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Greetings! We have finished 17 of our 40 days! Last week was somber, as we mourned the loss of Rules Chairman Richard Smith, as well as a State Trooper and the three Georgians killed in Jordan. And outside of session, I was on Lawmakers, Closer Look with Rose Scott, and had a Town Hall at Glenn Church. Monday was Chairman Smith’s Memorial Service in Columbus and Tuesday I reported to jury duty - but luckily we were all dismissed! Whew!
In this Issue:
- Re-Cap of Town Hall Feb 4 with Senator Parent and Representative Oliver
- Lawmakers discussion on Literacy and Education
- Passing Amended Budget for 2024
- Tax Cuts
- HB 63 Requiring Cash Bail
- HB 881 Prosecutorial Oversight
- HB 30 IHRA Definition of Anti-Semitism
- Georgia Majority for Gun Safety
- Sign up for Energy Efficiency Help
- January 27 Environmental Justice Forum Recap
- The Community at the Capitol
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Re-Cap of February 4th Town Hall with Senator Parent and Rep Oliver
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We had a great turnout on a cold and rainy night at Glenn Memorial. Thank you to all who attended!
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Thank you to Glenn United Methodist Church for hosting a community Legislative Town Hall last Sunday night. We had a good turnout, with students from Emory, Midtown High, and lots of families, despite the rain and cold weather, and good discussion on lots of key topics.
You can watch the recording HERE. Passcode: 62&#gUbj
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Lawmakers with Donna Lowry, Discussing Literacy and Education Budget
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On Wednesday, January 31 I joined Senator John Kennedy and Rep Imani Barnes on Lawmakers | Georgia Public Broadcasting with host Donna Lowry. Ms. Lowry spoke with Rep Barnes and I about education issues - I spoke about Literacy and the positive investments we are making in the Education budget this year, and Rep Barnes discussed her school lunch and Empath Unit bill, for emergency psychiatric care. Go to minute 19 to see our discussion.
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FY 2024 Amended Budget Passes Including $2B in Surplus Funds
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On Wednesday, Feb 7th, the House unanimously passed the amended 2024 budget. I wrote extensively about the Governor's proposed budget in my second newsletter, after our Budget Hearings, and we implemented most of his recommendations, with a few changes, like adding funding for Victim's Advocacy, which is receiving declining federal revenues. The Governor Proposes, but the Legislature Appropriates!
House Bill 915, the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget, is set by a revenue estimate of $37.5 billion. In addition to revenue growth, the governor’s revenue estimate for the Amended FY 2024 budget includes $2 billion in surplus funds for a total infusion of $5 billion, or an increase of 15.6% over the original estimate. The Amended FY 2024 budget includes an unprecedented investment in the state’s infrastructure including one-time needed technology and capital projects; safety and security projects; economic development projects; as well as human capital investment.
You can read the Highlights HERE
Georgia House Panel Passes Amended Budget With New Road Spending, Cash for Bonuses Already Paid
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Tax Breaks Pass Unanimously
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Yesterday the House voted unanimously to reduce income tax rates, raise the amount of the child income tax deduction and increase homestead exemptions. While I disagreed on getting rid of a progressive state income tax last year, going to a flat tax, which leads to lower income families to paying a higher percentage of their income on taxes, now that we have the flat tax, I joined all my colleagues in voting yes to accelerate the already-planned income tax cut. It is hard to vote no on tax cuts! I am pleased to increase homeowner property tax exemptions in some jurisdictions and raise the amount parents can deduct per child from yearly income taxes. The child tax deductions will especially help our middle and lower income families.
Income and property tax breaks unanimously pass Georgia House
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Going Backwards on Criminal Justice Reform - Requiring Cash Bail for Crimes of Poverty
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In 2023, the House passed HB 63, over Democrats unanimous objections, requiring cash bail for multiple new misdemeanor offenses. The Senate passed it on Monday, adding criminalization of bail funds for more than three times a year, and this Tuesday I regret that it passed the House,97-69, along partisan lines. I voted no. This bill allows your wealth to determine your culpability within Georgia's justice system. The presumption of innocence is one or, if not the most, essential feature of our criminal legal system. This bill allows for presumption of innocence to ONLY be reserved for those who can post a cash bail. SB 63 adds crimes of poverty to the list of bail-restricted —a list that is certainly long enough in the state of Georgia. Scholarship on this topic reveals that such a system compels the innocent to plead guilty and for longer and harsher sentences than those who bonded out. SB 63 continues to roll back the critical judicial reforms that were championed by Governor Nathan Deal only a few years ago.
The bill's proponents pointed out that it does not require bail for misdemeanor marijuana and it does not set mandatory minimums, and that bail can be set for as little at $1.
Read WABE’s article: Georgia Republican Push Requiring Cash Bail for 30 new crimes despite concerns about poverty
From AJC Politically GA: PG A.M.: Legal threat looms over Georgia cash bail legislation
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Prosecutorial Oversight - Unelected Partisan Board Over Elected Prosecutors
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HB 881 is a “technical fix” to SB 92, passed and signed into law in 2023. HB 881 removes the requirement for the Georgia Supreme Court to review the standards and rules of the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission (PAQC).
Citing concerns about its constitutional power to approve the rules and standards of the PAQC as outlined in SB 92, the Georgia Supreme Court issued an order on November 22 stating that it would not review the proposed rules for the PAQC. Because the terms of the statute required Supreme Court approval of their rules, the PAQC is currently unable to take any further action.
So, as Rep Stacey Evans proclaimed, the Republicans answer is - we will remove oversight! This bill passed 95-75. I voted no.
This bill allows UNELECTED partisan agents to oversee and obstruct decisions handed down by district attorneys. District attorneys are duly elected by the Georgia voters they represent. HB881 will undo the will of Georgia voters. Make no mistake: this is a partisan attempt to CONTROL and DISCIPLINE prosecutors who hand down decisions they do not like.
Our Constitution already provides a remedy - we can impeach. And Prosecutors already have the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia, - and they have voters, who can vote them out!
The PAQC lacks transparency, it is an unnecessary and expensive commission, and I fear it does nothing to make our community safer. And it will make it harder to recruit prosecutors - there is already a 25% turnover and 10% vacancy rate.
Georgia House passes bill — again — to oversee state prosecutors
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After the House passed HB 30, the International Holocaust Definition of Anti-Semitism, I received a call from a producer for Closer Look with Rose Scott, who reads my newsletters, and remembered I had written about my formative trip to Israel/Palestine in 2008. He invited me to talk with Rose, and I accepted. Listen to our conversation: Rep. Becky Evans explains ‘no’ vote over Georgia’s antisemitism definition law – WABE. Rose doesn't allow publicity photos with elected officials, after someone used a photo with her in a campaign flyer, but I am glad for this candid shot. I wore my beautiful hand embroidered shawl I purchased in Bethlehem and brought my journal from that trip for guidance and strength.
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Let me be clear:
- I care deeply about my Jewish and Muslim friends and colleagues and value my relationships with you
- I condemn all forms of hate, including antisemitism.
- I condemn all forms of violence, including terrorism. That’s why I voted Yes on Condemning Hamas and signed a letter calling for a Ceasefire
- Antisemitism and all forms of hate and violence have no safe harbor in America.
- I acknowledge that Israelis and Palestinians have the rights to self-determination and security
- I affirm the equal value of Israeli and Palestinian lives
- I stand against all forms of Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Israeli or anti-Palestinian bigotry
- I affirm both the right of Israel to exist and the right of the Palestinian people to a State.
- I affirm our first amendment rights to peaceful, non violent protest.
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On Thursday, Jan 25, the Senate debated and passed HB 30, and the bill came to the House for an Agree/Disagree vote, where House members could not debate, but could ask questions of the bill sponsor. This is the third time the IHRA definition for Anti-Semitism has come to the House floor for a vote, first in 2022, again in 2023, and my third time to vote no.
Anti Semitism is a real problem. In the past five years, attacks on American Jews and Jewish communal institutions are at an all-time high, and a new survey finds that “classical fascist” anti-Semitic views, pernicious conspiracy theories about Jews as a powerful conspiratorial cabal with nefarious intent, are increasingly widespread.
However, I don’t agree that the conflation of criticism of the state of Israel with antisemitism protects Jewish people any better. I am concerned IHRA will curtail criticism of Israel by law-abiding citizens who fear their speech could be considered anti-Semitic, and that it targets pro-Palestinian advocacy specifically. I am also concerned that it conflates Anti-Zionism with Anti Semitism.
Read HERE for my reasoning.
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Advocating for Safe Gun Storage and Addressing Epidemic of Gun Violence
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On January 25, many advocates from the newly formed, grassroots Georgia Majority for Gun Safety gathered before a day of lobbying legislators to pass HB 161, the Pediatric Safe Gun Storage Act, and I was thankful to join with the bill sponsor, Rep Michelle Au with these advocates for this photo. We were energized and uplifted by each other, so we were excited.
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On Thursday, February 1st, the Georgia House Democratic Caucus held a hearing on gun violence, and why we need to pass the Pediatric Health Safe Gun Storage Act. We held our own hearing because the Republicans refuse to hold hearings on safe gun storage or ownership laws. We heard hours of devastating testimony from many several doctors, including a Pediatric Emergency Room doctor, two Pediatric trauma surgeons, and family members who have lost loved ones due to unsecured weapons. In Georgia, on average, two children are shot by bullets from guns every day, and a child dies from bullet from a gun every other day. t was a heavy burden to bear, listening to these stories of countless lives lost, but important to bear witness. We felt somber after this time together, and our faces reflect that.
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On January 26th, the Georgia House Democratic Caucus held a press conference on Gun Violence and Gun Safety, and I joined several House colleagues and medical clinicians in speaking. I don't have a good photo from that day, and the sound quality from the video we took is not good, so I will share a portion of my comments below.
As a wife, as a mother of three, and as our state representative for the past five years, I know that providing a safe and secure environment for our children to learn is our number one priority. There can be no education without public safety.
That’s why I have successfully fought for two rounds of security grant funding for our kids’ schools, and in the 2024 budget - annual funding for school safety going forward, with the flexibility for dollars schools can use towards their School Resource Officers salaries.
I am grateful for our law enforcement officers, who put their lives on the line to protect us and our families every day.
I support our teachers, and I love the vision of our teacher of the year, Christy Todd, for Georgia to be the number one state for teachers to teach and students to learn. Teachers do NOT want to be armed.
But I am frustrated by the disconnect between this language of Republicans - their WORDS SAYING they support public safety and security for our families and children, and their ACTIONS, - of negligence - of neglecting evidence based research that shows how easy access to guns is killing our children. Of refusing to debate and vote on safe gun ownership laws, like the Pediatric Safe Gun Storage law. I am frustrated by the disconnect between the language of Republicans, SAYING they recognize the importance of mental health, and the refusal to consider Extreme Risk Laws, that can help de-escalate emergency situations.
You have heard the statistics from Drs. Chaudhary, Smith, and Fruin - in Georgia, 2 children a day shot by a bullet from a gun, a child killed by a bullet from a gun every other day. Children in Georgia die of firearm injuries at rates 4.5 times that in New York, where they have more robust safe gun ownership laws. Gun Violence in Georgia is a public health crisis killing our children.
There has been amazing grassroots work done by people directly impacted by gun violence - Such as Mothers Against Gang Violence - who have lost their children to injuries from bullets from guns, women who have lost partners, formerly incarcerated persons who have turned their lives around - doing on the ground, community based violence prevention work. They are working to change the culture of gun violence, often one life at a time. But they are telling us - they need US - as legislators - to do OUR part - We need to get the guns off the street - We need to change our laws to reduce the easy access to guns. We should start with the Pediatric Safe Storage Act.
It is my honor to introduce one of these gun violence survivors, Ms. Aaliyah Strong, who, after her fiance was shot in front of her at work, started the non-profit Tyme to Thrive Beyond Grief, which helps provide legal, emotional and financial help to families who have lost a loved one to gun violence.
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Environmental Justice Forum: Setting An Agenda on January 27th a Success!
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THANK YOU to all who joined us on a cold and rainy Saturday morning on January 27th for our follow up session, Environmental Justice Forum: Setting An Agenda. We heard great presentations from Dr. Jackie Echols of the South River Alliance about her partnership with Georgia State in monitoring the water quality of the South River; from Maria Houser, the Director of the DeKalb Consent Decree and Environmental Compliance, with an update on the water and sewer line replacement - and a healthy dialogue with community members; Kathy Reed, DeKalb Director of Sustainability, and more! We ended by discussing a Day of Action this spring - more to come on that! I don't have the link to the slides yet, but write to me if you want them and I will get them to you. And special thanks to our partners, Dr. Amy Sharma with Science for Georgia, and Debra Edelson, of New Life Community Center!
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Do you need help paying your energy bills?
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Do you need help paying your energy bills? Or are you looking for help with weatherizing your home? I’m sharing the link to energy efficiency and cold weather tips, in case these are helpful: Energy Saving Tips For Your Home | Energy Efficiency (georgiapower.com).
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Are you Income Eligible for Special Homestead Tax Exemptions?
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The Community at the Capitol
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Thankful for the leadership of Atlanta Public Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Battles - I was glad to visit with her at the Education Coalition Luncheon at the Capitol!
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Thankful for all the amazing Mental Health Advocates that keep us motivated at the Capitol - we are making strides for Mental Health parity and this budget makes important progress, but there is much work to do! I will write more in future issues about progress with Mental Health.
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I always love speaking with the Leadership DeKalb class when they visit the Capitol on Government Day! I remember well when back in 2008 I was in Leadership DeKalb and visiting the Capitol - Michael Thurmond was our Labor Commissioner then!
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There is always more I can write to you about. But for now, I will sign off. It is my honor and privilege to serve as our State Representative. Please let me know if I can be of service to you.
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Representative Becky Evans
Georgia's 89th House District, DeKalb County
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