Politics and football collide as lawmakers return to Gold Dome

A look at what's to come in the 2023 session

Georgia state lawmakers are set to return to the Gold Dome Monday for their annual 40-day session. But don’t expect them to immediately take on a heavy workload.

With the Georgia Bulldogs looking to win their second straight college football championship, state leaders have lightened their workloads this week in preparation for the big game.

The #1 Bulldogs will take on #3 TCU in Los Angeles Monday night, and you can expect many lawmakers to be boarding planes and heading to LA for the game shortly after the first gavel comes down.

A similar dynamic unfolded last year, when the college football championship fell on the first day of the legislative session. Legislators then spent much of the first week celebrating UGA’s win — their first national championship in over 4 decades.

Another big event this week could also delay legislative business: inauguration day. On Thursday, Gov. Brian Kemp and other statewide constitutional officers are set to be sworn into office. The festivities will begin with a prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, followed by the swearing-in ceremony at the Georgia State University Convocation Center, according to Kemp’s inauguration team.

This legislative session comes at a time of transition for lawmakers. Many are still grappling with the tragic passing of House Speaker David Ralston, who held the gavel for over a decade.

House Republicans selected Majority Leader Jon Burns to replace Ralston as Speaker. It remains to be seen if Burns will be able to maintain his mentor’s bridge-building leadership style in a caucus with a growing number of bridge-burners.

And Lt. Gov.-elect Burt Jones will soon take the rostrum in the Senate. Jones, a state senator himself who was endorsed by Donald Trump, will succeed Geoff Duncan — who has emerged as one of the former President’s most vocal critics within the GOP in the aftermath of the 2020 election.

Because this is not an election year, very few analysts are expecting Republicans to prioritize culture war issues such as bans on abortion and loosening gun laws. Many believe that this session will largely focus on the state budget, particularly the $6.6 billion surplus sitting in the state’s piggy bank.

Gov. Kemp has promised to spend at least $3 billion on tax rebates, a move that is supported by Republican legislative leaders. But that would still leave the state with more than $3 billion to spend — or save. And Kemp has not indicated what his plans are for the remaining cash.