The Georgia General Assembly convened for the 2026 legislative session this past Monday, January 12th, and has completed its first four days of the limited forty-legislative day session. As we begin this new year, the House is focused on the essential work of governing and addressing the immediate needs of our communities, with “affordability” and “safety” serving as the central themes for the session ahead. It is an honor to return to the Gold Dome to represent the citizens of Savannah and District 165 as we navigate the essential work of the people.
As the 2026 legislative session officially convened this past Monday, January 12th, my roles on several key House committees have been reaffirmed, allowing me to continue bringing Savannah’s voice to the essential work of the people. I am honored to once again serve as the Vice Chairman of the Urban Affairs Committee, a role that allows me to advocate directly for the infrastructure and social needs of our state’s major cities, as well as the Vice Chairman of our influential Chatham County Delegation. Throughout this opening week, I have been preparing for the upcoming budget cycle following the Governor’s final State of the State address this past Thursday. This address signaled the release of the updated Fiscal Year 2025/26 state budget, and I am ready to dive into the details as a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education to ensure our schools and teachers receive the support they deserve. My commitment also remains steadfast across my other committee assignments, including Economic Development & Tourism, Higher Education, and Human Relations & Aging, where I will continue to fight for the prosperity and well-being of all Georgians.
This week, the Georgia Senate reached a final decision on Senate Bill 204, a measure that directly impacts our local efforts to curb gun violence in Savannah. The Senate voted along party lines to pass the bill, which aims to void our city’s ordinance requiring gun owners to lock their firearms when left in unattended vehicles. This ordinance was a common-sense response to the over 200 firearms stolen from unlocked cars in our community, and since its implementation, we have seen an encouraging 30 percent reduction in those thefts. I stand firmly with Mayor Van Johnson and Senator Derek Mallow in our deep disappointment with this outcome. Throughout my career as an educator, administrator, and your Mayor, I have always believed that our local community knows best how to protect its own neighborhoods. Public safety is compromised when unsecured guns easily fall into the wrong hands and are then used in further crimes. While the city will comply with state law should the Governor sign this bill, I remain committed to exploring every alternative to keep our citizens safe. My priority continues to be protecting our youth and our families from the tragic consequences of unsecured firearms, and I will continue to fight for our right to implement sensible safety measures that save lives…