State constitutional officers, legislators, business leaders, and hundreds of other Georgians gathered at the Georgia World Congress Center for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce's annual Eggs & Issues breakfast,
While economic and business issues dominated policymakers' remarks, adjacent policy areas including K-12 education were mentioned. In his comments, House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) emphasized school safety and literacy and predicted the House would take action to align use of speed cameras in school safety zones to school start and dismissal as well as to direct fines from use of the cameras to school safety.
Billy Hickman Named as New Senate Ed Chair
Former Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro) has been named as the new Senate Education & Youth Committee Chair. Hickman replaces Clint Dixon (R-Duluth), who will now chair the Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.
Hickman has been active in K-12 policymaking, most recently sponsoring legislation that created the Literacy Council of Georgia and convening a joint committee to examine teacher workforce issues.
Register for Jan. 29 State Budget Webinar
The PAGE Legislative team will hold a webinar focusing on how proposed AFY2025 and FY2026 budgets may affect public education on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 5 p.m. Register for the free event HERE.
Register for Feb. 18 PAGE Day on Capitol Hill
Join us Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Georgia Capitol to listen, learn, and, most importantly, advocate during 2025 PAGE Day on Capitol Hill. Once again, PAGE has partnered with the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) and the Georgia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (GACTE). Register HERE.
During the morning session, attendees will hear from legislators and other policymakers on pertinent education policy issues, including education funding, Georgia's teacher pipeline, the Teacher Retirement System, and more.
Mid-morning, attendees will engage in advocacy and direct dialogue with legislators under the Gold Dome. The event culminates in a lunch buffet during which state leaders will share remarks.
Past speakers include Gov. Brian Kemp and State School Superintendent Richard Woods.
Attendees will receive complimentary breakfast and lunch.
Contact Legislative Communications Specialist Robert Aycock at raycock@pageinc.org with questions.
Upcoming Schedule
Wednesday, January 15 – Legislative Day 3
9 a.m. State Board of Education meeting
Thursday, January 16 – Legislative Day 4
11 a.m. Governor Kemp's State of the State Address
Friday, January 17 – Legislative Day 5