30 Days Until the Election!

THIRTY DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION!

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THE NEXT THIRTY DAYS

The stakes for the upcoming Presidential election could not be higher, and we all know that DeKalb County could make the difference! I believe that if more than 40,000 additional DeKalb Democratic voters turn out for the Presidential election, Kamala Harris has a strong chance to win Georgia. If Kamala Harris wins Georgia, she wins the Presidential election. Thanks to DeKalb campaign Chairperson Clare Schexnyder for her outstanding work and service to the Harris/Walz campaign and the State Democratic Party. You can see her below as we attempt a photo selfie! ‍

‍Please do these things in the next 30 days:

1. Make sure that you are registered to vote! You may check your voter registration at My Voter Page HERE. The last day to check your registration is Monday, October 7th.
2. Vote early! Early voting starts on Tuesday, October 15th. Find your early voting location HERE. Early voting ends on Friday, November 1st.
3. Go volunteer at one of the DeKalb County Harris/Walz Campaign Headquarters: 627-F East College Avenue 30030 or 4746 Flat Shoals Parkway 30034. You can also sign up for canvassing and phone banking HERE.
4. Be a poll worker! To learn more, sign up HERE.
5. If you must use an absentee ballot, please mail your ballot as soon as possible.
6. If you have not yet voted by Tuesday, November 5th, please vote on Election Day!

Emory Students: Please double-check your registration forms. You must list your dormitory address on your voter registration form! It is possible you have not been given correct information regarding the listing of your Emory address. We anticipate that Emory will address this discrepancy right away.

For all voting information, go to my website at marymargaretoliver.org or go to https://www.mobilize.us/dekalbcountydemocrats/.

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STATE ELECTION BOARD LITIGATION

I was glad I had the opportunity this past week to attend the arguments before the Superior Court on the passage of bad rules by the State Election Board. The specific argument we heard Monday morning related to the rule of making significant inquiries before Certification by all Election Boards. I’m always glad to have the opportunity to go to hear very good lawyers in front of a smart Judge discuss the legal challenges that we comment on or sometimes inartfully raise in our Legislative rooms.

I’ve said this publicly before, but the intellectual honesty of specific issues is stronger in the Court system than in the Legislative halls. I benefit from learning from lawyers and judges involved in the legal challenges, and, as always, appreciate our third branch of government. Even from my legal services days several decades ago, I am respectful of the power that a Court has to correct the wrongs of politicians.

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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT

There are several constitutional amendment measures on the ballot this November. Please see the amendment questions below. For more information and an analysis on the amendment measures, please read the following article from Canopy Atlanta. https://canopyatlanta.org/2024/06/05/your-guide-to-georgias-2024-referendums/.

Included in the article are also the Democrat and Republican "advisory questions" that will appear on the November ballot. We are pleased that one of those questions is "Should the United States and the State of Georgia protect Georgians from gun violence by banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, closing background check loopholes, and passing other common-sense gun safety reforms?"

1. Provides for a general law state-wide homestead exemption that may differentiate among political subdivisions. House Resolution No. 1022, Ga. L. 2024, p. 1191. "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for a state-wide homestead exemption that serves to limit increases in the assessed value of homesteads, but which any county, consolidated government, municipality, or local school system may opt out of upon the completion of certain procedures?" YES OR NO
2. Provides for a state-wide Georgia Tax Court. House Resolution No. 598, Ga. L. 2024, p. 1189. "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide for the Georgia Tax Court to be vested with the judicial power of the state and to have venue, judges, and jurisdiction concurrent with superior courts?" YES OR NO
3. STATEWIDE REFERENDUM - Raises amount of tangible personal property tax exemption from $7,500.00 to $20,000.00. House Bill No. 808, Act No. 581, Ga. L. 2024, p. 696 “Do you approve the Act that increases an exemption from property tax for all tangible personal property from $7,500.00 to $20,000.00?” YES OR NO

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SIX WEEK ABORTION BAN OVERTURNED

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney issued a brilliant Order this week overturning House Bill 481 that banned abortion, with some exceptions, after six weeks. This is a central issue across the nation on reproductive rights, and Judge McBurney made an important step forward. Read more about the ruling HERE.

“It is not for a legislator, a judge, or a Commander from The Handmaid’s Tale to tell these women what to do with their bodies during this period when the fetus cannot survive outside the womb any more so than society could -- or should -- force them to serve as a human tissue bank or to give up a kidney for the benefit of another,” Judge McBurney’s ruling said. Image courtesy of https://www.gawinlist.com/

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HURRICANE HELENE DEVASTATION

We know the devastation that Hurricane Helene unleashed on Georgia, with a statewide death toll of 33, destruction of homes and businesses, and the decimation of pecan, cotton, poultry and timber industries. As of yesterday afternoon, over 200,000 Georgians remained without power.

The storm, however, caused massive damage in Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee, and unfathomable destruction in Western North Carolina. I urge you not to travel to these areas, but instead to support relief efforts. The Asheville Citizen Times published THIS ARTICLE on the best ways to support their area. In addition to the United Way, The Salvation Army, and he American Red Cross, here are some links to relief organizations:

• All Hands and Hearts: This volunteer-driven organization collaborates with local communities to rebuild schools, homes, and infrastructure. They have established a fund specifically for Hurricane Helene.
• Americares: Focused on medical aid, Americares helps communities recover from disasters by providing access to medicines and essential medical supplies. A donation page for Hurricane Helene is available on their website.
• CARE: This organization offers emergency cash assistance to underserved families. You can contribute to their Helene fund through their website.
• Community Foundation Tampa Bay: This local organization maintains a list of charities that provide critical support. You can also donate to the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund, which allocates funds to nonprofits addressing immediate needs.
• Direct Relief: Committed to providing long-term medical assistance, Direct Relief has made over $74 million in medicines and medical supplies available to healthcare providers affected by Hurricane Helene. Donations can be made to their general fund or specifically for the Hurricane Helene Response.
• Global Giving: This disaster relief charity delivers immediate aid and addresses long-term recovery, focusing on local organizations. You can donate to their Helene fund on their website.
• International Medical Corps: Partnering with local healthcare providers, this organization offers critical medical care and supplies. Their Helene fund can be accessed through their website for donations.
• Mutual Aid Disaster Relief: A grassroots network focused on delivering aid directly to underserved communities often overlooked in disasters. Donations can be made at mutualaiddisasterrelief.org.
• Operation Blessing: Collaborating with local churches and emergency management, this group provides clean water, food, and medical supplies to those in immediate need. You can contribute to their Helene fund on their website.
• Save the Children: This organization focuses on delivering child-specific supplies to families severely affected by the storm, including hygiene kits and educational materials. You can donate to their Children’s Emergency Fund to support these efforts.
• The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Dogwood Health Trust and WNC Bridge Foundation: All three organizations are coordinating a response to assist those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Anyone wishing to support aid to those affected can donate to the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund at www.cfwnc.org. Administrative fees are waived so that every dollar goes directly to assistance.

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PREVIOUS POLLING QUESTION

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UPDATE ON MENTAL HEALTH REFORM

My work on behalf of mental health reform continues to be the most substantive part of my Legislative duties and a daily and weekly priority. I serve as Chair of the Workforce Subcommittee. The Committee is making a report of recommendations for the 2025 Session, and I will soon share that report with you. I am also part of the Homelessness Workgroup, which is meeting again next week. We will be preparing recommendations also for the 2025 session. The full Behavioral Health and Innovation Commission (BHRIC) meets formally on Thursday, November 14th. The event will be livestreamed.

Our primary focus during the summer and fall has been what have we accomplished on our recommendations from prior years, what we not yet accomplished, and what new initiations are we seeking. Among our priorities will be additional reforms and licensure for mental health professionals because the staffing issues are still significant in order to deliver full services. I am sharing drafts of legislation to expedite licensure for health care professionals coming from other countries, and we are working on timelines for implementation.

The Subcommittee Chairs met with Commissioner Tanner last Monday in person. We gave plenary reports that will be formalized and presented publicly, and made significant progress, in my view, on establishing a roadmap for 2025. The process for Medicaid reimbursement increases is complex and depends on Federal CMS approval. This will be an important part of our budgeting plans for Fiscal Year 2026.

Many of you contact me about mental health issues. Please continue to do so, and always tell us how we can do a better job to serve your family.‍

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OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES‍

In addition to mental health reform, we are drafting new legislation for consideration by the DeKalb delegation on the Stone Mountain Authority's slow walk to end the memorialization of the confederacy. Working with the Stone Mountain Action Committee, we have new ideas, new strategies and have not given up on influencing some change.

I’m also working with Georgia garden club groups and environmentalists who have recognized the importance of native plants. Most states have a law recognizing monthly native plants, and we hope Georgia will also have one soon.‍

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DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL 2024

‍I am thrilled that the Decatur Book Festival has returned. This year, Joyce Carol Oates headlines the festival with her talk on Friday evening at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. I hope you will attend on Saturday as well and enjoy all of the many writers and speakers on multiple stages. I look forward to hearing former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winner Natasha Trethewey as well as DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. Make your plan with the schedule below!

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OUT AND ABOUT

Super cool event in Decatur yesterday — Lillian Smith Book Awards, sponsored by Southern Regional Conference, Ga. Center for the Book, and UGA. Thank you for the invitation! Congratulations to Susan Crawford, author of Charleston: Race, Water, and the Coming Storm; and Victor Luckerson, author of Built from the Fire: The Epic Story of Tulsa's Greenwood District, America's Black Wall Street. The Lillian Smith Awards recognize authors "who, through their outstanding writing about the American South, carry on Lillian Smith's legacy of elucidating the condition of racial and social inequity and proposing a vision of justice and human understanding" (Wikipedia).

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"Tennessee Three" Rep. Justin Pearson from Memphis came to Atlanta for a fundraiser! My Chief of Staff, Caroline Herring, and Sen. Kim Jackson's Chief of Staff, Erin Cassel, hosted the fantastic event. Many elected officials came, including U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, Rep. Omari Crawford, Rep. Saira Draper, and Rep. Terry Cummings, as well as Sen. Elena Parent and Sen. Kim Jackson. Pearson also spoke to the Georgia Young Democrats and students at Decatur High School.

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Tuesday's debate was ok— some real exchanges. Vance trying to be a nice guy, not snarking ridiculous personal insults. Vance knows he is unpopular personally compared to Walz. So, let’s continue to watch as Vance returns to snark and insults. Stay tuned, pay close attention, please!

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Happy 100th Birthday, Mr. President!!

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Great event to open the South DeKalb office for the Harris/ Walz campaign! If Kamala wins DeKalb in a big way, she wins Georgia. If she wins Georgia — game over, done with Trump for good—- please help over the next 38 days. Please.

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I was honored to be in on a panel on September 26th with Mayor Shirley Franklin, Senator Saxby Chambliss, and Ed Lindsey on Climate Change and Democracy— wowza! Led by Jim Wallace. Thank you for the invitation!

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In April, before the Apalachee High School shooting, Fox News conducted a poll. Please note the results below. Clearly, the Republican leadership does not seem to be aware of the views of voters. Frustrating.

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My Chief of Staff, Caroline Herring, is the best! She sang Joni Mitchell songs in September for the Amplify fundraiser—- fabulous talent! She is releasing an album of nature songs at Eddie's Attic on Saturday, October 12th.

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Luckovich is a genius. On a another terrible day, I am grateful for his wisdom. (September 4th)

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On Labor Day weekend, we said goodbye to our cabin neighbors— they enjoy safe woods and pastures, and cross the river below us often. We’ll be back soon!

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QUICK LINKS FOR YOU

I am on the following legislative committees. You can watch live every time they meet. Click on the links below for livestreams, agendas, archives and more. ‍

Committees:

• Appropriations
• Governmental Affairs
• Judiciary
• Juvenile Justice
• Public Health - Secretary
• Technology and Infrastructure Innovation

Subcommittees:

• Appropriations - Human Resources
• Governmental Affairs - State and Local Government
• Judicial - Leverett (two)

You can search for and track bills, watch the House (or Senate) in Session, watch committee hearings, monitor legislation by committee, and find contact information —- all on the revamped General Assembly website. Here are quick links:

• General Assembly website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/
• House Session meetings and many committee hearings are available to watch online: https://www.legis.ga.gov/house
• Archived videos of meetings and hearings: https://www.legis.ga.gov/house/media-services

Make your views known and tell me what issues interest you the most.