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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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Sen. Bo Hatchett Appointed to Chair Senate Study Committee on Rural Medical Personnel Recruitment

ATLANTA (June 1, 2023) | This week, Senator Bo Hatchett (R – Cornelia) was appointed by Lt. Governor Burt Jones to serve as  Chairman of the Senate Study Committee on Rural Medical Personnel Recruitment.

“Healthcare facilities across Georgia face numerous challenges when it comes to healthcare professional recruitment, especially in rural areas. A shortage of properly trained medical staff is dangerous for rural communities that are often hours away from large hospitals,” said Sen. Hatchett. “As a Senator from rural Georgia, I have seen firsthand the negative impacts that a lack of healthcare personnel can have on the health and wellness of families located outside of metro areas in our state. I appreciate Lt. Governor Jones for his diligence in creating this study committee and look forward to working with my Senate colleagues as we find creative solutions for the rural healthcare sector in the coming months.”

This five-member Senate Study Committee was established through the passage of Senate Resolution 371, which was sponsored by Sen. Hatchett during the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session. Currently, rural hospitals face a multitude of challenges when delivering services to their patients primarily 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. 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 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

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Sen. Larry Walker III Appointed as Chairman of 2023 Senate Study Committee on Occupational Licensing

ATLANTA (May 23, 2023) | Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones announced legislative appointments to the Senate Study Committee on Occupational Licensing. The five-member study committee was established by the passage of Senate Resolution 85 during the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session.

“Regardless of industry or organization, overcoming state workforce challenges should be considered a priority,” said Senator Larry Walker. “I applaud Lt. Governor Jones for his diligence to this endeavor, and I’m honored to serve as Chairman to this Committee. I am also appreciative to the entire Senate body for seeing to the passage of the Senate Resolution to establish this committee. I look forward to diving deeper into occupational licensing for our state industries and working to ensure that Georgians are equipped for the high-demand jobs within Georgia.”

This Study Committee will hold meetings across the state throughout this year. Dates and locations will be announced in the coming days and will be available on the Senate Schedule here.

Find more information on this study committee 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 Receives Georgia Historic Preservation Recognition

ATLANTA (May 2, 2023) | Last week, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation announced their 2023 class of preservation award honorees. Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R – Macon) was awarded the 2023 Senator George Hooks Award for his efforts to maintain a high standard of historic preservation in the state of Georgia.

“It is an honor to be named as the recipient of this year’s award,” said President Pro Tempore Kennedy. “Rest assured that I will continue to ensure that Georgia’s legislative efforts are committed to our state’s historic preservation endeavors, community development, and economic growth. I appreciate the Georgia Trust for bestowing me with this award and look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”

This award was given in response to Senator Kennedy’s efforts to save the State Historic Preservation Tax Credit, which was almost lost due to an impending sunset last year. These credits have become the basis for generating equity allowing more Georgians to participate in revitalization. Senator Kennedy worked to revise the previously-passed bill, and secured passage for the new bill that saved these credits.

According to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Senator George Hooks Award recognizes excellence in public leadership in Georgia. This award is given at the discretion of the Board of Trustees and is named in honor of Senator George Hooks, a strong supporter of the preservation of Georgia’s history and culture, who served in the Georgia General Assembly for 32 years.

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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