By: Sen. Blake Tillery (R – Vidalia)

 

The 2017 legislative session is now over and I am looking forward to returning home to friends and family.  After three long months of voting and debating I feel like a fighter that has gone 15 rounds. My first session under the Gold Dome was a learning experience and to truly do justice to all that occurred, I can’t follow my usual “Senate in a Minute” format.  There’s just too much to share.

We adjourned “Sine Die,” which means to adjourn with no specific date to come back, on Thursday night (really Friday morning) at about 1 a.m. I had the last bill that was debated for the session and saw a number of parliamentary maneuvers, friends working with me and foes working against me as it came down to the wire. To say it was a learning experience would be an understatement. I will tell you more about that bill in future updates as well as about the 2 other bills I was able to get passed in my first session.

Now that session is over, it would make sense that things would slow down. However, I now have to catch up on all the work that has been stacking up at my law firm, my wife and I are going to celebrate our one year anniversary this next month, and I want to get around to all the local hangouts to share what happened with you and find out what your thoughts are about the session.

Early in the evening on Sine Die, we heard about a fire on Interstate 85 that destroyed part of an overpass/bridge. While I am, and always will be a son of South Georgia, I hurt today for my friends in Atlanta. It will be months before it can be repaired. While we in Senate District 19 enjoy a life free of bad traffic, Atlanta doesn’t have that benefit. Just one more reason it’s better to call South Georgia home!  Now traffic will be even worse. If you plan to go to a Braves game anytime soon, plan extra time for that issue.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you as your State Senator. Even though we are out of session, I am still here to help with problems, listen to your ideas, and work together for solutions that make Georgia better. I can’t wait for another legislative session representing you in the Georgia State Senate!