Week 4 of the 2019 Legislative Session began Tuesday, February 5th and came to a close Friday, February 8th. We have completed 11 days of the 2019 Legislative Session and I am excited to be able to update you on what the House has accomplished so far!
Nathan Deal Judicial Center
On Wednesday, the House passed House Resolution 1, which names the new appellate judicial complex the “Nathan Deal Judicial Center.” Given our former Governor’s focus on criminal justice reform, it is only fitting that this new judicial center bears his name. The reforms that were championed by Governor Nathan Deal saved Georgia taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in additional prison spending, significantly reduced the minority prison population, and created innovative solutions to treat nonviolent offenders suffering from mental illness as well as substance abuse. The Resolution passed with 159 votes yea and 2 votes nay.
To learn more about House Resolution 1 click here.
2019 Budget Highlights
On Friday the House passed House Bill 30, the supplemental appropriations for the State Fiscal Year July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019. The House Bill passed with 166 votes yea and 8 votes nay. I have listed for you below some highlights of the amended 2019 budget.
- $10 million for emergency disaster relief assistance to Georgia farmers in counties impacted by Hurricane Michael. This add builds upon the $55 million appropriated to the Georgia Development Authority to assist farmers during the 2018 Special Session.
- $69.4 million to provide school security grants of $30,000 each for 2,314 school facilities including charter schools, college and career academies, GNETS facilities, and the three state schools.
- $8.4 million in additional funding the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to expand the Georgia Apex Program, which provides support counselors in high schools for students suffering from mental health issues.
- $1 million for the Department of Community Health to craft state flexibility options for Georgia’s Medicaid Program under the federal waiver program.
To learn more about House Bill 30 click here.
Stay Up-to-Date:
If you are interested in learning more about all that goes on during the Legislative session then the Georgia House of Representatives website has everything you need to stay up to date and informed. From press releases to live video broadcasts of the House Floor, you can experience your state government in action up close. Click here to learn more.
You can also stay up-to-date by liking the Georgia House Republican Caucus on Facebook and following them on Instagram, @gahouserepublicancaucus. You can also like my Facebook page for updates from me concerning the 2019 Legislative Session. Click here to learn more.
As the 2019 Session continues to move forward, I promise I will continue to work diligently to pass meaningful and helpful legislation for all citizens of Georgia. If you find yourself in Atlanta during session, I encourage you to visit me at my Capitol office! Also, please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns regarding any current or upcoming legislation. My Capitol office is located at 401-D Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg, 18 Capitol Square SW, Atlanta, GA 30334. My office phone number is 404.656.0152. I can also be reached via email at Dale.Washburn@house.ga.gov.
As always, thank you for allowing me to be your representative and God bless.
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