Week Four: The Fight Fiscal Conservatism & Life

Voting has become a primary part of my day to day here at the Capitol as appropriation meetings near their end, and bills come through committee.

As I’ve mentioned before, my voting record along with an explanation of what I voted Yes or No on important bills can be easily accessed on my website at www.mattgurtler.com, and you can also sign up for my weekly email newsletter!

I was able to finish out the month of January joining my Chief of Staff on The Rebellion, a Georgia based podcast analysis politics through a limited government lens mixed with a little bit of humor. I had a great time talking about HB 2 (Constitutional Carry), my plans for this session, and the often corrupt culture at the Capitol.

I encourage you all to listen to the podcast (Episodes 58. & 61) with myself, Banks Wise, and Shane Hazel at www.rebellionpod.com .

Pro-Life legislation is continuing to swarm our news and will remain an important part of my agenda. Many different states have already taken stances on whether they consider themselves Pro-Life or Pro-Choice.

This is very important to me because I strongly believe that everyone, including unborn children, have a right to life. There are no circumstances that I can fathom that would allow me to think differently, and I believe it is part of the proper role of government to protect life, because without life, there is no liberty.

Many people advocating for Pro-Choice legislation believe it allows an alternative option in extreme circumstances or in the event that the baby may be born with some type of disability.

I understand that sometimes these can be very sensitive and difficult circumstances for families. As humans however, I do not believe we have the right to pick and choose valuing one life over another.

I was able to attend the Georgia Right to Life March and some of their most recent events at the Capitol and enjoyed hearing young men and women speak and share their personal stories of the importance of choosing Life.

My hope is to continue to be an advocate for all Pro-Life legislation that comes through the Capitol and encourage my colleagues to do the same. I am currently working on a bill that recognizes the humanity of children in the womb throughout Georgia law, including preventing the abortion of infants with a detectable heartbeat. Although I believe the government should not play an intrusive role in the lives of individuals, I also believe that every life is sacred. This bill would play an important role in keeping our state within its proper role.

On Thursday I gave a morning order during session regarding House Bill 4. I spoke in hopes of gaining further support for my bill from my colleagues. This is a bill that will benefit both Republican and Democratic members of the House and my hope is that with enough sponsors, I will be able to drop this bill soon.

House Bill 4 will completely change the way we in the House approach our budget. This will hopefully discourage overspending and help safeguard taxpayers' money by allowing each departmental budget to be judged on its own merits, and not have an Omnibus type budget that is used to coerce Representatives.

I was able to meet with someone from Governor Kemp’s office this week as well to talk about the bills I’m working on this session. I expressed the importance of House Bill 4 (Spotlight Act) and of course, Constitutional Carry which the Governor has already expressed his support for during the campaign.

I will continue the fight to make our state of Georgia a more limited government, conservative state.

As always it is an honor to serve.

In Liberty,

Matt Gurtler

(706) 490-2285