Parent Press: Week 2 of the 2022 Legislative Session
This week was Budget Week at the Capitol. The Senate was not in session and only the Appropriations Committee held meetings. We are working hard to prepare legislation to be filed and getting ready for the 2022 session to get into full swing next week. Please save the date for a Virtual Town Hall on July 31.
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 $30.2B. This includes some good proposals to fully fund our schools and provide long overdue raises to state employees and teachers. It also leaves us with a $3.7 B surplus, which the Governor plans to use to fund a tax refund of $250/taxpayer. These hearings reveal that there is so much more 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.
You can read more about the budget here. If you are interested in a particular agency, the hearing recordings can be found here.
SB 319 - Permit-less Concealed Carry
Permit-less concealed carry is a priority of the Governor during this contested election year. SB 319 or some other piece of legislation is expected to move quickly through the Senate. This bill now has 28 co-sponsors in the Senate, likely giving it enough votes to pass the chamber. It is not on the Judiciary Committee Agenda for Monday, but it still could pop up this week - stay tuned.
It is important to note that public opinion is not on the side of this legislation. The majority of Georgians do not support loosening restrictions on gun owners, and a Johns Hopkins study revealed that over 80% of both gun owners and non-gun owners, regardless of party, believe that concealed carry permits should be subject to more restrictions, like safety training.
And the facts support this view:
Gun access increases the likelihood that an abusive partner will kill his female victim by 500%.
Multiple studies have shown that loosening gun permit restrictions lead to an increase in violent crime, gun injuries and death.
The loophole that allows Georgians to buy a gun without a background check at a gun show or through a private sale, means that some individuals will be allowed to carry a concealed weapon without any oversight at all.
Actions to Take
If you want to take action to stop the passage of a permit-less carry bill, you can make your voice heard by contacting members of the Judiciary Committee by phone or email and expressing your opposition. Here are the members of the committee.
Brian Strickland – Chairman
Bill Cowsert – Vice Chair
John Kennedy – Secretary, Republican Caucus Chair
Bo Hatchet – Member, Governor’s Floor Leader
Harold Jones II – Member, Democratic Whip
Kay Kirkpatrick – Member*
Elena Parent – Member, Democratic Caucus Chair
Michael ‘Doc’ Rhett – Member
Blake Tillery– Member
Ben Watson– Member
* Senator Kirkpatrick is a doctor whose has advocated for public health and domestic violence legislation. Her district includes parts of Cobb County. Senator Watson is also a doctor, whose district includes parts of the Savannah Metro area. Senators Kirkpatrick and Watson would be particularly important people to reach out to express your opposition. You can also contact Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan.
Covid-19 Update
It looks like the rate of increase in our Covid numbers is beginning to decline, but the number of cases is still very high. Please stay vigilant, get vaccinated and boosted, and wear a mask in public settings. In news this week, the Federal Government has launched it's website to order 4 free at-home Covid tests. It just takes a minute.
Covid-19 Testing and Vaccines resources in DeKalb County:
Testing is available at the following locations. To register and make an appointment: https://www.dekalbhealth.net/covid-19-testings/
Stonecrest (former Sam’s Club parking lot): 2994 Turner Hill Rd., Stonecrest, GA 30038. Monday - Friday: 8 am - 6pm. Saturday: 8 am - 3pm. Sunday: Closed
North Dekalb Health Center: 3807 Clairmont Rd., NE, Chamblee, GA 30341. Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm. Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church: 1879 Glenwood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316. Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 4 pm. Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Covid-19 vaccine locations and appointments can be found at the following link: https://www.dekalbhealth.net/covid-19-vaccine-appointment/
Virtual Town Hall
Reminder that we will have a Virtual Town Hall on January 31 at 6:00 pm. I will be joined by Representative Bee Nguyen, DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, and Atlanta Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari.
Register at: https://bit.ly/Jan31-TownHall
Submit Questions in advance: https://bit.ly/Jan31-Questions