PHOTOS: Georgia’s 2020 legislative session kicks off

Politics

PHOTOS: Georgia’s 2020 legislative session kicks off

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - House Speaker David Ralston adjourns the first day of the 2020 legislative session. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. ACLU volunteers greeted lawmakers and offered copies of the constitution. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - The halls were alive with the sounds of lawmakers and lobbyists as the Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - Rep. Brian Prince (left), D - Augusta, greets Rep. Karla Drenner, D - Avondale Estates, as the Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. ACLU volunteers greeted lawmakers and offered copies of the constitution. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - House members hug family members of Georgia House Rules Chairman Jay Powell, who died during a retreat of Republican legislative leaders last November, after House Speaker David Ralston eulogized him during morning orders. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. ACLU volunteers greeted lawmakers and offered copies of the constitution. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - Flowers and a black drape mark the desk of Georgia House Rules Chairman Jay Powell, who died during a retreat of Republican legislative leaders last November. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. ACLU volunteers greeted lawmakers and offered copies of the constitution. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - Rep. Rick Jasperse,
R - Jasper, greets fellow lawmakers as the House gets ready to convene for day one. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. ACLU volunteers greeted lawmakers and offered copies of the constitution. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - House Speaker David Ralston applauds as Timothy Miller sings "God bless America" after singing the National Anthem in the House. Miller is widely know for his seventh inning performances at Braves' games. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. ACLU volunteers greeted lawmakers and offered copies of the constitution. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - Following the opening of the 2020 General Assembly, Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan held a press conference to discuss his priorities for the 2020 legislative session and take questions. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - The halls were alive with the sounds of lawmakers and lobbyists as the Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - The halls were alive with the sounds of lawmakers and lobbyists as the Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - The halls were alive with the sounds of lawmakers and lobbyists as the Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - Speaking from the well, House Speaker David Ralston eulogizes Georgia House Rules Chairman Jay Powell, who died during a retreat of Republican legislative leaders last November. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. ACLU volunteers greeted lawmakers and offered copies of the constitution. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - Following the opening of the 2020 General Assembly, Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan held a press conference to discuss his priorities for the 2020 legislative session and take questions. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - Speaking from the well, House Speaker David Ralston eulogizes Georgia House Rules Chairman Jay Powell, who died during a retreat of Republican legislative leaders last November. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. ACLU volunteers greeted lawmakers and offered copies of the constitution. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - Rep. John LaHood (right),
R - Valdosta, is offered a copy of the US Constitution by ACLA volunteers that were greeting lawmakers as they entered the House. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. ACLU volunteers greeted lawmakers and offered copies of the constitution. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - Following the opening of the 2020 General Assembly, Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan held a press conference to discuss his priorities for the 2020 legislative session and take questions. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - House Speaker David Ralston leaves the well after eulogizing Georgia House Rules Chairman Jay Powell who died during a retreat of Republican legislative leaders last November. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. ACLU volunteers greeted lawmakers and offered copies of the constitution. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

January 12, 2020 Atlanta: Governor Brian Kemp speaks at the Wild Hog Supper legislative kickoff event at the Georgia Freight Depot on Sunday, January 12, 2020, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

January 12, 2020 Atlanta: David Ralston, R, Speaker, welcomes the crowd to the Wild Hog Supper legislative kickoff event at the Georgia Freight Depot on Sunday, January 12, 2020, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

January 12, 2020 Atlanta: Lobbyist Mike Griffin, Georgia Baptist Mission Board, snaps a selfie with Governor Brian Kemp as he arrives for the Wild Hog Supper legislative kickoff event at the Georgia Freight Depot on Sunday, January 12, 2020, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

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January 13, 2020 - Atlanta - House Speaker David Ralston adjourns the first day of the 2020 legislative session. The Georgia General Assembly started its 2020 session amid a backdrop of an election year. ACLU volunteers greeted lawmakers and offered copies of the constitution. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

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