The Georgia House of Representatives elected former Majority Leader Senator Jon Burns (R-Newington) to be Speaker of the House in its first day of session. Burns replaces Speaker Pro-Tempore Jan Jones (R-Milton), who became Georgia’s first woman Speaker of the House after late Speaker David Ralston died November 2022. Jones was re-elected to be Speaker Pro-Tempore on Monday.
“This is, admittedly, a very bittersweet moment,” Burns said in a speech after he took the dais. “Just a matter of weeks before today, I never would have imagined standing for this office. The passing of Speaker David Ralston has left a hole in the heart of this House.”
“My vision for this House is straightforward. This House will continue to lead. It will continue to be independent while working with our colleagues in the Senate, and the Governor. It will continue to champion those policies which keep Georgia the best place to live, work, and yes, raise a family. There are times we may disagree. That’s a healthy part of a representative body, but when we do disagree, we must do so respectfully, and in accordance with the rules that we will adopt,” Burns said.
“I want to thank my colleagues in the Georgia House of Representatives for continuing to put their confidence and trust in me for another legislative term,” Jones said in a press release. “The state of Georgia succeeds when its elected officials place good policy above politics. With Speaker Jon Burns at the helm, the Republican leadership team will continue to navigate the House towards sound, conservative policies that make a real difference for real Georgians across the state.”
Senator John Kennedy (R-Macon) was elected to President Pro Tempore, but with four senators absent, an effort to pass the rules package from Republican Senate leadership failed, before being tabled. Democrats didn’t explain their opposition to the package, which includes a provision to remove the Special Judiciary Standing Committee and replace it with a Committee on Families and Children.
“I think that the resolution that did not pass today was a weak attempt by the Democrats to throw bombs when they knew that we were down four senators: one due to a vacancy, one due to an illness, and two who were out of town,” freshman Senator Shawn Still (R) told The Star. “When three of them are back on Wednesday, we will pas the resolution without any further complication.”
In speeches and press release, Republican leadership in both chambers did not hint at legislative priorities.
“We have not yet received the governor’s list of priorities. We do not yet have committee assignments, offices, or anything else. Everyone in leadership is holding their cards very close to the vest. I’m completely fine with that, but it’s just how things are unfolding right now,” Still said.
He said that was in part waiting for inaugurations on Thursday that include Governor Brian Kemp and Lieutenant Governor-elect Burt Jones, who will preside over the Senate. Additionally, Still said he thinks leadership is waiting until the rules are passed.
Both the House and the Senate have significant changes in leadership, an additional reason for the delay according to Georgia Faith and Freedom Coalition Executive Director Mack Parnell.
“Almost every position has seen transition except for governor,” Parnell said.
That transition, along with Kemp’s recent win by 53.4 percent, will give Kemp extra influence.
“I think a lot of leadership for this session is going to be coming from the Governor,” he said.
Kemp hasn’t yet released his legislative priorities, and is set to lay out his budget proposal next week.
Parnell said he has heard plans to lower taxes, potentially including addressing property taxes, lowering income taxes beyond the 4.99 percent approved last year, and tax rebates. He’s also heard of a potential 20 percent raise for state patrol officers.
In addition to lower taxes, Parnell and his organization are pushing for action on pro-life issues, religious freedom, combating human trafficking, and gender-transition surgery for minors.
“That’s just not appropriate for children to be making those life-altering medical decisions. So we’re going to be looking at addressing that issue as well,” he said.
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Jon Burns” by Jon Burns. Photo “Jon Burns” by Georgia House of Representatives Media Services Office. Background Photo “Georgia House of Representatives” by Georgia House of Representatives.
