This week’s Courier Herald column: A new era has begun in Atlanta for all of Georgia. Monday officially brought us a new Governor, Brian Kemp. The Georgia General Assembly also has many fresh faces as the legislature begins their annual meeting. Chief among them is the new Lieutenant Governor, Geoff Duncan, who will guide the
So, you want to keep up with the General Assembly, but you don’t want to drive to Atlanta, fight parking, and/or you have an aversion to metal detectors? The General Assembly has your back. Legislators convene this morning at 10am. They’ll do a bit of pageantry, swear in new members, officially elect leaders and rules,
State Representative Michael Caldwell (R – Woodstock) pre-filed legislation for the 2019 session that would allow citizens to vote for or against legislative term limits. HB6 would limit members of the General Assembly to eight consecutive years of service by allowing four separate two-year terms. Under the legislation, General Assembly members must take off one
James Salzer of the Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported on a debate about Georgia’s private and state prisons. The article details an audit conducted by a study committee in the Georgia General Assembly. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Terry England’s study committee will explore the impact of Governor Deal’s criminal justice reform policies on Georgia. This
In a press release this morning, Governor-elect Brian Kemp announced his floor leaders in the Georgia General Assembly. In the State House: Rep. Jodi Lott (R-Evans) Rep. Terry Rogers (R-Clarksville) Rep. Bert Reeves (R-Marietta) Rep. Dominic LaRicca (R-Douglas) In the State Senate: Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) Sen. Brian Strickland (R-McDonough) Governor-elect Kemp also announced that
From a press release from Secretary of State Crittenden: ATLANTA – Notice is hereby given that a special election shall be held on January 8, 2019 in the parts of Gordon and Murray Counties that comprise Georgia House District 5 after the passing of State Representative John Meadows. A run-off, if needed, shall be held
The main bill during Georgia’s Special Session meeting of the General Assembly was one to approve $270 million in relief following Hurricane Michael. This was the state’s portion of disaster relief to qualify for federal disaster funds. It passed the House almost unanimously. Almost. There was one no vote, that of Rep Matt Gurtler from
As I prepped you this morning, the House and Senate GOP caucuses met today to choose new leadership. The House met this morning and maintained all eligible incumbents in current leadership posts, plus re-nominated Speaker David Ralston to continue (a position that is elected by the entire House). Trey Kelley will serve as the new
This week’s special session also allows time for members of the various caucuses in the legislature to meet for the first time post-election and choose their leaders for the 2019-2020 term. On the House Republican side, Speaker Ralston is expected to be re-nominated for speaker as are the rest of the current leadership. There are
Today legislators return to the Gold Dome to make decisions in a rare special legislative session. I have reason to be concerned that the pre-announced special session was a strategic Republican back up plan in case Stacey Abrams won the election last Tuesday. Here is why… In 2016, North Carolina Republicans used the same strategy after
