Happy Labor Day Weekend!
REP. JOHN LEWIS STATUE: BRAVO TO DEKALB COUNTY!
STATUE UNVEILING ON AUGUST 24, 2024
The new statue of Rep. John Lewis is stunning, and I was honored to be part of the unveiling event in Decatur last weekend. Above is my favorite photograph of the statue, taken by my friend Erik Voss. Ambassador Andrew Young, Senator Raphael Warnock, and DeKalb CEO Mike Thurmond gave personal and moving comments and stories about their friend, John Lewis. Most of all, I want to thank the City of Decatur and DeKalb County for removing the confederate obelisk and replacing it with a statue that is meaningful and powerful. I have admired John Lewis all of my life. He is a hero to us all.
STATE ELECTION BOARD DRAMA
Many of you have contacted me about the State Election Board actions. The Board is now dominated by three MAGA appointees, and they are adopting rules that will create confusion and chaos for the 159 election boards across Georgia. This week the Harris campaign and others filed a lawsuit in Fulton County Superior Court to enjoin implementation of the disruptive rules passed by the State Election Board. Initially, the case was assigned to Superior Court Judge Jane Barwick, but Judge Robert McBurney has other related cases and there may be a transfer. I usually do not predict what a Court will do, but in this case, I have some confidence that any rational judge is going to enjoin implementation of significant changes in the election rules imposed less than 10 weeks before a national election. I hope I’m right. Stay tuned.
Read the August 26th AJC article "Harris-backed lawsuit challenges Georgia election certification rules" by Mark Neisse here. And the August 28th AJC article "What happened to ‘election integrity’ for State Election Board?" by PatriciaMurphy here.
Below is the letter that the House Democrats sent to Speaker Jon Burns regarding the State Election Board, as well as the letter I sent on behalf of the Democrats on the House Governmental Affairs Committee to Chairman John LaHood. As of now, neither the Speaker nor Chair LaHood have responded to our letters.
PREVIOUS POLLING QUESTION
On July 11th, I published the following poll question: "Should President Biden remain as the Democratic nominee for President for the United States?"
Here was your response:
795 votes
Yes - 43% (343 votes)
No - 57% (452 votes)
President Biden announced on July 21st that he would end his presidential re-election campaign.
ELECTORAL COLLEGE V. POPULAR VOTE
The President of the United States is not chosen by a national popular vote. Instead, the winner is determined through the Electoral College. Here is a clear definition of the Electoral College. Would you like to change this process?
KAMALA HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT!
Like many of you, I stayed up late to watch the fabulous Democratic National Convention. I loved every minute and appreciate every day how the world can change so quickly in politics. Heartfelt thanks to President Joe Biden for his courageous decision to step down from the re-election campaign and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. 10 weeks to go!
The Dekalb County Harris/Walz campaign headquarters is in my District at 627 E College Avenue in the East Decatur Station shopping center. Volunteers are showing up in force and you are invited to join. As Vice President Harris' mother said to her, "Do something!"
HOMELESSNESS WORK GROUP CONTINUES
My legislative work is also continuing this summer on behalf of the Behavioral Health Commission. Today (Thursday, August 29th) at 10am, the Homelessness Work Group, Chaired by Jack Hardin, will be meeting. As with all of the Behavioral Health Committee meetings, you can watch online. You can watch here.
The webinar number is 2338 412 6119. I am working on housing vouchers for foster care children who are aging out of the system. There are many foster care children who reach age 18 and end up without a home. There is no reason for Georgia not to take advantage of this federal program that is specifically designed to assist such a vulnerable population.
We recognize that there are two populations in need of mental health services that we are not addressing sufficiently: Georgia children and unhoused Georgians. My focus for the rest of this year will be on these populations, in addition to continuing to Chair the Workforce and Innovation Subcommittee of the Behavioral Health Commission.
OUT AND ABOUT
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are out and about - in south Georgia! Here they are yesterday on their Georgia bus tour at a band practice in Hinesville! Watch the segment that aired on PBS last night: https://www.youtube.com/live/UuaxDaMTu9E
I was proud to honor Henry on National Dog Day— he loves to hike and then nap. Two very good habits!
Rep. Saira Draper, her daughter, and I were campaigning and fundraising on Sunday for Deborah Shigley—- running in Milton against a Republican leader. Great flippable district in the northern suburbs! As Kamala Harris' mother said—do something!
Last Tuesday night, Georgia was the coolest partier at the convention in Chicago—- thank you Lil Jon! But, on the same night in Decatur, a good crowd showed up to learn about Project 2025— we are doing something!
Governor Deal was in Decatur and at the Atlanta Rotary Club last week to read his new children’s book inspired by his wife Sandra and all her work for literacy. He voiced the characters of his book with different personalities, and was very charming. I was able to thank him in person for his words against the State Election Board's actions this week to confuse and obstruct the voters—thank you Governor Deal for all your service!
Decaturish now has a streaming interview/news program with Atlanta News First –ANF--, and I was on with Dan Whisenhunt. We had a lively discussion, and you are welcome to watch and listen at https://www.youtube.com/live/PYmE7bLF2kQ— the modern world of digital media and news!
Trump’s error in appointing Vance made more clear on daily basis. Henry and I made the AJC's The Jolt on July 31st! "The comment has sparked outrage among women with and without cats, and with and without children, including Georgia Democratic state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver. “I don’t have cats, don’t like cats, but I do have a basset hound named Henry,” Oliver said. “Does taking care of parents for 10 years influence JD Vance’s definition of family values? My mother lived with me for six years until she died at 91.” She added, “Vance irritates me more every day. Why would you vote for anyone who insults your family?”
I support Motherhood Beyond Bars, and urge you to watch and listen to Drew's testimony from Wednesday, July 31st before Senator Jon Ossoff's Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. Drew gave birth at Georgia's Lee Arrendale Prison, and about 50 to 70 women deliver babies while incarcerated every year. I have filed a Freedom of Information Request for data on women giving birth in county jails, but most of the sheriffs have not responded, which is in violation of Georgia law.
On July 30th, I went to the spirited rally for Vice President Harris. Kamala in the Georgia State House! Plus our two fab Senators and Megan Thee Stallion!! When Kamala Harris wins Georgia, she takes it all!
In July, I met with the Stone Mountain Action Coalition, and we had a good discussion. How can the DeKalb delegation convince the Stone Mountain Authority Board to eliminate the park’s commitment to honoring the “lost cause?" Tough challenge, but these good civic volunteers are making progress. Thank you.
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.
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