Thirty-two students from St. Timothy's School on Memorial Drive came to visit Senator Steve Henson during the 2008 session of the Georgia General Assembly, spending the day observing the legislative process.  "I think it was a learning experience for me as much as for the students," Senator Henson said.  St. Timothy's educational program provides an educational curriculum that emphasizes growth in all areas:  physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual, and has been serving the Stone Mountain community since 1972.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

         The 2008 Session of the Georgia General Assembly has come to a close, and while I wish we could have made more progress, there was some important legislation passed.
 

         We adopted a statewide water plan, through the Georgia Water Council and the Environmental Protection Division of Georgia's Department of Natural Resources.  Click here for information on outdoor watering and conservation rebates.

 
         Though we did not create a permanent source of funding for trauma care statewide, and long-term funding of Grady hospital did not materialize, we did include more than $58 million in state funds for trauma, with Grady Hospital sharing in the funding. The legislature also added more than $80 million in funding Increases for Georgians on Medicaid and Peachcare. It is my hope that these measures are a down payment and that the State will continue to ensure that people across Georgia have access to emergency health care when they need it.
 

         The most serious failure of this session was the lack of any progress on the transportation challenges we face across metro Atlanta and all of Georgia.  A Senate Resolution would have asked Georgians to vote on a Georgia Constitutional amendment granting authority to regions - metro Atlanta, for example - to vote themselves an up to a 1 percent sales tax for all transportation purposes.  If voters granted this power, the governing authorities in the region would still have to seek voter approval at the local level of any proposed tax. I remain committed to finding and funding real transportation solutions and will continue working on this issue.

 
         Local Legislation:  DeKalb County voters will be busy this year. A measure to streamline the DeKalb County government will be on the ballot for voter approval in the fall.  I was able to sponsor and secure passage of Senate Bill 516, which will preserve a $2,500 Homestead Exemption for DeKalb voters that had been set to expire.  Also, the controversial legislation to allow residents of the Dunwoody area to vote on incorporation passed and was signed by the Governor.

 
         As always. I am grateful for your support of me and my work in the Georgia Senate. Please call or email me with concerns or questions, and know that I am looking forward to continuing to serve you and making Georgia even better.
 

Sincerely,

Steve

Steve Henson

State Senator, 41^st District