Georgia House Republicans will remain on leadership team for next two years

ATLANTA – Georgia House Republicans voted Tuesday to retain their leadership team for the next two years.

Republicans renominated at State Capitol meeting Jon Burns of Newington I will serve as a speaker on Tuesday; This is traditionally the second most influential office in state government, after the governor.

The full House will vote on this position when it reconvenes in January. Republicans lost two seats after the election, but they are still in the majority, so Burns is likely to win. Republicans are on track to have 100 seats and Democrats are on track to have 80 seats.

“As we look forward to January, I feel incredibly confident in the strength of the majority we are trying to defend, and I know there is no problem too big for us to address,” Burns said.

Burns, who lived in a rural area of ​​Effingham County west of Savannah, worked in a farm supply business. He was elected speaker in November 2022, replacing former speaker David Ralston.

In the House chamber, Burns praised Republicans’ successful efforts in the last session, including tax cuts, infrastructure investments, funding for preschool programs, literacy initiatives, “blocking illegal immigration” and increasing penalties for certain crimes.

Burns said next year the chamber will work to invest in education and increase access to health care. Burns recently signaled that he is open to expanding Medicaid.

“We will continue to support taxpayers and businesses of all sizes across the state,” Burns added. “We will continue to support Georgia’s growing families and provide economic security and mobility opportunities to every citizen in our state.”

after a while fatal shot At Apalachee High School north of Atlanta, Burns said in September that lawmakers will consider policies in 2025 that would support mental health in schools, detect guns and encourage people to store guns safely. considering similar policies.

“We will address school safety and ensure that we take every reasonable precaution to ensure that a tragedy like what occurred at Apalachee High School never occurs again in our state, while also protecting the rights and privileges of our law-abiding citizens,” Burns said. he said. was nominated.

Republicans retained Rep. Jan Jones of Milton as House Speaker Pro Tem and Rep. Chuck Efstration of Dacula as majority leader. Rep. James Burchett of Waycross will remain as vice chair, while Rep. Houston Gaines of Athens will remain vice chair and Rep. Bruce Williamson III of Monroe will remain as chair of the board.

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Kramon is a syndicated member of the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. report for america is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon