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I am honored to serve as the State Representative for Georgia House District 84, which covers the communities of Candler Park, Columbia, Druid Hills, East Lake, Highland Park, Kelley Lake, Kirkwood, Lake Claire, Oakhurst, South DeKalb, Toney Valley and Tilson. On this website, you can learn about
- Neighborhood and community events,
- Ways to contact me and help me get to know our community better,
- News about the Georgia General Assembly, and
- More about me and my positions.
In my first term at the Capitol, I have worked hard for our district and continue to do so as a House Minority Caucus Assistant Whip and through several critical appointments:
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Judiciary - Non-Civil Committee
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Ways and Means Committee
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Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee
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Code Revision Committee
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House Study Committee to Incentivize Indigent Health Care by Physicians
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Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Legal Education
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Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Children, Marriage and Family Law
I ask that you continue to stand with me and help make District 84 and Georgia stronger. To contact me, I can be reached at home or at the Capitol:
There is much to be done and meeting with so many of you has proven that there is the energy and commitment ready to meet every task. I am honored by the investment of trust and will endeavor to always warrant your support. Thank you for your time, energies and your contributions to District 84 and to Opportunity for All!
Warmest regards,
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April 2008
The General Assembly closed its 2008 session on April 4, 2008 - the day known as Sine Die. Because this is the second year of the term, any bills not passed on Sine Die must be reintroduced in the 2009 session.
KEY BILLS FROM THE 2008 SESSION:
SR 845: Constitutional amendment to permit counties to impose a 1-penny sales tax (T-SPLOST) for specific transportation projects. Voters in the region would have to approve the projects by referenda. I support improving transportation funding for the metro-Atlanta region and the state. Status: FAILED. I voted in favor of this legislation.
HB 89: Law to permit the carrying of concealed weapons into businesses, recreational facilities, parks and restaurants. I oppose relaxing handgun restrictions without also increasing our licensing requirements. Status: Approved, pending Governor's signature. I voted against this legislation.
SB 433: Law to amend certificate of need regulations in Georgia to allow greater flexibility for hospital management. I support allowing hospitals to make administrative and managerial decisions without risking non-compliance with CON rules. However, I also support continued state monitoring of indigency care and maintaining access to available and affordable care where specialists may be difficult to attract. Status: Approved, pending Governor's signature. I voted in favor of this legislation.
SR 996: Constitutional amendment to permit local school systems to participate in tax allocation districts. I co-sponsored a version of this bill in the House, and I support allowing school systems to choose whether to participate in TADs. Status: Approved, pending voter ratification in November. I voted in favor of this legislation.
HB 1191 and 1192: Law to permit gradual increase in the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $30,000 per annum in the City of Atlanta and for Atlanta Public Schools. I support increasing the City's homestead exemption in controlled, sustainable increments. I oppose draining more funds from the Atlanta Public School system during a time of more state-mandated budget cuts, which the school system will be obligated to fund. Status: Approved, must be ratified by voters in November. I supported HB 1192 for the City of Atlanta (co-signed the bill) but did not support HB 1191 for the Atlanta School Board (was not on the floor for the vote).
SB 52: Law to revise the DeKalb County organizational act to give the County Commission control of its agenda and to limit the ability of the CEO to vote on items pending before the Commission. I support providing greater clarity between the administrative and legislative branches of government. Status: Approved, must be ratified by voters in November. I supported this legislation (co-signed the bill, but was not on the floor for the vote).
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Foreclosures and financial management are of critical concern to DeKalb County. The crisis is exacerbated by Georgia law, which does not require any judicial notice for foreclosure and is a process that is among the speediest in the nation. The Georgia Working Families Caucus, of which I am a member, has sponsored legislation in the Senate to slow down the foreclosure process and to require lenders be identified when foreclosing. I will continue educating District 84 on ways to protect their homes and their finances. In May, I will co-sponsor a program with Consumer Credit Counseling Services on how to mortgage options and financial management.
Please visit the following sites for more information on available resources for homeowners: Atlanta Legal Aid's Home Defense Program, DeKalb County Community Development Programs, Reverse Mortgage information for seniors aged 62 and over and Consumer Credit Counseling Services's Keeping Your Home Fact Sheet.
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