Senator Doc Rhett Newsletter January 2024

Your January 2024

Legislative

Community Update!

Don't Forget Senator Rhett

District 33

Visit Doc Rhett's Website

View Doc's Legislative Accomplishments

Video Here!

What's Happening

District 33!

The 2024 General Assembly begins

Monday, January 8, 2024.

If you have any suggestions for legislation,

please contact us!

Georgia lawmakers return to the state Capitol today for the start of the 40-day legislative session with plenty of unanswered questions.

Here are the biggest ones to watch:

Will Georgia lawmakers strike a deal on Medicaid expansion? It’s far from a given, but for the first time in more than a decade, Republican leaders are open to the idea, perhaps as part of a deal to roll back rural hospital regulations. (Just don’t call it “Obamacare.”)
How deeply will Gov. Brian Kemp and other Republicans dip into Georgia’s surplus?
Kemp has already called for lawmakers to speed up an income tax cut and distributed year-end bonuses to 300,000 teachers and state employees. He’s under pressure from all quarters over how to spend, or not spend, billions in state reserves.
Will Georgia Republicans push more changes to election rules? After a détente last year over voting laws, new efforts to end no-excuse absentee voting, eliminate runoffs and tighten ballot processing procedures could be in the works.
Can the Legislature reach a compromise to combat anti-Semitism? The Senate could soon take up a stalled measure to define anti-Semitism as a hate crime amid tensions over the Israel-Hamas war and debate over free speech rights.
Will lawmakers adopt the next phase of a mental health expansion? Legislation to address a shortage of mental health providers and streamline how agencies share information faces an uncertain future after it was blocked in the Senate last year.
Do school voucher supporters have the votes after a Republican rebellion? A revolt by 16 House Republicans last year blocked a significant expansion of private school vouchers. It’s unclear whether enough have changed their minds to seal its passage.
Will the election year ignite a new culture wars front? As lawmakers gear up for May primaries and the November election — and stake a claim on 2026 races — fights over abortion, transgender rights and firearms could reemerge.

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a celebration filled with meaningful performances, starting at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16 at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 S. Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta.

The annual event, hosted by the Cobb NAACP, will showcase singers, dancers, musicians, spoken word performers and more. You can also watch the Cobb NAACP's MLK Day Celebration live beginning at 10 a.m. on

Cobb TV's YouTube page here.

Renters Advocate Town Hall meeting

We were very very appreciative that the state representatives took time out of their full schedules to share legislative update’s especially HB404

The concerns heard were about maintenance neglect at Apartment complexes in Mableton Georgia, Water utility charges on apartment units that do not have meters, the process for rental assistance and countywide concerns about the eviction process.

Resources shared were very helpful and attendees were reminded to vote and participate in civic engagement and to document everyday about non repaired windows and other maintenance neglect

Code enforcement was discussed and also I shared that code enforcement can also lead to multiple violations that apartment complex may decide they can’t repair or ruse to repair

Special Offer for American Legion Members.

Starting at $19.95/month.

With a Life Station medical alert system, help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with just the press of a button. Our new LTE Sidekick Smart is a smartwatch with activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, weather updates and emergency alert monitoring. American Legion members receive special discounted rates and a 30-day money back guarantee.

Call (855) 705-5885 today or visit www.lifestation.com/legion for more information about our special offer for American Legion Members.