As we move beyond the halfway point of the 2017 legislative session and have completed days 21 through 24, the schedule gets busier as we are fast approaching Crossover Day and Sine Die.

Several bills were dropped this week that will benefit our citizens directly if they pass through both the Senate and House, and are signed by the governor. So, if you have any questions, concerns or comments about pending legislation, please let me know.

This week, I sponsored Senate Resolution 235, which congratulated Dr. Tincie Marie Lynch on an outstanding career in public service and also recognized Female Veteran’s Day at the Capitol.  As a female veteran myself, I know first-hand the struggle and challenges we face daily, and I think it is extremely important that we honor and show our dedication and appreciation to women veterans.

Speaking of female contributions, Senate Bill 108 is a bill that would maintain a women veteran’s office by the commissioner of veteran service. Through this program, female veterans would receive education and insight into the programs and resources available to them. Our female veterans have unique needs and I am happy to see this legislation come before the Senate. This bill passed the Senate this week and moved on to the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 137 was also passed in the Senate this week by a unanimous vote. This bill would change the current law so that a person who owes child support would be charged $25 annually based off the Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. This also makes taking payments for child support easier for the department to process by taking payments in other ways, rather than relying only on monthly installments. Anything we can do to benefit children and provide them with a better quality of life is a positive step for Georgians. I am proud to support this legislation and hope to see similar legislation in the future.

I am happy to be serving you at the state Capitol and enjoy updating you on what is happening under the Gold Dome. If you are ever concerned about legislation, have questions, or would like to visit the Capitol, please call my office at 404-463-2598 or email me at tonya.anderson@senate.ga.gov. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Senator Tonya Anderson represents the 43rd Senate District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Newton and Rockdale counties. She may be reached by email at tonya.anderson@senate.ga.gov.