Senate Storms

Last weekend, even before the new legislative week began, my phone blew up with texts about the District 4 GDOT Board election. Monday morning’s rush hour, with its squall line and ensuing cold front, seemed like an appropriate harbinger of the week to come.

Crosswinds at GDOT

Often called the “fourth branch of government,” the GDOT Board oversees billions of dollars in transportation funding raised from the motor fuel tax, so these Board elections matter. Members are elected by State House and Senate delegations based on congressional districts, and the Commissioner is appointed by the Governor.

I had already committed to supporting former Senate Minority Leader Steve Henson for the Fourth Congressional District seat. Then the calls started coming in—from corporate lobbyists urging me to support someone else. In all my years under the Gold Dome, I’ve never seen corporate lobbyists so interested in a GDOT board race. For me, it raised red flags.

Thankfully, Steve prevailed. Our district will be well represented.

Shifting Fronts

The Legislative Page Program gives students a chance to spend a day at the Capitol delivering messages to legislators while getting a firsthand look at the legislative process. On Monday, I had a young page from Sequoyah Middle School, who was very bright and curious, so I invited her to spend time with me on the floor. I asked her if she had any questions, to which she responded, “Do legislators get along?”

As it turned out, she got to see the best of what this place can be.

HB 535 — Fentanyl: Sen. Josh McLaurin, whom I have endorsed for Lt. Governor, raised a serious concern and offered amendments to improve a Republican authored fentanyl penalties bill. The bill’s language could treat people as traffickers for unknowingly possessing drugs with trace amounts of fentanyl. Josh’s presentation from the well changed minds and the sponsor offered his own amendment limiting the law to meaningful quantities, not incidental traces.

The result was a better, more precise bill that passed unanimously. That’s what the legislative process should look like, but rarely has for the last few years.

By Wednesday, the mood changed. On the floor, Democrats again offered amendments to improve bills—but this time, they were shut down:

HB 998 (a telecom bill): We proposed restoring a Consumer Utility Council to give Georgians a real voice in rate cases and protecting customers from footing the bill for massive data center buildouts.
HB 1302 (education/workforce development bill): Democrats offered an amendment to raise Georgia’s $5.15 minimum wage, tied for the lowest in the country.

Time and again, debate was cut off by ruling amendments “not germane” and “calling the question,” shutting down discussion before it could fully unfold. The only way we had to fight back was to filibuster, so we did, which led to a very long day. My last committee meeting ended at 10pm.

Political Fury

Also on Wednesday, Lt. Governor Burt Jones took a rare point of personal privilege to deliver what amounted to an impromptu thinly-veiled campaign speech from the rostrum—complaining about “healthcare monopolies” (alluding to his opponent’s healthcare contracts with the state) wasting taxpayer dollars and suggesting that Senators may not get their appropriations requests for their districts as a result.

The AJC reported this week that the Lt. Governor is holding up the House Speaker’s literacy legislation in the Senate until the House passes a bill that would prevent people holding state government contracts from running for office. This is not the first time the Lt. Governor has held up meaningful legislation for his own personal interests.

Standing Strong in the Storm

By Thursday, Democrats decided to push back on the partisan stonewalling. We voted no on two constitutional amendments:

HR 251: Making probate judge elections nonpartisan statewide
HR 1243: Creating a new fund for Next Generation 911 upgrades

Because constitutional amendments require a two-thirds vote, Republicans need Democratic support—but neither bill sponsor sought our votes ahead of time. They were very unhappy with our no votes, but it was a clear reminder: this process works best when both parties can participate. Democrats make up about 41% of the Senate. Our constituents deserve a voice too.

Republicans moved to reconsider these votes, so these measures will return to the floor as soon as Republicans can secure the votes, which will require negotiating with the Minority Party.

In Committee: Patches of Sun—and Some Uncertain Skies

We have more Committee days now as we race toward Sine Die. This week, there were some very good bills, and some emotionally charged but flawed bills.

☀️ Patches of Sun

HB 1009 (Children & Families Committee): Extends Georgia’s K–8 cell phone ban to high school—a key recommendation from the Senate Study Committee I chaired. This bill has strong support from teachers.
HB 1413 (Higher Ed Committee): Creates Georgia’s first-ever needs-based scholarship, providing up to $3,000 for qualifying students and support for future medical students. I’ve worked on versions of this for years. It’s not as generous as I’d like, but it’s a meaningful first step.

🌥️ Uncertain Skies

HB 471 (Health & Human Services Committee): Requires new parents to watch a water safety video before leaving the hospital, inspired by a mother who tragically lost her child to drowning. Those first hours after birth are overwhelming, and I’m not convinced that’s the right moment for this information. Pediatricians should offer this information the same way they offer car seat and gun safety information.
HB 350 (Health & Human Services Committee): Expands Georgia’s safe haven law to allow abandoned newborns to be left in monitored safety devices — temperature-controlled boxes with a bassinet that sets off an alarm to law enforcement or a hospital when a baby is left. The concept of leaving a baby in a box raised serious concerns about oversight, cost, and whether both mother and baby would be better served with human support. The bill is tabled for now.

Bright Spots: Finding Our Footing in the Storm

Even in a stormy week, there were real moments of progress.

Folic Acid Fortification: A Republican House member carrying HB 1138, a bill that allows pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, agreed to add my bill, SB 278, to fortify corn products with folic acid to help prevent spina bifida in Latino babies. She immediately understood its importance, sharing that she took folic acid during her own pregnancies. It felt like a return to the old bipartisan Women’s Caucus during my days in the House when we stood together despite party affiliation. I’m told that HB 1138 is a Speaker priority, so I’m cautiously optimistic this could be SB 278’s path forward.

Education in Prisons: My Senate Study Committee Resolution passed unanimously out of Rules after stalling last year, thanks to a Republican ally who shares this interest. If it follows the usual path, it will move as part of a larger package—and then we’ll see which studies are ultimately funded.

Gas Tax Suspension: In a rare moment of full alignment, the House and Senate quickly passed a 60-day gas tax suspension to help offset rising prices at the pump due to the war in Iran. Governor Kemp signed it into law Friday.

What’s Next

Next week is the final full week before Sine Die on Thursday, April 2. We’ll be in session Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with committee days Tuesday and Thursday. There’s lots more to move through Committee!

What You Can Do

Many of you have asked how to help during these turbulent times. Here are some ways to stay engaged:

Urge the Lt. Governor to bring the following House bills to the Senate floor :
- HB 1193: Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026
- HB 1138: Increasing Access to Contraceptives Act
Become a Poll Watcher: Both parties rely on trained volunteers to observe elections and report issues. You can sign up here with the Democratic Party of Georgia.
Join a No Kings Rally (March 28): If you’re concerned about the war or recent actions impacting immigrants, consider showing up to an event near you and making your voice heard.

What’s It Matter to You?
Big Money in State Politics

https://youtube.com/shorts/m3TpIhKx7UU

In 2021, Georgia Republicans passed a law that allows for the creation of Political Action Committees that allow top state leaders, like the Governor and Lt. Governor, to collect unlimited contributions year-round. “Regular” legislators still abide by capped donations, and can’t take money during the legislation session (as it should be). Since 2021, six-figure contributions can, and do, change hands while legislative bills are being considered. This is wrong.