Mary Margaret Oliver, Georgia General Assembly for House District 83

Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the Georgia General Assembly for House District 83.

I am a lifelong resident of District 83 in DeKalb County and have served in the Georgia General Assembly in both the House of Representatives (1987-1992) and 2002 - present, and the Senate (1993 -1998). My past legislative accomplishments have included authoring and passing significant legislation for the protection of children and consumers, including Georgia's anti-stalking law, along with legislation to protect neighborhood activists from intimidation. Prior to my elections, I practiced law, was an administrative law judge and an Associate Magistrate Judge. See my biography for more detail.

I continue to practice law on the Square in Decatur where I have had an office for the last 25 years.

In 2012, I am working hard on the Judiciary, Appropriations, Governmental Affairs, and Science and Technology Committees. Go to Georgia House of Representatives' link to view my legislation.

A note on the new District: The new District 82 was created by the Georgia General Assembly in the 2011 Special Session in response to the 2010 census data. Our new district includes the middle DeKalb county neighborhoods of Druid Hills, Decatur, Emory, Sagamore Hills, Leafmore Estates, Oakgrove and the Hawthorne Elementary School area. This year, I will be running for re-election in the reshaped district and look forward to your support.

Please take a look at my website and my legislative record. Write me or give me a call at my law office, mmo@mmolaw.com, 404.377.0485. I look forward to hearing from you and particularly want to know what issues are most important to you.

— Mary Margaret

Governor Deal signs Criminal Justice Reform Bill
May 2, 2012

I attended Governor Deal's press conference and bill signing ceremony today at the Capitol for the Criminal Justice Reform Commission's HB 1176. Governor Deal is reappointing the Commission by Executive Order, and I am one of those who will continue to serve. He is asking that the work go forward with recommendations from the Commission that were not included in HB 1176. Also, the Governor wants the Juvenile Court Code Reform project to be a part of the 2012 and 2013 efforts. I look forward to working with the other Commission members on these efforts. All of this is very positive for our state.

MMO's language added to HB 1176 will increase the number of adults who must report child abuse
April 24, 2012

MMO quoted on ongoing analysis of DFCS funding inequities
April 13, 2012

More important news about DFCS
April 12, 2012

Barton Center Newsletter
April 12, 2012

The Barton Child Law and Policy Center at Emory Law School has the best legislative wrap-up for child related issues for the 2012 General Assembly session.

MARTA woes continue...
April 4, 2012

MMO and Stephanie Stuckey Benfield catch "them" trying to pull a fast one
April 2, 2012

MMO's HB 535 has passed the House and Senate and is headed to Governor for his signature
March 23, 2012

MMO's 6th Legislative e-mail newsletter
March 23, 2012

Description: MMO_EmailMary Margaret Oliver

Law office: 404.377.0485

Legislative office: 404.656.0265 Coverdell Legislative Office Building

Suite 604

Atlanta, Georgia 30334 mail to: mmo@mmolaw.com

March 23, 2012, 2012 – 40 Day Session Completes Day 37

FRIEND ME ON FACEBOOK TO RECEIVE DAILY POSTINGS FROM THE 2012 SESSION!

Link: https://.facebook.com/marymoliver
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This is Mary Margaret Oliver’s sixth email newsletter for the 2012 General Assembly Session which convened January 9, 2012, and has now completed 37 days of the 40 day session. If you do not want to receive this email newsletter please visit my web-site at http://www.marymargaretoliver.org to unsubscribe.

HOME STRETCH---Thank you for your interest!

In each previous newsletter this Session, I have asked how you would vote on a pending bill or budget item. I am very grateful for your thoughtful responses and I personally read all your answers. THE FOLLOWING IS HOW YOU VOTED:

Would you ban cell phone use for all drivers of cars, not just teenage drivers?

Yes 68% (18% would allow hands free exception)

No 32%

Would you increase the Tobacco tax to $1.00 for a package of cigarettes?

Yes 79%

No 21%

Would you grant an Energy Tax Exemption for Manufacturing?

Yes 32%

No 35%

Undecided 33

Would you vote for no tax changes without comprehensive overhaul?

Yes 55%

No 38%

Undecided 9%

Would you impose an Income cap of $140,000 for HOPE scholarship eligibility?

Yes 62% (51% cap should be less or on a sliding scale depending on income/grades)

No 24%

Undecided 14%

Would you add Clergy and Coaches to list of mandated reporters for suspicious child abuse?

Yes 92%

No 6%

Undecided 2%

Do you think all adults should be mandated child abuse reporters?

Yes 51%

No 42% (44% worried about vindictiveness/false claims)

Undecided 7%

Do you think possession of drugs should be presumed to receive probation instead of prison time?

Yes 95%

Undecided 5% (not enough local resources to handle)

To comment on your “votes” or ask questions, please click “reply” or message me on my web site at http://www.marymargaretoliver.org. Also, for any question you may have, feel free to email me at mmo@mmolaw.com.

MMO Legislative Activities:

Good news to report! On Day 37 of the Session, MMO’s HB 535 passed the Senate and now is on the way to the Governor for his signature. HB 535 grants new authority to the state Veteran’s Administration to participate in additional federal funding streams for the Georgia’s two veteran’s nursing homes. This bill will begin the process, long overdue of modernizing the funding for this service, and MMO will be monitoring the bill’s implementation over the summer. This effort was based on the work of the Appropriations committees and passed with the governor’s support. HB 535 is the first bill of the 2012 Session to be passed by a Democrat.

HB 1176, the Criminal Justice Reform package, passed the House on Thursday with only one “no” vote, and now moves to the Senate. HB 948, authored by MMO, to add clergy and coaches to the list of mandate reporters of child abuse, is included in the bill. These criminal justice reforms may be the most significant action of the 2012 Session.

A tax package has been voted on by both Chambers and also moves to the Governor for final action. HB 386 contains many provisions that were part of the 2011 Tax Reform Council recommendations, but not all, and it is not a comprehensive re-write or modernization of Georgia’s tax structure. But, it does include elimination of the “birthday tax” ad valorem for cars and replaces it with a one time title fee, expands the marriage couple exemption for income tax, grants a energy tax ecemption for manufactures, imposes a limit on the income tax exemption for taxpayers over 65, and recreates the sales tax “holiday” for pre-school shopping. A comprehensive review of this bill may be best found at the http://gbpi.org/bill-analysis-house-bill-386-lc-34-3484s-tax-package. The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute provides an independent review of budget and tax legislation and is an excellent resource.

HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED?

Capitol visits and Speaking engagements – This week international law and graduate students from Emory Law School visited the Capitol along with a special group of AARP members. MMO will speak to Decatur Rotary on April 6 with Senator Jason Carter, and to the Hunting Hill Garden Club in late April. If your group would like to invite MMO to review the 2012 Session, please ask.

Thank you!

MARY MARGARET

Law office 404 377 0485

Legislative office 404 656 0265

CLOB 604

Atlanta, Georgia 30334
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MMO's Juvenile Justice projects for last 10 days of session
March 12, 2012

Passage of the Juvenile Code rewrite will be MMO's highest priority.

DeKalb AARP members visit with MMO at Capitol
March 12, 2012

Drug testing welfare applicants will cost the taxpayers more
March 9, 2012

HB 535 passes. To save State $3-6 million
March 5, 2012

My HB 535 passed the house this afternoon, 147 to 13. The legislation allows state VA to accept Federal monies. Conservative! And there is more work to do to modernize funding for veterans' homes - currently the state VA refuses to accept either Medicare or Medicaid funds to support the 2 veterans' nursing homes in Milledgeville and Augusta. Amazing!.

HB 535 will save between $3-6 million annually.

HB 641 passes 172 to 0
February 29, 2012

HB 641 just passed the House on a vote of 172 to 0. Excellent! Significant progress on a very important issue!

Under Chairman Willard's leadership, I and several of my colleagues presented portions of the Bill on the floor of the House. Congratulations to a lot of very smart people who worked very hard to get this done.

Report of HR 1162 - Authority to Create and Fund Charter Schools
February 22, 2012

Charter Schools, magnet schools, and specially designated curriculum schools have been important to House District 83, and I have been supportive of these alternative approaches consistently. I particularly have tried to assist the International Charter School in Avondale that has served the neighborhood and refugee children for years, and I am glad to report that the DeKalb School Board has approved the International School to occupy Medlock Elementary School beginning in the fall. Medlock Elementary School was otherwise designated to close and stand vacant, and the International School has sought a new home for a long time.

In a past General Assembly session, a bill was passed to allow the State Board of Education to by-pass local School Boards, create charter schools in the School District, and take money from the local Boards to pay for the newly created Charter Schools. This measure was declared unconstitutional by the Georgia Supreme Court, and HR 1162 was offered to overturn this decision. I think the Georgia Supreme Court was correct, on issues of local control of tax monies, and I voted against HR 1162 initially, which did not gain the constitutional majority needed to pass.

This past week, a revised HR 1162 was brought to the House floor, which allowed the state Board of Education to create charter schools, but the new charter school will be paid for by state funds, and not local funds. I voted for this compromise, and I am happy to talk to anyone who may have a question about this compromise and my vote change. Thank you for your interest!

Report of HB 641 - Re-write and Modernization of Georgia's Juvenile Court Code
February 22, 2012

Good news! Many individuals, private funders, Juvenile Court professionals, and child advocates have worked for several years on a major project to update, modernize and improve Georgia's Juvenile Court Code, HB 641. This week, HB 641 passed out of the house Judiciary Committee unanimously, and we anticipate it will be on the House floor soon, perhaps Tuesday, February 28. We all owe particular thanks to Judiciary Chairman Wendell Willard, the Younger Lawyers Section of the State Bar, JustGA, and the Barton Child Law and Policy Center at Emory for the high quality work on this important project. I am a co-sponsor of HB 641, and have worked for its passage consistently for years. It is refreshing to report good news from the State Capitol and I will continue to post progress on this bill. HB 641, like all bills in the General Assembly, can be reviewed in detail on the Georgia General Assembly web site.

HB 630 creating employment protection for gay state employees was tabled
February 22, 2012

MMO voted against tabling the bill and will continue working for its passage.

MMO on WABE discussing timing of a referendum vote on Dekalb School Board size
February 20, 2012

What do you think?

MMO co-sponsors HB 949, easing ballot access for independent and third party candidates
February 20, 2012

E-mail me your thoughts on this.

Conversations continue about the size of the DeKalb School Board
February 20, 2012

The more people who join the discussion, the better. E-mail me with your thoughts.

MMO op-ed in AJC about her HB 948 expanding mandated reporters of child abuse
February 18, 2012

MMO speaks on floor of House opposing HB 636, the Brookhaven/Ashford incorporation bill
February 17, 2012

MMO interviewed on WABE over ongoing work of DeKalb School Board redistricting
February 17, 2012

MMO interviewed on Channel 2 about adoption reimbursement mismanagement
February 17, 2012

MMO awaiting response from DHS on psychtropic driug report from Barton Center at Emory
February 16, 2012

MMO welcomes staff and residents of the Frazer Center on Disability Day at the Georgia State Capitol
February 16, 2012

MMO is a proud member of the Frazer Center Board. All are welcome.

MMO and Sen. Fran Millar meet with parents about Dekalb school board redistricting
February 16, 2012

MMO asks for answers to two questions as redistricting moves forward
February 15, 2012

MMO "I think we're in a ditch right now" on school board redistricting
February 15, 2012

Hearing held on MMO sponsored HB 23 dealing with oversight of psychotropic medications administered
February 10, 2012

MMO and DeKalb Legislators hold Decatur town Hall meeting
February 5, 2012

Click on title to read article and see photos in our Media section.

MMO interview on WSB concerning truancy bill
January 30, 2012

Click on title to see interview on WSB with MMO and Rep. Rahm Mayo concerning their introduction of new truancy legislation.

MMO and Rep. Parent introduce Municipalization legislation
January 30, 2012

Click on above headline to read about HB 830 introduced by MMO and Rep. Elena Parent which will help voters and the General Assembly assess the financial viability of proposed municipalities.

MMO co-sponsors Ethics bill
January 26, 2012

Click on title to view article about MMO's co-sponsorship of Ethics bill.

MMO introduces legislation focusing on truancy
January 26, 2012

Click on title to hear interview with MMO on WABE

MMO in two articles concerning first hearing on incorporation of City of Brookhaven
January 26, 2012

Click headline to see articles in our media section.

Barton Center Newsletter
January 24, 2012

The current newsletter from the Barton Child Law and Policy Center at Emory provides a comprehensive overview of child advocacy efforts being discussed during the 2012 Legislative session.

Second Newsletter for the 2012 General Assembly Session
January 21, 2012

Click on title to read the newsletter in the Media section.

MMO on committees recommending new county commission and school board boundaries
1/21/12

MMO named as one of 175 Emory History Makers.
January 12, 2012

Click for more information in Media section.

DeKalb County Town Hall Meeting
January 11, 2012

State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) and State Representative Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta) will hold a town hall meeting with State Senator Jason Carter (D-Decatur) on Thursday, January 26, at 6:30-8:00 PM at the Decatur City Commission Chamber, 509 North McDonough St. All DeKalb residents are strongly encouraged to attend.

First newsletter for the 2012 General Assembly Session
January 8, 2012

Click to read newsletter in the Media section

NTSB recommendation on cell phone use by drivers
December 18, 2011

MMO was interviewed on Channel 11 last week on the NTSB recommendation that states ban cell phone use by all drivers, not just teenagers. Good article in the New York Times on the issue.

SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE
December 15, 2011

Congratulations to Oakgrove Elementary School of the DeKalb County School District and Clairmont Elementary School of the City of Decatur School District for being named two out of twenty-six Schools of Excellence in Georgia!! Wonderful achievements for the 83rd House District -- keep up this exciting progress that is based on the hard work of students, teachers and parents. Good job!!

Longleaf coal fired plant defeated.
December 12. 2011

MMO to focus her efforts on HB 43 which will impose a moratorium on permitting of new coal fired plants, particularly one proposed in Sandersville by a consortium of EMC's.

MMO pre-files HB 671 reducing size of DeKalb School Board
November 23, 2011

By pre-filing this bill MMO is hoping for open discussion leading toward more effective school governance. Read the Press release in our Media Section.

MMO pre-files HB 672 to improve process to create new cities.
November 17, 2011

MMO has pre-filed HB 672 that will require communities to follow a two year process before incorporating as a city. Read the press release in our Media section.

DeKalb Legislative delegation to host 2nd public hearing November 15.
November 14, 2011

First was held last week at Chamblee Middle School. See our Media section for more information

MMO discusses incorporation of Brookhaven and legislation regarding Dekalb School Board terms.
November 9, 2011

MMO on panel at National Prisoner Reentry Conference
October 12, 2011

MMO sat on a panel at the National Prisoner Reentry Conference in Atlanta. More information in the Media Section.

MMO appointed to Committee on Justice for Children
October 5, 2011

MMO has been appointed by the Georgia Supreme Court to its Committee on Justice for Children. Read the entire press release in our Media section.

Immigration Panel Slammed for Lack of Diversity
September 12, 2011

MMO opposes the new immigration review board for lack of diversity.

2011 Special Session Adjourned
September 2, 2011

Click to see MMO's report in the Media section!

Scott Bonder Announces Campaign for Georgia Supreme Court. MMO is One of Many Supporters
August 30, 2011

MMO and Fran Miller Propose that William "Brad" Bryant Head Dekalb County School System
July 6,2011

"State Sen. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody, called in to say that both he and state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, had pitched the name to the DeKalb County Board of Education on Tuesday."

Criminal Justice Reform Panel Named
May 17, 2011

MMO named to panel that will explore ways to reform Georgia's criminal justice system.

MMO Receives Common Cause Democracy Award
June 5, 2011

Common Cause conveyed to MMO its annual Democracy Award for her service on ethics legislation in the 2011 General Assembly Session.

MMO Receives Conservation Voters Legacy Award
June 1, 2011

MMO was awarded the Georgia Conservation Legacy Award at a ceremony on June 1 for her specific efforts in 2011 on the bill board legislation, coal fire plant reform, and amendments to the Reservoir legislation.

Mary Margaret Attends Amy Howell's Swearing In

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MMO Introduces HB 633
March 31, 2011

HB 633 requires that DHS create centralized child abuse 800 number and web based reporting

MMO Introduces HB 43 Regarding Coal-fire Plants
January 28, 2011

HB 43 would place moratorium on permitting new coal fire plants in Georgia, and limit importation of coal from MTR mines--see press release under MEDIA.

State Office: Coverdell Legislative Office Building
18 Capitol Square, Suite 604
Atlanta, GA 30334

Email: mmo@mmolaw.com

Phone: 404-656-0265

Fax: 404-463-2634