Countdown to Crossover Day

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY PACKAGE PROGRESSES

Wednesday is Day 20 of Session, but it is by no means the halfway point. The pace of activity will quickly accelerate going forward as we approach Crossover Day, which is Friday, March 6th. I am very happy with the progress of our Minority Caucus affordable housing agenda. Our press conference this week received a good deal of attention from a number of different media outlets. All of our primary sponsors of individual bills attended the press conference and explained their proposals. Our next steps are to obtain hearings for these bills and begin what will probably be a fairly complicated negotiation with Republican leadership on inclusion of some of our proposals in future enactments relating to property tax reform. About half of the bills presented at the press conference have bipartisan support, so we’re already making important progress towards some efforts at bipartisan leadership.

WABE: Georgia Democratic House members announce housing affordability legislation package

Georgia Press: Georgia Press/Zoe Seiler

James Magazine: Lawmakers introduce housing affordability package

Please watch the entire press conference below.

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NEW AMERICANS

New Americans Day at the Georgia State Capitol is always a meaningful event, and this year it took on a more profound significance. Thank you to all of the brave refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, and resettlement organizations and supporters who visited your Capitol last Thursday. Despite the insulting rhetoric and alarming actions from both the Federal Government and increasingly from our Georgia Republican leaders, refugees, immigrants, and advocacy groups show up at the Capitol daily. So many new Americans are working hard and just want to be a part our American community - I often consider them our best Americans, and I’m always grateful to see them in the halls.

The Trump administration's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) is alive and well in Georgia, with a new ICE field office opening in College Park and enforcement operations expanding in the Atlanta area. In addition to Stewart, Folkston, and Irwin County detention and processing centers, ICE has bought and is preparing to open a possible 10,000-bed warehouse facility in Social Circle, though no local government official nor entity has been contacted. Another facility is planned for Oakwood in Hall County. Both Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock have filed amendments to block funding for the two ICE detention centers.

What can we do to stop ICE from lawlessly harassing, detaining, and deporting human beings, whether they be immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees, migrants, people of color, people with accents, or anyone else who dares get in their way?

Here's what I have done and can do:

*Support House bills that provide governmental oversight of ICE activity and and attempt to slow its actions. I am co-sponsor of Rep. Marvin Lim's HB 1053, which allows local law enforcement autonomy regarding Federal immigration. This is an area in which state government can slow the process in both a practical and effective manner. There are many bills introduced in the Senate regarding removal of face masks and installation of body cameras on ICE agents, as well as bills blocking the funding of ICE, its field offices, and its detention centers, both new and old. It is important that these bills start in the more conservative Senate, as Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, a gubernatorial candidate, must approve their passage. His newest billionaire opponent, Rick Jackson, is campaigning to make "Georgia #1 in criminal deportations," and is referring to Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger as "Judas." Unfortunately, both the Senate and House Republicans are abdicating leadership and following meekly behind Trump and ICE.

*Urge U.S. Senators Ossoff and Warnock to block funding and file federal inquiries into the actions of ICE. U.S. Senators have oversight over federal agencies. I am pleased and grateful at both Georgia Senators' efforts thus far. Thank goodness we have two Democratic Senators. We must help re-elect Jon Ossoff in November.

*Conduct legislative oversight and investigations.

I can request records and question state agencies and private contractors involved with ICE operations. I can try to influence the usage of the National Guard when it is under Governor Kemp's oversight. The Trump Administration has already bullied and humiliated Gov. Kemp through its actions in south Georgia with the September 2025 "raid" and detention of over 475 employees at the Hyundai battery plant construction site. Perhaps Gov. Kemp will stand up to Trump now that he has little left to lose. I cannot predict any result in the November election. I encourage all of you to support one of our many fine Democrat gubernatorial candidates.

I can search for evidence of unsafe conditions, civil rights violations, or unlawful conduct and present that data to the Georgia Attorney General, Department of Public Health, and state licensing agencies for investigation and possible enforcement action. I have sent out many Freedom of Information Requests (FOIAs), including ones in the past year regarding the number of pregnant women in county jails and the usage of money in state-run affordable housing programs. Legal action has teeth and judges are the guardrails.

Thanks to the AJC and reporter Lautaro Grinspan for running this article on Saturday about Godfrey Wade, a U.S. veteran who has lived in the United States for 50 years. He immigrated lawfully into the U.S. and is a green-card holder, which means Wade was and still is a permanent lawful resident. He worked at the Georgia Capitol. Our treatment of him is barbaric. If you do not have a subscription to the AJC, please subscribe today. We must hear these stories. And we must bring Godfrey Wade home.

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SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET AND DFCS

The House passed its Supplemental Budget, HB 973, on February 5. The House version is only the first step in what will be a negotiated agreement with the Senate, so the final outcome of many proposals I strongly support remains uncertain. Passing the Supplemental Budget and the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget are the General Assembly’s only constitutional duties, and these funding decisions are at the center of our work every day under the Gold Dome.

The House budget includes several initiatives I support, most notably $325 million to establish a means-based college scholarship program. Georgia has long lagged behind other states in providing need-based financial aid to students, and this investment represents an important step toward expanding access to higher education. However, this appropriation is not yet accompanied by legislation defining eligibility criteria or how the funds will be distributed. Current plans suggest the money will be placed in a newly created foundation, with the expectation that private funds will be raised to grow the endowment. This is an unusual approach for a state scholarship program, and I will be following the details closely as the proposal moves forward.

I am pleased to report that the House Supplemental Budget fully addresses the $82 million deficit incurred by the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and the Department of Human Services. Just as importantly, the House specifically identified foster care service contracts that had been terminated and directed that those contracts be reinstated. Restoring these services is critical to supporting vulnerable children and families. However, questions remain about how quickly these contracts can be restored, since the Supplemental Budget must still be negotiated with and approved by the Senate, a process that may take several weeks. We also do not yet know whether the Senate will agree with the House’s approach to resolving the DFCS deficit.

We have now begun hearings on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. During the February 12 Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources hearing, I questioned the Commissioner about plans to conduct a full audit of the deficit and identify the underlying causes. Bipartisan legislators, through both legislation and budget directives, are insisting on a thorough audit to ensure accountability and prevent future shortfalls. I will continue pressing for clear answers and responsible oversight as the budget process moves forward. Our next Fiscal Year 2027 budget hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 18. As with all hearings, it will be livestreamed, and I encourage you to watch and follow this important work from home.

Please watch the full February 12 hearing below.

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GUBERNATORIAL FORUM THURSDAY NIGHT

Join the DeKalb County Democratic Committee, DeKalb Young Democrats, Greater Atlanta Democratic Women, and Fulton County Democratic Committee for the 2026 Georgia Gubernatorial Forum, where candidates vying to lead our state will share their vision for Georgia’s future.

Moderated by Summer Jackson Cole, this is your opportunity to hear directly from the candidates on the issues that matter most to you: education, healthcare, economic development, voting rights, criminal justice reform, and more.

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STAR STUDENTS!

My favorite event of the year is the Decatur Rotary Club's luncheon to honor all of DeKalb County’s Star Students. Parents and the senior’s Star Teacher are all invited, and it is a happy crowd. In House District 84, star students from Decatur High School, Druid Hills High School, DeKalb School of the Arts, Columbia High School, Towers High School, and Ben Franklin Academy were all recognized.

Over half of the Star Students will be majoring in STEM or bio-medical areas, and most of those chosen will attend Georgia Tech. One is going to Caltech and antoher has a full scholarship to Cornell. Many are still waiting on news from Brown, Harvard, Emory, Oberlin, and Vanderbilt, and I wish them all great success!

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NEW POLL QUESTION: TINY HOMES AND ZONING ORDINANCES

One of the bills in the House Minority Caucus affordable housing package is HB 1166, sponsored by Rep. Tangie Herring. Tiny homes—generally defined as homes of 400 square feet or less—can provide more affordable housing options at a time when Georgia needs more homes that people can afford. These smaller homes can help seniors, young adults, caregivers, and working families live in their communities. Rep. Herring’s bill would limit local zoning restrictions so that property owners can more easily build tiny homes.

This raises an important question: Should a city or county be able to prevent you from building a small, accessible home on your own property simply because it is less than 400 square feet? Or should property owners have more freedom to build modest, affordable homes that meet their needs and help address Georgia’s housing shortage?

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PREVIOUS POLL RESULTS

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OUT AND ABOUT

I always like to share with you my activities as your Representative for House District 84. Please let me know at mmo@mmolaw.com if you have any suggestions for events that you would like for me to attend in your neighborhood. Thanks!

Our town halls continue, and last week on Wednesday, February 11, we held a Town Hall at the Lou Walker Senior Center on Panola Road in Lithonia. We had a good crowd, good questions were asked, and I continue to be impressed with the advocacy that comes forward every time we have a Town Hall anywhere in the county. We need your voices!

February 11: Magistrate and Probate Judges (they brought Varsity hotdogs for lunch!), and Kevin Tanner and I started our day with Marriage and Family therapists ( I got an award!). Another 10 to 8 losing vote in Government Affairs on issue of immunity for nuisance actions.

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February 10: Today the Minority Caucus had a press conference on our affordability agenda. Thursday, we will have a second press conference to talk exclusively about housing affordability to follow up on our press release issued yesterday.

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February 9: Moms Demand Action, advocates for gun safety, education coalition leaders from the metro school systems, MARTA Executive Director with his team, three committee meetings with full agendas, plus more—- another Monday at the Capitol! We are about to be a full steam. Come join us, please tell us what you think.

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February 8: Did Bad Bunny just give his grammy to Liam?

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February 6: Beautiful sky this evening over Fightingtown Creek— 2 relaxing days away from the Capitol for a good rest! Thank you to the House leadership and strong advocates from across the state for restoring the foster care contracts and filling the deficit. Now on to the Senate and an audit that gives us answers and a smarter path forward.

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February 5: Whew, the House voted today overwhelmingly for a supplemental budget that restores the foster care service contracts and adds $15 million for a tracking system for abuse and neglect reports. We filled completely the DFCS deficit hole, and are committed to an independent audit. The budget now goes to the Senate, fingers crossed.

And happy to visit with Decatur Robotics teams, the Superintendent and School Board members— thank you for coming to your Capitol! And, met with Intuitive folks manufacturing new medical devices to test more effectively.

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February 4: 24 Hours—- Lawmakers hosted by Donna Lowry, Carter Center Parity Day, plus Smokey the Bear. My favorite parts were the Rs canceling their hearing on a problematic election bill based on huge crowd and “not ready” diagnosis, and annual EPIC event at Emory Law Schools—awards for public service. Inspiring lawyers doing good things.

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February 2: Sunday was busy—- 3 events! Talked to our Sunday School class Jesus on the Front Page, Elena and I gave our legislative update at Glenn Memorial, and a gathering for Jason Estevez in Decatur— good crowds, people are interested!

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February 1: Liam is home and got to bring his bunny hat with him! I am so grateful for this good news, because tomorrow an election bill will be brought before the Government Affairs Committee at 3 PM in 506 of CLOB by the Republicans. Please come to the Capitol or watch the General Assembly website live stream for the show.

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UPCOMING DATES

Wednesday, February 18 - NAMI Mental Health Day at the Capitol

Thursday, February 19 - Jon Meacham event at Atlanta History Center

Friday, March 6 - Crossover Day

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QUICK LINKS FOR YOU

I am on the following legislative committees. You can watch live every time they meet. Click on the links below for livestreams, agendas, archives and more.

Committees:

• Appropriations
• Governmental Affairs
• Judiciary
• Juvenile Justice
• Public Health - Secretary
• Technology and Infrastructure Innovation

Subcommittees:

• Appropriations - Human Resources
• Governmental Affairs - State and Local Government
• Judicial - Leverett (two)

You can search for and track bills, watch the House (or Senate) in Session, watch committee hearings, monitor legislation by committee, and find contact information —- all on the revamped General Assembly website. Here are quick links:

• General Assembly website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/
• House Session meetings and many committee hearings are available to watch online: https://www.legis.ga.gov/house
• Archived videos of meetings and hearings: https://www.legis.ga.gov/house/media-services

Make your views known and tell me what issues interest you the most.