Month: March 2018

Legislative Update – Week 11

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Friends,
Week Eleven is complete and we are in the final stretch of the 2018 Legislative Session. With two legislative days remaining, lawmakers are working early mornings and late nights to handle the business of the state before Sine Die (adjournment) on March 29.
Legislative Update
This past week, the House passed Senate Bill 139, another piece of legislation that is designed to benefit of our state’s students.
SB 139 would allow local school systems, charter schools and college and career academies to develop and submit new pathways, or focused programs of study. This measure would equip our state’s middle and high school students with the resources needed to attain jobs in high-demand fields after graduation and expand educational opportunities for all of  Georgia’s students.
The House also adopted Resolution 1414, which will examine how to best protect our state’s schools from violence and terror related attacks. It is important that we study how to best protect Georgia’s students, teachers and school staff in a fiscally and constitutionally responsible manner.
Ag Week Under the Gold Dome! 
 
This week, we welcomed Commissioner Gary Black and the Georgia Department of Agriculture to the Capitol for Ag Week.
As the state’s largest and oldest industry, agriculture generates more than $70 billion annually and supports over 70,000 jobs throughout Georgia.
We are incredibly thankful for our farmers and agri-business leaders for their hard work and efforts to keep Georgia growing!
Backing Israel 
This week, I was honored to meet Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer – Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States – and express my longstanding support for one of America’s closest friends and allies.
Under the Gold Dome
On Thursday, I was honored to welcome the Social Circle Rifle Team to the State Capitol. Special Congratulations to Ashley Clegg for making the Air Rifle National Championships. Go Redskins!
Sine Die 
On Thursday night, the final gavel will fall on the 2018 Legislative Session. To watch the legislature in action, click HERE.
As always, it is an honor to represent you and your loved ones in the Georgia General Assembly.  Please feel free to call (404-656-5024) or email (bruce.williamson@house.ga.gov) with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Rep. Bruce Williamson
District 115
Georgia General Assembly

Legislative Update – Week 10

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Friends,
Sine Die (adjournment) is on the horizon and state lawmakers worked diligently during Week Ten of the 2018 Legislative Session to advance conservative legislation that ensures a bright and promising future for all Georgians.
Budget Updates
The Georgia General Assembly is constitutionally mandated to pass a balanced budget every year.
This past week, the House passed its version of the FY2019 state budget (HB684), which prioritizes education, healthcare, and state infrastructure projects.
FY2019 Budget Highlights:
  • $119.5 million for K-12 enrollment growth and training.
  • $361.7 million for the Teachers Retirement System.
  • $111 million for the University System of Georgia.
  • $5.5 million for the Technical College System of Georgia.
  • $68 million for HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships.
  • $16.9 million for a 4.3% provider rate increase for nursing homes
  • $2 million to study Georgia’s infant mortality rate.
  • $2.2 million for a Department of Human Services care coordinator positions to improve mental health outcomes for foster care children.
The 2019 budget is a reflection of our priorities as a legislative body. It is now under consideration in the State Senate.
Honoring Law Enforcement
This week, we were honored to welcome law enforcement leaders from around the state for the Georgia Association of Police Chiefs’ Day at the State Capitol.
We are incredibly grateful for their service and appreciate their efforts to keep our communities safe!
Sine Die 
Georgia lawmakers gathered under the Gold Dome on January 8 to kick-off the 2018 Legislative Session. At midnighton March 29, the gavel will adjourn the session Sine Die. To watch the legislature in action, click HERE.
As always, it is an honor to represent you and your loved ones in the Georgia General Assembly.  Please feel free to call (404-656-5024) or email (bruce.williamson@house.ga.gov) with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Rep. Bruce Williamson
District 115
Georgia General Assembly

Legislative Update – Week 9

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Friends,
Week 9 (Days 30-32) was short on legislative days but busy with committee meetings as state lawmakers worked diligently to advance legislation before Sine Die (adjournment) on March 29.
However, the biggest news this past week was Governor Deal’s announcement about Facebook coming to the Stanton Springs Industrial Park.
Twenty years ago, visionary leaders from Walton, Morgan, Newton and Jasper counties forged an alliance to create a jointly owned industrial development park.
Already a huge success with the Shire Pharmaceuticals project, the new Facebook project will create at least 100 full-time jobs and invest $750 million in a new data center in Stanton Springs over the next five years.  New jobs will include positions in engineering and management, as well as opportunities for data center technicians. Facebook officials have indicated that this is only the start of what they have planned on the 400 acre tract.
Many thanks to the teamwork and leadership of the Executive Director of the Walton County Development Authority, Mr. Shane Short, his board and the Leadership of Chairman Kevin Little and the Walton County Board of Commissioners, as well as Social Circle Mayor, Hal Dally, and Council.
Data Centers are huge consumers of electricity and I was thrilled to learn that Walton EMC was picked as the electric provider. This is a huge double win for Walton County
2018 Qualifying 
Last week, I officially qualified for re-election.
During my time under the Gold Dome, we have delivered comprehensive tax reform, streamlined the adoptions process, balanced the budget, and passed legislation to make Georgia the #1 state for business.
With your continued support, we will ensure a better, brighter future for families in District 115 and throughout Georgia!
As always, it is an honor to represent you and your loved ones in the Georgia General Assembly.  Please feel free to call (404-656-5024) or email (bruce.williamson@house.ga.gov) with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Rep. Bruce Williamson
District 115
Georgia General Assembly

Legislative Update – Week 8

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Friends,
Week Eight was certainly the busiest to date with Crossover Day on Wednesday. For fifteen hours, state lawmakers took action on more than sixty pieces of legislation. While we worked long into the night, I am proud of the bills we passed and look forward to the days ahead as we approach Sine Die on March 29.
Tax Reform
On Thursday, the House gave final passage to HB 918, which is the largest tax cut for Georgians in eighty years. I was proud to be a co-signer of the bill.
I was honored to work with Speaker David Ralston and House leadership to pass tax reform legislation that will cut rates, double the standard deduction, and save Georgia taxpayers $5 billion over 5 years.
Crossover Update
Distracted Driving: Every year, thousands of Georgians die in car wrecks caused by distracting driving. The House passed HB 673 to restrict smartphone usage in Georgia while operating a vehicle. This proposed legislation is now under consideration in the Senate.
Mental Illness: Under HB 999, people with a history of mental illness will be unable to purchase or own a firearm under certain conditions. This legislation ends a state requirement to purge the records of those who are unwillingly committed for mental health treatment after five years. It is a common sense step to take in the direction of protecting the public at large, while still protecting our Second Amendment Rights.
Rural Growth: HB 951 establishes a Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation (CRPI), which will be tasked with helping rural communities grow and thrive. Recommended by the House Rural Development Council, the CRPI will be housed within a University System of Georgia institution.
Leadership Walton
We were honored to have both classes of Leadership Walton at the State Capitol this week. Big thanks to Teri Smiley, Executive Director of the Walton County Chamber, for her service to our community and the Chamber’s support of this great program. We are “Walton Proud!” of it.
Under the Gold Dome
Big thanks to Presley Rowe for serving as my House Page this week. We appreciate his service and hard work.
This week, we welcomed long time family friend, Pastor Tony Dyer, and his wife Debbie to the State Capitol. Tony previously pastored the First Christian Church in Monroe and did a great job leading our morning devotional as the “Pastor of the Day.”
As always, it is an honor to represent you and your loved ones in the Georgia General Assembly.  Please feel free to call (404-656-5024) or email (bruce.williamson@house.ga.gov) with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Rep. Bruce Williamson
District 115
Georgia General Assembly
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