Terry England won’t seek re-election to Georgia House

ATLANTA — The Georgia House’s top budget writer is leaving the General Assembly.

State Rep. Terry England, R-Auburn, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, announced last week he will not seek re-election this fall to a 10th term. England is in his 18th year in the House, including 12 as appropriations chairman.

“This past 18 years, especially the last 12, have taught me so much about this state that I love so much,” England told his House colleagues from the well of the chamber. “The last 12 have allowed me to be a part of helping so many citizens, not only in Barrow County, but across our wonderful state.”

England has lent valuable continuity to the budget process in the General Assembly since the death of veteran Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jack Hill two years ago.

“Throughout the pandemic, he has been a valued and trusted partner in addressing the needs of our state and the unprecedented challenges we’ve faced,” Gov. Brian Kemp said of England. “This is on top of the measured and skilled management he brought to the budgetary process as Georgia battled the Great Recession. That quality of leadership and willingness to collaborate is invaluable.”

A farmer by trade, England was elected to the Georgia House in 2004. He has served on many legislative committees, including the House Rural Development Council, formed by House Speaker David Ralston in 2017 to look for ways to improve rural Georgia’s economy.

England’s 116th House District includes most of Barrow County.

This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.