Recognizing Leadership in Georgia and Internationally
Friends,
Over the last week at the State Capitol, we continued to consider legislation sent to the House from the Senate. Our final day of session is rapidly approaching on March 29.
Several of the bills we passed this week were designed to reduce the role of government in our lives here in Georgia.
SB 23, carried by Senator Kay Kirkpatrick and Representative Scott Hilton passed and reduces the size of government by eliminating inactive government commissions.
On March 16, the House passed SB 55, carried by Senator Elena Parent and Representative Mary Margaret Oliver. This legislation simply ensures that children in Georgia will be able to operate a lemonade stand or similar business without fearing government interference into these time honored traditions.
We also passed legislation this week to protect our elders from those that may seek to take advantage of them.
SB 84, carried by Senator Chuck Hufstetler and Representative Carter Barrett of Cumming, passed by a vote of 169 - 0 and requires that an investment advisor who suspects the financial exploitation of an elderly or sick adult notify the appropriate authorities.
At the same time, this week we made time to recognize leadership in Georgia and internationally.
March 14 would have been the late Speaker David Ralston’s 69th birthday, and the House took the opportunity to welcome his family to the Floor, recognizing his life and legacy through the passage of HR 7, a bipartisan resolution that I was privileged to sponsor with Representatives Jan Jones; Matt Hatchett; Chuck Efstration; and James Beverly.
The next day on March 15, we recognized Georgia’s Irish heritage and the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday peace accords. This agreement, signed by leaders in the independent Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, a region of the United Kingdom, has resulted in a lasting peace between these regions, nearly eliminating violence despite some continued political disagreements.
We welcomed leaders including the Irish Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage Darragh O’Brien; and the Irish Consul General in Atlanta, Caoimhe Ní Chonchúir. We passed HR 343 that day, recognizing Minister O’Brien’s years of service to his country.
Much of Georgia’s Irish heritage is centered in Savannah. Dayle and I were pleased to be able to attend the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day parade with many friends from the area. I was honored make the “Toast to America” at the Hibernian’s Society banquet on St. Patrick’s Day evening.
Last week was a special week, allowing us to begin working through important Senate legislation while recognizing our heritage - in the House and as Georgians. As we continue to work through legislation sent to us by the Senate, 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.