It was a nuts-and-bolts bill day at the Capitol as lawmakers passed bills about education and taxes under the Gold Dome.  

In the Senate, five bills were passed. Two of note included Senate Bills 360 and 449.

SB 360 would increase capital outlay funds to help school systems create pre-K programs in their districts. And SB 449 would exempt certain medical professionals coming out of the military from having to go through the exam process to practice in the state. Both bills passed unanimously.

The controversy surrounding Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her relationship with her co-counsel, which was made public last week at a special hearing, also came up on the floor. 

Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) and Sen. David Lucas (D-Macon) commented from different sides of the argument.  

In the House, a longtime Georgia representative announced her retirement today.  

Today Rep. Penny Houston made the bittersweet announcement that she will not run for re-election after serving her constituents of Nashville, Ga. since 1997.

Rep. Penny Houston (R–Nashville) will not run for re-election after representing Nashville, Ga., in the state house since 1997.

As for the business of the day, the House overwhelmingly approved a bill dealing with millage rates for local school systems. The House also OK'd a measure that would require public schools to offer an aptitude test to 11th- and 12th-grade students to see if they would be suitable candidates for a military career.  

Then House members, led by Speaker Jon Burns, held a moment of silence for a state trooper, Chase Redner, who died after being struck by a car in Clayton County last night.  

Also today, lawmakers acknowledged Lupus Advocacy Day while wearing purple capes. Rep. Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta), who has lupus, thanked advocates who traveled to the Capitol. 

And finally, the Poor People’s Campaign held a press conference at the Capitol, where advocates called on lawmakers to reduce poverty and provided a list of policy priorities they think will help the issue. 

Lawmakers will return to the Capitol tomorrow for Day 24. They are expected to hold press conferences on foster care and reproductive freedom.

Join host Donna Lowry and capitol reporter Sarah Kallis at 7 p.m. on GPB-TV for the 54th season of GPB's Lawmakers.

Tags: Georgia  Politics  Georgia Politics  Atlanta  Lawmakers  georgia legislature  georgia capitol