The 2018 legislative session kicked off this week amid a flurry of activity. With the Georgia Bulldogs playing in the College Football National Championship game in Atlanta, an event which President Trump attended, the bustling in the city reached a near all-time high.
Though our first day of session was overshadowed by outside events, we are here to work for the people of Georgia, and that’s what we have started to do. Lawmakers from across the state met this week for the first time in 2018 to embark on a 40-day legislating marathon, with the goal to bring a better quality of life to citizens across the state.
This session has also brought some changes to the leadership of our chamber. During this second session of the 154th General Assembly, we elected a new Senate Pro Tempore, Sen. Butch Miller (R – Gainesville), a fellow north Georgian and friend.
With committee assignments being designated at the start of session, I am glad to say that I will continue serving in my role as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. Our part of the state boasts a proud and active agriculture community and I am honored to be charged with the task of chairing one of the most important and influential committees that handles legislation dealing with our state’s biggest industry. I will also remain as Vice-Chairman of the Education and Youth Committee and as an active member in the Appropriations, Administrative Affairs, Assignments, Natural Resources and Environment and Rules committees.
Tomorrow, Governor Nathan Deal will give his annual State of the State address and next week, budget hearings will begin. I look forward to seeing what the Governor has to say and am excited to start working on our only constitutionally required duty, passing a balanced budget.
Senate livestream
I know for many of you, it is hard to make it all the way to the Capitol if you want to sit in on a committee meeting or in the gallery of the Senate chamber. This year, the Senate has implemented a transparency project to help make the Senate happenings more accessible to the public, especially citizens who are from the far-reaching corners of our state. You can now watch Senate Standing Committee Meetings and the Senate Chamber livestream through the Senate website at senate.ga.gov. This project is a wonderful way for everyone, regardless of location, to be able to be more involved and informed about the legislation that is being heard at the State Capitol.
How to contact Sen. Wilkinson
It is always an honor to have visitors from District 50 here at the Capitol and I encourage you to let my office know if you will be here. As the legislative session continues, I look forward to working on your behalf. If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to reach out to my office at 404.463.5257 or by email at [email protected].
Editor’s Note: Livestreams of business conducted in both the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives can be accessed at http://www.legis.ga.gov/Streaming/en-US/Channel/Both
