The Holland Report - 2023, Week 4

Sara Fuchs

This week, we completed Days 7-11 of session (out of 40, if you're counting). Bills are slowly winding their way through committees, but we did hold one vote this week - the mid-year budget, running through June 30th, which passed 170-1. As with any budget, it's not perfect, but the good outweighed the bad, and I voted in favor, along with my Democratic caucus. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that this budget includes an income tax rebate ($500 per married couple who file jointly) as well as a property tax refund (also about $500). The amended budget bill now heads to the Senate.

We're still waiting for the budget bill for the 2024 fiscal year - we'll see that at the end of February, at the earliest.

*Go Red! Day at the Capitol, to bring awareness of how to protect our hearts. Heart disease is the #1 killer for women, but in many cases, it can be prevented.*

I can add one more delegation to my list! In addition to being Chair of the City of Atlanta delegation, and a member of the Fulton delegation, I am now the Vice-Chair of the Sandy Springs delegation! We are a small delegation (just four House members, and two more in the Senate), but I look forward to understanding City leadership’s priorities and creating a healthy collaboration for the benefit of all our constituents.

*Pictured here with the Chair of the Sandy Springs delegation, Rep. Shea Roberts.*

COMMITTEE REPORT

Things are ramping up! Every one of my four committees met this week. Here's a quick snapshot of what we're working on in each one.

CREATIVE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
I'm thrilled to be one of the newest members of the Creative Arts and Entertainment Committee, given my long career history with media and production. This was mostly an organizational meeting - an opportunity to introduce ourselves, vote on committee rules and hear from Chair Kasey Carpenter about his goals for the session.

HIGHER EDUCATION
In addition to hearing from the Georgia Student Finance Commission and the Georgia Independent College Association, we heard HB 39 from Representative Marvin Lim. HB39 is aimed at ending the punitive practice of universities withholding a graduate's transcripts if that student owes a debt. The logic here is that many employers require a transcript before hiring a new graduate, and withholding those transcripts might prevent gainful employment.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
During our Small Business Development meeting, we heard from the Georgia Restaurant Association as well as from several restaurant owners about the unique challenges facing the food service industry. While many areas have improved since restaurants were heavily impacted by the pandemic in 2020, the sector is still facing high costs of insurance, supply chain challenges, fluctuating food costs, and a shortage of workers.

INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION
This is the committee that manages the bulk of the local legislation that passes through the House. With the retirement of long-time committee chair Jan Tankersley last year, we have a new leader - Chair Beth Camp. This committee met mostly for organizational purposes - to introduce one another and vote on the committee rules.

*On February 1st, the House hosted our very first female rabbi for "Chaplain of the Day" - Rabbi Miriam Udel, from the Tam Institute of Jewish Studies Center at Emory University.*

Join me & Sen. Jason Esteves (SD 6) on Feb.8th at 7:30 pm for a briefing on everything happening Under the Gold Dome! Pre-register for the Zoom link here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApduCsrD0vGNWopUmB6D3da7jlXpHSKrwP

If you haven’t already, please browse my website, betsyforgeorgia.com.

As your Representative, your concerns are important to me. Please contact me at betsy.holland@house.ga.gov or 404-656-0116 with questions, concerns, or solutions you may have regarding legislation or other happenings in District 54.

To stay updated, follow me on Twitter and Facebook, and follow the Georgia House of Representatives @GAHouseHub on Twitter. Additionally, in-depth information regarding current bills, Georgia's annual and supplemental budgets, committee meetings, and livestreams from the General Assembly can be accessed via www.legis.ga.gov.

I encourage you and your family to visit our State Capitol and my office, where all constituents are welcome. I look forward to connecting with you!

My office is located at:
18 Capitol Square, SW
409-B, Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.