Georgia prisons chief for spending hikes for staffing, infrastructure needs

ATLANTA - State prisons chief Tyrone Oliver asked Georgia lawmakers Monday for $10.4 million to hire an additional 330 correctional officers during this fiscal year to staff a prisons system the U.S. Justice Department harshly criticized in an audit last fall.

2025 Legislative Newsletter – Week 3

The Georgia General Assembly was set to return to the Gold Dome on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, to commence “budget week.”  Passing a balanced budget is our one constitutional obligation. Governor Kemp declared a State of Emergency on Monday anticipating winter storms across the state.

Gov. Brian Kemp hammering home tort reform message

ATLANTA - The signs are clear as Georgia lawmakers prepare to resume the 2025 General Assembly session on Monday after a weeklong recess: Gov. Brian Kemp is making tort reform a high priority.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones unveils Red Tape Rollback of 2025

ATLANTA - Lt. Gov. Burt Jones announced a new round of legislation Friday aimed at helping small businesses by reducing government regulation. The Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025 is a follow-up to legislation the General Assembly passed last year.

Georgia Board of Education updates school safety rule

ATLANTA - The Georgia Board of Education has adopted a requirement aimed at ensuring cooperation between local school systems and public safety experts in the design of school safety policies and infrastructure.

2025 Legislative Newsletter – Week 1

The 158th Georgia General Assembly convened at 10:00 a.m. for the 2025 Regular Session, Monday, January 13, 2025, marking the start of the first year of our biennial General Assembly.

State lawmakers to explore industrial energy usage

The Georgia House will form a special committee this year to try to get a handle on the growing demand for energy among power-dependent industries moving into the state, House Speaker Jon Burns said Wednesday.

Kemp ups the ante on school safety grants

Gov. Brian Kemp said Monday he will ask the General Assembly to provide an additional $50 million in state grants to improve security in Georgia schools. The added funding would bring the total for the current fiscal year to $158 million, Kemp said during a news conference at the state Capitol.

General Assembly kicks off 2025 session

The General Assembly gaveled into session Monday with the usual pageantry and little of the heavy lifting that will be required to make it through the 40-day session. House lawmakers voted 153-21 to reelect Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, to preside over the chamber during the next two years.

Prisons chief seeking $372M for safety upgrades

ATLANTA - Gov. Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Corrections asked state lawmakers Tuesday for $372 million to improve a prison system the Justice Department criticized last fall in a scathing report.