The Countdown is On!
THE GA HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
FIVE SESSION DAYS UNTIL SINE DIE
The remaining five days of the 2025 General Assembly Session will be tense and competitive, and we will not always know what is truly going on behind the scenes. As an example, when I was in a Senate Committee last week, I watched Representative Houston Gaines from Athens claim not to know what was the new amendment to the bill he was presenting for passage. The new amendment was a totally other bill that was not passed by the House, giving the Sons of Confederate Veterans new litigation rights in relation to monument preservation. In my view, it was a bad bill, and Houston Gaines was helping the Sons of Confederate Veterans give their bill another chance before the full Senate when it did not even pass the House. These tactics are common and you don't know about them, always because amendments are added without prior notice and legislators don't always tell the complete truth of what amendments are added to bills.
Stay tuned, it will be a rocky ride. I hope to keep you updated. Please tell me if there is any specific issue you are interested in in these closing days. Thank you for all your interest!
HB 399
After passage of HB 399 on the House floor, I have concentrated on moving this bill through the Senate, and I am making progress. This past week, HB 399 passed out of the Senate Economic Development Committee, and I have been working with Senators for passage through the Senate Rules Committee. Because of the schedule, my first opportunity to ask that HB 399 be placed on Senate floor calendar is today, March 25th, and I have at this point five remaining days for Senate passage. Because we made minor changes in the Senate Committee, the final action will be a motion to agree to the Senate substitute I will make on the House floor. I am hopeful, but passage of any bill, given the competition in the last five days, is uphill. Working hard and fingers crossed.
Below is a photo of me presenting HB 399 to the Senate Committee, as well as the map I handed out to committee members showing a five-year study of corporate ownership of single-family homes in the Atlanta ten-county area. Thanks to Georgia State Geography Professor Taylor Shelton for his assistance.
SB 36 - THE "RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT" BILL
This past week, the House Judiciary Committee spent four hours in another attempt by the most right-wing Senators to pass religious freedom legislation, SB 36. You may remember that the House and Senate passed a similar bill during Governor Deal's term, but Governor Deal vetoed it, much to the relief of the business community and Democrat legislators. It's fascinating who comes to the Capitol and who doesn't on bills that relate to claims of religious discrimination. Repeatedly, presenters were asked to give an example of religious discrimination in Georgia, and the proponents had no specifics. All the time we spend on fanciful issues that impact no Georgians is discouraging. We have real problems we will not address.
Following testimony from 29 individuals, the Judiciary Committee had many tie votes, and I was active in the process after returning to the Capitol from halfway home, thinking no vote would be taken. SB 36 did not pass, a vote for reconsideration did pass, and we are hearing rumors that SB 36 will be heard again on Wednesday. All committee meetings are live streamed and you are welcome to watch. Here is an image of a final vote - my hand is held high. Below it is a recording of the four-hour committee meeting referenced.
HB 68 - THE FY 26 BUDGET
HB 68 is the legislation creating a budget for Fiscal Year 26 that begins July 1, 2025, and extends through June 30, 2026. The Senate revealed its response to the House budget proposals, and there are significant differences for budget priorities. The final week of the 2025 Session will create a compromise bill on budget proposals for both chambers, and it will be a bill passed probably on the last day of the Session, April 4th. Based on the significant cuts to the federal budget that are unknowable but ongoing in Washington, there is great concern about Georgia's response to the hundreds of billions of dollars cut from state resources.
SB 68 - GOVERNOR KEMP'S TORT REFORM BILL
Governor Kemp's bill, and his insistence on what he termed "tort reform," passed the House last week by one vote. The Senate immediately agreed to the changes made by the House to SB 68. The House Democratic Caucus had taken a firm caucus position against passage of SB 68, but three Democrats out of 80 voted for alleged tort reform. This gave the bill a one-vote passage. The feelings of disappointment in the GHDC are strong. More importantly, the consequences of the poorly-written bill will be severe.
ROSE SCOTT INTERVIEW - WABE
Rose Scott invited me to talk with her on March 12th about my life and career, women in politics, and the current 2025 Session. You can listen to the entire interview here. Below is the accompanying article on the WABE website. Thank you to Rose Scott, producer LaShawn Hudson, and WABE!
"Democratic Georgia State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver entered the world of politics in 1987. The DeKalb County native and attorney says she was in her 30s at the time, and even her late aunt questioned her decision.
But Oliver went after what she wanted. “I wanted to serve in the General Assembly. It was a unique opportunity,” explained Oliver, who represents House District 84.
Fast forward to more than 30 years later, Oliver has served multiple terms in the Georgia House and Senate. The longtime politician has earned a reputation for her efforts to protect children and consumers. Oliver says she’s grateful for the career she’s had.
As a featured guest for “Piloting the Journey,” the Women’s History Month series on “Closer Look,” Oliver told show host Rose Scott that she followed the citizen legislator model and shared details about her expansive career as a lawmaker, educator and attorney.
She also talked about some of the legislation that she’s sponsored over the years and why she feels Georgia’s budget is more important than ever. Her personal agenda this legislative session is to focus on housing through House Bill 399. If passed, the legislation would require certain residential landlords to have in-state staff to manage tenant communications."
OUR BELOVED OKEFENOKEE MUST BE PRESERVED!
DEFEND REFUGEES
Refugees enrich every aspect of our society. I am proud to join a bipartisan group of elected officials from across the U.S. in showing my support for immediately restarting the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program. You can access the entire letter here: http://bit.ly/DefendRefuge
The U.S. refugee resettlement program has existed for decades with strong bipartisan support, allowing people seeking safety from persecution to come to the United States for a new beginning. Refugees undergo a years-long process that includes several interviews, medical exams, and background checks before being approved for travel to the United States. Due to this rigorous process, refugees often wait years in a refugee camp before being resettled.
President Trump recently halted the program, stranding many refugee families who were already approved, and closing this life-saving pathway to thousands more. Thousands of resettled refugees already here in the United States have been cut off from critical programs that help them adjust to their new lives here. On February 25th, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s suspension of the nation’s refugee admissions system.
While this case is ongoing, a strong state and local commitment to welcoming refugees through this letter shows the administration that the halt of the program doesn’t match the values of our communities. It's crucial for state and local elected leaders to elevate their voices in support of the program - as President Trump has incorrectly claimed that local communities don't want to welcome people seeking safety. I know the reality is that my community is ready to welcome. The U.S. refugee resettlement program enriches communities economically, culturally, and socially.
LAST SURVEY POLL: HOW YOU ANSWERED
Our last poll question may have been confusing to you. The bill we referenced was about testing staff members for COVID-19. Our poll question asked if you thought that healthcare workers should be required to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Here are your answers:
662 Total Votes
Yes - 84% (556 votes) No 16% (106 votes)
Thank you for responses!
NEW POLL QUESTION: SENATE BILL 245
Would you vote for SB 245, a bill that expands the rights of grandparents to allow visits with grandchildren against the wishes of the children’s parents? You can read SB 245 here. This issue comes up frequently, and the courts have struggled with setting aside a parent's authority and allowing grandparents to overrule a parent's decisions about visitation. You may also learn more about the bill on LegiScan, an excellent online resource for following bills in the GA General Assembly.
UNHOLY TOUR
By Chief of Staff Caroline Herring
Last week I went on the 10th annual Unholy Tour, a two-hour bus ride through Atlanta's landscape of human sex trafficking prime areas. The tour was led by Tim Echols, Georgia Public Service Commissioner. Because this issue is so firmly linked to First Lady Marty Kemp, I expected her to be on the tour or at least be mentioned. This was not so. Instead, a bus full of one legislator, several staff members, other Atlanta residents and about a dozen speakers took off from the Capitol. The speakers began to tell their stories, both of their truly horrifying life experiences and of the organizations they started because of those experiences.
There were many outstanding speakers, and I am grateful to all of them for their courage, tenacity, and dedication to making this world a better place. One woman stood out to me: Kasey McClure, the founder and director of 4Sarah, described on their website as "a faith-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower change in the life direction of women and girls who are adult entertainers, prostitutes, escorts, porn stars, or victims of sex trafficking by offering a holistic approach as well as an educational, emotional, physical, and spiritual support. With the support from our communities and churches, 4Sarah will be able to provide a system of care to women and girls seeking to exit a life in the adult entertainment industry." https://www.4sarah.net/. Ms. McClure experienced terrible trauma as a child, lived the life described in the mission statement of her organization, and supported the woman on our bus who told her story of being trafficked in Atlanta for many years. This survivor attended Christ the King Preschool as a young girl. She was kept at a Red Roof Inn in northwest Atlanta.
What to notice:
- Strip clubs that are open 24 hours a day.
- Club websites that offer private bedrooms by the hour.
- Hotels and motels all over the city.
- The Atlanta bus station.
- Anyone who is vulnerable, including the unhoused and the undocumented.
Human trafficking is happening right now in Atlanta. It should not be a partisan issue. We must understand that human trafficking will grow precipitously due to President Trump and the pain his "empathy-free" administration is now inflicting on our society.
Photo of the incomparable Kasey McClure on the Unholy Tour Bus
OUT AND ABOUT
Big Emory track meet on Saturday! My intern Caroline Hansen, Captain of Emory Women’s Team, competing in 400 hurdles, and Worthington’s daughter Maile running for Grinnell in 4x100— way cool! Beautiful day. No politics— yea!!
Thanks to my friend for visiting her Capitol in her beautiful purple regalia supporting Morris Brown College.
On Friday night, I attended Emory's 12th Night Revel, alovely night celebrating poetry and featuring Kevin Young - a long way from the Capitol and a necessary break.
I love seeing my constituents at their Capitol. Last week I had visits from many people, including outstanding local advocate Charlie Froelich and fellow environmentalists making a difference! Thank you for visiting!
On March 10th, I was happy to report some good news from your Gold Dome. The House produced a budget that added $62 million for children in need of mental health services, more school social workers, additional after school and summer programs, and grants for school school districts with poor children. Let’s see if the Senate agrees. Long road ahead, fingers crossed.
I always love hearing the Atlanta Master Chorale, now in its 40th year!
I enjoyed attending Nancy and Steve's wedding! Steve and I served in Senate together and the three of us are good friends. Congratulations!
UPCOMING DATES
Tuesday, March 25th - Session Day 35
Tuesday, March 25th - Women's Caucus
Wednesday, March 26th - Brian Goldstone book talk at Decatur Library - There's No Place For Us
Thursday, March 27th - DeKalb Education Foundation State of the District Dinner at Fernbank Science Center
Thursday, March 27th & Friday, March 28th - Fernbank students visit the Capitol
Friday, March 28th - GEEARS Press Conference
Monday, March 31st - Session Day 38
Wednesday, April 2nd - Georgia State Day at the Capitol
Friday, April 4th - Sine Die
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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