Southern Legislative Conference

This week, I joined legislators and colleagues from across the Southeast in Birmingham for the Council of State Governments’ annual Southern Legislative Conference. It was a great time of fellowship with leaders from our neighboring states who are dedicated to the continued success of our region.

I'm honored to be serving as CSG South's chair-elect this year, and I look forward to hosting this outstanding group of legislators and advocates in Savannah in 2027.

Celebrating Georgia Night with our state’s delegation at the Southern Legislative Conference in Birmingham

Georgia Literacy Council Meeting

Dayle, Senator Billy Hickman, Dr. Yancy Ford, Carlett Fulcher, Richard Smith, and Dr. Bubba Longgrear from South Georgia attended the Georgia Literacy Council meeting at Dalton State College on Tuesday.

The Literacy Council was welcomed by Representative Casey Carpenter and Dalton State President Dr. John Fuchko III. Sarah Richards, our Georgia Literacy Coach, and Stacey Lutz, our new Georgia Literacy Coach Coordinator, gave monitoring reports on our state’s literacy progress. They also had the opportunity to hear updates from the Georgia DoE, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.  

Believe Greater Dalton presented their comprehensive community plan to improve literacy outcomes. There are also six very active state-wide literacy working groups engaging in Georgia. Reports were presented by each working group: Birth to Five, K-12, School Leadership, Teacher Preparation, Community, and Barriers to Learning.

Georgia is making significant progress to ensure every child can read on grade level by the third grade, and we’re grateful for the work of Georgia’s Literacy Council that makes this progress possible.

Dayle pictured with attendees of the Georgia Literacy Council meeting in Dalton

No Kid Hungry Site Visit

As the Georgia House continues our work throughout the interim, I hope each of you will engage with our study committees, stay in touch with your local representative, and let us know about the issues and policies that matter most to you.

My best,
Speaker Jon Burns