As the 2026 legislative session begins in Georgia, lawmakers are being called to focus on leadership and address key issues affecting the state. A legislator with experience as a former mayor, retired U.S. Army officer, and business owner has outlined three major bills aimed at strengthening public trust and improving governance.
The first proposal, House Bill 40, seeks to increase accountability and transparency in the administration of elections. The bill aims to clarify who is responsible for managing elections and responding to concerns from voters. “Georgians deserve clarity about who is responsible for administering elections and answering questions when concerns arise. HB 40 would restore accountability by placing responsibility where voters expect it to be and strengthening transparency in how election decisions are made. Confidence in our democratic process depends on clear lines of authority and public trust,” the legislator stated.
House Bill 203 addresses representation on the Board of Regents by expanding opportunities for alumni of Georgia’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The bill intends to ensure that broader perspectives are included in decisions impacting higher education across the state. “For decades, alumni of Georgia’s historically Black colleges and universities have been underrepresented on the Board of Regents despite the enormous contributions these institutions make to our state. HB 203 would correct that imbalance by expanding representation and ensuring broader perspectives are present when decisions affecting higher education are made. Inclusion strengthens institutions, and strong institutions strengthen Georgia,” according to the statement.
The third measure, House Bill 436, proposes a statewide advisory referendum on whether taxpayer funds should continue supporting private education through the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act. This initiative would allow voters to have direct input on a matter with significant financial and educational implications. “HB 436 would provide for a statewide advisory referendum so voters can determine whether this policy should continue. When an issue carries long-term financial and educational consequences, the public deserves a say,” said the lawmaker.
The legislator emphasized that these proposals are not driven by ideology but by practical considerations based on experience: “Taken together, these bills are not ideological statements. They are practical solutions rooted in experience and guided by a simple belief: when systems are not working as intended, leaders have an obligation to fix them.”
Reflecting on his approach to leadership during his time as a city official, military officer, business owner, and now as a member of the Georgia General Assembly since being elected in 2005 to represent District 159 after Ray Holland’s tenure (https://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=99&Session=27), he stated: “I have always believed that leaders solve problems, not create them. That principle guided me in uniform, in city government and in the Georgia General Assembly. It continues to guide my work today.”
He concluded by stressing that effective governance is about action rather than rhetoric: “As we approach an election year, there will be no shortage of talk. That is expected. But governing is not about rhetoric; it is about action. Georgians deserve leaders who explain their decisions, show their work and remain accountable to the people they serve.”
According to him, this session’s focus remains on building trust with citizens while ensuring fairness within state institutions.
