Sen. Steve Gooch Archives

Sen. Gooch reviews first week in Gen. Assembly

News, Press Release January 18, 2021 , by Bill Johnson

PRESS RELEASE

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

ATANTA — On Monday, Jan. 11, members of the Senate and the House officially gaveled in to begin the 2021 Legislative Session. The new session brings with it many familiar motions and procedures, including formally electing our President Pro Tempore, Secretary of the Senate, and Sergeant at Arms. All members of the General Assembly, both new and returning, were also officially sworn in to begin their new terms in office. In the Senate, we have eleven members who will be experiencing their first session with us and I am looking forward to getting to know them all as work to make Georgia as great as it can be.

While there were many similarities between this session and others I have experienced, new protocols have been introduced as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has drastically changed the way we do business at the Capitol. To start, all members of the General Assembly and Capitol staff are required to undergo COVID-19 testing twice a week. For those who test positive, a robust contact tracing program has been implemented to mitigate exposure of the virus. Additionally, seating in our committee rooms has been spaced out in order to socially distance committee members and new procedures have been introduced to promote fewer crowds on the Senate floor. I’m happy to report that testing and tracing has been working as intended and we are confident these measures will reduce the risk of an outbreak while we are in session.

Importantly, we are continuously working to get the COVID-19 vaccine to those in the most need. First, it is important to note that there are currently two different COVID-19 vaccines available in Georgia: Pfizer and Moderna. Both are proven to be effective and require two doses, but they differ in that Pfizer requires the doses being administered three weeks apart and Moderna requires 28 days. Right now, Georgia is receiving 120,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine each week and they are being deployed in three different phases. We are currently in the first (Phase 1), and doses are being administered to healthcare workers, employees and residents of long-term care facilities, first responders, and adults aged 65 and above. We will then move to the next phase which will include non-healthcare essential workers, followed by the final phase which will include those between the ages of 16-64 with preexisting medical conditions. If you fall into any of the groups that make up Phase 1, I encourage you to find a COVID-19 Vaccination Site near you and follow additional guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health’s website.

On Thursday, we heard the annual State of the State Address delivered by Governor Brian Kemp. This speech highlighted a few of the Governor’s main budget priorities for the upcoming budget cycle, with a particular emphasis being placed on areas impacted by COVID-19. Specifically, the Governor is proposing $1.2 billion over the next few years to public education and $1,000 to go towards educators to ensure schools can reopen safely. Additionally, the Governor called for increased investment in rural broadband infrastructure, to expand high-speed internet access to communities such as ours.

Next week, these proposals will be examined in closer detail when members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees will meet to examine the state’s current and projected budgetary needs. “Budget Week” is one of the most important times of any legislative session, perhaps none more important than the one we are about to witness. If you ever have any questions about any of the legislative proposals we take up, progress on COVID-19 vaccinations or any budgetary items, please feel free to contact my office.

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Sen. Steve Gooch serves as the Senate Majority Whip. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties. He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at [email protected].

Update from the Gold Dome: Week 5

News February 16, 2020 , by Bill Johnson

By Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega)

Sen. Steve Gooch

Our fifth week of business under the Gold Dome came to an end on Friday and represented a week where we were squarely focused on the budget. This week, the Senate did not convene for any legislative days and, instead, held a series of Appropriations subcommittee meetings in order to get a clearer picture of what Georgia’s Amended 2020 Fiscal Year and General 2021 Fiscal Year budgets will need to include.

Tuesday, I had the opportunity to serve as the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. In this hearing, we heard from representatives from each state agency that has a hand in Georgia’s transportation infrastructure including the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the Georgia Department of Driver Services, and others. Specifically, these hearings highlighted the important role our roads, bridges and highways play in attracting economic development opportunities to our state. Total travel on Georgia’s roads increased by 1.9% during 2019 and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. As a growing state, we need to plan out our infrastructure to meet the needs of our increasing population and increased volume of traffic on our roads. These hearings gave me confidence that our state is in good hands and is well prepared to deal with these, and any other future transportation challenges our state will face in the future.

One of our priorities each year is to bring enhanced broadband internet coverage to every corner of our state. In particular, we have been looking at ways our localities can partner with the federal government to apply for grant funding to build rural broadband infrastructure. This week, many of these efforts paid of and it was announced that Gilmer County would receive $4.4 million from the United States Department of Agriculture for rural broadband initiatives. This announcement, part of USDA’s ReConnect Program, will help thousands of households in North Georgia access quality, high speed broadband internet. I look forward to working with our partners at the federal level and my colleagues in the General Assembly to continue to find new and innovative ways we can bring internet access to Georgians, particularly those in rural parts of the state.

The Senate will be back in session on Tuesday, February 18, where we will resume our normal routine of honoring special guests and passing legislation. In the meantime, we will continue to serve and represent your interests here at the state Capitol. If I can ever do anything to assist you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or my office. I look forward to continuing to serve District 51 and the great state of Georgia.

Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Majority Whip of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 51st Senate District, which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties, and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties. He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at [email protected]

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Georgia General Assembly Sen. Steve Gooch

Sen. Gooch: Week 3 in the Ga. General Assembly

News February 4, 2020 , by Bill Johnson

By: Sen. Gooch (R — Dahlonega)

Sen. Steve Gooch

This week the Georgia General Assembly had a full week, meeting for five legislative days with plenty of committee work in between. Overall, this was a successful week for the Senate, as we saw another important bill receive passage in our chamber.

While last week legislators were focused squarely on the budget, this week saw us broaden our scope to committee work. Over the 2019 interim, I chaired a Senate Study Committee that was tasked with taking a closer look at the role of personal mobility devices (such as electric powered scooters) and how best to ensure the safety of the rider and any pedestrians or vehicles the scooter may encounter. These considerations were included in Senate Bill 159, which I presented to the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday. We were careful as a state not to provide regulations that were too strict and gave great flexibility to counties and municipalities in how they wish to regulate the use of these devices in their communities. The bill received favorable consideration from the Senate Transportation Committee and will hopefully be considered for a vote by the full Senate in the next few weeks.

Tuesday, the Senate took up House Bill 444 for a vote. This bill proposes a cap on the number of dual enrollment classes a student may earn credit for at 30 hours. This will ensure that this popular and beneficial program will be able to continue for years to come by lessening the cost of the program. HB 444 would also make sure that our students our using the dual enrollment classes for core courses that are easily transferable, so that they may be used a wider number of colleges and universities. These small adjustments will not have any effect on the majority of students who participate in the dual enrollment program and will ensure that it remains sustainable for future generations of students to enjoy.

The proper maintenance of our roads, bridges and highways is always one of the top priorities of the General Assembly each year. As the number one state in the nation in which to do business for six straight years, we know this would not have been possible without efficient infrastructure. On Thursday, we heard a presentation by the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation in a joint meeting of the Senate and House Transportation Committees in order to hear an update on GDOT’s ten-year plan for our roadways. I am encouraged and optimistic by GDOT’s vision and I looking forward to working with their team to continue to ready our infrastructure for the logistics needs of the next decade.

The Senate will meet next week for legislative days ten through thirteen. We are still early in the session, but the groundwork is currently being laid out to ensure each and every legislative day will be well spent. As always if there is ever anything I can do for you please do not hesitate to reach out to me or my office.

Georgia General Assembly Sen. Steve Gooch

Senate unveils priorities for 155th General Assembly

News January 19, 2020 , by Bill Johnson

ATLANTA, Ga. –As our state’s constitution demands, my Senate colleagues and I convened the second Monday in January – for the latter half of the 155th Georgia General Assembly.

Of course, with a new session always comes new challenges, and the most daunting challenge for this year’s forty-day sprint will be adjusting to the absence of a dear friend, Senator Greg Kirk, who left this world far too soon. His friendship will be sorely missed and the hard working men and women he represented are now without the best and most fearless champion they will ever have. My prayers remain with Greg’s wife, Rosalyn, and the entire Kirk family.

I also had the privilege of being invited to the White House to attend a signing ceremony for the new Phase One Trade Agreement between the United States and China. This agreement will drastically lower many of the barriers our farmers face when attempting to export their goods internationally and will spur economic development opportunities across Georgia’s agriculture industry. I look forward to witnessing firsthand how this trade deal benefits Georgia’s farmers in the coming months.

Also last week, the majority caucus unveiled our Senate priorities for the upcoming session. Among them: my continued pursuit of broadband access for all Georgians – just as we made a commitment to the telephone over a century ago, it is imperative that we continue to invest the time, the manpower and the required funding to connect every corner of Georgia to the twenty-first century. I am happy to continue to lead on this issue, just as I am happy, and honored, to lead on our other priorities: creating greater transparency in healthcare, curbing infant and maternal mortality rates and empowering our law enforcement community.

On Thursday, Governor Brian Kemp outlined his legislative priorities for the session in his annual State of the State address. In this speech, Gov. Kemp emphasized the progress our state has made since last year and reinforced his commitment to combating gangs and human trafficking. He also reiterated the commitment he made last year for our educators by following through with an additional $2,000 pay raise Georgia’s teachers. I look forward to working with the Governor’s Office on these proposals and others to continue to make Georgia as great as it can be.

This week, the Senate will not be in session. But we will still be busy at work as budget hearings will monopolize the majority of our week. As anyone who listened to the Governor’s State of the State Address this week knows, the budget process this year will be a challenging one, but my colleagues and I were elected to serve as good stewards of your taxpayer dollars and we are ready for the challenge.

Thirty-six legislative days remain. And, in that time, a lot can happen. But the one thing I can guarantee: Georgia’s best days are ahead of us, and I am eager to help get us there.

Georgia General Assembly Sen. Steve Gooch White House

Sen. Gooch appointed to key senate committee

News June 21, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

ATLANTA — Sen. Steve Gooch (R– Dahlonega) has been appointed by Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan to serve as Chair of the Senate Evaluating E-Scooters and Other Innovative Mobility Options for Georgians Study Committee.

“I want to thank Lt. Governor Duncan for appointing me as Chair of this very important study committee,” said Sen. Gooch. “Alternatives to vehicles are critical to improving mobility and decreasing traffic on our roads. These scooters and other forms of transportation are seen as the ‘last leg’ of the transportation puzzle and have encouraged commuters to use existing public transportation to get where they are going. While there are positives, we have to review current parameters and rules regarding these alternative commute methods to ensure riders, drivers and pedestrians are safe.”

Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega)

“Georgians expect their elected leaders to make deliberate, informed decisions to better our state,” said Lt. Governor Duncan. “The study committee process allows our Senators to dedicate extensive focus to a single issue and generate in-depth proposals for our next legislative session. I look forward to the hard work of Chairman Gooch and the appointed members of the Senate Evaluating E-Scooters and Other Innovative Mobility Options for Georgians Study Committee as they meet to study, discuss, and prepare legislative action items for the Senate to consider in 2020.”

The Senate Evaluating E-Scooters and Other Innovative Mobility Options for Georgians Study Committee was created by the passage of Senate Resolution 479 during the 2019 Legislative Session. Five members will serve on the study committee and will evaluate how local governments, state agencies and universities are utilizing E-scooters and other innovative mobility technology. The committee must report its findings on or before December 1, 2019.

Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Majority Whip of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties. He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at [email protected].

Sen. Steve Gooch

Sen. Steve Gooch Press Release

News May 13, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

Sen. Steve Gooch

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

ATLANTA — On April 26, 2019, Governor Brian P. Kemp held a bill signing ceremony for several bills in Senate District 51. I was proud to join him and several members of our community as he signed bills that I sponsored or carried during the 2019 session into law – Senate Bills 2, 17, 66 and House Bill 454. Since I have been elected into office, one of my main priorities has been expanding broadband access to all Georgians, particularly parts of the state like our own district where citizens have limited or no access to reliable internet.

With Senate Bills 2, 17 and 66 becoming law, we are one step closer to bringing reliable broadband access to all parts of our state. Senate Bill 2 allows electric membership corporations (EMCs) to provide broadband services to their customers. The EMCs are permitted to use existing easements to provide or expand broadband access. Senate Bill 17, also known as the “Rural Telephone Cooperative Act,” allows telephone cooperatives in Metter, Newington, Rentz and Statesboro to provide internet services and broadband to their customers. These four co-ops provide either direct or indirect service to more than eight counties and 10 cities. Senate Bill 66, or the “Streamlining Wireless Facilities and Antennas Act,” allows 5G companies to collocate small wireless facilities (antennas) on existing or new poles through a standardized application process. Under SB 66, the use of public rights of way by wireless providers to deploy broadband is also addressed and clarified.

These three bills are all part of the broadband package I am proud to see become law and look forward to the positive impact it will have on all Georgians within workforce development, education and telemedicine. In addition to this legislation, I want to commend our Governor and colleagues in the Georgia General Assembly for appropriating $2 million to the Department of Community Affairs for the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative. While we made positive strides during this session with this legislation and funding, there is more work to be done not only on the state level, but also with our partners in Washington.

I want to commend the Federal Communications Commission on their announcement that $20.4 billion will be allocated through the rural broadband fund – “Rural Digital Opportunity Fund”– to ensure that four million homes and small businesses have connection to “up to gigabit-speed.” According to the FCC, “more than 24 million people lacked broadband access to their homes” in 2018. This is unacceptable and I will work with my friends on every level of government to ensure that we continue the fight to expand broadband access to all Georgians. In a day and age when we depend on access to the internet not only for entertainment but more importantly for education, economic development, working remotely and many other critical things, it is imperative more than ever that all our citizens have not only access but a reliable way to communicate and engage with their fellow citizens, employers and family around the world.

Lastly, House Bill 454, which I carried in the Senate, was signed on April 26, 2019, and will establish use and safety rules for three different classes of electric assisted bicycles. The classes are determined by the equipment used to provide assistance to the bike rider and the max speed the devices reach.

This issue is very important with the increase of our citizens utilizing new mobility equipment such as e-scooters to get around. While it is important to have options, we must ensure that everyone knows how to properly utilize these technologies while also being safe. Along with HB 454 becoming law, we will further study the issue of e-scooters and innovative mobility during the interim. I sponsored Senate Resolution 479 – Senate Study Committee on Evaluating E-scooters and Other Innovative Mobility Options for Georgians – so that we can thoroughly review and study what is needed to determine how local governments, state agencies and universities can work with companies providing innovative mobility technologies.

If you have any questions about anything related to broadband access or the other two bills signed on April 26th, please do not hesitate to reach out. I will continue to update you over the course of the next few weeks on the status of bills on the Governor’s desk. The deadline for signing, vetoing or laws becoming effective without a signature is this week on May 12, 2019. While session is over, please remember that I am always here to be of assistance and our office door is always open.

Georgia General Assembly Sen. Steve Gooch

GDOT to open bids on Cleveland bypass Friday

News June 19, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

CLEVELAND – The Georgia Department of Transportation is expected to open bids on the construction of phase 3 of the Cleveland bypass on Friday

Sen. Steve Gooch, (R-Dahlonega) who has championed this project from the time he was on the GDOT Board until he was elected to the senate, said, “I’m excited. I’ll be watching their website closely. They could post the apparent low bidder Friday afternoon.

Phase 3 will divert traffic around a heavily congested downtown Cleveland from Hwy. 129 to Hwy. 75 (Helen Highway) along Hulsey Road which will be widened to four lanes.

“This is something I’ve been involved in since day 1,” Gooch said. “I did my best to push it to the forefront when I got to the senate.”

The project has been estimated to cost in excess of $15 million. “There have been a lot of contractors bid on this, so the price may get bid down a good bit,” he said.

The price tag is certain to be less than the first two phases which cost about $20 million because this one will be built along an existing roadway.

Gooch added, “Hulsey Road will remain open the whole time although there will be delays, as you would expect with any road project.”

GDOT spokeswoman Katie Strickland has said there will be a pre-construction conference with contractors in late July.

Georgia Department of Transportation Katie Strickland Sen. Steve Gooch

Gooch, Tanner discuss bills passed in General Assembly

News April 9, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Sen. Steve Gooch of Dahlonega and State Rep. Kevin Tanner of Dawsonville were the featured speakers at last night’s Dawson County Republican Party Meeting at the Bowen Arts Center.

Gooch represents 200,000 north Georgia residents, including those in Dawson, White, Lumpkin, Union and Forsyth counties. The district is made up of about 75 percent Trump voters.

“It’s the most conservative district in the state senate and the third most conservative in the country,” he said. “So, it’s pretty easy for us to go down there and vote a conservative agenda cause that’s who we are and who we try to represent back home.”

He said he had took some heat from liberals for his vote in favor of the fetal heartbeat bill – the bill that bans abortions as soon as a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat — but added, “I was proud of my vote on that heartbeat bill, saving hundreds of thousands of unborn children. It was probably the best vote I had taken in my nine years in the senate.”

Gooch also talked about passing enabling legislation to create business courts in the state. The legislation will allow businessmen and women to take a case directly to a business court rather than the Superior Court. “A lot of business issues are highly specialized and not many Superior Court judges have business experience,” he said. “In a business court, they would be able to bring in experts that know a lot about the subject matter.”

Another issue he has spearheaded for several years is the expansion of high-speed internet access to rural communities. He and other legislators who understand that high-speed broadband internet service is essential to schools, businesses and hospitals made it a priority this year. They passed legislation that allows power companies and phone companies to begin selling internet service in rural areas.

Tanner also weighed in on the fetal heartbeat bill, saying, “I have several in Lumpkin County who are very much opposed to that legislation. There is no way I could ever change their mind and I’m very much pro-life and there is no way you could ever change my mind. It’s a moral fiber issue for me.”

Tanner worked hard on getting new voting machines for the state. The bill passed in the House along party lines with Democrats opposed. The new machines, which will cost between $150 million and $200 million, will allow voters to cast a ballot electronically, print out a copy for their approval then scan it to have it recorded.

“I have yet to be able to get my democrat colleagues to give me a reason they would be opposed to that particular machine,” Tanner said. “The reality is (opposition) is coming from the national party that they should oppose the legislation. I will say this, it is proven statistically that the best way to rig or cheat in an election is paper ballots. If you want to stuff ballot boxes and rig an election, paper ballots are the best way to do that. These machines make it very difficult if not impossible for that to happen because if there is an audit, there is a trail we can follow.”

Tanner has been a champion of mental health reform in Georgia which has led to the creation of a behavioral health reform and innovation commission made up of 23 members. Four will be legislators but the majority will be experts in the field of mental health.”

“The problem is once you graduate from a mental health court, there is no follow up,” he said. “If you have schizophrenia, or you have bipolar, or acute depression, you have to be followed your entire life to make sure medication is being taken and you’re not having an episode.”

Last night’s meeting was the first since the election of a new slate of officers at the County Convention. The new officers include Seanie Zappendorf (chairperson), Mike Berg (first vice chair) Pepper Pettit (second vice chair), Dale Smart (secretary) Katie Hulsebus (treasurer) and Norman Samples (committee member at-large).

Among the elected officials who attended the event were Mayor Mike Eason, Commissioners Julie Hughes-Nix, Sharon Fausett, City Councilman Stephen Tolson and former Commission Chairman Mike Berg.

Sen. Steve Gooch

Sen. Gooch reviews state’s 2020 budget

News April 21, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega)

During the 2019 session, the Georgia General Assembly fulfilled our constitutional duty and passed a record $27.5 billion Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) Budget, House Bill 31, which is based on a state fund growth rate of 2.3 percent and 3.45 percent Department of Revenue growth over the Fiscal Year 2019 amended budget estimates.

Some highlights of the budget include:

Educators and Certified Employees:

$530.8 million to address a $3,000 pay raise, which will begin on July 1, 2019, for Georgia’s teachers and other certified school personnel including counselors, social workers, psychologists, special education specialists and technology specialist.
$15,003,985 in Lottery Funds to adjust state base salary schedule to increase salaries for certified Pre-K teachers and certified employees by $3,000 effective July 1, 2019.
$750,000 for professional development grants for teachers who wish to teach computer science courses. This session Senate Bill 108 received final passage which would require at least one high school in each school system and all middle schools in a school system offer a course in computer science starting during the 2022-2023 school year. SB 108 also lays out the requirements for charter and middle schools.
$250,000 for cyber security initiatives in high schools across the state.
$1 million for additional high school counselors and programs for Title I schools.
An increase of .25 cents to $15.50 per month for each year of service for the benefit utilized by non-certified school employees like school bus drivers and school through the Public School Employees Retirement System.

Heath Care:

$4.9 million for Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities’ residential treatment of addictive diseases.
$250,000 for the Department of Community Health so that grants can be matched for hospitals in rural counties so that necessary upgrades can be made in their emergency rooms for behavioral health patients.
$40,000 to enhance delivery and access to emergency trauma care in rural Georgia by adding five new Level IV trauma centers.

Broadband Expansion:

$2.0 million to the Department of Community Affairs for the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative.

District 51:

$2.3 million in bond package funding for the design of the construction of the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.
$1.5 million to bring currently used state-owned rail lines up to Class II Standards to help reduce freight truck traffic on highways. This funding will go to Georgia Northeastern Rail Road to upgrade tracks and bridges in Fannin County.

These are just a few of the highlights of the FY20 budget. The entire document and supporting documentation can be found on the link below:

http://www.senate.ga.gov/sbeo/en-US/AppropriationsDocuments.aspx

If you have any questions about any specific items in the FY20 budget, please do not hesitate to reach out. I will continue to update you over the course of the next few weeks on the status of bills on the Governor’s desk. The deadline for signing, vetoing or laws becoming effective without signature is May 12, 2019. While session is over, please remember that I am always here to be of assistance and our office door is always open.

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Sen. Steve Gooch serves as the Senate Majority Whip. He represents the 51^st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties. He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at [email protected].

Georgia General Assembly Sen. Steve Gooch University of North Georgia

Update from the State Capital: Week 2

News January 26, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

ATLANTA — This week began with a day off to reflect upon one of Georgia’s greatest, Martin Luther King Jr., whose ideals of peace and justice are woven into everything we do here at the Capitol. After our day of remembrance, we returned to the Gold Dome and hit the ground running with budget hearings.

Budget week started with Joint Senate and House Appropriations hearings, which included presentations from several state agencies as well as Governor Brian P. Kemp, on the Amended Fiscal Year 2019 and General Fiscal Year 2020 budgets. As Secretary of the Appropriations Committee, I am happy to say that the state’s budget continues to be in good shape, with the FY20 budget topping $27 billion for the first time. Below are some highlights for the two budgets.

Proposed Amended FY19 budget which totals around $26.9 billion:
$68.8 million for school security grants. This total amount will be appropriated at $30,000 per school statewide.

$491,300 in initial funding to support the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority.

$69.3 million for transportation as a result of HB 170.

$35.7 million additional funding to the Forestland Protection Act grant for repayment to counties and local systems.

Proposed General FY20 budget which totals around $27.5 billion:

$34.8 million in total funds to the Department of Economic Development to increase economic development throughout the state and to bring additional businesses and jobs.

$33 million in additional lottery funds to provide a three percent increase in the award amount for HOPE scholarships.

$32.6 million appropriated to the Department of Transportation for additional resurfacing projects and capital projects.

$100 million in bond funds for the repair, replacement and renovation of bridges throughout the state.

The General FY20 budget addresses our state’s continuing commitment to economic growth. Governor Kemp has proposed $34.8 million in total funds to the Department of Economic Development to continue the economic expansion that Governor Deal so successfully cultivated.

The state’s growing need to address transportation infrastructure is accounted for in the Amended FY19 budget. An additional $69.3 million in projected revenues resulting from House Bill 170 – passed during the 2015 Legislation Session – will be added to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) budget.

I am very happy to see that a piece of legislation we passed a couple of years ago is still making positive impacts for GDOT. The General FY20 budget includes $100 million for roadway improvements, as well. I will utilize my role as Vice Chairman of the Transportation Committee to ensure that this investment in Georgia’s infrastructure does not go to waste.

Next week, standing committees will begin to hold meetings and legislation will continue to be introduced in the Senate. I will continue to work on legislation that addresses broadband expansion and will keep you updated as the pace picks up and this session gets busier. As we move forward over the next 36 legislative days, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns and feedback. It is always great to hear from my constituents, and our door is always open.

For a full breakdown of the Amended Fiscal Year 2019 budget – House Bill 30 – please follow this link:

For a full breakdown of the General Fiscal Year 2020 budget – House Bill 31 – please follow this link:

Gov. Brian Kemp Sen. Steve Gooch

Senator Gooch appointed to key senate committee

News June 21, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega)

Sen. Steve Gooch

Sen. Steve Gooch update from the state capitol

News March 26, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

ATLANTA — We concluded week ten on Friday and now just have one full week before Sine Die on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. With four legislative days to go and one committee work day, we have a lot of work to do before our time under the Gold Dome comes to an end for the 2019 session.

I am proud that three of the bills I sponsored to address broadband expansion in Georgia – Senate Bills 2, 17 and 66 – have been making their way through the legislative process in the House. Senate Bill 2 would allow EMCs to provide internet services and broadband to their customers directly or indirectly through a broadband affiliate. This legislation received a “do pass” recommendation by the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee.

Another bill I sponsored that received a “do pass” recommendation from this committee is Senate Bill 66 which passed the senate unanimously. SB 66, the “Streamlining Wireless Facilities and Antennas Act,” would streamline wireless broadband deployment by allowing for a standardized application process for 5G companies to collocate small wireless facilities (antennas) on existing or new poles. This legislation also addresses the use of public rights of way by wireless providers to deploy broadband. I look forward to both of these bills moving to the House Floor for a vote before Sine Die.

The third bill addressing broadband expansion, Senate Bill 17, was adopted by the House on March 21. SB 17, the “Rural Telephone Cooperative Act,” unanimously passed through the Senate would allow telephone cooperatives in Metter, Newington, Rentz and Statesboro to provide internet services and broadband to their customers. Altogether, these four co-ops provide service to over eight counties and ten cities. This service could be provided directly or indirectly.

Along with these bills making their way through the legislative process in the House, our chamber addressed over 50 House Bills in committees and debated on 25 pieces of legislation in the Senate Chamber. Of the 25 bills, I would like to discuss a measure that I believe moves Georgia in the right direction to preserving life and ensuring that Georgia remains a pro-life state.

After over four hours of debate, the Senate adopted House Bill 481 along party lines. The debate was filled with passion on both sides on an issue that none of the 56 members took lightly. HB 481, the “Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act,” establishes that as soon as a heartbeat is detected during a pregnancy, the baby in the womb has protections under the law and the pregnancy cannot be terminated. There are four exceptions when a pregnancy can be terminated up to 20 weeks – current law – including medical emergencies putting the pregnant women’s life in danger, non-viability of the pregnancy, rape or incest. Additionally under HB 481, the unborn child would be counted in Georgia’s census and the expecting parents would be able to claim a state tax deduction as soon as a baby’s heartbeat is detected.

While this was a hard and emotional debate to have, I believe it was necessary to ensure that Georgia becomes one of the strongest pro-life states in the nation. Preserving the life of a baby that could one day change the world is very important to me along with giving those who cannot have children on their own a chance to adopt and have a family. Since the Senate made changes to the House version of HB 481, it will now go back to the House for final approval and then hopefully to Governor Brian P. Kemp for his signature. While states like New York took the position that a baby can be aborted up to birth, I am proud that Georgia is preserving life when it begins – the moment a heartbeat is detected.

Sen. Steve Gooch

Lt. Col. Oliver North featured speaker at Faith and Freedom event

News April 22, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

CLEVELAND, Ga. – Fox News contributors Lt. Col. Oliver North and Todd Starnes were featured speakers at the Faith and Freedom Celebration Friday evening in the George Blaurock Student Wellness Center on the Truett McConnel University (TMU) campus.

North is a decorated combat veteran who served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps. During the Vietnam War, he led a marine platoon and won a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts for his service. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan appointed him deputy-director of the National Security Council where he played a key role in a series of controversial military and security actions. The retired Lieutenant Colonel is a political commentator, television host, military historian and New York Times best-selling author.

Starnes is a conservative columnist, author, and host of the Todd Starnes Show on radio.

TMU is a private, Christian coeducational university currently ranked 57th in Regional Colleges South. The school has 215 students mobilized in various regions in the U.S. and around the world through mission trips and mission ministries.

All proceeds from the event help fund the Empower the Call campaign, which provides assistance for student mission trips, creates retention scholarships, and reduces missionary student debt, allowing TMU alumni currently on the mission field to remain and continue sharing the gospel message.

North said, “To accomplish the mission of what we’re doing on the battlefield or in mission work, there are three basic requirements: situational awareness, having the right people to do the job and a sense of commitment by everyone involved in that mission.

White County Commissioners and family and friends enjoyed dinner at Truett McConnell University Friday.

“The idea of situational awareness is think about the preparation for the cultural challenges you are going to face, the bad water, bad people, bad food and how to deal with it all. All of that is a crucial part of accomplishing the mission of this ministry just as it is in the Marine Corps, the U.S. Army, Navy Seals or Air Force Air Control unit.”

Many state and local lawmakers, including gubernatorial candidates Brian Kemp and state Sen. Michael Williams and state Sen. Steve Gooch, were in attendance along with White County Commissioners Travis Turner, Terry Goodger, Lyn Holcomb and Craig Bryant.

Those who attended had an opportunity to view a half-scale replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the lobby of the Student Wellness Center presented by the Exchange Club of Rome, Georgia Americanism Committee.

This replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was displayed by the Exchange Club of Rome, Georgia, Friday.

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Sen. Steve Gooch

Yonah Preserve Ballfields Complex is now open

News May 5, 2019 , by Bill Johnson

CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County’s own field of dreams became a reality Saturday when the ribbon was cut on the beautiful $4.1 million Yonah Preserve Ballfields Complex.

The day began with the Parade of Athletes as hundreds of ballplayers and coaches marched to one of the four new ballfields. White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner dedicated the facility and thanked those who helped make the day possible.

Gov. Nathan congratulates county at Saturday dedication ceremony.

Governor Nathan Deal and wife Sandra were on hand along with Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) and Commissioners Terry Goodger, Craig Bryant, Edwin Nix and Lynn Holcomb.

The ballfields are part of the 1,000-acre Yonah Preserve that thus far, included about 9 to 10 miles of hiking and biking trails that attract about 350 vehicles per week. The trails were built by the Southern Off Road Biking Association (SORBA) at no cost to taxpayers. There is a beautiful fishing lake on the property that will be open soon and a new football field will be added in the near future.

The property was originally leased to the county for $1 with the agreement that it would be used for the public good and recreation. The lease was converted to county ownership last year.

“We are continuing to hold dear to our word to that we will manage this property with respect to its natural God-given aspects while providing an awesome recreation program not only for White County but Georgia as well,” Turner said.

The ribbon cutting ceremony at Saturday’s Yonah Preserve Ballfields Complex.

Gov. Deal said, “You all did a great job with this property. I envision that it will continue to grow and expand and you’re going to become a destination spot. If there is one thing I have noticed in Hall County and Gainesville area, in particular, is that the investments they have made in fields like this bring many, many people from all over the country. Traveling baseball for young people is a very popular activity. There is a lot of recreational dollars that follow it so I think you’re going to be richly rewarded for your foresight and your investment and I congratulate all the members of this county commission and you, Travis, in particular.”

Senator Gooch thanked the governor for his help in making Yonah Preserve possible and added that things like this don’t happen without good relationships between city, county and state officials.

Gov. Nathan Deal Sen. Steve Gooch Travis Turner

Sen. Steve Gooch issues press release supporting Casey Cagle

News July 16, 2018 , by Bill Johnson

DAHLONEGA, Ga. –On July 24^th,it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for a strong leader who is prepared to be our state’s next CEO. As your state senator, I want you to know that I’m 100% behind Casey Cagle for governor. I have served with him for eight years in the senate now and I am confident that he is the best choice on the ballot.

Casey is a proven, consistent leader who has always delivered for our state – as well as our community and North Georgia. Due to his leadership as Lt. Governor, Georgia has been named the number one state to do business for five straight years, and we’ve added nearly 700,000 jobs and 40,000 new businesses. This year, Casey was the leader who fought to deliver the largest tax cut in Georgia history.

Casey has also led to advance nationally renowned education reform measures – including the Charter Systems Act, College and Career Academy Network, and GA CATT apprenticeship program – which have been integral in transforming Georgia’s one-size-fits-all education system into a revolutionary model that puts students first. Not every student needs to get a four year liberal arts degree to be successful, and Casey is leading to prioritize workforce development so that all Georgia’s students graduate from high school with post-secondary experience or technical training that gives them the skills to attain rewarding careers.

Casey has stood up for our conservative principles his entire career. He has led to outlaw and defund sanctuary cities in Georgia, expand gun rights (earning him an A+ rating from the NRA), protect innocent life (earning him the Champion for Life.

Please join me in supporting Casey Cagle and voting to elect him as our next Governor on July 24^th. I have been honored to serve as your Senator and I look forward to working with the next Governor to continue the progress we have made.

Steve Gooch

State Senator

District 51

Sen. Steve Gooch

The Amended 2017 Budget

Featured, Politics February 13, 2017 , by Content Admin

COLUMN

Contact: Ines Owens, Acting Director
[email protected]
404.656.0028

The Amended 2017 Budget

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

This week, the Senate passed one of the most important pieces of legislation that we will see all year: The Amended 2017 Fiscal Year (FY) budget. The AFY 2017 budget (also known as the “little budget”) is passed halfway through each fiscal year. AFY 2017 revenue stands at around $24 billion and will be used to make adjustments to our currently under or over funded programs and departments.

One of the biggest changes was to add $27.2 million in funds for salary increases for law enforcement officers. This salary increase is critical to address turnover and to ensure Georgia is retaining top tier talent. Additionally, we added $2.5 million to fund a 57 percent per diem increase for foster parents and $50 million for the creation of the new Georgia Cyber Range in Augusta.

In the amended budget, education makes up the bulk of the budget’s anticipated expenditures. Georgia’s technical schools are becoming a more and more popular alternative for students who wish to pursue career paths in any number of high-demand industries across the state. To respond to the growing number of interested students and to meet the high demand of skilled labor jobs, the budget allots $5.5 million in additional funds for career, technical and agricultural education equipment grants. The budget also calls for an added $16.8 million for our Move on When Ready dual enrollment education program so we can continue to allow high school students to receive college credit.

Other highlights include an additional $91.8 million for adjustments for enrollment growth, $9.1 million State Commission Charter School Supplement, and $9.9 million in grants for our charter school system. These funds are all necessary to ensure that our education system keeps up with the rigorous standards expected of our students.

If you have any questions about the proposed AFY17 budget or would like to review it, you can find it at:http://www.senate.ga.gov/sbeo/Documents/AppropriationsDocuments/FY2017/Amended/AFY17_SAC_FINAL.pdf

If you have any questions about the proposed amended budget or legislation coming through the Senate, please feel free to contact my office.

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Sen. Steve Gooch

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