ATLANTA– Georgia House Republicans decided Tuesday to keep their leadership team for the next two years.
During the meeting in the Capitol, the Republicans were renominated Jon Burns of Newington Tuesday as speaker, a position that is traditionally the second-most influential post in state government after the governor.
The full House will vote on the position when it reconvenes in January. Republicans lost two seats after the election, but they still have a majority, so Burns will probably win. The Republicans are on track to gain 100 seats, compared to 80 seats for the Democrats.
“As we look forward to January, I am incredibly confident in the strength of the majority we have tried to defend, and I know there is no problem too big to tackle,” Burns said.
Burns, who lives in a rural area of Effingham County west of Savannah, has worked in the agricultural industry. He was selected as speaker in November 2022, succeeding the late former speaker David Ralston.
On the House floor, Burns touted successful Republican efforts last session, including tax cuts, infrastructure investments, funding for pre-K programs, literacy initiatives, “crackdown on illegal immigration” and increasing penalties for certain crimes.
Next year, Burns said the chamber will work to invest in education and increase access to health care. Burns recently indicated he was open to Medicaid expansion.
“We will continue to defend taxpayers and businesses of all sizes across the state,” Burns added. “We will continue to support Georgia’s growing families and provide opportunities for economic security and mobility for every citizen in our state.”
After one fatal shooting At Apalachee High School north of Atlanta, Burns said in September that lawmakers would consider policies to support mental health in schools, track guns and encourage people to store guns safely by 2025. The Georgia Senate is consider similar policies.
“We will address school safety and ensure that we take all reasonable steps to ensure that a tragedy like what happened at Apalachee High School never happens again in our state, while upholding the rights and privileges of our law-abiding uphold citizens,” Burns said afterwards. he was nominated.
Republicans kept Rep. Jan Jones of Milton as Speaker of the House of Representatives Pro Tem and Rep. Chuck Efstration of Dacula as majority leader. Rep. James Burchett of Waycross will remain in office, while Rep. Houston Gaines of Athens will remain vice chairman and Rep. Bruce Williamson III of Monroe will remain caucus chair.
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Kramon is a staff member at 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