By State Representative Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta)
(517 words)
The answer is simple: divisiveness plus diversion equals distraction. And distraction is a political tool used to cover up far more urgent, far more expensive problems. Problems like the crumbling state of Georgia’s correctional system and the financial burden it’s quietly placing on all of us.
Let’s follow the money.
During a January 23, 2025, hearing of the General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, Commissioner Rebecca Sullivan of the Department of Administrative Services gave a stunning report on the state’s growing liability crisis. You can view her full testimony here.
What she revealed should concern every taxpayer in Georgia:
- State insurance covers 325 entities and more than 130,000 employees;
- There are currently 1,600 active liability claims against state agencies;
- Outstanding liabilities have increased 343 percent between 2016 and 2024;
- The total liability cost now stands at a staggering $394 million.
Commissioner Sullivan made it clear: a significant portion of these claims are coming from the Georgia Department of Corrections – the same agency recently cited by the U.S. Department of Justice for failing to protect incarcerated people from homicide, neglect and abuse.
Why are these liability costs skyrocketing?
Because of staffing shortages, deferred maintenance, failing infrastructure and unaddressed security risks – all of which have led to injury, death and legal settlements the state now has to pay.
We already know from investigative reporting that nearly $20 million in prison-related lawsuits have been paid out since 2018. What Commissioner Sullivan’s testimony now makes clear is that this figure is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind the scenes, the state is quietly absorbing hundreds of millions in liability, and the public has been kept largely in the dark.
So what do you do when the real numbers don’t look good?
You distract. You legislate hate. You divide the public with headline-grabbing culture war bills and debates over five people receiving medical care, rather than answering for $394 million in unpaid liabilities, crumbling prison walls and lives lost behind bars.
Let me say it plainly: Georgia’s leadership is choosing to scapegoat vulnerable communities to deflect attention from the crisis they’ve failed to manage. Every hour spent debating SB 185 is an hour not spent fixing the real problems. Every divisive bill passed is a curtain pulled over accountability.
This isn’t just bad policy—it’s a betrayal of the public trust.
Instead of weaponizing culture wars, the General Assembly should be asking:
- Why haven’t we addressed critical staffing shortages in our prisons?
- What is being done to upgrade failing infrastructure across state facilities?
- How much longer will the public be forced to pay for government negligence?
- When will we stop hiding the truth behind hateful distractions?
The numbers don’t lie. The distraction is deliberate. The cost is yours.
It’s time for Georgians to demand answers—and real solutions.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 63, which includes a portion of Fulton County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves as Secretary of the Urban Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Health, Industry and Labor and Small Business Development committees.
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