OPINION: Divisiveness + Diversion = Distraction: What Georgia’s Legislature Doesn’t Want You to See

The next article is an opinion piece and displays the views of solely the writer and never these of AllOnGeorgia. 

By State Consultant Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) 

(517 phrases)

Sufficient is sufficient. When the Georgia Common Meeting walks into the individuals’s Capitol and chooses to give attention to tradition wars over essential wants, we should ask, “What are they attempting to cover?” Why the relentless push for laws like Senate Invoice 185, which targets transgender people in jail—when solely 5 persons are receiving gender-affirming care?

The reply is easy: divisiveness plus diversion equals distraction. And distraction is a political software used to cowl up much more pressing, far dearer issues. Issues just like the crumbling state of Georgia’s correctional system and the monetary burden it’s quietly putting on all of us.

Let’s comply with the cash.

Throughout a January 23, 2025, listening to of the Common Authorities Appropriations Subcommittee, Commissioner Rebecca Sullivan of the Division of Administrative Companies gave a shocking report on the state’s rising legal responsibility disaster. You possibly can view her full testimony here.

What she revealed ought to concern each taxpayer in Georgia:

• State insurance coverage covers 325 entities and greater than 130,000 workers;
• There are at present 1,600 energetic legal responsibility claims in opposition to state businesses;
• Excellent liabilities have elevated 343 p.c between 2016 and 2024;
• The complete legal responsibility price now stands at a staggering $394 million.

Commissioner Sullivan made it clear: a significant slice of those claims are coming from the Georgia Division of Corrections – the identical company not too long ago cited by the U.S. Division of Justice for failing to guard incarcerated individuals from murder, neglect and abuse.

Why are these legal responsibility prices skyrocketing?

Due to staffing shortages, deferred upkeep, failing infrastructure and unaddressed safety dangers – all of which have led to damage, loss of life and authorized settlements the state now has to pay.

We already know from investigative reporting that practically $20 million in prison-related lawsuits have been paid out since 2018. What Commissioner Sullivan’s testimony now makes clear is that this determine is simply the tip of the iceberg. Behind the scenes, the state is quietly absorbing a whole lot of hundreds of thousands in legal responsibility, and the general public has been stored largely in the dead of night.

So what do you do when the true numbers don’t look good?

You distract. You legislate hate. You divide the general public with headline-grabbing tradition struggle payments and debates over 5 individuals receiving medical care, relatively than answering for $394 million in unpaid liabilities, crumbling jail partitions and lives misplaced behind bars.

Let me say it plainly: Georgia’s management is selecting to scapegoat weak communities to deflect consideration from the disaster they’ve did not handle. Each hour spent debating SB 185 is an hour not spent fixing the true issues. Each divisive invoice handed is a curtain pulled over accountability.

This isn’t simply unhealthy coverage—it’s a betrayal of the general public belief.

As a substitute of weaponizing tradition wars, the Common Meeting needs to be asking:

• Why haven’t we addressed essential staffing shortages in our prisons?
• What’s being accomplished to improve failing infrastructure throughout state amenities?
• How for much longer will the general public be compelled to pay for authorities negligence?
• When will we cease hiding the reality behind hateful distractions?

The numbers don’t lie. The distraction is deliberate. The price is yours.

It’s time for Georgians to demand solutions—and actual options.

Consultant Kim Schofield represents the residents of District 63, which features a portion of Fulton County. She was first elected to the Home of Representatives in 2017 and at present serves as Secretary of the City Affairs Committee. She additionally serves on the Inventive Arts & Leisure, Well being, Trade and Labor and Small Enterprise Improvement committees.