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What’s So Special about Georgia’s Special Session?

Next Wednesday, Nov. 3rd, I head back down to the Georgia Capitol for a “special” legislative session. Technically, it’s “special” because it’s being called outside the “regular” 40 day legislative session required by Georgia’s constitution. But it’s also “special” because its function, the redrawing of political districts, only happens once every ten years — to […]

Public Safety Virtual Town Hall

A Chilly Political Forecast I can’t believe it’s already October! For me, the chill in the air reminds me that Georgia’s politics are going to get a bit chilly during the next few months. I expect the November Special Redistricting Session to feature a storm of political gerrymandering, followed by a 2022 Legislative Session sure […]

Urgent Action Needed!

Sally’s Senate Snapshot: “We worked so hard, and now, it is all undone?” That is the common cry of the men and women of our military who deployed to Afghanistan, missionary relief workers who built schools and infrastructure in Haiti, and healthcare workers who have labored day and night to contain a virus that is now […]

The For The People Act Comes to Atlanta

Sally’s Senate Snapshot: Interim Edition Time to Flex those Muscles! People often ask me what Georgia legislators do when we’re not in session. Since we’re a part-time, “citizen” legislature, at the close of session we’re supposed to go back home to do whatever it is we were doing before we got elected — theoretically anyway. […]

2021 Legislative Town Hall

Senator Sally’s Town Hall Wrap-Up Monday, April 19th, 7 – 8:30pm Join Georgia State Senator Sally Harrell and State House Representatives in Senate District 40 for an update on the 2021 legislative session and the upcoming special redistricting session later this year. Confirmed House Representatives: Representative Josh McLaurin, HD 51 Representative Mike Wilensky, HD 79 […]

Sally’s Senate Snapshot 2021 #12 Sine Die

Ending on a Sour Note The 2021 legislative session may have ended last week on a sour note, but at least it ended on time. I love serving in the Senate, but at midnight last Wednesday night, on Sine Die, I was ready to get out of there! While the media have been focusing mostly […]

Sally’s Senate Snapshot 2021 #11

Despite having spent countless hours in Committee meetings this session discussing election bills, the bill that was signed into law last Thursday was never vetted by the Senate. It completely skipped the committee process, and only had a minimal amount of debate on the floor. That’s because when the Senate originally passed SB 202, it […]

Sally’s Senate Snapshot 2021 #10

  Upcoming Events Join our SD 40 Legislative Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, March 25th at 7:00 pm so we can answer your questions before Sine Die, the last day of session. Once again, we’ll be joined by several SD 40 House Representatives. Register for the meeting here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/end-of-session-legislative-town-hall-tickets-147405498815 The Final Four The Georgia General Assembly has […]

Sally’s Senate Snapshot 2021 #9

It’s been a year . . . One year ago, life as we knew it came to a screeching halt. But as the earth continued its journey around the sun, millions of Pandemic Warriors have risen up to tend to the crisis. They have cared for the sick, nurtured the bereaved, fed the hungry, kept […]

Sally’s Senate Snapshot 2021 #8

The emotional impact of bad bills was mitigated a bit this week by some personal legislative successes, the hope brought on by a new COVID-19 vaccine, and some warm and sunny weather. The Game of Chairs What happens when two powerful Committee Chairs each support one bill, but oppose the other? A third Chair might […]