About Sandy Springs reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 2, 2019)
6 | Community Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News Exceptional service, style and peace of mind. Discover the confidence of CARF® accredited assisted living services in a beautiful and vibrant setting. From spectacular restaurant-style dining to engaging activities and supportive care, you’ll find a perfect blend of comfort, convenience and an individualized approach to care. Join us for Lunch and a Tour Please call 404-381.1743 to schedule. It’s a great way to get to know us. PIEDMONT A T BUCKHEAD Independent & Assisted Living Residences 650 Phipps Boulevard NE • Atlanta, GA ThePiedmontatBuckhead.com • 404*381.1743 Wins, losses and culture wars in the General Assembly Continued from page 5 Betsy Holland (D-Buckhead) Win: Bills that increased educational opportunities, including HB 218, which will extend the time students can utilize the HOPE Scholarship to 10 years after graduation and with active military ser vice not counting. Also covered requir ing recess in elementary school; more resources for students with dyslexia; and raises for teachers. Loss: The failure of the hate crimes bill and Medicaid expansion, and pas sage of Confederate monuments protec tion bill and the abortion bill. The mood in the General Assem bly: “While many good pieces of legis lation involved bipartisan efforts, there were many ‘culture war’ bills that divid ed the chamber. During the last month of session, we walked past protesters al most every day.” She has hope of work ing with other newly elected Democrats next time. Sen. Sally Harrell (D-Dunwoody) Win: Defeat of the school voucher bill that would have allowed the state to pay for private school tuition. “That surprised me,” she said. “I was surprised how many Republicans [opposed] the bill and stood in solid support of pub lic schools. This was definitely a bipar tisan win.” Loss: Failure to pass Medicaid ex pansion. The legislature did pass a bill giving Gov. Brian Kemp the authority to study options on Medicaid waivers, which Harrell said is not enough. The mood in the General Assembly: At the beginning of the session, Harrell said she saw many Republicans want ing to work with Democrats because of the number of seats Democrats flipped. But when Gov. Kemp settled into office and the “heartbeat bill” to essentially ban abortion was introduced, the mood shifted significantly to a much more conservative tone, she said. “The right wing of the Republican Party knows if they can get a bill to the floor, the mod erates have to vote for it.” Rep. Scott Holcomb (D-Brookhaven) Win: Holcomb’s bill requiring police to keep rape kits and evidence gathered from sexual assaults for up to 50 years passed unanimously in the House and Senate. Before, evidence only had to be preserved for 10 years. Loss: Holcomb introduced several bills to address elections and voting, in cluding bills to allow for hand marked paper ballots, same-day voter registra tion and the creation of an independent redistricting commission. None of the bills got hearings. The mood in the General Assembly: The most controversial bill, the “heart beat bill” that bans abortion, was a curi ous bill to introduce because Republican JUDE GOLDEN c. 404.862.9302 | o. 404.874.0300 | judegolden@atlantafinehomes.com OUR REALTOR® RS® TOP PRODUCERS Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's INTERNATIONAL REALTY ©M MXIX Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby's International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permis ated. Equal Housing Opportunity
