State Senate report: Week twelve.
Monday, March 25, 2024:
Why we can’t have nice things.
Sen. Bill Cowsert (center) cast the decisive vote Thursday to keep a Medicaid expansion proposal from advancing out of his committee. Cordele Republican Sen. Carden Summers (left) was one of two Republican senators who voted for the bill. Photo by Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder.
As we head into the last week of the session—Thursday is Sine Die, the last day 157th Georgia General Assembly—I’d like to acknowledge last Thursday. ‘Cause it was full of surprises.
The first surprise was the unscheduled hearing of HB 1077, fully expanding Medicaid!
There’d been chatter since before the session that House Republicans were open to an Arkansas-style Medicaid expansion—a solution that uses federal funds to purchase private insurance coverages. Even Lt Gov Burt Jones, president of the Senate, was open to this expansion if it could be tied to his interest in eliminating Certificates of Need for new medical facilities.
The second surprise wasn’t that the bill was defeated. It’s that it was only just barely.
Two Republicans—Matt Brass (R-28) and Carden Summers (R-13)—joined Democrats on the Regulated Industries and Utilities committee and voted in favor of the proposal! Even a guest appearance from Ben Watson (R-1)—taking a break from trying to hurt trans kids—wasn’t enough to turn the tide and the bill briefly appeared to pass on a 7-6 vote until…
The third surprise. Bill Cowsert (R-46)—the senator and committee chair who allowed the hearing in the first place—voted to cause a tie and defeat the bill.
Georgia ranks worst in the country for healthcare (Forbes), our maternal mortality rate is among the worst in the nation (National Center for Health Statistics), and we’re one of only ten states that haven’t fully expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
But despite all that, our Senate leadership decided it’s more important to give Gov Kemp’s “Pathways to Coverage” partial Medicaid expansion program more time. Even though it’s only brought in 3,500 people since its launch last July and the fact that, of the $26 million in state costs, over 90% went to administration and consultants (and grift, I’d wager) instead of patient outcomes (KFF Health News).
And for those keeping score at home, our opponent John Albers (R-56) was one of the votes against Medicaid expansion—once again voting to preserve his privilege while denying healthcare access to others.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024:
Democracy shouldn’t work like this.
I’ve had a lot of trouble writing this post. I was at a film shoot, yesterday, when the news of this bill dropped—my oldest, Lily, was part of the team making a documentary about the trans experience in Atlanta. It was heartbreaking to see how many hearts fell as word spread around the room. Our government failed our kids, yesterday. It failed all of us. Hug your kids or grandkids if you can. Remind them, the hate exhibited under the Gold Dome, yesterday, isn’t representative of the majority of adults. And promise them—as I often do—that we can do better.
Photo by ottwheels.com
Here’s how our bi-cameral representative democracy is supposed to work:
A legislator proposes bill.
The bill is introduced and assigned to a committee.
After a public debate, the committee provides a favorable report.
A member of the Rules committee selects the bill to go back for a vote.
The assembled chamber votes to pass the bill.
The bill travels to the other chamber and process repeats.
The Governor signs the bill (or 40 days pass).
That isn’t what happened, Tuesday.
On Tuesday, HB 1104 passed the state Senate. Its contents weren’t approved by committee. The public—and even many Senators—never had a chance to review or debate it. Nor, even, did its original author, Omari Crawford (D-84). Rather, this bill was gutted of its original purpose (student-athlete suicide prevention) and repurposed into a disgusting anti-trans omnibus that:
Bans transgender students from sports corresponding to their gender identity.
Bans transgender students from bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity.
Requires parents to be notified of every book a student checks out of their public-school library.
Bars sex education before 6th grade and make all sex-ed entirely opt-in.
Expands obscenity laws in schools—to ban books.
Not a single Republican spoke in defense of the bill before passing it along party lines, 33-21. But because they gutted the bill, HB 1104 will now return to the House for a final concurrence. If it survives, it will go to Governor for passage into law.
This shameful mess is so out of touch. Most Americans (and Georgians) support equality protections (HRC), oppose anti-trans politicians(Pathfinder), and—as Josh McLaurin (D-14) reminded his colleagues—hate bullies.
We didn’t elect these people to rule; we elected them to represent. And this abuse of process shows in what little regard they hold the institution they claim to serve. It’s time to reject these petty, moralizing, big-government cowards and elect people who respect Georgia’s values and the institutions of state.
Thursday, March 28, 2024:
Sine Die.
It’s a lovely building but I have some complains about the tenants. Photo by ottwheels.com
Sine Die is here.
Latin for “without a day [to come]”, Sine Die marks the end of Georgia’s annual 40-day General Assembly. And since our 236 legislators won’t meet again until after the November election—and some won't return at all (fingers crossed)—Sine Die is also their last chance to advance legislative priorities.
Over the last twelve weeks, we’ve followed a number of Senate proposals that illustrate the GOP-led Senate’s tendency—and our opponent’s predisposition—toward big-government overreach into everything from voting rights, LGBTQ equality, policing, and public education. We’ve talked about positive legislation such as raises for teachers and peace officers, a sports betting referendum, and a long-overdue antisemitism statute. And we’ve noticed the absence of meaningful discussion about expanding healthcare access, restoring reproductive rights, or gun safety.
Of 95 noteworthy bills tracked by the AJC, only 19 have passed both chambers. And of those, only two have been signed into law. But more still may squeak through before the gavel drops.
One of those, of course, is the HB 1104 “Frankenbill” combining restrictions on transgender rights and public-school library checkouts. Some see the bill as an attempt by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to boost his gubernatorial ambitions. Others, as a shameful attack on pediatric healthcare, LGBTQ equality, and public education. They’re both right. So, today, we’ll see if the cooler heads in the House stand up for freedom over privilege where our Senate failed us by abusing the democratic process.
We’ll also see if the Senate steps up to protect the Okefenokee Swamp from mine encroachment—a House priority. And if the House agrees with the Senate proposal to defund police departments that don’t sufficiently enforce federal immigration law.
I, for one, greet the end of the session with mixed feelings. Frustration with how disconnected the Senate’s culture war seems from the real issues Georgian’s need addressed. But glad, too, that the appetite for change in the 56 and across the state suggests that next year might deliver more solutions than grievance.
JD JORDAN FOR GEORGIA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 56
For anyone in East Cobb, Roswell, or Woodstock alarmed by the state’s escalating attacks on our bodies, our families, our doctors’ offices, our classrooms and libraries, even our polling places, I’m running for state senate district 56 to fight for our freedoms and to deliver a better future for everyone in Georgia.
And unlike my opponent who’s spent 14 years rolling back our freedoms, failing to safeguard our kids, and gerrymandered his district to stay in office, I promise to bring everyone in the 56—regardless of ideology—the best possible constituent experience so you feel heard, valued, and supported. As we all deserve to be.
I’m running for the 56. Let’s make a better Georgia for all of us.
—
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
Jordan For Georgia, LLC
10800 Alpharetta Hwy Ste 208 #629
Roswell, GA 30076-1467
jdjordan@forthe56.com
706.804.0456
