Parent Press: Week 6 of the 2023 Legislative Session
We are halfway through the legislative session and time is not on our side for addressing every priority. Time is precious during a 40-day legislative session. So, spending nearly an hour in the Senate chamber this week debating, for a second year in a row, whether a statue of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas should be erected on Capitol grounds was an hour not spent on what really matters to every Georgian.
We Democrats are working fast and furiously to push our bills forward, and to fight legislation that would silence our teachers from speaking with students about gender or increase criminal penalties even though it’s been proven they don’t reduce crime.
Town Hall Meeting: March 2
Mark your calendar for Thursday, March 2 at 7pm for the Town Hall at Druid Hills Middle School. I will be joined by Senator Kim Jackson and Representative Mary Margaret Oliver.
Submit Questions in advance: bit.ly/TownHallMar2
Join by Zoom at: bit.ly/TownHallZoomRegistrationMar2
Common Sense on Guns
Gun violence is a public health crisis in our country. My week began standing with constituents from Moms Demand Action and my colleagues in the House to advance several common sense gun safety bills. Protecting all Georgians, especially children, from gun violence has been a top priority for me since I was first elected to office over 10 years ago, and I never miss an opportunity to speak on this issue.
My colleagues in the House have filed several bills to address gun violence, including HR 56 and House Bills 44, 45, 135 and 161. In the Senate, I introduced SB 33 to close a loophole in Georgia State law that currently allows those deemed a “threat to themselves and others” to obtain access to firearms, and SB 75 to establish a punishable offense for those who allow minors under the age of 17 to access firearms.
As you can see, we have put several common-sense measures on the legislative menu, but our Republican colleagues decline the invite to join us at the table so far. We should all be able to agree that guns do not belong in the hands of young children or individuals who are seriously mentally ill. Bi-partisan action is needed to carry these measures forward. We need hearings and votes, so make your voices heard to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee for SB 33 and SB 75 and to members of the House Public Safety and Homeland Security for HB 44, 45, 135 and 161 by demanding a hearing on these crucial bills.
Traction on Bipartisan Action
Fortunately, there are some areas where we are making progress on working across the aisle. Three bills I filed were heard in committee this week
SB 34: With the proliferation of third-party food delivery, this bill is important to maintaining health standards for food prepared by restaurants to be delivered to consumers. The bill was heard in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. As is often the case, the bill needed a few minor changes before being voted on and we are scheduled for another hearing on Tuesday, February 21.
SB 52: This week, my bill on data tracking for dual enrollment, SB 52, had a hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education. Dual enrollment is a fantastic avenue open for Georgians to take college classes, work towards a college degree and establish marketable skills to join the workforce. With college enrollment down nationally and demand for qualified workers rising in several industries, we must take the necessary steps to prepare young Georgians for the workforce. Data tracking is the first step to ensuring that our dual enrollment programs are efficient and equitable, and that they work for ALL Georgians.
Republican Senator Matt Brass’ bill, SB 86, also deals with dual enrollment, so I hope we will work together to combine our bills before having a committee vote to advance this legislation to the Senate floor.
SB 55: Sometimes an issue seems simple to address, but proves more complex than initially thought to be. Allowing kids under 18 to operate lemonade stands without a license has not been child’s play when it comes to writing legislation, but Republicans seem to agree on the importance of making it legal for kids to operate businesses on private property without requiring permits when selling drinks. I am hopeful we will get this done. The hearing before the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism was certainly fun since my constituents - Rami, Rebecca, Temima and Jack Genauer – came to testify and brought some tasty lemonade.
Republicans have filed bills that Democrats can get behind as well.
SB 61: Filed by Senator Strickland, SB 61 is something we can all agree on because it repeals the sunset provision on using sick leave to care for immediate family members. The bill was voted out of committee and should head to the Senate for a vote.
HB 404: 2 Democrats and 4 Republicans signed this bill, and House Speaker Jon Burns supports it. This legislation is a direct result of reporting by the AJC and would help protect tenant rights.
Culture Wars
Despite their claims to the contrary, our Republican colleagues and their leaders are perpetrating a culture war. A culture war that is distracting our attention and resources from the most pressing challenges facing every Georgian.
Our schools are failing too many children who aren’t learning to read and comprehend, with only 30% of 3rd graders testing at a minimum of grade-level literacy. We know that the window of opportunity to teach literacy is short – from birth through 3rd grade. Every day the legislature fails to create policies and allocate resources appropriately, another child loses the chance to learn the most basic skill they and we need – the ability to read comprehensively.
Yet, Senator Summers filed SB 88 and managed to get this bill heard before the Senate Committee on Education and Youth. The bill has nothing to do with the crisis we face with literacy; rather, it would prevent teachers from discussing gender related matters with children without parental consent. The spirit of this bill is harmful to students who need responsible adults to help guide and advise them when their parents may not be able to for any number of reasons. The hearing began this week but testimony will continue. Many of you have contacted me to oppose this bill and you can count on me to vote against it as written. I object to the bill itself and to the fact that legislation like this prevents us from focusing on what constituents want us to do, namely target policies and resources towards effective education strategies and programs that help Georgia's children.
SB 154 is another bill that Republicans are pushing that would criminalize librarians who allow students to check out materials deemed harmful. Rather than curtail access to reading material and information, we should be encouraging kids to explore and learn, both for their own personal development as well as for our future skilled workforce needs.
If you feel strongly about SB 88 and SB 154, please contact members of the Education and Youth committee.
On a final note, we send our love and prayers to President Carter who served our great state and country with duty and honor.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve and represent you in the Georgia State Senate.
Sincerely,
Questions? Please contact me at
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