Atlanta, Nov 16, 2021 – Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Buford) had temporarily retracted the two controversial bills SB 5EX and SB EX6 from the Senate Chambers. SB EX5 proposed changes to the Gwinnett school board to be non-partisan and SB EX6 would increase the commissioner seats to ten from the existing five commissioner seats.
Republicans say both measures will improve governance, while Democrats say they’re a Republican power grab after GOP candidates lost their longstanding majorities on both bodies in Gwinnett, as Democratic-aligned non-white voters have taken power in the Atlanta suburb of nearly 1 million people.
Democrats in the Gwinnett legislative delegation, the heads of local community groups and parents and educators had put pressure on leaders in the Senate, as well as Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston, to stop the bills from becoming law.
Gwinnett voters are outraged over the power grab and expansion of county commission motivated by racial issues. Many are angry as the bills violated Senate rules and did not follow the proper legislative procedural process.
Another issue raised was the fact that public comments was not solicited, and the school board and county commission were not consulted, before the bills were filed.
Sen. Dixon is expected to refile the two controversial bills by Spring 2022.
