'Lawmakers': Democrats prioritize maternal health on Day 2

__

Day 2 of the Georgia General Assembly’s 2024 legislative session did not bring the same busy energy as Day 1. But there was still business to be done. 

The day started off with stormy weather at the capitol, causing the Georgia House of Representatives to push its floor session to mid-afternoon.  

But the Senate met at its usual time, gaveling in — and then quickly gaveling out. 

Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns released a video touting some of his and the House’s accomplishments from last year and promoting what he hopes will continue during this session. 

In the House, members finished business quickly as well. But before adjourning, Democrats called attention to jarring statistics about pregnancy-related deaths. Georgia is among the worst states for maternal mortality. 

Rep. Long Tran from Dunwoody said, "In Georgia, the [rate of death] for white women [during pregnancy and childbirth] is 23.3 per 100,000 births. Horrifically, for Black women, it's 48.6 per 100,000 births... So, while we are leading the country in business development, we are failing the mothers in our state." 

Several bills dealing with gun legislation were also filed. A bipartisan group of senators filed a bill to remove sales tax for gun safes and some Democrats in the House filed a bill to ban people convicted of family violence from having firearms. 

The House convenes again at 11 a.m. Wednesday, followed by the Senate at 2 p.m.

Tonight on Lawmakers  

Join host Donna Lowry and capitol reporter Sarah Kallis at 7 p.m. on GPB-TV for the 54th season of GPB's Lawmakers. Topics include swatting and ambulance shortages. The Jan. 9 episode features four state senators: Republicans John Albers (District 56) and Rick Williams (DIstrict 25) and Democrats Kim Jackson (District 41) and Derek Mallow (District 2).