding will initiate the engineering work required for this project, ultimately leading to the end of the reversible express lanes and providing access for travel in two lanes, in both directions, at all times. These funds are part of the historic investment Gov. Kemp and the Legislature included in the state budget this year for infrastructure projects in our state. Everyone who travels through Henry County knows the challenges of Interstate 75. I commend the governor and the Georgia Department of Transportation for listening to the concerns we have expressed and making this investment in state funds to this region.”

In addition to the $10 million funding for Henry County, the $1.5 billion surplus allocated to improve state infrastructure will fund projects such as airport aid, local roads funding, capital maintenance, a new freight program to improve freight infrastructure efficiency, and capital construction.

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Sen. Brian Strickland serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. He represents the 17th Senate District, which includes all of Morgan and portions of Henry, Newton, and Walton County. Sen. Strickland may be reached by phone at 404.463.6598 or email at brian.strickland@senate.ga.gov.

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Joint Agriculture Chairmen’s Ag Issues Summit Announced for August 27, 2024

ATLANTA (July 15, 2024) — The Joint Agriculture Chairmen’s Ag Issues Summit has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 9:30 A.M. at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry. This annual event is a critical gathering for discussing key issues in the agricultural sector. It will feature insights from various industry leaders and the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.

Sen. Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, emphasized the importance of this event: “Each year, the Ag Issues Summit serves as a pivotal platform for our agricultural community to come together, exchange knowledge, and address the pressing challenges we face. It is an invaluable opportunity to foster collaboration and innovation within our industry. We look forward to seeing you in Perry and engaging in meaningful discussions to further strengthen our agricultural community.”

Leaders in the Ag Industry will generously provide coffee and lunch to attendees at no charge. However, due to limited space and to ensure adequate preparations, an RSVP is required. Please respond no later than Friday, August 16, 2024.

To RSVP, please send the following information for each attendee to Rachel Whitted at Rachel.Whitted@senate.ga.gov:

  • Full Name:
  • Organization:
  • Phone Number:

The Summit will be held in the Miller Murphy Howard Building, 401 Larry Walker Pkwy, Perry, Georgia 31069.

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Sen. Russ Goodman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. He represents Senate District 8, which includes Atkinson, Clinch, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, and Pierce Counties and a large portion of Ware County. He may be reached at 404.656.7454 or at Russ.Goodman@senate.ga.gov

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Statement from Sen. John Albers on Attempted Assassination of Former President Donald Trump

ATLANTA (July 14, 2024) — Please see below for a statement on behalf of Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) regarding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump:

“Last evening on July 13, 2024, a deranged individual attempted to assassinate the former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump.  This heinous act is counter to everything we believe in as Americans.  As the land of the free and the home of the brave, we applaud the quick response of my fellow first responders while we mourn for those who senselessly lost their lives or were injured.  I am grateful President Trump was not seriously injured, and like any patriotic American, I was proud as he courageously rose to his feet, showing his strength and resolve.

As the Georgia Senate Chairman of Public Safety, I urge all my fellow Georgians to pray, reflect, and use this moment of history to drop the rhetoric and get back to basic human principles.  It is dangerous and wrong when political opponents become enemies and use words such as “bullseye” and “threat.”   We are a Republic, not a democracy, and those who cannot understand the difference are not fit to lead or espouse their inaccurate rhetoric.  This foolish and dangerous behavior encourages others to act with terroristic intentions rather than having an honest debate.

There will be a full investigation, and the facts of this assassination attempt, brutal murder, and assault will become clearer in the days ahead.  I urge my fellow Georgians to express themselves in support of what they believe and hold most true at the ballot box this November.  Today is another day that will go down in American history with a cloud of alarm and angst. Still, it can also rise like a mighty tide leading to a better tomorrow with one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

God Bless America,

Senator John Albers”

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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