On Tuesday, January 17, the General Assembly began one of the most important weeks of the 2017 legislative session as the House and Senate Appropriations committees held a series of joint budget hearings. During this week, the joint House and Senate Appropriations committees and subcommittees met and started the process of reviewing Governor Nathan Deal’s budget recommendations for the amended current and upcoming fiscal years in order to turn those recommendations into actual legislation that will ultimately guide our state’s spending.

Each legislative session, as required by our state constitution, we must pass a balanced state budget. After reviewing Gov. Deal’s budget proposals presented this week, members of the General Assembly will begin drafting two budget bills: the Amended Fiscal Year 2017 (AFY 2017) budget and the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018) budget. The AFY 2017 budget is an amended budget for the current fiscal year, ending June 30, and uses a more accurate estimate of state revenue to account for any differences between the projected estimate and actual revenue obtained. The FY 2018 budget is a full budget for fiscal year 2018 that uses a projected state revenue estimate to guide state spending beginning on July 1.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, January 18, 2017    
Contact: Betsy Lynch
(404) 656-3996
betsy.lynch@house.ga.gov

ATLANTA — State Representative Jeff Jones (R-Brunswick) today issued the following statement in response to the City of Brunswick City Commission’s effort to draft a resolution asking state lawmakers to create stricter regulations governing coal ash storage:

“I applaud the efforts of the City of Brunswick’s City Commission to call for state leaders to protect our state’s pristine water resources.  I, likewise, encourage the Glynn County Board of Commissioners to consider similar efforts, as well as all communities throughout the state of Georgia that are impacted by coal ash storage. It is my intention to introduce legislation this session that seeks to protect our valuable, finite water resources from the potential damaging effects of long-term coal ash storage and the closing of existing coal ash ponds.

Monday, January 9, 2017, marked day-one of the 154th Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly, and the first day of the two-year 2017-2018 term (aka “biennial”). As such, all 180 members of the Georgia House of Representatives took the oath of office and were formally sworn in.

The first sections I discuss the procedural opening of the 2017-18 session and the Governor’s State of the State address to the joint session of the House and Senate.  Later in this email, I discuss legislative issues I am involved in.

Opening of the 2017 Session of the Georgia General Assembly

Bear with me a minute as I explain what happens in the opening days of each session of the Georgia General Assembly. You may have read previous emails over my first two years in office, explaining that the first few days of every legislative session is a combination of necessary procedural and ceremonial activity. By rule, and to make everything legal, we must formally call the 2017 session of the House of Representatives of the Georgia General Assembly to order; the Georgia Senate followed very similar procedures. The House formally nominated and elected the 2017-18 Speaker of the House Rep. David Ralston, (R-Blue Ridge), Speaker Pro-Tempore Jan Jones (R-Milton) was also re-elected to her respective positions.

The Georgia General Assembly convened today on Monday, January 9, 2017, the first day of the 2017-18 biennial session.  This is the first year of my second term as the District 167 State Representative, an honor I do not take lightly nor will I ever violate.  Representative Don Hogan, District 179, was sworn-in on Monday January 9, 2017, replacing Alex Atwood, who was elected to serve as Glynn County’s Chief Magistrate Judge.  I personally wish Representative Hogan the very best as he works to serve the constituents of District 179, and of course, Judge Atwood, as he works to serve the citizens of Glynn County.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Betsy Lynch
(404) 656-3996
betsy.lynch@house.ga.gov

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Reps. Debbie Buckner and Jeff Jones Receive One Hundred Miles 100 Civic Leader Awards

ATLANTA – State Representatives Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City) and Jeff Jones (R-Brunswick) recently received One Hundred Miles Civic Leader Awards.  The award honors elected and civic officials who, through their actions and voice, positively influence policies and conservation efforts along the Georgia coast.

“Georgians can be proud of the good job they have done protecting and preserving our 100 miles of coastline,” said Rep. Buckner. “Now we must be diligent and continue to build on those successes and hard work.”

“Protecting the natural beauty and important ecological value of our marshes is a top priority for me,” said Rep. Jones, whose district includes the coastal counties of Glynn and McIntosh. “I believe protecting our coastline, while still allowing citizens’ access is not mutually exclusive.  We need to work together to protect our precious 100 miles of coastline and marshes.”

Dear Friend --

As we spend time with our family, loved ones and friends this Christmas season, we give all the praise and glory to God as we celebrate the birth of His son, Jesus Christ.  We also give a special thanks to those who are serving in our Armed Forces for without them we would not be free. Also, thank you to our law enforcement and first responders who put their lives on the line everyday to protect and rescue us from difficult and dangerous situations.

We also feel a renewed sense of optimism about the future of our country this joyous season for we truly believe that America’s best days are ahead of us! All of us!

It's an honor to serve the people of Southeast Georgia, and indeed the entire State of Georgia. Thank you for your support, notes of encouragement and input - both when we agree and when we differ.

Lisa, Brant and I pray that you have a blessed Christmas season and a prosperous, happy and healthy 2017!

Rep. Jeff Jones

GA State Rep Jeff Jones, D167, in Athens attending the 30th annual Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators, by UGA's Carl Vinson Institute of Government, signing up for Georgia's PeachPass to help him get around Atlanta's crazy traffic while "in session" at our State Capital.

Representative Jeff Jones serves as The Marshal Team Captain for hole #9 at The 7th Annual RSM Classic at Sea Island. (Tim Brown - Tim Brown Photography)

Proceeds from The RSM Classic benefit children and family charities including Special Olympics and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia.