ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has vetoed Senate Bill 238, legislation that would have paved the way for Rockdale County voters to decide whether to change Rockdale’s form of government.
Kemp vetoed the bill today–the final day for him to take action–at the request of the three-member Rockdale Board of Commissioners–newly-elected Chairwoman JaNice VanNess, newly-elected Tuwanye Smith and veteran board member Doreen Williams, who sent a letter to the governor requesting the veto. The board’s request–without any notification or input f rom the public— sparked outrage from proponents who had worked several years to expand the 3-member board to five members and hire a professional, credentialed county manager.
State Rep. Rhonda Taylor, who led the effort on behalf of citizens who had asked to change the form of government, said this evening the veto is a disservice to Rockdale residents.
“I think it’s a disservice to the constituents. The governor jbasically just went with what she (BOC Chair Van Ness) stated in the letter,” said Taylor.
Following is Gov. Kemp’s decision:
“Senate Bill 238 changes the composition of the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners from a county-wide elected chairperson and two commissioners to five commissioners elected on an at-large basis with the chairperson selected among the commission members. Rockdale County voters elected a new chairperson to serve their county commission for a four-year term on November 5, 2024. Senate Bill 238 would circumvent the will of the voters by cutting the chairperson’s four-year term short and reassigning the chair to a newly created commission seat. Such a significant
than is possible before this year’s general election.
For the foregoing reasons, I VETO SENATE BILL 238.
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