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AtlantalNtownPaper.com
lanuary 2021 | INT0WN 9
Pandemic, election reform top agenda as
Georgia Legislature reconvenes jan. 11
By Jonathan Shipley
The Georgia State Legislature is scheduled to reconvene on Jan. 11 managing the
COVID-19 pandemic and voting issues topping the agenda.
Although the first doses of vaccine have arrived in Georgia, state officials have projected
that it will be summer before the general public has been inoculated against the virus. With
a stimulus relief bill stalled in the U.S. Congress, the state economy continues to take a hit as
unemployment claims rise along with COVID-19 cases. Adjustments to the state budget are
likely to take up many days of the session as the lawmakers try to adjust to the “new normal”
and look at a post-pandemic future.
Election reform will be another hot button issue following a majority of Georgians voting
for Democrat Joe Biden in a once “reliably red” state. Although the courts rejected baseless
claims of voter fraud in Georgia, Republicans in the Senate stung by Nov. 3 losses are calling
for an end to mass absentee voting, banning ballot drop boxes, and requiring those approved
for absentee ballot voting to provide a photo ID.
Other issues that will cross the desks of legislators in the months ahead include expanding
broadband internet access, economic growth in Georgia’s rural communities after the
Economic Innovation Group said 50 percent of counties are considered “distressed,” and
casino gambling is set to be revisited as lobbyists and lawmakers see dollar signs for Georgia’s
economy as the pandemic goes on.
State Sen. Nan Orrock (D-36th District) will remain on the Appropriations, Finance,
FFealth and FFurnan Services, FFigher Education, and Urban Affairs Committees. Last year
she introduced, with Sen. Steve Llanson, the Georgia Death with Dignity Act (SB 291). The
bill would allow eligible terminally-ill individuals the ability to request a prescription from
their doctor to die peacefully in their sleep, should their suffering become too great.
State Rep. Park Cannon (D-58th District) was recently elected to the Llouse Democratic
Caucus as Secretary. A founding member of Georgia’s Equality Caucus, Cannon is dedicated
to increasing LGBTQ representation in the public sector. She’s sponsored legislation calling
for medically accurate LIIV/AIDS instruction in sex education. A doula, she is also focusing
her attention on reducing Georgia’s maternal mortality rate for Black women. In 2016, The
Yale School of Public FFealth found the maternal death rate for Black women in Georgia is
six times the rate for white women, nationally. QH
Intown and in the Mountains
Atlanta, Highlands, Cashiers, Glenville & Sapphire
2020 SALES HIGHLIGHTS
Cashiers, NC - Land
Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club
Sold for $450,000
PalmerHouse
properties
& ASSOCIATES* Ufl
Highlands, NC
Old Edwards Club Vacation Rental
VRBO 257773 or Call Directly
404-455-5712 - Cell
404-876-4901 - Office
William.Gilmore@comcast.net
GA license 359350
In-Town Highlands, NC
Biscuit Rock Road
Sold for $1,782,565
In-Town Highlands, NC
Guest House, 1.8 Acres
Sold for $1,465,000
Highlands
AT OLD EDWARDS CLUB
404-455-5712 - Cell
828-526-8128 -Office
bill@highlandscoverealty.com
NC license 283355
Bill Gilmore
Highlands, NC
Old Edwards Club - The Views Condo
Sold for $590,000
Highlands, NC
Highlands Falls Country Club
Listed and Sold for $400,000
Ansley Park - FMLS # 6720651
Sold for $2,945,000
Ansley Villas - Unit 401
Sold for $490,000