Parent Press: Week 2 of the 2023 Legislative Session
Dear Friends:
This week was budget week at the Capitol. The legislature was not in session but I attended the Appropriations committee meetings to learn more about the Governor's proposed budget, the state of Georgia's economy and revenue forecasts. We are working on preparing legislation to file and getting ready for the 2023 session to enter full swing next week.
Budget Week
The Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations from all State Government agencies over 3 days this week. The Governor has proposed the largest ever annual budget of $32.4B. Note that 75% of the budget is spent on education and healthcare. We are fortunate to have a $6.6B surplus this year, nearly half of which the Governor wants to return to taxpayers in one-time give-aways with tax refunds and property tax rebates. These singular payments do little to contribute to long-term solutions to the fundamental challenges Georgians face in the cost of and access to healthcare, housing, education, safe communities and transportation.
The hearings revealed just how much work we have to do in Georgia to serve our citizens, fund need-based programs, and expand access to healthcare and mental health services. This budget could better serve Georgians if we allocated our tax revenues more strategically.
You can read more about the budget here. If you are interested in a particular agency, the hearing recordings can be found here.
Work in Progress
While the beginning of session does involve attending events that appear to be purely social, they are a great way to connect with and develop a good working rapport with my colleagues.
Speaking to a group of Emory healthcare professionals
Attending the Governor's inaugural gala with Paige Terhune, Legislative Assistant
Lunch with Senators Nan Orrock and Gloria Butler Day 1 of session
Lunch with Senators Nan Orrock and Gloria Butler Day 1 of session
In addition to serving as the Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, I am assigned to several committees: the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Education and Youth, Government Oversight and Judiciary. My staff and I are researching and reviewing issues these committees address as well as concerns that citizens bring to my attention. Rest assured, I am working on bills outside my committee work, including safe gun storage, creating a permanent absentee voter list, housing affordability and safety, and workforce development. As we file legislation, I will keep you informed about how to support bills by contacting other legislators.
I am honored to be invited to deliver the response to the Governor's State-of-the-State address. Usually, the Governor is sworn in on the first day of session, allowing him to deliver his address and outline his agenda during the first week. This year, due to the National Championship game, inaugural festivities were postponed and the State-of-the-State address was delayed until January 25th. Please join me by tuning in to GPB at 7pm on Wednesday.
Stay Tuned
Watch the Governor's State of the State Speech and my speech in response at 7pm on Wednesday, January 25 on GPB.
Contact My Office
We welcome you to come to the Capitol to attend hearings, lobby your legislators and visit us in Suite 121-A in the State Capitol building. You can also listen to live and recorded meetings and hearings at legis.ga.gov.
Chief of Staff: Ellen Schornstein Williams, ellen@elenaparent.com (contact for communications and policy related questions)
Legislative Assistant: Paige Terhune, paige.terhune@senate.ga.gov, (404) 656-5109 (contact for scheduling and constituent services)
Thank you for the opportunity to represent you. in the Georgia State Senate.
Sincerely,
Questions? Please contact me at
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