December 2025 Updates

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Have a wonderful holiday! We all have two weeks to love our family and friends, rest and relax, travel to unique places, and enjoy all the beauty of the season. With different faiths, different traditions, and different lives and families, we all are blessed to enjoy celebrations with music, flowers, and wonderful foods. Please have a wonderful week, take care of yourself, and give to others!

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JOIN US FOR THE 2026 GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION!

Our Session begins January 12th and as with every year we need your participation. We need you to email, text, call, and come visit us at work in your Capitol. Your presence matters, and you will be receiving specific information about upcoming events and hearings that I hope you will be able to attend in person or virtually. Always know that I need your questions, your comments, your opinions, and your help in every way. Thank you for your interest as always.

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BARTON CHILD LAW AND POLICY CENTER CELEBRATION

Earlier this month, I helped celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Barton Child Law and Policy Center at Emory Law School. I'm very honored to have been a part of the beginning of this effort, and I am thrilled to recognize all its many contributions to help the abused and neglected children in Georgia and in our foster care system. Thank you again to Michelle and Andy Barclay for their generous gift to begin the Barton Center 25 years ago, and to Emory Law School for its continuing partnership. There is more to do!

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DECEMBER 18 and DFCS DEFICIT

On December 18th, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources and Judiciary Juvenile Committee jointly held a seven-hour hearing. Providers of services for foster care children testified about the devastation and human impact of canceling service contracts for the 10,000 children in foster care. The hearing concluded with the Commissioner of the Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) trying to explain why she had a $86 million budget deficit.

The services, many of which are court ordered, treat trauma from abuse and neglect, provide transportation services for visitations with parents, and follow federal law which requires reasonable efforts to reunite and treat children and families. To restore the contracts would cost $8 million, and there is a precedent for the Governor using emergency funds to fill holes in short term budget deficits. I asked the Commissioner directly whether she would reverse her decision to terminate private provider contracts and seek specific help for emergency funds. She did not answer.

I am communicating with House leaders privately, and the Democrats on the Committees are discussing solutions and a Caucus position. I really hope that this bad decision to terminate 28,000 services to foster care children will be changed by the time the 2026 General Assembly Session begins on January 12. During our Session we can address the deficit in the supplemental budget, but there is a genuine emergency that can be remedied now. Stay tuned.

Please read this article from the AJC by Michelle Baruchman entitled "Department of Human Services cuts services to families to deal with deficit."

You should also read this article from Imprint News by Jordan Anderson entitled "Candace Broce faces lawmakers about Georgia's child welfare budget crisis."

You may also watch the entirety of the December 18th Joint House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources and Juvenile Judiciary Committee below.

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LEGISLATIVE HOUSING PROPOSALS

I have been asked by House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley to work with the Democrat Caucus to propose a package of budget additions and legislation to address what nobody denies is a housing crisis in Georgia. This past week I met with Commissioner Christopher Nunn, following my Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, and he was very cooperative with an impressive staff. We discussed the workforce housing grants that are being distributed across the state but not in the metro area, the range of housing options that exist now, what monies are being spent to help eligible families obtain mortgages, and how to fulfill Georgia's obligations under the federal civil rights settlement for housing vouchers for the mentally ill.

Shortly before the General Assembly convenes on January 12, we anticipate making our legislative proposals public, and I will be following up with more details after the new year. In general, we hope to address expanding money for housing vouchers, tax incentives for building affordable houses, property tax relief, and greater protections for tenants. With our success during the 2025 Session in passage of HB399, I am hoping for bipartisan support. I'm excited about this opportunity and the energy that at a minimum will create a detailed and intelligent discussion about Georgia's need for additional housing options.

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PREVIOUS POLL RESULTS

Did you support the group of eight U.S. Senators who voted to end the government shutdown?

Total votes: 496

Yes: 38% No: 62%

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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!

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I am thrilled when friends of mine publish books, and particularly when those books are recognized in very special ways with a wide variety of awards. Please consider the following books for last minute holiday presents or to enjoy yourself over a break with hot chocolate or an adult beverage!

--Decatur resident Brian Goldstone published "There Is No Place for Us," a nonfiction book that focuses on five families in Atlanta who are living in extended stay hotels. As you know the issue of extended stay hotels is a hot political item, and Brian's book has been recognized by many different national award-winning entities. It is a top 10 book named by the New York Times—WOWZA!

--Former Representative Paul Bolster has written a new fiction book "Their Wild Island," following his earlier history book "Saving the Georgia Coast—A Political History of the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act."

--Riverkeeper Sally Bethea’s book “Keeping the Chattahoochee” gives the history of the advocacy and litigation to clean up our river through Georgia.

-- Emory Professor Joe Crespino's book "Atticus Finch: The Biography" is also fabulous!

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I attended Lessons and Carols with all the Emory Choirs on Friday, December 5th. Outstanding!

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We had a full house on Tuesday, December 2nd at Winnona Park Elementary for a town hall with Omari Crawford, Imani Barnes, and Elena Parent—- thank you for coming out and zooming in! And, thank you Principal Wiseman. These discussions matter.

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Kristian Bush at Eddie’s Attic on November 30th— another way cool Thanksgiving tradition! More holiday music to come— enjoy!

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December is a wonderful time for holiday parties, and I was happy to host several events at my house this year. Henry was rarely invited and needed a nap after the party chaos.

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UPCOMING DATES

Wednesday, January 7th - Emory delegation pre-Session breakfast

Monday, January 12th - First day of Session

Wednesday, January 14th - Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues 2026 Breakfast

Monday, January 21st - Georgia Healthy Housing Coalition Day at the Capitol

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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.

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