Yes, I said it, and everyone should: Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah and happy New Year! From the Albers family to your family, we wish you tidings of joy and blessings into 2019.In January, we return to legislative session. I am busy preparing legislation and serving constituents. I find a unique perspective with the cooler weather and the holiday spirit all around us. December is a month during which we often find ourselves giving more, smiling more, and surrounding ourselves with loved ones. This time of year serves as a reminder to be thankful for the many blessings we have and to serve others who may not be as fortunate.

It has almost been six months since the General Assembly adjourned from the 2018 Legislative Session, and so many new pieces of legislation are in the making. There is a lot to look forward to in the months to come, as we gear up for another successful session. That being said, I want to reflect on some of the major highlights in Georgia over the past eight years. We are continuing on an upward path of building a greater, stronger Georgia, but I want to remind you of the great and strong Georgia that we have already worked so hard to become.This year, Georgia was named the number one state in which to do business for the fifth consecutive year. We have seen growth across the board in many different industries, especially the film industry. More and more companies are relocating to Georgia every day, and our native Georgia companies are continuing to expand and thrive in our state.

We are a month away from the general election on November 6, 2018. Along with electing statewide offices like governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary of state, each of you will also be voting for your U.S. Congress representative, and Georgia Senate and House representatives. Additionally, there are five constitutional amendments that will appear on the ballot along with referendum questions addressing Fulton County property tax assessments. I was proud to sponsor and support each of these important initiatives.

Since the 2018 Legislative Session wrapped up in late March, we have been busy with study committee meetings and preparing to pre-file legislation for the 2019 Legislative Session.The Georgia Senate School Safety Study Committee, which I chair, has met four times around the state. I sponsored Senate Resolution 935, which created this study committee. Members of the Study Committee have been traveling the state and meeting with all stakeholders to determine ways that each community can keep their schools and children safe. The Committee’s goal and job throughout the meetings has been to listen, compile information, and make actionable suggestions to be included in a report of findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation. Additionally, a Committee website was launched: GaSenatek12Safety.com. All interested parties are encouraged to visit the website to provide feedback for Committee members to review, compile, and consider before recommendations are made in preparation for the 2019 Legislative Session.

After the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, our nation had to make our buildings more secure, specifically government buildings, and we did just that. And after 9/11 in 2001, we had to make our airports and airplanes more secure, and we did just that. Unfortunately, in today’s environment, we must put a focus on making our schools safer than they have ever been before. As a parent and senator, I am working tirelessly to rectify this situation. It is important to note that school safety has always been a priority, but just like adjustments had to be made after the bombing in 1995 and 9/11, we must do more to make our schools as safe as possible. It is our moral obligation.To begin this process in Georgia, I sponsored Senate Resolution 935 during the 2018 Legislative Session to create the Senate School Safety Study Committee. I serve as the chairman of the nine-member committee that is traveling the state and meeting with local leaders, school officials, teachers, students, law enforcement officials, and other stakeholders to determine ways that each community can keep their schools and children safe. During our journey around the state, our main goal is to listen. We realize that school safety is an important topic that everyone wants to address, so we plan to visit different areas of the state to hear what they are currently doing in regard to school safety and where they see a need for improvement.

To my sons Will & Ryan,

We are truly blessed to live in our great country. Our founding fathers were divinely inspired men of great wisdom. The ideals and governance they conceived into our republic have led to the greatest nation in history. Our founding principles and historical documents combine to create a unique recipe for success, allowing for independence, freedom, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We have the platform, but every person and generation must be accountable and responsible to our cause. Don’t let socialism or fascism ever challenge what we know to be right. There are those who will work hard to do little. You need to work tirelessly and climb mountains!My values are strongly rooted in my faith and conservatism. I believe in hard work, accountability, small government, lower taxes, compassion, innovation, serving others, and generosity. You can do anything in our great land – and I challenge you both to be great at whatever you do. Wherever you serve (e.g. business, church, military, government, community, family), do so with tenacity, compassion, and a sense of urgency. Make a real difference in others’ lives, and you will reap the benefits. Help people by giving them a hand up and not a hand out because true compassion is doing what is best for people, not what is easiest.

One of my goals leading into the 2018 Legislative Session was to address the issue many residents in Fulton County have faced for several years – a systemic problem with not only the 2017 property tax assessments, but with issues that have involved the Fulton County Tax Assessor’s Office for many years. During the summer of 2017, the department came under scrutiny for not only the very high and inaccurate property tax assessments but also unfrozen appeals, members not working well together, lawsuits, etc.After the Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee meeting, which I chaired at the time, the Fulton County Commission issued a reversal for the 2017 property tax assessments. Although that was a victory for the 2017 assessments, I knew that our work was not finished with this important issue. Following the meeting, I met with members of the Fulton County Delegation, Commission, City Council and the community to seek input on steps moving forward. At these meetings, I notified those in attendance that my next step was to introduce legislation that would change the law for Fulton County on how property tax assessments are processed.

During the 2018 Legislative Session, the Senate worked diligently to improve the lives of Georgians across the state. This year, we made history and passed the largest income tax reduction in over 75 years through House Bill 918. These updates to Georgia’s tax code will be the first to the individual income tax rate since 1937 and the first to the business rate since 1969.

We are currently in the midst of the 2018 legislative session. In the coming months, I will have more specific updates on the bills and resolutions that passed and may impact you. This month, I have focused on our community and serving others. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best, "Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?"

Volunteering in our community is a passion of mine. It is an honor and privilege to use my God-given talents for the sake of others. North Fulton is full of great communities, and the opportunities to get involved are abundant. I serve on dozens of charitable organizations and boards, and I find an intense joy in making a positive difference.

The 2018 Legislative Session is well under way at the State Capitol. My colleagues and I have been busy with constituent visits to the Capitol, vetting proposed legislation in committee meetings, and debating and voting on legislation on the senate floor. We have been discussing and reviewing several issues including property taxes, the proposal of removing the state income tax, and the creation of the Commissioner and Department of Fire Safety.

The 2018 legislative session and 155th General Assembly will convene on January 8. During the upcoming session, my colleagues and I plan to address several key topics. Along with new legislation, we will review reports from the study committees that have been meeting during the interim.

I sponsored Senate Resolution (SR) 222, creating the Senate Special Tax Exemption Study Committee, which is comprised of six Senate members who have been working with the Department of Revenue, Senate Research, Pew Charitable Trust and others to examine the costs and benefits of all state tax exemptions. The goal of the committee is to ensure that each exemption has the potential for a Return on Investment (ROI). We worked hard to address any outdated exemptions that may hurt businesses while ensuring that exemptions that benefit Georgia’s economy and businesses, big and small, are properly utilized and promoted.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year! Too often, we are caught up in "political correctness" and miss the reason for the season. I am proud to wish you true tidings of joy! To my Jewish friends, may the light of the season illuminate your life as bright as the menorah.

December is a busy month preparing for the upcoming 2018 legislative session. I am sponsoring several important pieces of legislation to create jobs, empower a responsible society and be excellent stewards of taxpayer dollars.

When I think of what it means to be a public servant, I think of men and women who want to make a difference and have a positive impact on the lives of others. They want to do the best they can for the people who elected them and who they represent at different levels of government. People who put their name on the ballot to run for public office are volunteering for a position that will allow them to give a voice and power to their fellow community members. They truly believe they can make a difference for their local community, state and nation.

During the 2017 Legislative Session, I sponsored Senate Resolution 222, which created the Senate Special Tax Exemption Study Committee. I was appointed by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle to serve as chairman of the six member committee. Members of the study committee are working hard with the Department of Revenue, Senate Research, Pew Charitable Trusts and others to examine the costs, benefits and purpose of all current state tax exemptions. The study committee is responsible for submitting a report of findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, by December 1, 2017.The committee is holding meetings throughout the state to properly and thoroughly give stakeholders, citizens and any interested parties opportunities to attend the meetings and provide input. It is our goal to ensure that each exemption has the potential for a return on investment (ROI). We will work hard to address any outdated exemptions that may hurt businesses while ensuring that exemptions that benefit Georgia’s economy and businesses, big and small, are properly utilized and promoted.

This summer, over 100 bills went into effect as Georgia law. While there are certainly bills that made the headlines, there are also several bills that didn’t receive as much attention that you need to be aware of. Below is list of some of the laws that could directly affect you, your family or your neighbors. They were passed by both the Senate and House, were signed by Governor Deal, and went into effect on July 1:

Summer is often a time when Americans across the country are able to sit back and relax, as they enjoy a reprieve from the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life. The kids are out of school, families start taking vacations, and we are able to focus more on the things that truly make us happy. This summer, I’ve had the chance to reflect on what the past few months of my life have been like and have thought seriously about the current state of our country.

Happy Independence Day! Each year on this day, it’s true that we come together for barbeques, fireworks and family time to celebrate this historic event, but it means much more than that. For me, July 4th stands for freedom – a privilege that Americans have and the rest of the world strives to emulate. In some places around the world, people don’t have the right to think, believe, speak, worship or act as they choose. Fortunately for those of us who live in the U.S., we are free to do any of these things, which allows us the opportunity to pursue our dreams.

The 2017 legislative session was very busy and productive with both chambers vetting, debating and passing legislation that will have a positive impact on how Georgians live, work and play.

I enjoy my time at the Capitol because I get to work on a wide range of issues and properly vet legislation that will help promote economic growth within our local community and throughout the state. My colleagues and I try to focus on doing what is best for our constituents, and often times, that means putting differences aside and working together.

On Monday, May 29th, we take a break from our busy lives to remember our greatest heroes, those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and preserve our freedom and liberty. This day, we pause as Americans to remember and give thanks.

Each year, Memorial Day fills me with emotion and pride. The Roswell Remembers event is hosted by my rotary club as well as many other patriotic events in Milton, Alpharetta, Woodstock and across the nation. Come join me and my family at Roswell City Hall, starting at 10:00am, for the largest ceremony in the southeast United States.

As elected officials, our primary goal is to ensure the safety of our constituents, whether it is financial, legal or physical. I believe the best way to do this is by supporting local law enforcement. These brave individuals answer the call no matter the time of day or night, and we, as citizens, owe them our gratitude.

We can do this in a couple different ways, and I take pride in sponsoring legislation to protect our finest and in being able to recognize these brave citizens by honoring the best of Georgia’s law enforcement with Senate Resolutions. These Resolutions recognize these brave men and women in the Senate chamber, thereby codifying their dedication to our great state. No one deserves an honor such as this more than our law enforcement officers who put everything on the line, every single day, for perfect strangers.