The 2024 Legislative Session Is Underway

The many study committees that gathered information last summer and fall finished their work and turned in their reports last December, which helped direct the legislative agenda for the current session that convened on January 8 and is set to adjourn on March 28.

I chaired the Foster Care and Adoption committee, and we heard many hours of testimony from experts, families, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Our final report had many robust recommendations for improving Georgia's current system. All study committee reports can be found on the legislative website, Legis.Ga.gov.

Because 2024 is an election year for all state legislators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives, constituents will be hearing a great deal about politics this year. The upcoming presidential election will add a lot to all the communications everyone will receive.

There are always many competing priorities in the legislative session. Some budget hearings have already been conducted. Since our economy has done very well under Gov. Brian Kemp's leadership, he announced a lowering of the state income tax rate. This was in addition to the 2022 state tax rebates that he directed and the 2023 $1,000 year-end bonus for state employees, which included all K-12 teachers and school staff members.

One of the biggest issues facing our very successful state, which has been named the No.1 state for business for the 10th year in a row, is the shortage of a workforce to fill all the jobs that have been created. There has already been a lot of work done to improve the workforce shortage, and we will continue to work on solutions during the current session.

Many of you may have noticed that the General Assembly was called back into a special session at the end of last year to redraw the maps for Georgia's state House and Senate districts and our Congressional districts. This was because Federal Judge Steve Jones, who is handling a lawsuit about the maps that were passed in 2021, had concerns about compliance with the Voting Rights Act. He asked the General Assembly to go back to work on the maps.

Following Judge Jones' instructions, we spent the special session redrawing certain areas of the maps and ultimately passing them. After reviewing the new versions, Judge Jones approved them.

Your state legislators are here to serve you. Please feel free to contact me via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 404-656-3932. I compile a weekly newsletter during the session, and my staff can sign you up to receive a copy.