ATLANTA – State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens) today announced that the Georgia General Assembly gave final passage to Senate Bill 416 on Thursday, June 25, 2020. Rep. Gaines sponsored SB 416 in the House, and Senator Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) carried the legislation in the Senate. SB 416, which passed 104-56 in the House and 34-16 in the Senate, would reduce the salaries of General Assembly Members for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021) by 10 percent – matching the overall budget reductions of 10 percent.
“Georgians are hurting across our state, and it is important that elected officials feel some of the pain of those we represent,” said Rep. Gaines. “I was proud to carry legislation in the House to cut our legislative salaries by 10 percent – this is an important step that will save taxpayer money during this difficult budget environment. Thank you to my colleagues for helping get this passed.”
Starting July 1, 2020, SB 416 would reduce the salaries for members of the Georgia General Assembly by 10 percent for FY 2021. The legislation also reduces the salary of the lieutenant governor. The reductions to the General Assembly member salaries are projected to save more than $300,000 in taxpayer dollars.
SB 416 has been sent to Governor Brian Kemp for consideration.
For more information on SB 416, please click here.
Representative Houston Gaines represents the citizens of District 117, which includes portions of Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Code Revision, Health & Human Services and Insurance committees.
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