February 2021 Newsletter

Tons of Legislation Introduced

First 8 Days: Legislators Introduce Numerous Amendments to Georgia Constitution
Those that pass will be on the 2022 General Election ballot.

H.R. 4 Georgia General Assembly Term Limits for Representatives and Senators limits representatives to six consecutive terms, increases senator terms to four years, limits them to three terms. Currently, all Georgia legislators serve two-year terms, with unlimited re-election.
ACTION – Oppose. Two-year terms give voters more control. Call Governmental Affairs Committee Representatives Taylor, Ch., 656-7857; Sainz, V-Ch., 656-0178; Gullett, Sec., 656-0178; Anderson, 656-0325; Blackmon, 656-5103; Burnough, 656-0116; Collins, 656-1803; Fleming, 656-5105; Gravley, 656-5025; Leverett, 656-0188; Lumsden, 656-7850; Mainor, 656-0126; Nyugen, 656-0314; Oliver, 656-0265; Powell, 463-3793; Roberts, 656-0220; Shannon, 656-7859; Mary Frances Williams, 656-0287; Rick Williams, 656-0254; and Williamson, 656-5024.

H.R. 13 Remove Cannabis (Marijuana) from Federal Controlled Substances Act
ACTION – Oppose. Marijuana is destructive and addictive. Call Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Representatives Burchett, Ch., 404 656-5705; Reeves, V-Ch., 651-7737; Gravley, Sec., 656-5025; Efstration, 656-5125; Ballinger, 656-7153; Boddie, 656-0287; Byrd, 656-0213; Cooper, 656-5069; Kendrick, 656-0109; Lopez, 656-0298; McLaurin, 656-0202 Momtahan 656-0178; Setzler, 656-5143; Smith, 657-1803.

H.R. 14 Replace Stephens Statue with John Lewis Statue (a) creates the National Statuary Hall Collection Replacement Committee of (b) eight appointees to (c) replace Georgia’s statue of Alexander Hamilton Stephens with statue of Congressman John Lewis in the U.S. Capitol.
ACTION – Oppose. It sets a very disruptive precedent and challenges Georgia history. Call State Properties Committee Representatives Greene, Ch., 656-9210; Dunahoo, V-Ch., 656-0152; Pirkle, Sec., 656-7850; Buckner, 656-0116; Gilliard, 656-7859; Lott, 651-7737; Lumsden, 656-7850; Mike Smith, 656-0265; Werkheiser, 656-5132; M.F. Williams, 656-0287.

H.R. 23 Urge Congress to Reject Actions to Increase Justices on Supreme Court
ACTION – Support. Call Judiciary Committee Representatives Efstration, Ch., 656-5125; Gunter, V-Ch., 656-0325; Scoggins, Sec., 656-0254; Burchettt, 656-5105; Nix, 656-5146; Bruce, 656-7859; Dreyer, 656-0265; Fleming, 656-5105; Holcomb, 656-6372; Todd Jones, 463-2246; Leverett, 656-0188; Evans, 656-0116; Oliver, 656-0265; Reeves, 651-7737; Rich 656-5087; Wilensky 656-0202; and Wilson, 656-6372.

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February 2020 Newsletter

Are you ready to let 16-year-olds vote?

No person shall vote in any primary or election held in this state unless such person shall be: (1) Registered as an elector in the manner prescribed by law; (2) A citizen of this state and of the United States; (3) At least 18 years of age on or before the date of the primary or election in which such person seeks to vote; (4) A resident of this state and of the county or municipality in which he or she seeks to vote.
– O.C.G.A. 21-2-216(a)

H.R. 893 Vote at Age 16 in School District Elections, introduced January 16th by Democrat Representatives Sandra Scott (Dist. 76) and Kim Schofield (Dist. 60), provides for 16-year-olds to vote in elections for school board members and funding (sales and use taxes) for schools. Representative Scott’s district includes portions of Clayton and Henry Counties; Representative Schofield’s district is in portions of Clayton and Fulton County. When asked about her bill, Representative Scott explained that it is meant to encourage 16-year-olds to be more active in civics and become political activists.
ACTION – Oppose. Call Governmental Affairs Committee Representatives Rynders, Ch., 404 656-6801; Jones, V-Ch., 656-0213; Blackmon, Sec., 463-7853; Burnough, 656-0116; Collins, 656-1803; Gravley, 463-8143; Gullett, 656-0177; Lumsden, 656-5087; Nguyen, 656-0314; Oliver, 656-0265; Powell, Alan, 463-3793; Shannon, 656-7859; Taylor, 6560109; Trammell, 656-5058; Turner, 656-0152; Williams, M., 656-0287; Williams, R., 656-0287; Williamson, 656-5024; Fleming, 656-5125.

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April 6, 2018 Radio Commentary

When “Dying in Committee” Is a Good Thing

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, April 6, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

You might think bills and resolutions that die are defeated by House or Senate votes, but whether good or bad, most bills die in committee. The committee system is necessary to handle the 2500 bills and resolutions introduced every session.

This year, committees stopped two bills that would have weakened Georgia laws protecting monuments and state symbols. So, state monument laws remain as they were and so do local laws. A local law that remains in effect originated on September 14, 2017 when the Atlanta City Council established an Atlanta advisory committee to recommend the replacing or removal of confederate monuments and street names. The committee’s working list of Atlanta street names includes the twelve that have already been renamed and eighteen under consideration for change.

Committees, also, stopped two resolutions that proposed marijuana amendments to the state constitution. One resolution authorized in-state cultivation of marijuana and the other would have legalized the cultivation of hemp. Hemp is marijuana that has a very low level of THC, the hallucinogenic substance in all marijuana plants. Continue reading

March 30, 2018 Radio Commentary

2018 Legislative Session is Over!

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, March 30, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Yesterday was the last day of the 2018 legislative session, but it’ll be several days before we know the status of all the bills. Meanwhile, today’s topic is four bills that passed early enough for me to tell you about them today.

It’s sad, but culture had become so bad 16 years ago, that the legislature passed the Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002 that authorizesmothers to drop off their newborns at a fire station or police station with no questions asked and no strings attached. It was enacted to prevent the injury or death of newborns whose mothers abandon them.

That law was amended in 2008 to specify medical facilities and sheriff’s offices as additional legal drop-off locations. This year, H.B. 513 passed to amend it again. The new language requires the Department of Human Services to develop a standard sign to be posted at all authorized drop-off facilities. DHS will decide the size and type of the signs and where they should be posted. Unless it’s vetoed, H.B. 513 becomes law on July 1st. Continue reading