Georgia Assembly: Senator Max Burns

Max Burns and his wife Lora have two sons and three grandchildren. Max holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Georgia State University. The Burns family are active members of Jackson Baptist Church in Sylvania.

Max Burns has worked as a Senior Policy Advisor at Thelen Reid & Priest, LLC, and served on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Fulbright Association and the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools - Commission on Colleges. His academic career includes roles as Professor of Management at Georgia Southern University, President of Gordon State College, and Dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia. Prior to starting a career as a professor in higher education, Sen. Burns served as a member of the United States Army Reserves.

Max Burns has served as a Georgia State Senator for Senate District 23 since 2020. He previously served in the 108th Congress as a U.S. Representative for Georgia's 12th Congressional District. Additionally, Burns has experience as a local government official, having been the Chairman of the Screven County Commission and serving several terms as a Commissioner between 1985 and 2000.

Candidate website

Supports constructing interstates linking Augusta to other states, citing that such infrastructure near Savannah's port will spur job creation and attract manufacturing, leveraging the local workforce and hub status.

Supports agricultural interests in Georgia's volatile political climate, aiming to represent farmers effectively in the state capitol and mediate between agricultural and housing sectors amid regional growth.

The candidate's website says, "Max views cyber technology and enhancement as a critical factor to our economic development and he will serve as an advisor to facilitate the extension of broadband and inter-connectivity."

Supports the extension of broadband and inter-connectivity.

- Aims to fight the rise of socialism.
- Supports constructing interstates linking Augusta to other states, citing that such infrastructure near Savannah's port will spur job creation and attract manufacturing, leveraging the local workforce and hub status.
- Supports agricultural interests in Georgia's volatile political climate, aiming to represent farmers effectively in the state capitol and mediate between agricultural and housing sectors amid regional growth.
- Supports the extension of broadband and inter-connectivity.

Economy

As of July 25, 2024, Max Burns’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

The candidate's website says, "SB 345 - Forbid Vaccine Passport"

The candidate's website says, "Max realizes that there is a significant need to shape healthcare policy to better support local and rural healthcare delivery. He will work to improve access and affordability... to improve research and technology... Max will also seek to align resources with the overwhelming demand for improved mental health and social services... Immediate access to emergency medical services. Very responsive first responder services."

Aims to improve access and affordability, research and technology,  mental health and social services, and access to emergency medical services.

- Aims to improve access and affordability, research and technology,  mental health and social services, and access to emergency medical services.
- Opposes abortion.

Healthcare

AP News: Georgia bill could provide specific reasons for challenging voters

The candidate's website says, "Changes to elections during the pandemic created widespread confusion, distrust, and poorly implemented changes that lacked uniformity. Georgia's Election Integrity Act of 2021 provides uniformity and transparency in its implementation across all 159 counties."

The candidate's website says, "The Election Integrity Act codifies ballot drop boxes for the first time, creates a uniform system for their implementation, and ensures that they are secure."

The candidate's website says, "Georgia has one of the most open and accessible voting systems in the United States, and the Election Integrity Act actually expands voters' access to the ballot box."

The candidate's website says, "The Election Integrity Act strengthens the integrity of absentee ballots by preventing mass mail-outs of absentee ballot requests and prohibiting outside groups from filling out applications for voters."

The candidate's website says, "- Increases weekend voting requiring 2 early voting days with 2 additional optional days"

The candidate's website says, "The Election Integrity Act limits the use of provisional ballots for out-of-precinct voters and instead requires these voters be directed to their correct precinct. This process cuts down on excessive provisional ballots, delays, and inaccuracies in election reporting."

The candidate's website says, "- Uses driver’s license or free voter ID number match for an absentee ballot"

The candidate's website says, "- Allows for drop boxes which would go away after Covid-19 emergency order"

The candidate's website says, "- Creation of bipartisan duplication panels to assure ballot integrity"

The candidate's website says, "- The State Election Board may fix chronically poor performing county elections"

The candidate's website says, "- Updates absentee ballot application deadlines to better accommodate counties"

The candidate's website says, "- Provides protections for ballot box security"

The candidate's website says, "- Increased access for poll watchers"

The candidate's website says, "SB202 Election Integrity signed."

Proposed a rewrite of House Bill 976 to make it harder for people to challenge the qualifications of individual voters.

- Proposed a rewrite of House Bill 976 to make it harder for people to challenge the qualifications of individual voters.

Voting & Elections

The candidate's website says, "- Attorney General can establish a hotline for complaints/allegations"

Said, "Defunding the police is wrong. I am proud to vote for House Bill 286 which restricts counties or cities from reducing funding for our police departments. 36 yes votes and 15 no votes in the state senate."

Said, "Defunding the police is wrong. I am proud to vote for House Bill 286 which restricts counties or cities from reducing funding for our police departments."

- Said, "Defunding the police is wrong. I am proud to vote for House Bill 286 which restricts counties or cities from reducing funding for our police departments."
- Supports guns.

Public Safety

The candidate's website says, "Full funding for education"

Supports empowering educators and local authorities to prioritize learning, advocates for limited government interference to secure funding for schools, and is committed to enhancing educational outcomes to expand opportunities for all students.

- Supports empowering educators and local authorities to prioritize learning, advocates for limited government interference to secure funding for schools, and is committed to enhancing educational outcomes to expand opportunities for all students.

Education

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Max Burns

- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Georgia State Senate.
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process. 
- State Senators are involved in approving some appointments by the Governor.
- The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 56 Georgia senators, each representing a single district.
- State Senators are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342.