Legislative activity continued in the Georgia General Assembly this week despite the House not being in formal session. Between Tuesday and Thursday, work focused on Joint Appropriations Hearings, during which I prioritized key issues related to affordability and public infrastructure.
This week, our work shifted from full committee hearings to more focused discussions within our various subcommittees. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I spent much of my time diving into the specific details of the state budget to ensure our community’s needs are met. I am specifically reviewing the $20 billion in the budget earmarked for education. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education held a critical meeting on Wednesday to delve deeper into school funding. During this session, we scrutinized the budget further, focusing on funding for enrollment growth and expanded resources for student mental health. I am also supporting and working to include funding for our non-state teachers. The proposed $2,000 one-time pay supplement for our educators and state public safety officers. My goal is to ensure that Savannah’s schools and healthcare systems receive the robust, fair funding they need to thrive in the upcoming fiscal year.
A major priority for me this week is stabilizing the CAT system. I am working to resolve legal disputes to prevent the Chatham County Commission’s planned withdrawal from the system scheduled for June 30, 2026. I am exploring state-level funding to address capital gaps in bus and ferry maintenance, thereby reducing reliance on local property taxes…