A lot of institutional memory will be lost for the 2021 General Assembly session as indicated by several veteran state legislators who are among 11 recent retirement announcements. Consider:
STATE SENATE
Renee Unterman, R-Buford, Chairman of Science and Technology Committee. Sworn in- 2003.
John Wilkinson, R-Toccoa, Chairman of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs. Sworn in- 2011
Jesse Stone, R-Waynesboro, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Sworn in- 2011.
Bill Heath, R-Bremen, Chairman of Judiciary Committee. (Served a term in the House.) Sworn in- 2005.
Ellis Black, R-Valdosta, Chairman of Retirement Committee (formerly served in the House). Sworn in- 2015.
Zhara Karinshak, D-Duluth, (One-termer).
STATE HOUSE
Tom McCall, R- Elberton, Chairman of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs. Sworn in- 1995.
Kevin Tanner, R-Dawsonville, Chairman of Transportation Committee. Sworn in- 2013.
Kevin Cooke, R-Carrollton, Not a committee chairman. Sworn in- 2011.
Terry Rogers, R-Clarksville & the governor’s floor leader. Sworn in- 2011.
Matt Gurtler, R-Tiger, Not a committee chairman. Sworn in- 2017.
