b'VIEWPOINTGreetings From Georgias Gold DomeRepresentative John LaHood41 District 175T he New Year is upon us and so is the 2020 legislative session. There is lots of activity going on among members of the General Assembly as we returned to Georgias Capitol on January 13, 2020, marking the second session of the two-year term. privilege of chairing the study committeemetro-Atlanta. Strong census participation on Innovative Financial Options for Seniorin South Georgia is critical for ensuring Living over the summer and fall of 2019.our federal and state resources as well as 14 54 Given the upcoming election cycle, withI was honored to be named the 2019congressional and state representation is primarys taking place in May, we expect aLegislator of the Year by the Georgianot diluted. Gov. Brian Kemp has launched contents quick but productive 40 legislative days.Council on Aging and the Georgia SeniorGeorgias 2020 Census campaign to The two-year session cycle also means thatLiving Association for chairing this studyemphasize that Every. One. Counts.led any bills presented during the 2019 sessioncommittee and sponsoring other keyby the states Complete Count Committee. are still available for passage during theissues for seniors. Reports from my studyI encourage you to visit www.census.2020 session. The second year of anycommittee and many others were requiredgeorgia.gov to learn more about this term is carried out with a greater sense ofto be submitted prior to the start of theimportant initiative and make plans to VIEWPOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT urgency as we will closely monitor newly2020 session and are expected to resultparticipate. 9 Representative John LaHood 34 A Clear Choice introduced legislation, while tracking lastin the introduction of many bills relatedMy first objective is to ensure I am Greetings from Georgias Gold Dome Arglass Yamamura Builds Its First U.S. Plant inyears bills which did not receive a finalto healthcare, education, rural initiatives Lowndes County floor vote before the day 40 deadline.as well as ongoing discussions regardingrepresenting our South Georgia views appropriately and the only way to do so our upcoming fiscal year budget. Georgia EDUCATION 41 South Georgia for the Win Although our General Assembly islaw also allows us to pre-file bills foris by hearing from you. Thank you for Celebrating Economic Victories considered a part-time citizen legislature,allowing me the honor and pleasure of 10 Moving Forward I remained busy throughout the off- the upcoming session the first week ofserving you under the Gold Dome. I look Jim Glass, President of SRTC 51 Visible Growth in Cook County November. If you are interested in checking session season participating in numerousout what bills were pre-filed, I encourageforward to another productive session NAVIGATING CHANGE legislative briefings, attending a varietyyou to do so at the Georgia Generalin Atlanta and I wish each of you many HEALTHCARE of events highlighting groundbreakings,Assembly website.blessings this year.54 Georgia Has 2020 Census onribbon cuttings, and other important 14 Q&A With Ronnie Dean Its Mind milestones in our region, as well asWith many hot topic issues in our midstjohn.lahood@house.ga.govCEO at South Georgia Medical Center traveling my district hearing constituentthat will shape the future of Georgia for 24 Shaping the Region CULTURE concerns. In addition to serving on severaldecades, I want to stress the importance PCOM Finds New Home in South Georgia 59 African-American Museum key House committees including Healthof your participation in the 2020 census. Spanning 150 Years of History & Human Services, Human Relations &Our states population is experiencing Aging, and Game, Fish, & Parks, I had therobust growth, but disproportionately in 8 SG MAGAZINE | WINTER 2020 BUSINESS + CULTURE 9'