Panel OKS controversial plan to expand Gwinnett commission

ATLANTA — A Georgia Senate committee approved a controversial bill Thursday to almost double the size of the Gwinnett County Commission, one day after it came under heavy fire from Democrats.

Senate Bill 6EX is sponsored by state Sens. Clint Dixon, R-buford, and Lee Anderson, R-grovetown.

The Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee approved the bill along party lines after a more than 90-minute hearing Thursday morning.

Democrats unsuccessfully attempted to table the bill for more discussion.

State Sen. Emanuel Jones, D-decatur, said Dixon’s bill is designed to dilute minority voting power in one of the state’s most diverse counties.

“Choosing to draw maps behind closed doors and rush past any public processes unjustly silences nearly 1 million Gwinnettians,” the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition said.

“We understand Sen. Dixon’s push to diminish the voices and votes of Gwinnett to be yet another instance of racist backlash against diversity and inclusion in this county. The interests of one politician should not come before those of our communities.”

But Sen. Steve Gooch, Rdahlonega, said expanding the commission’s size is a task that should have been completed years ago.

“There were no shenanigans involved in creating these new districts,” Dixon said.

More than a dozen people spoke against the measure, including Phyllis Richardson, policy and engagement manager for Common Cause Georgia, whose father and husband both served in the military.