By Eric Curl
Jan. 13, 2025 – The state legislative session begins today and continues until early April.
Georgia State Rep. Anne Allen Westbrook (D-Savannah) recently informed constituents during a town hall meeting that the Democratic caucus in the House will continue to push issues such as expanding Medicaid, improving public education, and addressing public health crises like Georgia’s maternal mortality rates and the gun violence epidemic. In addition, they are also prepared to go on the defense to mitigate harm from bills put forth by the extreme Georgia GOP, Westbrook said.
Meanwhile, Republican Governor Brian Kemp recently announced that his administration’s priorities will include addressing workforce development challenges, including in the area of healthcare; reinforce Georgia’s status as a right-to-work state; address the need for more information regarding civil litigation; invest in infrastructure across the state, including workforce housing; and establish new higher education assets, according to a press release.
And while the Republican-controlled General Assembly is not likely to support legislation requiring gun owners to buy trigger locks or gun safes to safely store their firearms, a proposal to offer tax credits as an incentive to those who do enjoys broad support, as reported by The Current.
Locally, the Savannah City Council approved its 2025 legislative agenda on Dec. 19. The agenda focuses on infrastructure investments, improvements in court fee processes, and support for affordable housing initiatives. Specific priorities include advocating for local infrastructure funding, enhancing court efficiency, and expanding the use of SPLOST funds for affordable housing development. Policy positions emphasize support for homelessness assistance, preservation of home rule authority, and sustainability initiatives aligned with Savannah’s Clean Energy Resolution.
Chatham County’s list of legislative priorities featured multiple items that are responses to the region’s heavy storm season this year, as reported by the Savannah Morning News.
Meanwhile, a group of dentists recently expressed concerns in a letter to State Rep. Ron. Stephens, dean of the Savannah-Chatham legislative delegation, about Kemp’s proposed state $178 million allocation for a new dental school in Savannah. The letter claims that key groups such as dental practitioners, academic institutions, dentist legislators, and state agencies were excluded from discussions, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration to ensure the public funds are used effectively. In addition, the letter suggests that the state should first address such challenges as a shortage of dental clinics in underserved areas, escalating costs of dental education and significant debt burden on students.
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