Parent Press Week 6 of the 2025 Legislative Session

Republicans are turning up the pressure on Democrats to go along with their agenda. As Chair of the Democratic Caucus, I work hard behind the scenes to hold our caucus together. 21 days - more than halfway through the session - with only 7 days remaining before Crossover Day, Republicans have not allowed one bill filed by a Democrat to break through the dam to be heard in committee so it can advance. . 

In stonewalling 24 Democratic Senators, the Republican trifecta is blocking the democratic process and silencing voices of Democrats and Independents around the state. 

SB68: "Tort Reform" Promise But No Guarantee

SB68, Governor Kemp's tort "reform" bill and number 1 priority to limit the amount of damages plaintiffs succeed in recovering from individuals or companies who have wronged or harmed them, is on its way to the House. The bill passed the Senate with Republican support while the Democratic Caucus, I am proud to say, stood together to oppose it.  We were not given the opportunity to influence the language in the bill, as the Governor would not negotiate with the Minority Leader, Harold Jones regarding our concerns, and instead browbeat Republicans and attempted to pick off several of our Caucus members by running ads against them and launching pressure campaigns from businesses in their districts. 

The Democratic Caucus' opposition did give Republicans who are concerned about the breadth of the bill the ability to negotiate some positive changes. At first, the Governor threatened to fund primary challenges against any Republican who dared to try to amend the bill, but ultimately caved when he could tell that the amendment would pass on the floor of the Senate, handing him a public defeat.  Therefore, the Republican amendment was adopted without opposition on the floor. 

We in the Democratic Caucus, whose votes were instrumental in making sure the amendment went through, were not given similar consideration to amend the part of the bill that most concerned us:  a broadly and poorly drafted section that offers immunity to businesses who would not be required to maintain safe premises for customers or workers. Leader Harold Jones (click here to hear his explanation of the bill) filed SB223 - the Pro People, Pro Business Act - to address the premises liability issue, demonstrating our Caucus' commitment to finding the appropriate balance between citizens and business owners, because we agree that the law does need to be tightened somewhat.  As we were not given concessions on this section of the bill, we voted no and the debate now moves to the House.

The Governor believes and is spending a lot of money to message his promise of lower premiums; yet, there is no evidence or communication from the insurance industry that premiums would drop even if the entirety of the bill passed.  Calling this bluff, Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes offered an amendment on the floor to limit premium increases to inflation rates. The amendment failed along party lines.  

Our legal system is complicated and our society is litigious. Plaintiffs and plaintiffs' lawyers bear some responsibility for increased costs and insurance rates, but so do judges, juries, corporations and insurance companies. While I would like to support legislation that would help to address these rising costs, I find the intellectually dishonest bill 

Lest you think that all is doom and gloom, I would like to thank my colleague, Senator Josh McLaurin, for providing some comic relief from the well while pointing out the serious concerns I and my Democratic colleagues have with this bill. You can click HERE to watch.

Your Health, My Health, Our Health

I am proud to represent the CDC and many of you who are working there and/or who are committed to public health here and abroad. My colleague, Rep. Saira Draper, has spoken in the House and at a press conference where many of you joined her on the steps of the Capitol to express deep concern and outrage for the cuts to the CDC staff and budget. I addressed my Senate colleagues on February 18, the same day many of you were outside the CDC to support science, scientists, experts and the mission to protect public health. Click HERE or on the image below to hear my remarks about the attack on the CDC.

Bipartisanship is still a thing

I am proud to have worked with Senator Rick Williams on a bill that would allow Georgians to choose natural decomposition of their remains at death. This is different from a green burial or cremation and is legal in a dozen other states. SB241 is good for the funeral business in Georgia who welcome the opportunity to innovate and offer customers a choice. Georgians who are environmentally-friendly want an alternative to burial and cremation would have another choice during a difficult time. The law is under consideration in Utah, and I hope my Republican colleagues will allow a hearing on SB241 this session.

Environmental Matters

I am grateful to represent so many engaged constituents who are concerned about environmental matters as I am. There are several bills you may want to follow.

SB34, a bipartisan bill, would protect electricity customers from increased rates to cover costs incurred by energy guzzling data centers. You can read more in the Georgia Recorder. The bill has been assigned to the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

The Okefenokee is near and dear to all our hearts, I believe. HB561 would protect the swamp from surface mining that would harm the delicate ecosystem. Bills have been filed in prior years and have not received a hearing, but persistence is still worthy. You can read more about the bill in the Georgia Recorder and you can lobby your legislators to bring the bill for a hearing before March 6.

A bipartisan group of legislators filed HB507 and SB203 to expand community solar power in Georgia.

SB94 would revive the previously eliminated (during the Great Recession of 2008) an Office of Consumers’ Utility Counsel that would participate in utility proceedings before the Georgia Public Service Commission and other agencies. 

Stay tuned on all of the above!

Republicans Blocking EVERY Democratic Bill

Bills filed but not heard in committee cannot progress to the floor for a vote. As Committee Chairs, Republicans have control of every committee. This means Democrats are powerless to get any bills through the legislative obstacle course. We have just 7 short days to get a hearing on legislation that would even minimally help Georgians' financial and physical health. Let your legislators hear from you loudly and clearly this week.

Donna's Law - Round 2

Senator Sally Harrell and I dropped SB224, Donna's Law, again. This bill was not heard in last year's session, but we are not giving up on allowing Georgians to choose to place themselves voluntarily on a "Do Not Sell Registry" when they are vulnerable to life threatening suicidal ideation. Washington, Utah and Virginia offer this option, and Colorado is considering it.