As week four came to a close at the Capitol, week five’s agenda included a number of influential bills being heard on the floor along with Wednesday being reserved as a committee work day. Here’s a quick recap of some of the lesser reported items of the week:
Maternal Mortality: Georgia ranks 50th in the nation on the issue for maternal mortality. Some blame our poor health grades on items like diabetes, obesity, and stroke. Other point to the lack of care many mothers seek during pregnancy. Whatever the reason, being worst in the nation for maternal health isn’t acceptable and leads to low birth weights, more unhealthy babies, and complicated and expensive pregnancy complications. Senate Bill 338 is the first of several bills aimed to change these statistics. SB 338 does this by extending postpartum coverage from six months to one year following the date the pregnancy ends in Medicaid settings. Additionally, the one year extension is expanded to cover women who suffer from pregnancy loss (such as a miscarriage or stillbirth).
Fostering Success Act: We’ve talked many times in this column about adoption and foster care. I’ve stressed to you my anguish at how many times foster children “age out” of the state system and have simply patted on the back and sent out to conquer the world. Each year, an average of 570 kids age out of foster care with limited guidance on how to navigate the challenges presented by adulthood. They often lack the family support structure they need for success and the statistics prove this: 78% of females aging out of state foster care are pregnancy within 2 years and 70% of males will face incarceration. We owe these children a better shot at success than just pushing them out the door at age 18.
Law Enforcement Strategic Support Act or “LESS Crime Act”: Senate Bill 361, the LESS Crime Act, provides a tax credit for qualified contributions made to a qualified law enforcement foundation as well as provide for the certification of qualified law enforcement foundations. Essentially, SB 361 allows for a tax credit against a taxpayer’s income tax for qualified contributions to qualified law enforcement foundations and agencies. SB 361 sets a cap on the aggregate amount of tax credits at $100 million per calendar year. And, depending on your household status, your taxpayer credit will vary. For instance, single individuals will have a tax credit of $5,000 per year, married or filing jointly couples and individuals who are members or companies or corporations will receive a credit of $10,000. If the individual does not fall under any of the above listed categories, they are allowed a credit up to the actual amount of qualified contributions or 75% of the taxpayers’ income tax liability, whichever is less. This is a creative way to support law enforcement offices and agencies in an era where other states and groups are moving to defund them.
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Agenda: I am also pleased to inform you that this week, the House successfully passed the Amended Budget for the 2022 Fiscal Year. Now, the ball is in the Senate’s court to evaluate the House proposed budget. Starting on Monday, February 14, the Senate will begin to hold appropriations subcommittee hearings to discuss the proposed budget needs for our state agencies. As Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I am eager to see what progress will be made towards passing the budget. As I have said before, I believe we are on the right track to passing a successful budget and will continue to exhaust all efforts to do so. I look forward to keeping you updated on this matter.
I would also like to take a moment to recognize a few groups of visitors that we had at the Capitol this week. Healthcare advocates from Appling County and Jeff Davis County Hospital made their way up and were able to join us in the Senate Thursday morning. I was pleased to be able to recognize them. As I have said before, it is always a pleasure to have hometown visitors under the Gold Dome. It is important for our citizens to be able to witness the work in their Capitol.
Next week, the legislature will convene for three legislative days with Wednesday being reserved as a committee work day. I am also hopeful that a piece of legislation I am sponsoring, Senate Bill 364 concerning annoying and harassing telemarking calls, will pass through the Rules Committee next week. It’s having a difficult time for some reason. As always, it is an honor to serve you under the Gold Dome. If you have any questions or concerns or want to give feedback on any piece of legislation, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.
Sen. Blake Tillery serves as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, and Wheeler counties and a portion of Liberty and Tattnall counties. The 19th District is expected to add Bacon and parts of Coffee County in 2023. He can be reached by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
