Session Is Coming!

Sara Fuchs

Happy New Year from Georgia House District 54! I hope you had a wonderful and restful end-of-year and holiday season.

Even though it feels like we just left the Capitol for Special Session in December, it's time to prepare for the 2024 legislative session. Both the Georgia House and the Georgia Senate will gavel in on Monday, January 8th. Check out the news below for a summary of what's happened since that special session, details for a town hall to talk about what to expect this year, and some special fundraisers coming up.

Special Session and the New Maps

ICYMI - after the Georgia legislature drew new district maps for the state house and senate as well as U.S. congressional seats in 2021, several advocacy groups sued the state citing that the maps were drawn unfairly and robbed Black communities of equal representation. The case reached a federal judge who agreed that the maps were illegal. They were then sent back to the legislature to be redrawn to add more Black-majority districts. This resulted in Governor Kemp calling a special session that began right after Thanksgiving. The legislature redrew the maps and voted all three out for the Governor's signature. These new maps caused some outcry as they weakened or broke apart many majority-minority districts, drastically changed other districts, and even paired some incumbents into the same district. I voted NO on all three maps.

However, when Judge Steven Jones reviewed the new maps at the end of December, he ruled that the legislature had met the demands to add new Black-majority districts and allowed the maps to stand. What does this mean for the 2024 elections? I'm fortunate that my district did not change at all during the process - if you lived in my district in 2022, you still live there now (though the district number will likely change). However, it's very possible that your state senate and even U.S. congressional district have changed. Take a look at the maps here (under the Proposed Plans tab) or here to see where we landed.

SUPPORT BLUE PAC

Looking for a way to support the Georgia House Democratic Caucus? Join us for a fundraiser this Thursday from 2-4pm at DAS BBQ in Grant Park! House Democrats are fighting hard for an agenda that ensures every Georgian has access to healthcare, a world-class education, affordable housing, and a good job, but we can't do this without your help.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REP HOLLAND!

Once again this year, I'll be celebrating my birthday on the floor of the Georgia House just after the session gets underway. You know what would make a fabulous birthday gift? A donation to my campaign! Did you know that campaign donations don't just pay for campaigning? They're also used to pay for office expenses (like a Zoom subscription and office supplies) as well as paying for staff during session (if you've ever met my fabulous Chief of Staff Sara, you know I'd be lost without her). Members of the legislature cannot accept donations during session, so please consider making a gift before the deadline on January 7!

(Note from aforementioned Chief of Staff Sara: A donation of $48 would be a much appreciated and completely arbitrary amount to give!)

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2024 & TOWN HALL

After a tense special session, what can we expect during the 2024 regular legislative session? Join me on Sunday, January 7th at 4:00 pm as I peer into my crystal ball and make predictions about what's to come. We'll host a pre-session town hall on Zoom to talk about what issues are likely to dominate the next session, how you can stay engaged and what my priorities will be. Pre-register for the Zoom link here.

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.