Taxpayer dollars at work: Helping Georgia recover after Helene

Note: In this recurring digital news series, GPB follows your federal tax dollars back to the state of Georgia each week. Neither Sen. Jon Ossoff nor Sen. Raphael Warnock is up for reelection this year — the former will run again in 2026 and the latter in 2028. 

In the week ending Sept. 29, the senators visited communities affected by the hurricane, worked on requesting the Department of Justice look into the safety of prison staffers in federal prisons, proving infrastructure upgrades and job creation to Laurens County, honoring families of fallen service members, and improving services for violent crime victims.

Hurricane Helene recovery and relief

Hurricane Helene caused loss of life and destroyed homes, farms and other businesses when it passed through Georgia on Thursday and Friday. During Ossoff's visit to Valdosta, Ga., to survey the damage on Saturday, Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson accompanied the senator, guiding him through various parts of the city affected by the storm. According to a news release from the city, Ossoff went to Gornto Road, Patterson Street, and Big Nick's restaurant, West Street and downtown Valdosta before stopping at the Second Harvest Food Bank of South Georgia Inc., where they distributed meals to community members in need.

"The purpose of this tour was to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and determine the necessary measures to support our community in recovery," Matheson said. "It is crucial that we work together to ensure our residents receive the assistance they need during this difficult time."  

The senator also communicated with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about the coordination between, federal, state and local governments in the recovery process after Helene. Ossoff's office also shared a letter directing constituents to resources for property and agricultural damage.

Aid for violent crime victims

On Sept. 23, Ossoff announced that he is delivering $30 million in federal funding under the U.S. Department of Justice to the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) to improve services for violent crime victims in Georgia.

Funding comes from the DOJ’s Victims of Crime Act Crime Victims Fund.

According to a press release, the federal funding “will allow the CJCC to distribute funding to Georgia community-based organizations across the state for new programs that address emerging needs, close gaps in services, train victim service advocates, and provide financial assistance to victims of crime.”

“Violent crime is impacting communities across Georgia,” Ossoff said in a statement. “These new federal resources will strengthen services for victims of violent crime and ensure they get the help and support they deserve.”

Prison safety

Also, on Sept. 23, Ossoff and Sen. Marsha Blackburn introduced bipartisan legislation to require the DOJ to complete a review on inmate sexual assault on staff at all Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities in hopes of ending sexual abuse in federal prisons.

The legislation comes after the DOJ Office of the Inspector General found in a 2023 report that 40% of 7,000 surveyed staff shared that an inmate has sexually assaulted them.

According to a press release, under the legislation, the DOJ would be required to “submit a report on their findings to Congress and establish a national standard aimed at preventing and reducing sexual abuse in federal prisons.”

“I remain focused on oversight of the federal prison system and ending sexual abuse in prisons and jails, including the abuse of prison staff,” Ossoff said in a statement. "Sen. Blackburn and I are introducing this bipartisan bill to help end sexual abuse in federal prisons."

Caption

Senator Warnock with leaders and members of the Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council.

Credit: Courtesy of Senator Raphael Warnock

Atlanta airports

On Sept. 25, Warnock attended the Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council (Atlanta AMAC) meeting to share his success in passing legislation to prevent the state takeover of Hatfield-Jackson Airport with over 150 Atlanta airport business owners, officials, and others.

A press release states, “The Atlanta AMAC meeting was hosted at Atlanta City Hall in part to celebrate 50 years since Maynard Jackson became the city’s first Black mayor.

“Mayor Jackson was a champion for the Atlanta airport and worked to increase the diversity of people and businesses receiving jobs and contracts borne from the airport’s burgeoning economic prosperity for the metro region.”

“I was proud to champion the recent FAA reauthorization bill that was signed into law that includes my provision to help block a state takeover of the Atlanta airport. We were able to increase protections for millions of revenue dollars flowing from the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and help ensure minority-owned small businesses get their fair share. Not asking for anything extra; just their fair share,” Warnock said in his remarks to Atlanta AMAC. 

“Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the world, connecting tens of millions of travelers to our incredible history, culture, and businesses that make up our city. And as the region’s premier economic generator with over 60,000 jobs and an annual $66 billion economic impact, it is only right that Atlanta continues to control this gateway to the city.”

Infrastructure upgrades

Also, on Sept. 25, Warnock and Ossoff announced that they are delivering $2.9 million in infrastructure upgrades in Laurens County to improve economic development and create jobs.

The senators will deliver the funding through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration.

According to a press release, the “funding will support improvements to Laurens County’s sewer systems and roads, and aid in the construction of a regional detention pond that will serve a local automotive parts supplier, all supporting local job creation.”

“Sen. Warnock and I continue to support Georgia’s economic development — today, with Federal resources for water and roadway infrastructure improvements in Dublin that will support Georgia’s automotive industry,” Ossoff said in a statement.

“This investment is great news for Laurens County, and Sen. Ossoff and I will continue fighting to invest in infrastructure projects that strengthen our rural economies and improve the quality of life for Georgians in Dublin and communities across the state,” Warnock said in a statement.

Gold Star Families

On Sept. 26, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Warnock and Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s bipartisan resolution to establish Sept. 22 through Sept. 28, 2024, as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week, to honor the families of fallen servicemen.

Per a press release, the resolution ”calls for a dedicated week of national recognition and tribute to honor the profound sacrifices made by the families of U.S. military service members who have given their lives in service to our country.”

“Our nation is forever indebted to the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms. And their families, who also sacrificed immensely, deserve our nation’s recognition and steadfast support,” Warnock said in a statement. 

“I am proud to have once again worked with Sen. Hyde-Smith to recognize Gold Star Families Remembrance Week and honor the families of the service members who sacrificed everything to keep our country safe. As the proud son of a veteran, I’ll always be a champion for our service members, veterans, and Gold Star families.”

The senators established the resolution for Gold Star Families Remembrance Week to encourage Americans “to perform acts of community service and goodwill” to honor the families of the fallen.