Legislative Session Updates: Day 13

Medicaid

A bill that would expand Medicaid has been moving forward in the Georgia State Senate, and although some Republicans have signed on to the bill, it is an uphill climb. Governor Brian Kemp opposes Medicaid expansion, instead favoring his pet project, “Georgia Pathways,” which forfeits billions of federal dollars and excludes certain groups like family caregivers for aging parents. While House Speaker Jon Burns and other top Republicans are open to expansion, they are fearful of standing up to Kemp.

Georgia ranks among the worst states for healthcare, yet Kemp and GOP legislators prioritize politics over public health. A final public hearing is set for February 10th, making it important to keep pressuring legislators to give Georgians the healthcare we deserve.

Tort Reform

Governor Brian Kemp has made tort reform one of his top priorities this session, arguing that excessive litigation drives up insurance premiums for businesses and consumers and that limiting lawsuits will reduce costs. However, no evidence supports this claim. Instead, these measures benefit corporations and insurance companies at the public's expense.

On January 30th, Republican state Sen. John Kennedy introduced Senate Bills 68 and 69, both pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee. If passed, they would:

• Weaken accountability, reducing incentives for ethical business practices.

• Boost corporate profits while individuals harmed by negligence struggle to get fair compensation.

• Limit access to justice by increasing the burden of proof on victims.

The Bigger Picture

In his January 16th State of the State address, Governor Kemp reaffirmed his legislative priorities for the 2025 session. While you can find a thorough fact check of the Governor's address here, courtesy of our friends at WABE (consider a monthly donation to support WABE's local journalism here), it's worth noting the misplaced focus on tort reform when Georgia ranks 50th in healthcare, 49th for workers, and 37th for children's well-being.

Kemp boasts that Georgia is the #1 state for business for the 11th year in a row—but at what cost? Georgia ranks 50th in disposable income, 49th in worker safety, and has the nation's lowest minimum wage, making it one of the worst states to work in.

Given these rankings, it's no surprise that Georgia has the unhappiest workers in the nation. As Kemp nears the end of his tenure, it's clear Georgia is dead last for its workers.

Downstream Effects of the Trump Administration

In just over two weeks, the Trump administration and its allies have launched an unprecedented attack on democracy, laying the groundwork for an oligarchy. Their power grab is already eroding institutions, dismantling checks and balances, and destabilizing governance at every level.

Below, State Senator Josh McLaurin, JD Vance’s law school roommate, breaks down the stakes.

Immigration Enforcement Sparks Controversy

Under President Trump's orders, ICE dramatically increased enforcement across Georgia, heightening community tensions.

Democratic lawmakers are against the raids and have expressed considerable opposition. State Representative Gabriel Sanchez (D-Smyrna) believes the state should not collaborate with ICE, citing agency misconduct. 

Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, support the crackdown. Senator John Albers (R-Roswell) expressed confidence in law enforcement, echoing broader GOP support for Trump's mass deportation plan.

The raids have raised serious concerns, including the risk of family separations, civil rights violations, and the targeting of vulnerable populations. In response, over a thousand Georgians protested along Buford Highway on February 1st, demanding an end to the raids.

To learn more about immigrants' rights and how to protect yourself, visit the ACLU of Georgia and share this information with those who may need it.

Federal Funding Cuts Create Uncertainty

The Trump Administration’s memo to freeze $3 trillion in federal funding has sent shockwaves through the country, jeopardizing over 2,600 programs. Although federal judges have temporarily paused the freeze, many critical services remain at risk:

1. Energy Bills: Clean energy programs face cuts despite research proving their environmental and financial benefits, putting a strain on Low-Income Home Energy Assistance recipients who rely on support to manage their utility costs.

2. Housing: Access to loan guarantees that assist with affordable mortgages is shrinking, reversing progress in expanding homeownership opportunities and undermining efforts to provide more reasonably priced housing.

3. Transportation: Reduced funding is expected to impact programs like NEVI (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program), crucial for reducing environmental impact and making electric vehicles more accessible.

4. Disaster Relief: FEMA, a lifeline for communities hit by recent natural disasters in North Carolina and California, faces devastating cuts, leaving victims without critical aid.

These cuts are just the beginning. Contact your local officials and Congressional representatives to demand action and protect essential programs that millions of Americans rely on daily.

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