The Holland Report - 2026, Week 2

Sara Fuchs

During week two of the legislative session, the joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee hears testimony from state agencies about their needs in both the state's amended budget for this year and for the "big budget" that goes into effect on July 1.

Highlights from the proposed budget include one-time bonuses for state employees (which includes public school teachers), significant infrastructure spending, and a much-overdue needs-based scholarship for higher education (Georgia is one of only two states to not already have a needs-based scholarship in place). The budget also includes increased funding for both SNAP (also known as food stamps) and DFCS (Department of Family and Children Services), but legislators raised concerns in hearings that the increases may not be enough to address the increasing need and the shortfall of federal support. Despite huge health care challenges in the state, the current proposed budget barely increases any health care spending (health care expenditures make up almost 40% of the state's spending). With premiums skyrocketing and increasing numbers of Georgians going uninsured, I hope the budget can be expanded in this area.

In case you missed it, Governor Kemp has declared a state of emergency in advance of this weekend's predicted severe weather. We've collected some resources below to help you navigate things as the rain and ice come through. Even the employees at the Georgia Capitol plan to work from home on Monday. The Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will implement an inclement weather service plan in anticipation of severe weather in the metro Atlanta area beginning Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Please check their schedule before planning your trip.

Please take whatever precautions you need to, and please stay off the roads if you can!

I'll be holding three listening sessions on Zoom this legislative season to keep you informed of what's happening under the Gold Dome, to hear your concerns, and to answer your questions.

You can register at the links below:

January 25th, 4 - 5 pm

March 8th, 4 - 5 pm

March 29th, 4 - 5 pm

🌦️ Official Forecasts & Alerts

• National Weather Service – Atlanta/Peachtree City — Official local forecasts, current watches/warnings, hazardous weather outlooks, and radar for Fulton County and North/Central Georgia.
➡️ https://www.weather.gov/ffc/

• Current Watches & Warnings (North Fulton & Metro Atlanta) — Direct link to active warnings (e.g., tornado, severe thunderstorm, flash flood, winter storm) for your county.
➡️ https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?local_place1=North+Fulton+County&warncounty=gac121&warnzone=gaz033

• 7-Day Local Forecast (Fulton County ZIP) — A quick 7-day forecast tailored to Fulton County (e.g., ZIP 30318).
➡️ https://forecast.weather.gov/zipcity.php?inputstring=30318

📱 Alert & Preparedness Tools

• FEMA App — Free mobile app to receive real-time National Weather Service alerts, locate emergency shelters, and get preparedness information for up to five saved locations.
➡️ https://www.ready.gov/fema-app

• Emergency Alerts (Ready.gov) — Overview of alert systems including Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), NOAA Weather Radio alerts, and tips for receiving multiple warning sources.
➡️ https://www.ready.gov/alerts

📻 Broadcast & Radio Alerts

• NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards — 24/7 automated weather and emergency alerts directly from the National Weather Service; ideal for battery-powered devices during outages.
➡️ http://www.weather.gov/nwr/

📘 State & Local Notification Systems

• Fulton County Alerts (FALCON) — Fulton County’s emergency notification system you can sign up for text/phone alerts for severe weather warnings and other emergencies.
➡️ https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/falcon

• Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management – Plan & Prepare — Local guidance on preparedness actions for tornadoes, floods, thunderstorms, winter weather, and other hazards.
➡️ https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/inside-fulton-county/fulton-county-departments/atlanta-fulton-emergency-management-agency/plan-and-prepare

• City of Atlanta Severe Weather Preparedness Info — City resources about severe weather response, what watch/warning means, and readiness tips.
➡️ https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/mayor-s-office/executive-offices/office-of-emergency-preparedness/be-ready/severe-weather

📍 Statewide Preparedness Resources

• Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security (GEMA/HS) — Statewide emergency management agency with links to preparedness guides, alerts, and Ready Georgia resources.
➡️ https://gema.georgia.gov/

• GEMA/HS Alerts & Warnings Resources — Information on multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts and recommendations for redundancy in alerting.
➡️ https://gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/alerts-and-warnings

📚 General Severe Weather Preparedness Info

• Ready.gov – Severe Weather Preparedness — Federal guidance on preparing for tornadoes, thunderstorms, wind, flooding, and extreme weather as a household or community.
➡️ https://www.ready.gov/severe-weather

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.