REDISTRICTING

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REDISTRICTING: DON'T DISTORT THE TRUTH

Remarks by Nikki T. Randall, MPH, BBA

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© 2017 by GA Women and Those Who Stand With US

LYNN’S LIST FOR JANUARY 18, 2021

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Numerous news reports are warning the public that the FBI is aware of planned armed protests calling for “storming” state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings in every state the day President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated, regardless of whether the states certified electoral votes for Biden or Trump. At least one militia group in Georgia planned a protest at the state Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday. In the days leading up to the inauguration, avoid federal courthouses and administrative buildings. It is for this reason, Georgia Women will not be promoting Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations.

Because the Georgia Assembly is only in session for the first three months of the year, the lists of advocacy actions for you to take will be long.  Bear with us.  Our work is not done.  

When a committee is assigned to a bill, we will email each committee member. If a bill has not moved to a committee, we will email our own Senator and Representative. Remember to include your contact information in any email to Georgia Assembly members and include “I am your constituent” in the subject line if appropriate.

Fair and Representative Elections

State

The state legislative session has begun and Republican lawmakers are already trying to enact voter suppression laws in response to this watershed moment in Georgia’s history.

For the last 15 years, Georgia has allowed every registered voter to request an absentee ballot. A Republican-led General Assembly expanded absentee voting in 2005; but, now the Assembly is intent on rolling back measures that have expanded democratic participation. They are trying to pass laws that control whose votes will count, and we know that these efforts will disproportionately target the same Black voters who were instrumental in the 2020 elections.

Contact your Georgia Assembly Senator and Representative with the suggested script:  Georgia is changing and Georgians sent a strong message at the ballot box that they are tired of the status quo.  Instead of recognizing this and talking to citizens and constituents, doing the hard work, your solution is to make it harder for Georgians to vote. What type of elected official refuses to work for the citizens?  You are supposed to be representing us, not hiding from us.  DO NOT VOTE to eliminate no-excuse absentee voting.

Access to Affordable Healthcare

State

By expanding the Medicaid health insurance program, thousands more Georgians would gain health coverage and access to care if they become sick without the worry of unaffordable medical bills afterward. Georgia is one of only 12 states that have not yet expanded Medicaid.

Contact your Georgia General Assembly Senator and Representative with the suggested script:  Georgians have repeatedly called for full Medicaid expansion so all low-income Georgians can get covered. The need for expanded coverage is even more acute during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people lose their job-based insurance but still need health care services.  Expanding Medicaid is an increasingly urgent need.  Support the expansion of Medicaid so that there is access to health care for all Georgians.

Protection of Civil Liberties

Federal

Every Georgia Republican Representative voted against impeachment. Here are some questions to ask your congressman:  You said you voted against impeachment for unity and healing. What would have made you vote yes? More deaths? Hostages? The hanging of VP Mike Pence?  The execution of Speaker Pelosi? What would it have taken for you to think the acts perpetrated by the President were worthy of impeachment?  I look forward to the answers to my questions.

Or, you can email this:

Before healing occurs, there has to be an accounting of the truth and you as my Congressman have to tell your constituents the truth:  Donald Trump was lying about the election being stolen and election fraud.  You have to admit that you did not stop the spread of those lies by admitting that there was a free and fair election and your silence is complicit.  You must put this in a newsletter and on Facebook and Twitter so that everyone is clear on what is a lie and what is the truth.  You must do this before any healing can occur.  I anxiously await your admission.

Quality Public Education

State

Lawmakers have filed House Bill 60, a bill that would create an education savings account (ESA) for families to pay private school tuition or for qualified education expenses.  Along with diverting hundreds of millions of dollars away from public education, this bill also targets public schools that have not completely restarted their in-person instruction due to COVID-19 and prevents taxpayers from discovering which private schools receive their tax dollars.

Contact the below listed Georgia Education Committee members with the suggested script:  HB 60, if passed, will divert hundreds of millions of dollars away from public education and prevent taxpayers from discovering which private schools receive their tax dollars.  Vote NO on HB 60.  It’s bad for Georgians.

rick.jasperse@house.ga.gov

mike.cheokas@house.ga.gov

thomas.benton@house.ga.gov

kevin.tanner@house.ga.gov

ed.setzler@house.ga.gov

randy.nix@house.ga.gov

dominic.lariccia@house.ga.gov

todd.jones@house.ga.gov

jan.jones@house.ga.gov

dewayne.hill@house.ga.gov

chris.erwin@house.ga.gov

terry.england@house.ga.gov

wes.cantrell@house.ga.gov

dave.belton@house.ga.gov

miriam.paris@house.ga.gov

bee.nguyen@house.ga.gov

pam.dickerson@house.ga.gov

doreen.carter@house.ga.gov

matthew.wilson@house.ga.gov

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Protection of the Environment

State

The issue of titanium mining adjacent to the Okefenokee Swamp has been on Lynn’s List several times.  Now it’s time to direct advocacy to the Governor.

Contact Governor Kemp with the suggested script:  Please direct the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to thoroughly examine the five state permit applications from Twin Pines Minerals, LLC (TPM). The evidence indicates DNR should reject those applications. At the least, an environmental review equivalent to an Environmental Impact Statement should be conducted, with public hearings and third-party review.

Governor Brian Kemp

   (404) 656-1776

   brian.kemp@georgia.gov

The virtual Book Circle is coming up soon-January 27 at 7:00 pm.  The book is Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik.  The conversation will be led by Brenda Williams.  Join us!

The link to your legislators is here.  Please be aware that Senators-elect Warnock and Ossoff have not been sworn in yet so there is no contact information available.

Stay safe!

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Thank you for your hard work and for staying with us on this difficult journey.  The pandemic is with us for a while, so continue to wear your masks, wash your hands, keep your social bubble small, and social distance.  Stay safe!