New state Rep. Matt Barton getting his bearings in whirlwind first session

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Editor’s note: This article appears in the Daily Citizen-News 2019 Progress edition. Pick up your copy at our office at 308 S. Thornton Ave.

Being a rookie in the Georgia House of Representatives has its challenges for those who are elected in November and have two months to prepare and adapt to their new legislative duties.

Former Calhoun City Councilman and Calhoun Board of Education member Matt Barton has not had that courtesy to prepare for what he called the “organized chaos” of the state Capitol.

On Jan. 8, Barton finished second in a six-person special election to fill the term of long-time legislator John Meadows, who died days after being re-elected in November after running unopposed. Barton moved into a runoff with attorney Jesse Vaughn, who was the top vote getter in the special election but failed to get more than 50 percent of the vote. Barton, a Republican, won the runoff with 55 percent of the vote. That was Feb. 5, and the legislature’s 2019 session began Jan. 14. He was sworn in to office on Feb. 12.

“Well, there was no honeymoon for me,” Barton said with a laugh. “Someone made the analogy of trying to drink water from a fire hydrant, and it is true not just because of all the information thrown at you but also because so many people have tried to be nice and make sure I am doing my best for all of my constituents. The support has been tremendous and everyone has stepped out of their way to help any way they can.”

Barton’s fifth district includes the southwest portion of Murray County.

Barton was sworn in nearly a month into the legislative session, and since then his only actions have been to introduce resolutions to honor individuals from his district and co-sponsor legislation to tweak rules on directing traffic by law officers and firefighters. Barton said he has wanted to get his feet under him in his first session. He is on three committees: budget and fiscal affairs oversight; motor vehicles; and small business development.

“I didn’t try to do any bills at first. I have just wanted to sit back and watch the process and learn and get to know everybody,” he said. “There is a whole learning process that takes time. I probably have the most boring office in Atlanta. I haven’t had any time to decorate anything.

“I’ve been working with the Republicans in the House and I know the senators from the area pretty well,” he said. “It has helped to have people you know in both chambers to help you out.”

Barton is also learning a new governing model after his earlier government work at the local level.

“I have been to the Capitol before, but it is a process that is unique to government,” Barton said. “I have been used to board and council meetings and there is an order to how it works.”

That order has been disrupted at points this session. With a new governor after the election of Brian Kemp in November, several controversial conservative social issues have come before the legislature.

The House had approved Kemp’s plan for Medicaid and Affordable Care Act waivers, and both the House and the Senate passed the “Heartbeat Bill” which bans most abortions after six weeks. Barton voted in favor of both bills.

During the debate on the abortion measure, several Democratic lawmakers stood and turned their back when the bill’s sponsor was speaking from the well. The debate in the Senate was marked by impassioned and emotional speeches from both sides.

“A lot of the representatives have said that most sessions aren’t as contentious or theatrical as this one has been,” Barton said. “You had some of the opposition to the ‘Heartbeat Bill’ turning their backs on the person presenting the bill which I thought was uncalled for. You can disagree with someone and that is why we have debates and try to convince people to vote for your position. It is the whole point of debates.”

Even though he is still trying to find his balance in the chamber, Barton said there are some things which have earned his attention, and he is looking forward to diving in for next year’s session.

“Rep. Bert Reeves (R-Marietta), he did a pretty big bill already with adoption and we have done the ‘Heartbeat Bill,’ and they sort of go hand-in-hand for me,” Barton said. “I would like to look closer at adoption and making it easier and not as expensive for families to grow.”

Like most of the other northwest Georgia Republican legislators, Barton said he intends to work to push conservative causes on social issues and the economy.

“My passion is smaller government and keeping taxes low,” he said. “Georgia is the No. 1 state for business and there is a reason that is there. But there is always better and more efficient ways to govern. Every meeting we have, we have reams and reams of paper. The state issues us laptops, and it would be so much easier and efficient for us to use tablets and be able to have all of that in the palm of my hand. On committees, we print so much paper and if everyone had a tablet, we would have the latest versions of those bills. That would be much more efficient and save money, but there is always a dollar sign for everything.”

Still, despite the learning curve and the newness of his new position, Barton said he is enjoying his new job, even if it means having to juggle between his medical transport business, his family and his time in Atlanta.

“It has been a lot of fun. It has been a real good challenge,” he said. “You get used to juggling. Between my life and my job and the legislature, it just throws another ball in there for you to keep in the air. But it has been fun. I love talking to the people that I represent and it is nice being a lifeline or a help for people who need it.”

To contact state Rep. Matt Barton

• Capitol address

612-E Coverdell Legislative Building

18 Capitol Square S.W.

Atlanta, GA 30334

• Office phone

(404) 656-0325

• Email

matt.barton@house.ga.gov