State Rep. Matt Ramsey, has been named the Republican majority whip for the Georgia House of Representatives.
Ramsey, who lives in Peachtree City, represents west Fayette County and part of east Coweta County. He said he was thankful for the support he got from House members and he looks forward to working hard to make sure legislators have the information they need to make decisions.
Ramsey said maintaining the flow of information, and making sure legislators get to have critical questions answered before a bill comes up for a vote, is a key part of the process. To that end, the whip’s role is about a link between rank-and-file House members and its leadership, he added.
As whip, Ramsey will be responsible for making sure there are enough votes for bills to make sure they pass when they come up for a vote. He also will work with committee chairmen and bill sponsors to make sure the information flow enables members’ questions to be answered.
“I will make sure the author or the chairman of the committee hears the concerns and has an opportunity to address them,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey pointed out that with Ronnie Chance of Tyrone as the Republican majority leader on the Senate side and with Tyrone’s Virgil Fludd in the leadership for the Democrats in the House, Fayette County stands to reap benefits. He also realizes that having the number-three role in the House will be a busy one, but feels he’s up to the task, especially with his approach for getting fully involved in the legislative session.
“I kind of feel like I’m the dog that caught the car: now what do I do?” Ramsey joked. “… But I’ve never been the type of person to just go up there, push a few (voting) buttons and be done with it.”
