5 weeks into the Legislative Session, the Senate stays exhausting at work defending Georgia households, safeguarding taxpayer {dollars} and upholding our conservative values. This week, Senate members met of their respective Appropriations Subcommittees to debate the Home’s budgetary suggestions. I used to be happy to serve on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Judicial to debate price range requests from the state judiciary. Our main focus on this assembly was the ratio of circumstances to prosecutor and circumstances to public defender within the newly cut up Coweta and West Georgia Judicial Circuits. Within the coming weeks, we’ll proceed fine-tuning the price range to make sure that taxpayer cash is spent properly and effectively for the good thing about all Georgians.
Senate President Professional Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) has launched Senate Invoice 123 to deal with the rising challenge of continual absenteeism in Georgia faculties. The variety of college students lacking 10 p.c or extra faculty days has doubled in recent times, leaving practically 360,000 younger folks at a drawback. SB 123 will guarantee faculties proactively establish and help at-risk college students whereas prohibiting expulsion solely as a result of absenteeism. This laws is critical to strengthen our training system and make sure that Georgia’s youngsters have each alternative to succeed.
Senate Republicans proceed to steer the combat for insurance policies that shield Georgia households and uphold the rule of legislation. Two key payments, each sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery (R–Vidalia), have now handed the Senate and are transferring to the Home for consideration:
· SB 21 ensures native authorities officers may be held accountable in the event that they violate Georgia’s ban on sanctuary metropolis insurance policies. It is a crucial step to maintain our communities secure and implement immigration legal guidelines on the state stage.
· SB 39 prevents taxpayer {dollars} from funding gender-affirming procedures by way of the state well being profit plan and prohibits state-associated healthcare amenities from providing such providers. Our tax {dollars} shouldn’t be used to push radical insurance policies.
As we superior conservative priorities, I used to be proud to see my laws, SB 89 invoice go out of the Senate Finance Committee. This laws stems from the Senate Examine Committee on Entry to Inexpensive Childcare, which I chaired in the course of the interim. SB 89 will increase the tax credit score for sure childcare bills to 40% of the federal credit score, introduces a brand new credit score for taxpayers with youngsters below seven, and raises the cap on employer childcare tax credit from 50% to 75%. Entry to inexpensive childcare is a bipartisan challenge, and I recognize my Democratic colleagues’ help in transferring this invoice nearer to a Senate vote.
This week, I used to be additionally happy to acknowledge February 12, 2025, as After Faculty Day on the Capitol. We welcomed organizations just like the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Community, the Boys & Women Golf equipment, and Camp Twin Lakes to honor their contributions. Supporting those that serve our younger folks and households is at all times a privilege, and I’m grateful for his or her work throughout our state.
I encourage college students to use for the Senate Web page Program. Spots are filling up shortly, so if you understand a scholar who could also be , they will apply on the Senate web site right here.
As at all times, I’m grateful for the chance to serve the forty second Senate District. Please don’t hesitate to succeed in out with any questions, issues, or concepts.
Sen. Brian Strickland serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. He represents the forty second Senate District, which incorporates Morgan County and parts of Henry, Newton and Walton counties. He could also be reached at (404) 463-6598 or by e mail at Brian.Strickland@senate.ga.gov.
