At the Capitol: Week of January 16

Here is your recap of the second week of the 2023 legislative session in Georgia.

– Gov. Brian Kemp released his recommendations for a record $32.5 billion budget. Highlights include $1 billion for a $250-$500 tax refund and $1.1 billion for a property tax relief program that will provide, on average, $500 for every homeowner. There is also an additional $745 million in 2023 and more than $1.1 billion in 2024 for K-12 funding. There is also more than $566 million to provide $2,000 raises for all state employees, including teachers. 

– Lt. Gov. Burt Jones recently named all committee chairs and members in the Senate. Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) will again lead Appropriations with Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) returning as Finance chairman, Sen. Ben Watson (R-Savannah) as Health and Human Services chair, and Sen. Brian Strickland (R-McDonough) as Judiciary chair. 

– Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Buford) will chair Education, Sen. Matt Brass (R-Newnan) will chair Rules and Sen. Russ Goodman (R-Homerville) will chair Agriculture. You can find the full committee rosters here. 

– Speaker Jon Burns has also named all committee chairs in the House. Rep. Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin) will lead Appropriations and Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) will again chair Ways and Means,  Rep. Richard Smith (R-Columbus) will again chair Rules and Rep. Robert Dickey (R-Musella) will again chair Agriculture. 

– Rep. Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro) will lead the new Special Committee on Healthcare with oversight of all health policy, while Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) will chair the Health committee and Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta) will chair the new Public Health committee. Rep. Stan Gunter (R-Blairsville) will chair Judiciary and Rep. Chris Erwin (R-Homer) will chair Education. You can find all committees here.

– Both chambers will conclude Budget Week on Friday and return on Monday, January 23, for Legislative Day 5.