This year, the Georgia State Senate focused on cutting taxes and delivering relief for hardworking Georgians. Locally, for example, I am proud to announce that my proposal to expand the property tax exemption for Cherokee County seniors passed with 91% of the vote in the May election. This legislation will provide much-needed relief for our seniors...
The 2024 Legislative Session was very successful. A total of 242 bills passed both chambers out of the thousands that were filed. Several tax bills passed, resulting in a reduction of the state personal income tax, corporate tax, and a cap on annual property tax increases. In addition to refunds in the last two years, the legislature has been decre...
By the time you read this, the legislative session will be over for this year. We are accomplishing some great things related to taxes, education, healthcare, child welfare, and many other important topics. I am particularly proud of the work we are doing on behalf of kids in the foster care system. Many state representatives, senators, and congres...
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 testimon...
Though things can sometimes be quiet for state legislators while not in session during a nonelection year, that is not the case this year due to many different study committees in the House and Senate. I serve on three Senate study committees including Certificate of Need Reform, Healthcare Personnel Recruitment, and Foster Care and Adoption. I'm c...
Now that the Georgia General Assembly is not in session, many other activities have begun. Most legislators are enjoying some well-deserved time off with their families and getting caught up on normal job responsibilities in this nonelection year. Additionally, there are annual meetings for many legislative groups such as the Southern Legislative C...
The 2023 legislative session consisted of a lot of excitement and controversy, but many accomplishments were made. We were able to achieve several of our caucus priorities, both legislative and budgetary. Highlights of the 2023 Legislative Session Taxes — Because of the robust economic recovery in Georgia, we were able to return $1 billion to taxp...
This year's session seemed back to normal for the first time since the pandemic began in 2020. The halls were full of visiting groups, lobbyists, members of the public, and our beloved young pages. Bills were heard in committee every afternoon, and many moved to the Senate floor. For the first time, we had a calendar for the entire session, and our...
I am looking forward to representing Cherokee County in the Georgia State Senate for the 2023-2024 term. A little background information about me — I'm a retired orthopedic surgeon, serving 12 years as president of a surgical group. Since being elected to the Senate in 2017, I've worked a lot on health care and insurance issues as well as supportin...
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