|
The Georgia General Assembly will be back in session beginning June 15. We only have eleven days for our voices to be heard on proposed legislation. Some of the items are repeats of earlier advocacy, but are of such importance they bear repeating.
Protection of Civil Liberties
State
HATE CRIMES
Georgia is one of only four states without a hate crimes law, meaning that any alleged hate crime must be prosecuted under federal statute. Prosecuting under federal law significantly delays justice from being served. The slayings of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, KY and George Floyd in Minneapolis have reignited the debate over whether Georgia should adopt a hate-crimes law. This is not a new advocacy issue for Georgia Women, but we must continue to pursue justice for all. The Georgia House adopted House Bill 426, the Georgia Enhanced Penalties for Hate Crimes Act. It’s time for the Senate to follow suit. Unfortunately, HB 426 is tied up in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Contact the Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman with the suggested script:
Before the General Assembly went into emergency recess, the House Passed HB 426. It is time for the Senate to do the same. Bring the bill to a committee vote so that it can continue through the Senate. It’s time for Georgia to pass a hate crime law. (Include your contact information in the email).
Jesse Stone, Judiciary Committee Chairman jesse.stone@senate.ga.gov
Bill Cowsert, Vice Chairman bill.cowsert@senate.ga.gov
Senator John Kennedy is also on that committee and he is the Senator for many Georgia Women members. If he is your Senator, contact him with the suggested script:
It is long past time for Georgia to pass a hate crimes law. HB 426 passed the House before the legislative session went into emergency recess. Use your considerable influence in the Judiciary Committee to procure a vote to move the bill through the Senate. (Include your contact information in the email and “I am your constituent” in the subject line).
Senator John Kennedy john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov
BUDGET
The primary -- and maybe exclusive -- goal of the legislature when it reconvenes is the passage of the 2020-2021 State Budget which goes into effect on July 1st. The following budget items relate to Core Principles of Georgia Women.
1. Deep cuts to all facets of the state budget are being requested by the Governor and legislative leadership. These include cuts to education, healthcare and all needed services provided to the residents of Georgia. The Department of Education is exploring the possibility of pay cuts to teachers, the elimination of pre-K slots, and elimination of classroom days for students and planning days for teachers. It would also eliminate 4,000 slots (180 classrooms). These pay cuts and those to other departments, disproportionately affect women, minorities, those living in poverty, immigrants, education, the environment and health care.
Contact Governor Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, and House Speaker David Ralston with the suggested script:
My name is ----- and I am from ------. I realize that Georgia is experiencing budget shortfalls of almost 36% and that something must be done to keep the budget in balance. When working on the 2020-2021 budget, I ask that you keep in mind that the most vulnerable of Georgians are disproportionately physically, emotionally and financially affected during the pandemic. Don’t further hurt our rural healthcare system, the ability of schools to teach, safety nets for the poor, services for mental healthcare or funding that our cities need to recover from this crisis. In addition to budget cuts to needed services, please examine all sources of revenue, including an increase to the tobacco tax, closing tax loopholes and eliminating special interest tax breaks.
Governor Kemp (404-656-1776) and go to constituent services at his website to leave an email.
Lt. Gov Duncan (404-656-5030) and John.porter@ltgov.ga.gov
Speaker Ralston (404-656-5020) and david.ralston@house.ga.gov
2. As plans are being made for the workforce to return to work, part of the reopening includes reopening schools. For this to be successful, parents must feel comfortable sending their children to school. School nurses are an integral part of a safe reopening. Their role includes triaging for illness for both students and staff. There is gross understaffing on a state-wide level for school nurses. According to Lynne Meadows, director of Georgia Association of School Nurses, only 39% of public schools have a school nurse all day, every day, while another 35% of schools have a school nurse who works part-time in one or more schools, leaving 25% of schools without a full time nurse. Additionally, rural counties in Georgia suffer from a lack of access to medical professionals with children in 63 counties having no pediatrician.
Contact Superintendent Richard Woods with the suggested script:
My name is ----- and I am from -----. When preparing the 2020-2021 budget, keep in mind that as Georgia reopens schools, 1.76 million school aged students will experience physical, mental and behavioral health concerns as a result of COVID-19. They will need support from school nurses to navigate these issues. Children returning to school so that parents can return to work is an integral part of the recovery of the economy.
Phone: 404-657-1175
state.superintendent@doe.k12.ga.us
Make sure you include your contact information in your email.
Federal
Total number of non-farm jobs rose by 2.5 million in May and there is cautious optimism. However, people of color still suffer from crushing unemployment and are at a disadvantage in receiving benefits. While the overall unemployment rate dipped, it actually increased for African Americans. The Federal government needs to continue to support Americans as we slowly move toward economic recovery. The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act known as the HEROES Act (HR 6800) was passed by the House of Representatives in May.
A sample of what is included in the bill is listed below:
-
An additional $1,200 payment to all residents. The bill amends the CARES Act to provide payments for dependents over the age of 16 and payments to taxpayers with a taxpayer identification number (TIN) in addition to those with a Social Security number. Using a TIN number means many immigrants and their families who pay taxes, will be included in the payment vs being excluded as they were in the first CARES Act.
-
A moratorium on evictions and foreclosures for all properties, protections to prevent utility and internet shutoffs, and a $100 billion rental assistance fund.
-
$10,000 in student debt cancellation for economically-distressed borrowers of both publicly and privately-held loans and suspension of the collection on consumer debt.
-
An increase of SNAP benefit levels by 15%.
Contact Senators Loeffler and Perdue with the suggested script:
My name is ----- and I am from -----. Continued assistance to individuals, families and small businesses will speed up our economic recovery. Tell Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the HEROES Act (HB 6800) to the Senate floor for a vote. We are in an economic crisis. The Senate must act quickly.
Fair and Representative Elections
June 9 is election day for the General Primary, Nonpartisan Primary and the Presidential Preference Primary. All absentee ballots must be received by that date to be counted. For in-person voting, the Board of Election Supervisor published that Election employees will be wearing masks, hand sanitizer will be available for use, and lines will be marked with tape for physical distancing. Voters are encouraged to wear masks.
Don’t forget to complete the 2020 census. For the first time, you can complete the census online at http://my2020census.gov020 census. Or if you prefer, call 844-330-2020. Remember #EveryOneCounts!
The link to your legislators is here
There are 21 weeks until the November 2020 election.
Make sure you stay safe.
|
