Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Hello!

Monday, January 13, 2020, marked the first day of the second session of the 155th Georgia General Assembly.

During this first week, the Senate wasted no time getting legislation passed. House Bill 276 will benefit Georgia by establishing a more efficient process to col-lect the sales tax owed to the state by certain e-commerce businesses, which help our state fund vital programs and services.

Governor Kemp Delivers the State of the State Address

Governor Brian P. Kemp delivered his second annual State of the State address in which he highlighted his prior-ities for the 2020 Legislative Session. At the start of the address, Gov. Kemp highlighted some of Georgia’s many successes over the year, including its title as the number one state to do business, its record low unemployment, and the expansion of over 65,000 private-sector jobs. For the upcoming legislative year, Gov. Kemp discussed priorities concerning education, including funding a $2,000 raise for educators, as well as allocating money for public safety improvements, specifically in the areas of reducing gangs and cracking down on human trafficking. Another initiative unveiled by Gov. Kemp was the creation of a professorship at the University of Georgia dedi-cated to researching Parkinson’s Disease. This was done in honor and recognition of U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, who was in attendance. Gov. Kemp concluded his address by stating his excitement to begin another session and continuing to put Georgians first.

This week, Senate and House Appropriations Committees will spend time lis-tening to the heads of Georgia’s state agencies to determine funding needs for the upcoming fiscal year. This process will be a challenging one this year, but we were elected to serve as good stewards of your taxpayer dollars and we are up to the challenge.

There are still 36 legislative days remaining until our business under the Gold Dome concludes.

I remain dedicated to serving your interests as your State Senator.

Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts or concerns on pending issues, or whenever I can be of service. My legislative offices are:

301-A Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg.

Atlanta, GA 30334

Phone: (404) 656-0040

1906 Legette Drive

Bainbridge, GA 39819

Phone: (229) 243-6267

You can also stay in touch by visiting our website at http://www.senate.ga.gov/spo/en-US/SenateVideo.aspx to watch a live stream of the Senate in action, as well as archived committee meetings, and review legislation that we are considering.

Follow me on facebook for updates throughout the year.

I am honored to serve Senate District 11. Thank you for allowing me to be your Senator.

Sincerely,

Senator Dean Burke