Educator Pay Raise Announcement Expected
Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to announce a pay raise for educators on Thursday, Jan. 12, according to a report in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Details about the raise have not been released. PAGE will provide more information when available.
Quick Day 2 – Senate and House Approve Rules
The Senate and the House each had a short session day Wednesday, with both chambers saluting the Georgia Bulldogs for their blowout national championship victory Monday night.
Both chambers approved the rules they will use to guide their operations during the legislative session.
The House and Senate will reconvene for Kemp’s inauguration on Thursday morning at Georgia State University. Other constitutional officers, including State Superintendent Richard Woods, will also be sworn in.
Education, Mental Health, Taxation & Workforce Housing Themes at Eggs and Issues
At today’s Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues Breakfast, business leaders, state and local policymakers, lobbyists, and others gathered to hear more about Georgia’s economic outlook and initiatives from Gov. Kemp and legislative leaders. Spirits were high with multiple references to the University of Georgia’s national football championship win. The program included a thoughtful tribute to recently deceased House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge).
Kemp mentioned the importance of workforce housing in his address. He also noted a planned collaboration of education and workforce development leaders, and briefly described his proposal to offer a one-time property tax relief program intended to save Georgia homeowners an average of $500. Incoming Lt. Gov. Burt Jones expressed support for College and Career Academies and more school counselors. Jones announced the creation of a Senate Children and Family Committee focused on child welfare, adoption, foster care, and children’s mental health. Incoming House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) reported that House committee chairs will be announced next week and predicted the House will honor former Speaker Ralston’s legacy by investing in mental health programs.
(Pictured above from the Eggs & Issues event: Gov. Kemp; State Board of Education Chair Jason Downey with Margaret Ciccarelli and Craig Harper from PAGE.)