Parent Press Week 1 of the 2025 Legislative Session
This is my 11th year in the Georgia State Senate, but this year is like no other. First, the district number and boundaries are different. I am now representing District 44 which includes constituents in both DeKalb and Clayton Counties. Second, while I continue to serve as Chair of the Democratic Caucus, we have exciting new leadership in the Senate with Leader Harold Jones and Senator Kim Jackson as the new Whip (the first woman to serve in this position). Our caucus is 23 strong and we will do all we can to flex our minority muscle.
The political playing field is unique every year, and the first week of the 40-day 2025 Legislative Session began with plenty of maneuvers that set the agenda and the tone for what's to come.
Culture Wars Continue
Beginning with the usual remarks by clergy invited to serve as "Preacher of the Day", lip service was given to "wiping the slate clean" and turning the page on the past. However, the Republican majority ignored this advice by springing SR 5 on us, which continues a committee investigating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and re-litigating the 2020 election results. The vote was along party lines and our Democratic Caucus was united in its opposition. Actions speak louder than words, and it seems clear that the majority is holding tight to their strategy of stoking anger and distrust among their base. The Republicans didn't even bother to do a moment of silence for the life and career of President Jimmy Carter before drawing their daggers for DA Willis, which tells you a lot about where their minds are.
There will be more to come for sure, particularly since many Republicans are eyeing statewide runs in 2026 and want to be very responsive to the interests of primary voters. Chief among these future candidates is Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who we expect to launch a campaign for Governor after the session ends.
Transgender children continue to be targeted by the Republican majority, even though the target is minute and helpless (or maybe because it is). The Georgia High School Association already bans transgender kids from competing in sports based on their current gender as opposed to their birth assigned gender, but this is not enough for Republicans. Their priority for addressing school sports is clear with SB 1 - the Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act. If only they could focus on literacy! Read more here or click on the image below.
Paying Tribute to President Carter
So much has been said so well about President Carter, but I wanted to make my own remarks about what his legacy means to me personally and professionally. You can listen here.
Addressing the Senate Chamber on January 15, 2025 to speak about President Carter’s legacy.
Committee and Legislative Work
I am pleased to continue serving on the Senate committees I was assigned to last session, including Appropriations, Education and Youth, Government Oversight and Judiciary. You can always watch keep up with my work by going to Senate Committees page on the State website.
I am re-filing several bills that I have championed in previous sessions and I will continue to work hard to find crevices in the Republican majority where I can navigate the narrow path to committee hearing for legislation that will advance safe gun storage, improve education and build Georgia's economy.
Majority Legislative Agenda
The Governor addressed a joint session of the state legislature in a State of the State address that makes his priorities clear. Medicaid expansion is not on his list unfortunately. If you missed it, you can watch HERE. He is holding fast to the Georgia "way" as the "better way" and keeping a tight grip on the $16.5 Billion surplus. Tort reform, tax cuts, and tax rebates are big priorities. The Governor doesn't have a robust agenda this year, it appears, aside from the areas mentioned above. We will also be spending more money "hardening" schools, but there is no mention of perhaps taking the small step of making it illegal to give your 14-year-old an AR-15 ( as the Apalachee High shooter's father did). We will also be spending hundreds of millions on hurricane Helene relief for farmers, but I have not yet heard of any initiatives to better prepare our state for hurricanes of increasing frequency and strength due to climate change . I do not oppose either kind of spending but think we have to acknowledge facts and be more prepared, or else we are just spending taxpayer money over and over. We need strong, competent leadership.
Team Parent
I am pleased that my legislative staff team remains much the same with Paige Terhune (paige.terhune@senate.ga.gov) serving as my Legislative Assistant and Ellen Williams (ellen@elenaparent.com) as my Chief of Staff. We are thrilled to welcome Albert Giovanazzi from Emory Law School as our legal extern for the session. In addition, we have Kai Ward and Lauren Pedersen from the Georgia Legislative Internship Program.
Be a Senate Page!
Anyone 12 or older is eligible and invited to participate in the Senate Page Program. Pages have the opportunity to observe and participate in the legislative process. Senate pages serve the Senators by delivering important information and messages to them in the Senate Chamber during the legislative session day. Learn more and download the application at ltgov.georgia.gov/constituent-services.
To keep you up to date, I will continue to send newsletters during the session. You can also connect with me on social media to get updates, including on Blue Sky.