With Georgia's Special Session underway, we are excited to bring you a bonus edition of our Gold Dome Download. Now midway through the Special Session, there's been plenty of action - and much more to come over the next few days!

Before we dive in: friendly reminder that it's runoff election day in Georgia! Check to see if you're eligible to vote in a municipal election runoff by visiting mvp.sos.ga.gov. Polls are open until 7 PM.

What Is Special Session?

Georgia's regular legislative session runs from January through March each year. "Special Session" can be called by the Governor to address specific legislative needs that arise outside of regular session - but lawmakers can only pass laws related to the specific issue at hand.

Why Now?

In October, an Obama-appointed judge struck down Georgia's electoral maps - ruling that they violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. In his ruling, the judge ordered that Georgia had to create new maps at every level: one new majority-black congressional district, two new majority-black state senate districts, and five new majority-black state house districts. In order to comply with the judge's ruling, Governor Kemp called a Special Session to allow the legislature to pass a new set of maps before the court's December 8th deadline.

What's The Latest in the Legislature?

Georgia lawmakers have proposed a new set of maps to comply with the judge's order. So far, both the State House and State Senate have voted to pass their own maps. Now each map will head to the opposite chamber for final passage. As of today, Georgia's Congressional maps have not yet been passed by either chamber. All of the maps must receive final passage by this Friday, December 8th.

How Will The Maps Change?

Congressional: one new majority-black district will be added, increasing our total number of majority-black districts from 4 to 5. The partisan split of the Congressional map is currently 9 Republicans and 5 Democrats.

State Senate: two majority-black districts will be added, increasing our total number of majority-black districts from 13 to 15. The partisan split of the State Senate map is currently 33 Republicans and 23 Democrats

State House: five majority-black districts will be added, increasing our total number of majority-black districts from 49 to 54. The partisan split of the State House map is currently 102 Republicans and 78 Democrats.

What Happens Once the Maps Are Passed?

Once the maps are passed, they will return to the same District Court judge for consideration, where the judge will likely hold hearings to determine whether or not lawmakers complied with his order. If the maps are ordered to be redrawn again, the state would likely appeal to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Proposed Georgia House District Map

Click here or the image above to learn more.

Proposed Georgia Senate District Map

Click here or the image above to learn more.

Proposed Congressional District Map

Click here or the image above to learn more.

Other Legislative Action

Standing with Israel

Last week, the State Senate introduced a resolution to condemn Hamas and support our Israeli allies. The vote to pass the resolution was 46-0, with ten Democrats abstaining from the vote or excused. The State House took up a similar resolution and passed it 129-2, with dozens of Democrats abstaining from the vote.

Representatives El-Mahdi Holly (D-Stockbridge) and Rhonda Taylor (D-Conyers) were the only lawmakers to vote against it. You can read about the resolution here.

Supporting the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center

Last week, the State Senate also introduced a resolution to express support for the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center and to condemn recent acts of domestic terrorism. The resolution passed with a majority vote of 48-5, with three Democrats abstaining.

Senators Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain), Sally Harrell (D-Atlanta), David Lucas (D-Macon), Josh McLaurin (D-Sandy Springs), and Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) were the only lawmakers to vote against it. You can read about the resolution here.

Other News to Follow

Lowering the Income Tax

Last year, Governor Kemp and conservatives in the legislature passed the largest income tax cut in Georgia state history, in a plan that would have reduced the income tax rate to 4.99% by 2029 - on top of one-time income tax rebates, property tax relief, and the suspension of the gas tax.

Yesterday, Governor Kemp announced a new effort to cut the income tax even more quickly. If the General Assembly passes Governor Kemp's proposed income tax cut, Georgians can expect to save over $300M per year in taxes. The changes would save a family of four with an income of $75,000 about $650 a year.

Legislator Spotlight

What We're Reading

Washington Examiner - Three things to know about Georgia's special legislative session

AJC - Georgia Senate adopts pro-Israel resolution

Atlanta News First - Georgia Senate releases proposed new maps ahead of redistricting

Capitol Beat - New congressional map proposes major changes in Atlanta’s northern suburbs

Fox 5 - Kemp, lawmakers announce plan to 'accelerate' Georgia income tax cut

To learn more, visit www.greatergeorgia.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest information.

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NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE