Public Safety & Infrastructure
Celebrating the Life of Abit Massey
On Monday, I joined Georgians from across the state to celebrate the life and legacy of our dear friend, Mr. Abit Massey.
Mr. Abit passed away in June after a short, but courageous, battle with cancer. He was a wonderful family man, true friend, and mentor to so many during his time advocating for Georgia’s agriculture industry and our state as a whole.
His impact—on the lives he touched, the policy he shaped, and the friendships he made—will not soon be forgotten.
Discussing Georgia’s Infrastructure
On Thursday, I spoke with engineering industry experts about the state of Georgia’s robust infrastructure network and the investments we have made to ensure the long-term well-being of our roads, bridges, and statewide freight and logistics network.
From the largest single terminal port in North America and the world’s busiest airport to thousands of miles of highways and interstates, Georgia’s freight and logistics network has contributed significantly to the economic growth we have witnessed. As we continue to see unprecedented growth and development in every corner of the state, our critical infrastructure will face increasing demand. The House was proud to make a historic $1.5 billion down payment on infrastructure projects that will keep our economy, citizens, and state moving.
Special Committee on State Prisons
Earlier this week, I announced the creation of the Special Subcommittee of Appropriations on State Prisons.
Recent investigations have revealed an increase in crime and corruption within our state prisons, and during the last legislative session, the General Assembly placed significant emphasis on improving the safety, security, and conditions of our state-operated corrections facilities. From state law enforcement pay raises to increased funding for security and technology, we’re continuing to prioritize efforts to restore law and order in our prison system.
With Governor Kemp’s ongoing assessment of Georgia’s prisons, we want to ensure the House is prepared to take immediate action when subsequent recommendations and appropriations requests are delivered in January or during the interim. The appointees to the Special Subcommittee of Appropriations on State Prisons are as follows:
Chairman – Representative Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin)
Representative Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons)
Representative Bill Hitchens (R-Rincon)
Representative Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta)
Representative Alan Powell (R-Hartwell)
Representative Bill Werkheiser (R-Glennville)
Representative Al Williams (D-Midway)
It’s always great to hear from each of you, and I hope to speak with everyone soon. Have a great weekend!
My best,
Speaker Jon Burns