The legislature reconvened for the 2023 Legislative Session on Monday, Jan. 9th. Over the past couple of weeks, we have moved through the first 8 legislative days and a week of budget hearings for the Amended Fiscal Year 2023 & full Fiscal Year 2024 budgets. Both chambers passed an adjournment resolution during the first week of Session that sets the calendar for the remainder of the 2023 Session, with Day 40 - Sine Die falling on March 29.
We began this Session with a new office, new committee assignments, new staff, and a new district number. Please read below for updates - and we look forward to keeping you informed throughout this year's Session.
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There was no better way to kick off the New Year than the Georgia Bulldogs winning their second straight College Football National Championship. Since swearing-in day coincided with the National Championship game, we got creative and improvised our swearing-in ceremony. Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, and Supreme Court Justice John Ellington were also in Los Angeles, and ensured a successful swearing-in. Go Dawgs! |
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January 1 marked the start of the new year, but also the effective date for several pieces of legislation that were passed during the 2022 session. I was honored to be able to carry 3 of these bills in the House, including SB 361, the LESS Crime Act, which allows individuals to donate a portion of their tax liability to their local police foundations (read more about this effort locally). HB 1443, another piece of legislation I carried last year that cuts red tape for food truck operators, also just recently took effect. Finally, the Inform Consumers Act, which is an important measure in fighting back against organized retail crime, is now in effect. Click here to read more about these bills and other legislation that went into effect on the first of the month.
I'm looking forward to working on additional legislation this Session. This week, I introduced the Coleman-Baker Act, which provides a renewed focus on cold cases to help bring justice for unsolved homicide cases (read more about this legislation here). While we don't have an accurate count of unsolved homicides in Georgia, there are a significant number - in Athens-Clarke County alone, there are 40 since 1972. One major component of the bill is getting an accurate count of cold cases - it also allows families of victims to request a review after an appropriate amount of time. And it creates a cold case unit within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
We are also working on legislation that will require district attorneys and prosecutors to uphold the law and do their job. Right now, in Georgia, there are no consequences for district attorneys and solicitors who fail to prosecute criminals. We've seen here in our community the devastating results of this lack of enforcement. In the House, we have passed legislation multiple times that creates the prosecutorial oversight commission to ensure there is a mechanism to go after prosecutors who aren't doing their job. That legislation has not made it through the Senate to date, but I'm confident that we're going to get it over the finish line this Session. We will soon be reintroducing this legislation - along with other important district attorney-related items - to ensure our communities are protected.
These bills have been my primary focus in the early stages of Session. However, I'm working on a number of other items of legislation - which I will keep you updated on as we move through the Session.
This week, Governor Kemp delivered his State of the State address and announced his agenda for the 2023 legislative session. He spoke about the record economic development coming to Georgia, the massive budget surplus thanks to conservative budgeting, and the investments we've made in education, transportation, and health care. The Governor outlined several priorities this year, including raising the HOPE Scholarship to cover 100% of tuition, giving teachers and state employees another $2,000 raise, cracking down on violent crime and gangs, and the expansion of workforce housing for the influx of workers coming to Georgia.
Last week, we held budget hearings as we began to review Governor Kemp's proposal for the FY23 amended and FY24 budgets. There are a number of local priorities that we've been working on in the budget. One I'm particularly excited about is a new Georgia State Patrol Post in Oconee County. Last year, we secured funding for a new Department of Driver Services facility in Oconee - and we're working to ensure we also have a new, renovated GSP post for our local troopers. The Governor's budget proposal includes $1 billion in tax refunds to Georgia taxpayers and $1 billion of property tax relief - measures I'm proud to support.
This Session, we're going to continue our focus on helping Georgians in the face of 40-year high inflation and ensure Georgia continues to lead the nation in economic development and job growth. And we're going to prioritize cracking down on violent crime. Education will be another top focus - making sure we give parents a say in their children's education. These are just a few of our top priorities this year. Over the next couple of months, I'm confident we are going to deliver on the most important issues to Georgians - and I look forward to keeping you updated on these legislative priorities.
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As we begin this Session, there are significant changes around the Capitol. Most notably, on the House side, we have a new Speaker in Jon Burns. Speaker Burns previously served as Majority Leader for many years - he is a tremendous leader and an overall great person, and I'm thrilled to see him leading our chamber. We are in great hands heading into this Session.
While we're excited to have Speaker Burns, such change was very unexpected. On Nov. 16, our friend Speaker David Ralston passed away. Speaker Ralston served twelve years as Speaker. I will be forever grateful for his friendship and indebted to him for all he’s done for me and our community. I hope you will join me in continued prayers for Speaker Ralston's friends and family.
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The last conversation I had with Speaker Ralston was about whether I should consider running for House leadership. Ultimately, after many conversations with colleagues, I made the decision to do so - and was honored to be elected by my colleagues to serve as the Majority Caucus Vice-Chairman. In this role, I will be a part of our new leadership team and focus on preserving and growing our Majority in the House. The rest of our leadership team includes: Jan Jones, Speaker Pro Tempore; Chuck Efstration, Majority Leader; James Burchett, Majority Caucus Whip; Bruce Williamson, Majority Caucus Chairman; and Ginny Ehrhart, Majority Caucus Secretary/Treasurer. I look forward to working alongside this great team to tackle the most important issues facing our state this legislative session. Our new team is pictured below just after our Caucus elections late last year.
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As I've moved into my new role as Caucus Vice-Chairman, I moved offices from the Coverdell Legislative Office Building to the State Capitol in the Majority Caucus leadership suite in Room 415. Next time you are at the Capitol, I would love to have you visit your office at the State Capitol.
While there are changes in the House, there is quite a bit of turnover in the Senate, as well. We have a new Lt. Governor in Burt Jones, a former UGA Bulldog football player who had served in the Senate for several years. I'm excited to work with Lt. Gov. Jones and look forward to his leadership. The Senate elected John Kennedy to serve as its President of the Senate. Senator Kennedy is a skilled leader who I know will do a fine job.
Of course, we're thrilled to have our hometown Governor Brian Kemp back for another four years. As mentioned above, he outlined a great agenda in his State of the State address - and we're looking forward to continue working together to deliver for our community and the entire state.
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All members of the House received their committee assignments last week. As a member of House leadership, I stepped down from Chairing the Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment Committee. This upcoming Session, I will serve on the following committees -
Higher Education Appropriations - Vice Chairman
Governmental Affairs - Vice Chairman, Elections Subcommittee
Public Health
Insurance
Urban Affairs
Ways & Means
Ethics
Creative Arts & Entertainment
I'm thrilled by these committee assignments and look forward to continue delivering for our community and having a voice on the most important issues moving through the legislature.
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"Athens native Houston Gaines was sworn into his third term in the state house of representatives on Monday night inside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles before Georgia football played TCU for the college football championship."
"'We're also seeing an issue where prosecutors across the state, district attorneys, who are not doing their job and not prosecuting criminals,' said Rep. Houston Gaines."
"Legislation introduced Wednesday at the Capitol in Atlanta is designed to enhance the ability of law enforcement to review cold cases in Georgia. The bill is sponsored by Athens state Rep. Houston Gaines."
"Responsibilities of the position include assisting with incumbent re-election, candidate recruitment and caucus fundraising."
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The House Page Program has finally returned to the Capitol after being suspended for the past couple of years. The program has been revamped to provide more programming and is a great opportunity for students in our community.
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I look forward to keeping in touch as we begin the New Year and start the 2023-2024 legislative session at the Capitol. As always, I stand ready to assist with issues that my constituents face with local, state, and federal government. Please feel free to reach out with any thoughts, questions or concerns on any issue. My new Executive Assistant, Peyton Puckett, also stands ready to assist in any way. Her contact information is below.
Peyton Puckett
404-656-5025
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OUR OFFICE
415 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
404.656.5025
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