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ATLANTA – State Representative Bill Werkheiser (R-Glennville), chairman of the House Industry and Labor Committee, was recently selected by Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) to serve as a member of the House Special Subcommittee of Appropriations on State Prisons.
Soon after taking office in 2015, Werkheiser visited each of the 35 state and private prisons to learn more about the system which took approximately one year.
“Our state prison system in Georgia plays a crucial role in ensuring public safety, administering justice and rehabilitating those who have violated the law,” said Chairman Werkheiser. “Over the years, our correctional facilities have faced significant challenges, particularly regarding safety, security and living conditions for both inmates and staff. We recognize that improvements are necessary to enhance the infrastructure, increase staffing levels and provide adequate resources for inmate programs that focus on reintegration into society. At the same time, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to fiscal responsibility, ensuring that your taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively. I want to thank Speaker Burns for selecting me to serve on this special subcommittee as my legislative colleagues and I are dedicated to ensuring our budgetary decisions support the long-term success and sustainability of Georgia’s prison system.”
Speaker Burns also appointed the following subcommittee members: State Representatives Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin), Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons), Bill Hitchens (R-Rincon), Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta), Alan Powell (R-Hartwell) and Al Williams (D-Midway).
Representative Bill Werkheiser represents the citizens of District 157, which includes Evans and Jeff Davis counties, as well as portions of Appling and Tattnall counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and currently serves as Chairman of the Industry and Labor Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Juvenile Justice, Public Safety and Homeland Security and State Properties committees.
