Tillery: Week 8 Highlights
This week was one of our busiest to date. With every passing day, we are one step closer to Crossover Day, which will fall on March 15. In addition to passing the Senate’s version of the Amended Budget, many long debates and detailed discussions on a number of bills continued. We successfully passed bills that strengthen our Second Amendment rights, protect the health and safety of pregnant mothers and loosen long overdue federal mandates.
On Monday, the Senate Appropriations Committee met to pass the Senate substitute to House Bill 910, the Amended Budget for the 2022 Fiscal Year. As you know, the General Assembly has a Constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget for Georgia. The last three years have been a roller coaster for Georgia as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, I feel as though we have reached the top of this roller coaster with the passage of this amended budget. As the Senate Appropriations Chairman, I want to be clear that this amended budget is not just a reflection of the committee or the chairman, but rather a reflection of the entire Senate body. Despite the ongoing challenges we have faced from the pandemic, Georgians and Georgia’s economy have remained resilient. Georgia has been a bright spot not only in the nation, but across the globe. As previously mentioned, the economy has continued to grow, adding more jobs, and businesses to our infrastructure and economy. I give this credit to Georgia’s decision to remain open despite the many challenges on very many fronts. This budget reflects over $30 billion in revenue with a large percentage of funds being allotted to education, expanding nursing capacity and providing our rural communities with the funds they need to continue to attract opportunities for growth. This amended budget has the ability to put future legislators in a better position to meet the needs of our state.
Also on Monday, we took the time to consider a number of bills related to gun rights with none more important than Senate Bill 319, known as the “Constitutional Carry Act.” Essentially, SB 319 would waive the license requirement for any lawful weapons carrier to carry their firearm in any part of Georgia. This is a Constitutional right as it is explicitly stated in our Constitution that there should be no hurdles imposed by the government that inhibit a lawful weapons carrier from having their firearm on them. As I have told you before, I am in support of this measure as it is imperative that we continue to stand up for our rights and our ability to exercise them.
Not only is it important to stand up for our Constitutional rights, I am a firm believer in supporting the rights of unborn children and pregnant mothers. The Senate took up a Senate Bill 456 to do just that. SB 456 prohibits the delivery of abortion pills by mail and requires an inperson examination by a healthcare professional, including an ultrasound, before such a pill can be prescribed. By going through proper, safe procedures, we have the ability to protect expectant mothers from serious harm and protect unborn lives.
Keeping on the theme of protecting our rights, the Senate made significant progress towards expanding the rights of our students and parents in regard to their education. Senate Bill 514, prohibits any local school from requiring a student to wear a mask while on school grounds. A student may wear a mask if their parent so chooses, but any mandate that all students must remain masked while on school property is prohibited. I believe parents know better than any form of local or state government about what is best for their child and such decisions should be reserved for parents’ discretion.
The Senate also passed Senate Bill 345 which prohibits state and local governments from mandating COVID- 19 vaccine passports and Senate Resolution 479 reaffirming our commitment to Taiwan.
Next week will continue to be busier still, as our deadline to report legislation out of committee falls on Wednesday of next week. With that being said, please continue to reach out with any comments or concerns that matter most to you. It is a pleasure to serve you.
Sen. Blake Tillery serves as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, and Wheeler counties and a portion of Liberty and Tattnall counties. The 19th District is expected to add Bacon and parts of Coffee County in 2023. He can be reached by email at blake.tillery@senate.ga.gov.
By Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia)
