News and Stories

DEKALB COUNTY HOUSE DELEGATION

NEWSLETTER

February 2009

Dear Neighbor Welcome.  The DeKalb County House Delegation has long championed the needs and concerns of those living in DeKalb and throughout the state.  We believe the creation of this electronic newsletter further enhances our capacity to inform, engage and empower the citizenry.  As your voice in the Georgia House of Representatives we are committed to continuing our legacy of service and protecting the quality of life for all who call DeKalb home.  I look forward to hearing from you about matters impacting our county and state. Sincerely, Rep. Howard Mosby Chair DeKalb County House Delegation Members of the DeKalb County House Delegation, Committees they Serve and County Commission District within their House District Stacey Abrams (District 84) House Code Revision, Defense and Veterans Affairs, Judiciary Non-Civil, and Ways and Means Committees  DeKalb Commission Districts 2 and 3 Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (District 85) House Banks and Banking, Code Revision, Judiciary Non-Civil and, Natural Resources and Environment Committees DeKalb Commission Districts 2, 3 and 4 Jill Chambers (District 81) House Appropriations, Governmental Affairs, Rules, and MARTOC (Chair) Committees DeKalb Commission Districts 1 and 2 Dee Dawkins-Haigler (District 93) House Banks and Banking, Human Relations and Aging, and Industrial Relations Committees  DeKalb Commission District 5 Karla Drenner (District 86) House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications; Health and Human Services; Natural Resources and Environment; and Rules Committees DeKalb Commission Districts 1 and 4 Pat Gardner (District 57) House Appropriations, Higher Education, Natural Resources and Environment, and Public Safety and Homeland Security Committees DeKalb Commission District 2 Michele Henson (District 87) House Appropriations, Economic Development and Tourism, and Health and Human Services Committees  DeKalb Commission District 1 and 4 Mike Jacobs (District 80) House Insurance, Judiciary (Secretary), MARTOC, and Rules Committees  DeKalb Commission Districts 1 and 2 Kevin Levitas (District 82) House Judiciary Non-Civil, Science and Technology, and Transportation Committees  DeKalb Commission Districts 1 and 2 Randal Mangham (District 94) House Children and Youth; Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications; and Judiciary Non-Civil Committees  DeKalb Commission District 5 Rahn Mayo (District 91) House Banks and Banking, Education, and Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment DeKalb Commission District 5 Fran Millar (District 79) House Economic Development and Tourism, Education (Vice-Chair), Health and Human Services and Rules Committees  DeKalb Commission District 1 Billy Mitchell (District 88) House Health and Human Services, MARTOC, Regulated Industries, and State Planning and Community Affairs Committees  DeKalb Commission Districts 1 and 4 Howard Mosby (District 90) House Government Affairs, Health and Human Services, Rules, and Ways and Means Committees  DeKalb Commission Districts 4 and 5 Mary Margaret Oliver (District 83) House Appropriations, Government Affairs, Judiciary, and Science and Technology Committees  DeKalb Commission Districts 2 and 4 Robbin Shipp (District 58) House Health and Human Services, Industrial Relations, Judiciary, and State Planning and Community Affairs  DeKalb Commission District 3 Pam Stephenson (District 92) House Health and Human Services, Intragovernmental Coordination, and Judiciary Committees  DeKalb Commission District 3 and 5 "Coach" Williams (District 89) House Education; Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications; and Retirement Committees  DeKalb Commission Districts 3, 4 and 5 DeKalb County House Delegation Committee Structure  Executive Committee Policy Rep. Mosby, Chair                           Rep. Abrams, Chair Rep. Abrams                                      Rep. Chambers Rep. Benfield, Secretary               Rep. Oliver               Rep. Henson, Vice Chair               Rep. Stephenson Rep. Chambers                                 Rep. Benfield Rep. Shipp, Secretary Rep. Stephenson Environment Econ. Development Rep. Drenner, Chair                       Rep. Levitas, Chair Rep. Gardner                                    Rep. Drenner Rep. Jacobs                                       Rep. Haigler Rep. Mayo                                          Rep. Millar                                                                 Rep. Mangham Judiciary Education Rep. Oliver, Chair                           Rep. Millar, Chair Rep. Abrams                                     Rep. Gardner Rep. Jacobs                                       Rep. Mayo Rep. Benfield                                    Rep. Williams Rep. Mangham Rep. Stephenson Rep. Levitas Rep. Shipp Public Safety Rep. Mitchell, Chair Rep. Gardner Rep. Mayo Rep. Williams 2009 Legislative Update Legislative HB 251 - co-sponsored by Rep. Haigler, was adopted in the House by a vote of 139-23 and would amend the organization of schools and systems under the "Quality Basic Education Act".  Under the bill, a public school student can attend any school in the local school system under certain conditions. A parent/guardian may elect to enroll their student in a public school that is not assigned to him/her by the local board of education. This is allowed as long as the school has permanent classroom space available after its assigned students have been enrolled. HB 237- would increase the adoption of hard to place children by allowing subsidies to be granted to families that adopt these special needs children. HB 294- which passed the House by a vote of 158-1, states that no creation or consolidation of technical colleges can be considered without input from the legislature.  Georgia has outstanding technical colleges and 80 percent of the people graduating from a technical college do so with a job. HB 326- was adopted in the House by a vote of 164-2 and allows anyone in Georgia who wants to sell licenses to do so but also has many other provisions. Sportsman can now get hunting or fishing licenses online or by phone. It provides for a $2.75 discount for those purchasing licenses before they expire and eliminates the primitive weapons license.  In addition, the legislation increases hunting fees for non-residents, which is expected to raise $2.2 million and allows for a combined hunting and fishing license.  Georgia is the number one destination in the nation for hunters. HR 1- co-sponsored by Rep. Levitas, was a constitutional amendment that capped property tax assessment increases at 3 percent for residential and commercial properties.  The measure failed to receive the necessary 120 votes for passage last week but today was reconsidered by a vote of 101-58 and now goes back to the Rules Committee. HB 233- passed last week and would place a two year moratorium on property tax assessment increases. HB 39- co-sponsored by Rep. Oliver and Rep. Gardner, would increase the tobacco tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack to generate new revenue. HB 229- was passed by the House Education Committee and would create the SHAPE (Student Health and Physical Education) Act.  Beginning in 2011-2012, students enrolled in physical education in grades 4 - 12 must have an annual fitness assessment approved by the State Board of Education. HB 307- would broaden an existing provider fee for Medicaid managed care organizations to all commercial HMOs in Georgia and implement new provider fees for hospitals. Revenue from the fees will be used to protect funding for Medicaid and PeachCare programs. SB 92- would dismantle current Medicaid and PeachCare programs, allowing low-income families to receive premium assistance to purchase private sector health insurance plans. HB 278- co-sponsored by Rep. Millar, would ease expenditure controls for Quality Basic Education for 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 school years to help local school systems dealing with deep budget cuts. HB 193- would allow the requirement for a 180-day school year to be defined as an hourly equivalent.  School districts could lengthen the school day and have a four-day school week.  HB 198 contains the same language. SB 90- would provide a voucher for parents to enroll a public-school child in another school within the local school system, or in a private school.  The school has discretion to accept the child in accordance to policy. HB 290- co-sponsored Rep. Benfield and Rep. Abrams, provides for an increase to the minimum wage and subsequent cost-of-living increases. HB 245- co-sponsored by Rep. Oliver, allows a juvenile court to suspend the driver's license of a child below age 17 if charged with a delinquent act. State Legislation Pertaining to DeKalb County HB 7- (Rep. Levitas) would revise the powers and qualifications for members of the county commission, chief executive officer, executive assistant and revise certain provisions concerning ethics. HB 8- (Rep. Levitas) would provide homestead exemptions from DeKalb County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of the full value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 70 years of age or older and whose income does not exceed $75,000.00, 75 percent of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 70 years of age or older and whose income exceeds $75,000.00 but does not exceed $100,000.00, and in the amount of 50 percent of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 70 years of age or older and whose income is over $100,000.00. Community Calendar/News DeKalb Commissioner Kathie Gannon Food Drive Food collection barrels will be placed in the lobbies of the Maloof Building (1300 Commerce Drive) and 330 Ponce de Leon Ave during the month of February.  The most needed food items currently are: canned tuna, beans, soups, stews, fruit and vegetables; pastas, macaroni and cheese dinners, whole grain and low sugar cereals. Online donations can be made directly to the Atlanta Community Food Bank's secure site by visiting the website of Commissioner Gannon, clicking on constituent information, then news to access the link. The food bank can leverage over $8 in food and services for every $1 donation. 3rd Annual "What's Right with the Region" The Civic League for Regional Atlanta Thursday, February 26, 2009 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm The Ballroom at TWELVE Atlantic Station 361 17th Street NW Atlanta, Georgia 30363 Unsung Heroine Award Luncheon Saturday, February 28, 2009 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Double Tree Hotel 4156 LaVista Road Tucker, Georgia 30084 For tickets please click here. Wine, Cheese, and Politics: The Talk of the Town DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and League of Women Voters Tuesday, March 3, 2009 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm BB&T 3824 LaVista Road Tucker, Georgia 30084 Men's Health Initiative DeKalb County Council of PTAs Saturday, February 28, 2009 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Miller Grove High School 2745 DeKalb Medical Parkway Lithonia, Georgia 30058 For more information contact Nathaniel Paxton at (678) 789-4431 or by email. Taste the World (Fundraiser for Refugee Family Services) Sunday, March 15, 2009 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Callanwolde Fine Arts Center 980 Briarcliff Road Atlanta, Georgia 30306 To order tickets please click here. Round Robin Tennis Tournament for the DeKalb Habitat for Humanity Friday, March 6, 2009 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm DeKalb Tennis Center 1400 McConnell Dr Decatur, Georgia 30030 For more information click here. DeKalb County Habitat of Humanity Applications Being Accepted for Homeownership March 13, 2009 Deadline For an application click here. DeKalb County House Delegation in Action DeKalb County Homestead Exemptions If you purchased your home in 2008, you have until March 1 to file for a Homestead Exemption in DeKalb County. To be granted a homestead exemption, you must actually occupy the home, and the home must be considered your legal residence for all purposes. Homestead exemption applications are accepted year-round in DeKalb County, but in order to be processed in the current year, the application must be received by March 1 with the tax commissioner's office. Homeowners who receive the benefit of homestead exemption may also apply for a property assessment freeze to help offset future increases in property value. Call (404) 298-4000 for more information. WebLink: Georgia Property Tax Guide & Exemptions

In This Issue Members of the DeKalb County House Delegation DeKalb County House Delegation Committee Structure 2009 Legislative Update State Legislation Pertaining to DeKalb County Community Calendar DeKalb County House Delegation in Action DeKalb County Homestead Exemptions Forum on Human Trafficking of Women and Girls Digital TV Converter Box Coupon Former Mayor of Stone Mountain Passes Away G-CAPP Adolescent Service Network Meeting Quick Links Georgia General Assembly DeKalb County Government DeKalb County School System Forum on Human Trafficking of Women and Girls Saturday, March 7, 2009 1:30 pm Atlanta Friends Meeting 701 West Howard Avenue Decatur, Georgia 30030 Digital TV Converter Box Coupon Program Please click here for information regarding the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. For more information regarding digital conversion please visit the following website. Former Mayor of Stone Mountain Chuck Burris Passed Away on February 12, 2009. To read more click here. The DeKalb County House Delegation offer his family and friends our deepest sympathies and condolences.  As the first African American Mayor of Stone Mountain, Chuck Burris was a trailblazer and an inspirational leader.  He will be greatly missed.  G-CAPP Adolescent Service Network Meeting Wednesday, March 4, 2009 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Atlanta Life Building 100 Auburn Avenue Atlanta, Georgia 30303 2009 Georgia General Assembly:  What Does it Mean to Adolescent Service and Public Health Providers Invited Guests Panel Include: Commissioner Rhonda Medows Georgia Department of Community Health Sen. Don Thomas Chair, Senate Health and Human Services Committee Rep. Sharon Cooper Chair, House Health and Human Services Committee Alan Essig Executive Director, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute To RSVP, please contact Joel Alvarado, Policy Director.

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