The Emanuel Retired Educators Association met Wednesday, November 16, at Swainsboro
Middle School. SMS Principal Manzie Broxton extended a warm welcome to the group and
thanked members for their many years of service to the school district. A delicious Thanksgiving meal was provided by Principal Broxton and the SMS Food Service Staff. The
highlight of the meeting was a legislative update from our Senator Max Burns and long-serving
Representative Butch Parrish. As a member of the Senate Committee on Higher Education,
Senator Burns expressed his desire to make higher education affordable. He also discussed a
one-time grant that would possibly help with property taxes. Representative Parrish stated
that his goal was to improve the quality of life for all Georgians in four specific areas:
education, economic development, transportation, and access to quality, affordable health
care. He also provided valuable information about the Georgia HEART Program. Fifty-five rural
Georgia hospitals, including Emanuel Medical Center, currently participate in this program
which allows those who pay Georgia income taxes to receive a 100% state tax credit for
contributing to a participating hospital. Both Senator Burns and Representative Parrish spoke
with heartfelt affection about their days in school and the teachers who had so positively
impacted their lives. Both of these valued legislators expressed their continuing, vigorous
support of public education.
