The Holland Report - 2024, Week 9

Florence Luranc

Moving Senate Bills, Qualifying for the November Ballot and More!
With just three weeks to go in the legislative session, the Capitol was full of activity this week. The first week of March marks the qualifying period for candidates to get their names on the ballot for this year's elections. Candidates for every office from U.S. Congress on down the ballot reported to the Capitol this week to submit paperwork to qualify.

And now that Crossover Day has passed, Senate bills are making their way through the House committees and coming to the floor for a vote. Most importantly, the House completed its one constitutional obligation this week–we passed a budget. More information on that and all of the other activity below!

Qualifying Week
It might be my fourth time qualifying for the ballot, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful! On Tuesday, I presented paperwork to qualify to appear on the ballot in the 2024 elections. It has been my absolute honor to serve the people of Georgia’s House District 54, and I look forward to earning the voters’ confidence again in 2024. It’s hard to believe re-election campaigning is already upon us. But, first, we need to finish the work of this legislative session!

City of Atlanta Updates
What a delight to see my friend Mayor Andre Dickens walking through the halls of the Capitol on Thursday. The Mayor addressed the House chamber about his top concerns and ways the city and state have successfully partnered. Top of mind was public safety. He commended the legislature for creating an effective partnership between state troopers and the APD to bring down crime in Atlanta. Nationally, Atlanta had the third best drop in homicide rates, and the city has cut its rate of rape by 51%. Meanwhile, concerns about affordable housing and housing security weigh heavily on Atlanta as they do in many other areas of the state. Mayor Dickens talked about innovative solutions, like the recently opened Melody complex, but also asked for the state’s help in continuing to address the shortage of workforce housing and rapid housing solutions. I counted at least three standing ovations for the Mayor. The partnership between the city and the state is obviously in a good place.

The Big Budget
The Georgia constitution only requires one real action from the General Assembly–pass a balanced budget. On Thursday, the House passed the omnibus budget that begins the fiscal year on July 1.

While I don’t agree with every aspect of the budget (many areas continue to be underfunded while other areas–like the memorialization of the Confederacy at Stone Mountain–seem overfunded), I was proud to vote YES because I think the budget has some great funding in it. Here are some highlights:

4% cost of living increase for all state employees
$10 million to expand dental services under Medicaid
$2,500 one time bonus for K-12 certified teachers and employees as well as for Pre-K teachers and assistant teachers
QBE for K-12 public education is fully funded
HOPE Scholarship and Grant is fully funded
$2.5 million for the Georgia Housing Voucher program
$2 million for the GA Apex program to expand mental health services in schools
$4.5 million for the State Housing Trust Fund
$103 million for school security grants
$200 million for bus driver operations to local school districts
$250 million to provide low-cost loans to counties/cities for water improvement needs
$15 to $20 million for local counties to get access to clean

Good Bills
SB 334 is the “Helping Firefighters Beat Cancer Act” which strengthens previous legislation that directs resources towards supporting firefighters who, because of their exposure to certain hazardous materials, have a greater risk of certain cancers.

SB 377 provides more expedient licensing for residential treatment programs for young people, something that we are short of in the state. This was another win for mental healthcare in Georgia.

Bad Bills
SB 332 would allow unelected, partisan agents to oversee and obstruct decisions handed down by district attorneys. District attorneys are elected by the Georgia voters they represent. This bill will undo the will of Georgia voters. This is a partisan attempt to control and discipline prosecutors who hand down decisions they do not like. It creates an unreviewable disciplinary process susceptible to abuse.

Bills to Watch
SB 362 wants to prohibit Georgia businesses that receive state economic subsidies from voluntarily recognizing a union in their workplace. Prohibiting those businesses from voluntarily recognizing a union in their workplace is federally illegal. SB 362 will do nothing except cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands in legal fees and put the rights of business owners in jeopardy. This bill is government overreach, telling small businesses how to make their own workforce decisions. This bill has passed out of committee but has not passed out of the Rules Committee. If this bill concerns you, contact Rules Chair Butch Parrish to ask that it not be voted out of committee.

SB 390 would prohibit libraries from paying funds to the American Library Association, the world’s largest and oldest library association. This bill could have a devastating impact on our public libraries. The bill will likely be heard in Higher Education on Tuesday. If you have concerns about this bill, contact members on the committee:

Mitchell Scoggins
Carter Barrett
Kasey Carpenter
Katie Dempsey
Robert Dickey
Matt Dubnik
Ginny Ehrhart
Tim Fleming
Rick Jasperse
Trey Kelley
David Knight
Karen Mathiak
Clay Pirkle
Dale Washburn
Marcus Wiedower

Atlanta Community Food Bank
Did you know that one in nine Georgians experiences food insecurity? And that many of those going hungry are children and seniors? I have long been a supporter of the Atlanta Community Food Bank which serves 29 counties around Atlanta. It was a pleasure to chat with representatives from the ACFB visiting the Capitol on Tuesday.

Presbyterians for Better Georgia
I’m what’s called a cradle Presbyterian–I was born into the Presbyterian church, and I’m the daughter of a former Presbyterian minister. So, I was delighted to welcome Presbyterians for a Better Georgia to the Capitol on Tuesday. Members of my own congregation, Morningside Presbyterian, joined dozens of others to advocate for issues of affordable housing, homelessness services, and healthcare access.

Honoring Small Business Owners
On the same day, the House honored numerous small business owners, including a group of black women in the construction industry whom we welcomed to the House from the floor.

Highlighting Georgia's Pre-K Program
On Thursday, CALi, the early learning mascot from Voices for Georgia's Children, visited the Capitol to highlight Georgia's Pre-K program. Children who participate in Pre-K are shown to be better prepared for kindergarten and have been observed to sustain those gains even through fourth grade.

International Women's Day
In celebration of International Women's Day, Georgia WIN List brought together current female legislators and newly endorsed female candidates who qualified to run for office this week. I'm proud to have won their endorsement for my very first election, and I'm excited to support the women running for office this year.

So Many Other Visitors to the Capitol!
So many other wonderful groups visited the Capitol this week! We recognized from the House chamber Nurses Day, Scouts Day and the Malachi Project just to name a few more.

Committee Reports
While the House was not in session on Wednesday, it was designated a Committee Day to move legislation through committees. In Small Business Development, the committee heard from members of the real estate industry, especially regarding ways to provide more affordable and workforce housing throughout the state.

In Higher Education, we heard four bills, including one from Senator Jason Estevez to increase the amount of money families can save for education in 529 accounts. I expect that the committee will reconvene next Tuesday to take a vote on those bills and hear others.

Mark your calendar for our next listening session! 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.