Behind the Scenes
Recall in your mind a familiar graphic that explains how a bill becomes a law — one little box moves to the next as the bill moves from committee to the floor and to the other chamber — like a child’s boardgame. I’ve always said it’s not what happens in the box that drives the bill, but what happens outside the box.
That couldn’t have been more true this week with the Governor’s Tort Reform bill, SB 68, waiting in the wings as deals were made and votes were counted (for a deep dive explaining Georgia’s Tort Reform, see last week’s Senate Snapshot #5).
Republican Negotiations: In the Senate, we have three Republicans who are trial lawyers and therefore less willing to sign on to the Governor’s Tort Reform legislation (we called these three the Killer Bs, as all three have names that start with “B”). Things heated up so much that the Governor threatened primary challenges against any Republican who opposed or watered down his bill. Without these key Republican votes, pressure and arm twisting spilled over to Democrats.
Democratic Negotiations: A couple of weeks ago Senate Democrats voted to take a caucus position against the Governor’s version of SB 68. Once we did this, the four Democrats who serve on the Senate Rules Committee were passed over and not called on to move on bills. We are halfway through the session, and not a single Democratic bill has been heard in committee. With only seven legislative days left before Crossover Day (the deadline for bills to pass the Senate, get to the House, and potentially become law this year), there’s very little chance of any Democratic bills passing this year.
So what does a Democratic Senator do if we can’t pass bills? Lots of work behind the scenes.
The Democratic Understudy
Members of the Democratic Caucus have been studying the Governor’s Tort Reform bill since it was introduced on January 30th. Our concerns center on business accountability for customer safety, often referred to as “premises liability.”
On Thursday this week, Senate Democrats held a press conference to introduce our counterproposal: SB 223, the “Pro People, Pro Business Act.” While the Governor’s bill shields businesses at the expense of customer safety, SB 223 offers a balanced approach—protecting businesses that proactively do the right thing to protect their customers.
It’s helpful for Democrats to think through our policy approaches even though we know they will not pass, because this helps us prepare for when we become the majority in the future. When this happens we will be able to hit the ground running.
A Spotlight on Caregivers
I had a moment of happiness this week that has lifted my spirits and hope for my country.
Georgia Pathways, Governor Kemps limited Medicaid expansion, requires recipients to work 80 hours per month. Although going to school and doing volunteer work meet the requirements, caretaking at home does not. This seems very wrong to me.
Earlier this session, Governor Kemp announced his intention to include parents taking care of children six and under as official “work”.
But why not include all caregivers, including those caring for sick, disabled, and elderly adults? When I floated the idea to Republicans of a Resolution urging the Governor to do just that, I got the classic runaround—Senate leadership, who didn’t want me to file a Resolution, sent me to the Lt. Governor’s office, who passed me off to the Governor’s office, which then punted me around. I tried following their script but it didn’t work, so I filed the Resolution anyway.
When it came time to get co-sponsors, I looked for Republicans. Time after time, I was told they agreed with my sentiment, but didn’t want to put their name to it. One even called himself a chicken. I told him he had the company of an entire flock. Finally, exasperated, I looked around the chamber and noticed the one and only Republican who had a perfect excuse to sign my Resolution — a child with Down Syndrome (and he happens to be a Governor’s floor leader).
He signed without hesitation and thanked me for the opportunity. Later in the week he confessed to me, “Next time, you probably shouldn’t get a Governor’s floor leader to sign” (he had gotten his wrist slapped). But, he said, we did get some attention. I brought him a bottle of wine the next day. Political walls can break down when we see each others’ common humanity.
Action: Call the Governor’s office at 404-656-1776 and urge him to support SR 201, allowing full-time caregiver’s work to count under the Pathways work requirements.
Bills Waiting in the Wings
With a stall on Democratic bills, our strategy must change. Currently, I am working on bills that have some chance of either being amended onto Republican bills or authored by Republicans and fast tracked through the process. Plus, there’s always next year:
Corn Product Fortification: Folic acid has long been added to wheat products to prevent birth defects like spina bifida, but a constituent pointed out to me that Latino communities—who primarily consume corn-based products—suffer higher rates of neural tube defects. My bill would fortify corn masa with folic acid. Early conversations with several Republican colleagues, including some doctors, have been promising and I spoke with Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, a former Senate colleague, about the bill. I will keep pushing it forward.
AI Image Appropriation: A constituent in technology justice made me aware of a tragic story of a murdered high school student whose name and likeness were later used in an AI chatbot—without the family’s permission. I’m working on a bill to protect kids and adults from this unethical use of AI.
Donna’s Law: Sen. Elena Parent and I have been working together on a bill that would establish a voluntary “no-sell” gun registry for people with mental health challenges that cycle through periods of suicidal ideations. I filed the bill this week.
Showtime Friday!
SB 68 (Tort Reform) finally hit the Senate floor Friday morning, with one Republican amendment focusing on curbing medical malpractice damages. Currently, when calculating damages, jurors only see hospital billing numbers before costs are negotiated down. The Governor wanted jurors to only see the negotiated bills. The amendment allows jurors to see both, and to make their own determination.
In the end, SB 68 passed mostly along party lines, with one defection from both sides.
Rowdy Audiences Move the Needle
This week, members of Congress held town hall meetings to address constituent concerns about the happenings in Washington. Notably, Congressman Rich McCormick faced a very tough crowd in Roswell, where angry voters confronted him over mass firings and DOGE cuts to important programs. Videos of the event have gone viral, proving that when we get loud about things that hurt everyday people, we can make a difference. One constituent who told me about attending the meeting said, “I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I left with a smile on my face.”
This serves as a reminder that these actions work. We did this in 2017 and Republicans stopped having town halls, which meant they were not out there charging up their base. This is exactly how Georgia won two U.S. Senate seats in 2019 & 2020, and the Presidency in 2020. When we show up, they stay home.
Next Scene
Monday is Legislative Day 22. With the bulk of Tort Reform heading to the House I’m honestly not sure what to expect next. Stay tuned and stay active.
