The Holland Report - 2023, Week 7

Sara Fuchs

Proponents of creating a City of Buckhead City have been busy at the Capitol this year. Two bills have been introduced in the Senate (SB113 and SB114) to sever a portion of Atlanta and incorporate a City of Buckhead City. Some folks thought this issue was dead at the end of the 2022 session, but new leadership and a new bill sponsor have brought the legislation back to life. I'm on the record opposing the measure, and I wanted to take a few moments to explain why.

How is this different than other newly formed cities like Johns Creek or Brookhaven? Well, my favorite analogy compares this to the difference between a birth and a divorce. Every other city in Georgia that's been recently incorporated was born from unincorporated pieces of county land - Brookhaven from unincorporated Dekalb, and Johns Creek from unincorporated Fulton County. The state has never successfully taken part of an existing city in order to create a new one - and creates a whole host of never-been-seen-before challenges.

First, the City of Atlanta has an independent school system in Atlanta Public Schools. If a City of Buckhead City were created, students living in that community would no longer be eligible to attend APS schools; they would automatically become students of Fulton County Schools. While there could eventually be a legal agreement allowing Buckhead students to attend Atlanta Public Schools, reaching that agreement could take years...and leave the schools and students in limbo in the meantime.

The next major issue is economical. The City of Atlanta enjoys an attractive A-rating on its bonds. Buckhead accounts for a disproportionate share of the City of Atlanta’s tax base (roughly 20% of the population but 40% of the tax base). A few years ago, when a similar measure sought to separate Eagles Landing from the city of Stockbridge, national rating agencies threatened to re-examine Atlanta’s bond ratings due to the precedent that effort might set. Municipal bonds are traditionally viewed as stable investments for retirees and others. A de-annexation of Buckhead would:

result in ratings downgrades,
draw bondholder lawsuits, and
severely impair Atlanta's ability to fund infrastructure and city services.

In fact, if the legislature permits a referendum to de-annex parts of Georgia’s largest city, why would rating agencies not consider downgrading all bond-issuing municipalities across the state?

Meeting with concerned neighbors and fellow elected officials to answer questions about the proposed City of Buckhead City legislation.

Many of the concerns raised by Buckhead residents are legitimate, and I'm grateful that Mayor Andre Dickens and the Atlanta City Council are working hard to address them. Crime has dropped significantly across the city in the past year, with the largest drop happening in Zone 2, the police precinct that covers all of Buckhead. Improvements have reduced wait times for people calling 911. And infrastructure repairs have increased, which means those pesky potholes are getting filled.

Creating a new city won't solve problems such as rampant gun violence and firearm access, the overcrowded Fulton County jails or sentencing made in the county court systems. These challenges need to be addressed at a county and state level. Fulton County recently started a Court Watch system to empower citizens to call out judges passing lenient sentences for repeat offenders. Initiatives such as this can enable real and lasting change.

The business community of Buckhead has come out strongly in opposition to the City of Buckhead City. The Georgia Municipal Association, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Buckhead Coalition all oppose the bill. They understand that the separation of this neighborhood from Atlanta will have a devastating economical impact and severely limit job growth for our area.

So, where does the issue sit now? The City of Buckhead City bills were assigned to the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Operations. That committee (SLOGO for short) has held two hearings on the bills, taking testimony from residents, city leaders, school system leaders and other advocates. The SLOGO Committee will meet again on Monday morning at 8:30. It's very possible that the committee chair, Senator Frank Ginn, will call for a vote on the bill at that time.

Concerned? You can take action. Before the end of the day, please call and email the SLOGO committee members and the Lt. Governor. Let our political leaders know that as a resident, you do not support the secession of Buckhead from Atlanta. We must send the message that Atlanta is better when we are united in facing our challenges.

CALL TO ACTION!

Email, call, or visit the Capitol to speak to these Senators in person. If emailing, include your address and a phone number!

Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones
404-656-5030

Chair of the SLOGO committee
Sen. Frank Ginn
frank.ginn@senate.ga.gov
(404) 656-4700

Members of the SLOGO committee

Sen. Shawn Still
shawn.still@senate.ga.gov
(404) 656-7127

Sen. Randy Robertson
randy.robertson@senate.ga.gov
(404) 656-0045

Sen. Sam Watson
sam.watson@senate.ga.gov
(404) 656-0065

Sen. Rick Williams
rick.williams@senate.ga.gov
(404) 656-0082

HIGHER EDUCATION UPDATE

The House Committee on Higher Education met three times this week, conducting hearings and votes on bills hoping to make it to the floor of the House before Crossover Day on Monday, March 6th.

These two bills passed out of Committee:
HB130: Georgia Student Finance Authority; student loan repayment for peace officers; provide. This bill provides student loan repayment help for full time employed peace officers of the state.
HB249: Education; needs based financial aid program; provide definition. This bill provides for completion grants for students who need financial help to complete their program of study.

We also held hearings on the following bills:

HB131: Workforce Development Act.

HB427: Education; prohibit postsecondary institutions from asking applicants whether they have been arrested or convicted of certain crimes.

HB380: Georgia Lottery Game of Sports Betting Act.

Join me for my next Listening Session, February 26th, 4-5 pm!
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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.

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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.