A Busy Week in the Life of our State
Friends,
As you may know, this has been a busy week in the life of our state.
The beginning of our legislative session.
The University of Georgia football team’s National Championship victory in Los Angeles.
The inauguration of Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, and the rest of Georgia’s statewide officers.
But for some Georgians, this week was marred by tragedy.
One of the responsibilities I have in my new role as Speaker of the House is to work closely with Governor Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, and key state agency leaders to respond to disasters.
In recent days we have had to do just that, as our state was hit by damaging storms that caused several tornadoes impacting numerous counties.
Fortunately, Georgia has a great team across our state government that was ready to respond. Coordinated by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Director James Stallings, responders from state agencies including the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation and private sector partners including Georgia Power and our electric membership cooperatives (EMC’s) have been doing great work to protect life and get these communities back to normal.
This series of storms sadly led to the death of a 5 year old child, as well as a state DOT employee responding to storm damage - I hope you will join me in praying for their families today. The tragedy that afflicted these impacted communities is immense, and by the work of state employees, private sector partners, and Georgians from around our state we will help these communities recover. Thanks to Representatives Knight, Mathiak, Daniel and Crowe as they help those in need identify public and private resources.
As we continue to work with Governor Kemp, and others representing these communities to ensure that needed resources are available, I pray that Georgians will respond here as they always do - volunteering their time, talents, and treasure to help their neighbors.
Remember that should you have questions about my work as your Representative or as Speaker of the House, you can always reach out to me at 404.656.5020, Jon.Burns@house.ga.gov, or on Facebook at www.FB.com/JonBurnsGA. If you wish to sign up for my weekly emailed newsletter, visit https://www.friendsofjonburns.com/home to sign up.