Parent Press: Weeks 1 and 2 of the 2024 Legislative Session
This is my 10th legislative session as a Georgia State Senator, and I am just as excited to be here as I was when I was first sworn in in 2015.
District lines have shifted for the upcoming election, but I will serve as state Senator for District 42 under our existing district lines through the end of 2024. As you know, the Senate district I represent changes significantly for the 2024 election (and will now be District 44). Many of us will have new district lines and representatives come 2025. Regardless, I have always worked as though I represent all Georgians, especially those who I've been honored to serve for so many years. Bottom line, if you have a concern or need assistance, please contact my office.
Many of you have reached out asking if your district has changed. The Secretary of State’s office hasn’t loaded the new maps into their system to update My Voter Page. In the meantime, you can call your county Board of Elections office to find out what district you're in. You can reach DeKalb County BOE at 404-298-4020.
I look forward to continuing to work with and for you. Zooming into 2024, I am offering two opportunities to meet to discuss key issues you expect your legislators to address in the 2024 legislative session. I will hold two 45 minute Zoom chat sessions on Friday, January 19 at 9AM and on Tuesday, January 23 at 6PM. This should afford as many people as possible an opportunity to connect with me.
MLK Celebrations
I loved attending and participating in several MLK celebrations around town. There was music and fellowship at The Temple's Shabbat dinner held in coordination with Ebenezer Baptist Church. Rev. Sen. Raphael Warnock's sermon was incredible, as you might imagine. There were also many inspiring speakers at The Concerned Black Citizens Coalition of Clayton County's annual MLK prayer breakfast, including a roof-raising keynote from Bishop Reginald Jackson. On MLK Day itself, I walked in the NAACP DeKalb MLK parade with constituents, friends and colleagues. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on King's legacy and teachings to commit to making his dream our reality. These days, we all agree that Martin Luther King Jr. was a historic leader, but not all of us have committed to live by his words, and we still have a lot of work to do to create the beloved community.
State Coffers
Week 2 of the legislative session is all about the budget with hearings in the Joint Committee on Appropriations. You should know that we have a huge unallocated surplus of $16 Billion. We could make a big splash with that kind of money – an impact you’d notice in your health, education, safety, and financial security.
Kemp is touting Georgia’s success, bragging about returning money to taxpayers and his plan to reduce the state income tax rate.
Sounds good, right? Not exactly. Tax cuts mean more money for the wealthy but not even a significantly noticeable amount to them. But, those at the bottom of the ladder have to scramble for the crumbs. For example, the budget calls for cutting $170 million from CAPS, the joint federal-state program that helps provide quality childcare for low income families, over a couple years. The Governor had put $100 million in federal COVID relief dollars into this program, but now with the money gone, he is just dusting his hands off as opposed to trying to replace that needed money with state funds. You can’t make a meal out of crumbs! With our surplus, it’s time to fund a full menu of government programs and services. Funds - not crumbs – fuel a balanced diet so that all Georgians thrive, not just survive.
I urge you to pay attention to what’s going on under the gold dome because your state representatives are making crucial decisions about how to spend your tax dollars that determine your future.
Legislative Highlight
Sports Betting
You may have seen news about sports betting in Georgia last week. I am a co-sponsor on SB 172, which is an opportunity to increase state tax revenues to fund education and health care programs. The bill will legalize and tax sports betting at a 20% tax rate. Tax revenues would support programs for problem gambling as well as support preschool and college education for the most needy. If passed, the bill would create a new state agency to oversee online and in-person sports betting.
This bill requires a constitutional amendment to take effect, as gambling is currently prohibited in the Georgia Constitution. The bill was approved by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on January 10, 2024, by an 8-4 vote. It is now awaiting further debate and a vote by the full Senate. If passed by the Senate, a companion constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting would need to be approved by the House of Representatives and then by Georgia voters in a statewide referendum for SB 172 to become enacted.
It's likely that this particular bill will not be the one that advances this session. Senate Democrats prefer the Constitutional Amendment approach, because then there is certainty as to what programs receive the expenditures. However, many of the Republicans do not want to put money toward needs-based education funding, among other things. Stay tuned as this topic, which has been hot the past several years, heats back up.
To keep you up to date, I will send newsletters often during the session. Please connect with me on social media to get updates.
Thank you for the honor to serve you in the Georgia State Senate.