Mike Cheokas

Rep. Cheokas Votes for Budget That Invests in Rural Georgia
Rep. Mike Cheokas (R-Americus) this week voted for and advocated strongly to pass the 2024 state budget that will provide pay increases to teachers and law
enforcement as well as make significant investments in agriculture, rural healthcare services, and higher education in Southwest Georgia.

“Our district will benefit greatly from the investments seen in this budget, which will bring pay raises to recruit and retain the public servants who teach our children and those who keep us safe,” said Cheokas. “We have fully funded our public schools and we have made sure that children from low-income families have access to the nutrition they need at school. Additionally, this budget provides for a $5 million investment into Georgia SouthWestern State University through a bond package.”

Cheokas said the budget includes many items especially important to rural areas of the state.

“We are bolstering the Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Forestry Service with pay raises, adding veterinary labs in North and South Georgia and we are creating incentives for healthcare providers to come to and stay in rural communities with loan repayment programs and additional funding.”

Other budget highlights include:
• $13.1 Billion to fully fund Georgia’s K-12 education system
• $2.7 million to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for the creation of cold case specialty unit
• $8.1 million to fund new 375 waiver slots for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• $1.6 million to support the behavioral health needs of children across the state

Riots endanger lives and property and also damage economic development. That's why we are sending a clear message to rioters who endanger lives by making it a felony instead of a misdemeanor. I am proud to lead on this important legislation to protect our citizens.

Read more at:

Cheokas, Silcox pass bills to crack down on rioting - Americus Times-Recorder Staff Reports House Republicans on Wednesday passed legislation that would protect Georgians by toughening penalties for rioting. House Bill 505 by Rep. Mike Cheokas (Americus) would increase the charge for rioting to a felony instead of a misdemeanor, and Rep. Deborah Silcox’s (Sandy Springs) Hou...

Our truck parade had a blast yesterday getting out the vote in Terrell, Stewart, Webster, Marion, Schley, and Sumter Counties.
I would be honored to have your vote Tuesday!

I have had a great time meeting voters in Dougherty County. If you haven’t seen me in your neighborhood yet, you will soon. Vote early!

I was honored to help host Georgia's House Rural Development Council in Americus this week. I'm proud to have partnered with groups like Pineland Telephone Cooperative and One Sumter on issues such as improving rural broadband and protecting our agricultural industries.

Gaynor and I early voted today and we hope you will too! Find your location below.

SUMTER COUNTY
EXPOSITION CENTER (OLD FAIRGROUNDS)
903 ADDERTON STREET, HWY 30
AMERICUS, GEORGIA 31719

TERRELL COUNTY
GOVERNMENTAL BUILDING
955 FORRESTER DRIVE SE
DAWSON, GA 39842

MARION COUNTY
GOVERNMENT OFFICE
100 E BURKHALTER AV
BUENA VISTA, GA 31803

SCHLEY COUNTY
COURT HOUSE ANNEX
47 N. PECAN ST.
ELLAVILLE, GA 31806

DOUGHERTY COUNTY
ALBANY CIVIC CENTER
100 W OGLETHORPE BLVD
ALBANY, GA 31701

STEWART COUNTY
COURTHOUSE
1764 BROAD ST
LUMPKIN, GA 31815

WEBSTER COUNTY
COUNTY COMMISSION OFFICE
40 CEMETERY ROAD
PRESTON, GA 31824

CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY
GOVERNMENT OFFICES
215 MCNAUGHTON
CUSSETA, GA 31805

All aboard!
Over the weekend my good friend Rep. Gerald Greene and I had the opportunity to meet with the Head Conductor of the SAM Shortline railroad, Lee Kinnamon (who is also the Mayor of Americus), to discuss the railroads economic impact on our community.

It was a tremendous honor to welcome my colleagues serving on the House Rural Development Council to SW GA today.

This bipartisan group works to develop policy and create funding for economic development and healthcare in rural Georgia.

Thank you to GSW for hosting!

It was great visiting with the Albany Chamber of Commerce and their Executive Director Barbara Rivera Holmes this week. Barbara Rivera Holmes. I will continue working hard to keep growing our economy in SW GA.

Today was a beautiful morning in Preston. I look forward to serving the great people of Webster County in the State House!