'Lawmakers' Day 4: Kemp delivers the State of the State address

The House and Senate heard more of Gov. Brian Kemp's legislative priorities in his annual State of the State address.

The morning started like any other State of the State day, with the House and Senate uniting in the House chamber and the state Supreme Court justices joining the House members in anticipation of the governor's State of the State.

But outside the chamber, things took a turn when one senator was barred from entering, leading to a scuffle and an arrest.

State Sen. Colton Moore was led out of the Capitol in handcuffs after trying to enter the House chamber.

"I represent 200,000 people in Northwest Georgia who duly elected me to be here today," he said as he tried to enter the House chamber.

Moore had been banned from the House chamber by Speaker John Burns last year after Moore made disparaging comments about the late Speaker David Ralston.

"I'm going to ask the doorkeeper of this House, Cory Mulkey, no time in the future will the senator from the 53rd [District] be allowed to come into that, any room or any property of the Georgia House," Burns said.

The speaker sent Moore a letter earlier this week reminding him that he is not allowed in the chamber unless he publicly apologizes to Speaker Ralston's family. Moore refused to apologize and said it was his right to be in the House chamber during the address.

Moore was arrested and charged with willful obstruction of law enforcement officers.

After the drama-filled morning, Kemp carried on with the State of the State address, highlighting tort reform and school safety especially.

House Republican leadership said Moore's arrest shouldn't distract from Kemp's speech.

"The Speaker of the House has the responsibility of maintaining order and decorum in the House chamber," Majority Leader Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Mulberry) said. ". He's done that here today. This senator caused a very dangerous situation, endangering law enforcement, door keepers, staff, individuals that were present.

"I think that the House members who are standing behind me and the members in the chamber were focused on the governor's State of the State address today and the important work to be done this legislative session and that's really what the focus should be," he added.

Democrats gave their own reactions to Kemp's address and said they need more details on his priorities.

"We heard the governor yet again say tort reform is his No. 1 issue," Minority Whip Rep. Sam Park (D-Lawrenceville) said. "Where are the details? Where is the bill? As both the Democratic chair and our leader has said, we are open to doing business, but Republicans control the entirety of state government. And so we are waiting for them to drop a bill. To introduce something in writing for us to start examining and working with our colleagues and our constituents to ensure that we are doing what's in the best interests of Georgians."

Before adjourning in the House, members held a moment of silence for a tragedy in Cobb County.

"It is with great sadness that I have to report that yesterday afternoon, a 12-year-old girl shot herself in the girls’ room at Lindley Middle School, which is right around the corner from where I live in Mableton," Rep. Terry Cummings (D-Mableton) said. "She was taken to Cobb Hospital and she's currently at Children's Health Care of Atlanta. Right now, she's in critical condition."

The lawmakers were also able to take a first look at the governor's budget proposals. They reconvene Friday for legislative Day 5 and the annual Martin Luther King Day celebration is also expected.

Lawmakers returns on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 7 p.m.