Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
Thank you to the Georgia Win List for publishing this timely segment on women who lost their lives fighting for our democracy. I join GA Win List in honoring them. Please read the full article below. https://www.gawinlist.com/
As the Memorial Day weekend begins tomorrow, we pause to honor the brave women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and commitment paved the way for future generations of women in the military.
While every woman who has died serving our country in the armed forces deserves for her story to be told, today we share a few who inspire us.
It's also important to note that anti-DEI initiatives are seeking to erase these stories. For example, several stories around Emily Jazmin Tatum Perez's have been removed from official Army websites as part of a broader effort to limit diversity and inclusion content. A spokesperson for the Army stated, "In accordance with recent policy changes and renewed digital content guidance, the Army temporarily unpublished webpages dedicated to cultural observance months."
Emily Jazmin Tatum Perez
A trailblazer and the first Black woman to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Emily Perez was serving as a Medical Service Corps officer in Iraq when she was killed in action in 2006. Her leadership and dedication continue to inspire.
Carol Ann Drazba
One of the first two American nurses to die in the Vietnam War, Carol Ann Drazba was killed in a helicopter crash in 1966. Her sacrifice underscores the vital role women have played in military service even before they were assigned official combat duties.
Aleda E. Lutz
A flight nurse during World War II, Aleda Lutz was the first American servicewoman to be killed in combat and the first to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross. Her bravery set an example for later women in combat zones.
Lori Ann Piestewa
The first Native American woman to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military, Lori Piestewa was killed in Iraq in 2003. Her legacy continues to inspire Indigenous women who choose to join the armed forces.
These women exemplify the strength and resilience which defines our nation. As we remember their sacrifices, let us also commit to supporting the women who serve today and advocating for a military that reflects the values of equality and justice.
HB 399 SIGNED BY GOVERNOR KEMP
Governor Kemp signed House Bill 399 in the late afternoon of the last day he had to sign or veto House bills passed during the 2025 Session. Despite the lateness, despite no opportunity for a bill-signing ceremony with the Governor to thank all advocates and proponents for HB 399, I am grateful for final action and support.
Many of you have worked on the issue of out-of-state purchasers of single-family homes that is decimating our supply of housing for first-time buyers seeking to obtain the dream of home ownership and the opportunity to build wealth. HB 399 requires out-of-state purchasers to have a local Georgia real estate broker and to maintain an in-state staff person for housing repairs. This is a first step in recognizing a significant economic barrier to affordable housing options.
Now more work is necessary with the Georgia Real Estate Commission and with proponents of other legislative solutions that may be considered in the 2026
Session. Additionally, and very helpfully, Senator Jon Ossoff is beginning an investigation on specific out-of-state hedge funds that are active in Georgia, buying tens of thousands of single-family homes but failing to maintain or repair them adequately for tenants. Thank you Senator Ossoff, and I look forward to working with you on this important issue!
Please read the following articles on this issue, including Ty Tagami's May 9th GPB article Institutional investors who own large swaths of rental homes becoming political target and the April 14th AJC article by Matt Reynolds entitled Few fixes for Georgia's housing crisis got passed in the 2025 Session. You should also read Matt Reynolds' May 20th AJC article regarding Senator Ossoff's investigation of rental practices entitled Tenants allege dangerous conditions at Invitation Homes' rentals.
HB 399 is mentioned. Thank you for your support!
BUDGET/SPECIAL SESSION
I have been saying publicly, along with many others, that the Governor will have to call a Special Session of the General Assembly sometime in the early fall to amend the 2026 Georgia Budget. We will not know the full impact of federal cutbacks on Georgia's 2026 Budget for some time. The proposed cut of 43% to the federal HUD budget, $800 billion cut from Medicaid funding, and the total elimination of many federal programs like refugee services are not finalized. As you know, many of my neighbors and constituents have lost their CDC jobs and other medical research jobs at Emory. One of our House Study Committees relates to the future of state public health. All of these federal actions are devastating to our health care system, and the multiple litigations to curtail Trump’s powers to fire tens of thousands of valuable service providers will not be decided or finalized for a long time.
These few examples of Trump's many erratic measures are indicative of many other changes in priorities, and are dangerous in my view. When Congress finally acts at some unknown date, we will only then know the impact of significant budget cuts and will be forced to amend our George 2026 Budget that begins implementation July 1.
Read more about my comments on a possible Special Session by Zoe Seiler in the May 2nd issue of Decaturish.
CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA
I was beyond disappointed to learn that CHOA has issued a press statement that it will deny gender- affirming care to transgender children in its care. Representative Karen Lupton and I drafted a letter to the AJC editor which was published on May 14th. Please see the letter in full below. I hope our strong disagreement is evident. If you can, please explain to me how CHOA can deny a medical service to a small group of patients that is within the standard of care and reimbursable by insurance providers and chosen by a child's parent? What am I missing? The political agenda of some Republican leaders continues to promote discrimination and bad medical care.
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION - MAY 14, 2025
We are disappointed by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s decision in April to deny gender-affirming medical care to patients. Although Children’s wishes to become a national leader in health care, it is now refusing to follow standards of care for gender dysphoria, a medically recognized condition.
While we appreciate Children’s Healthcare’s important efforts to expand pediatric behavioral and psychiatric care, this discrimination against a small group of children in need of medical treatment is distracting and ill-timed.
If Children’s genuinely aims to be a provider of the highest quality medical care, its policies and practices must consistently reflect a commitment to upholding established medical standards for ALL children.
There are no medical reasons to cease treatment for gender dysphoria, and we assume the choice to do so is politically motivated. As lawmakers, we have been working to counter the political rhetoric surrounding gender-affirming care.
Potential cuts to Medicaid funding are disturbing, but we remain steadfast in our support for health care providers and undeterred by threats emanating from the Gold Dome or the White House.
As our courts decide the legality of this administration’s demands, now is not the time to cut loose vulnerable children to curry “favor.” Stand with your patients, and we will stand with you.
REP. KAREN LUPTON, D-CHAMBLEE, REPRESENTS HOUSE DISTRICT 83 IN THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
REP. MARY MARGARET OLIVER, D-DECATUR, REPRESENTS DISTRICT 84
MENTAL HEALTH SESSION UPDATES
I am very glad that Commissioner Kevin Tanner and others continue to voice our concern that House Bill 1013, in relation to parity obligations, is not making sufficient progress for consumers of mental health services. Please read this week's AJC article by Michelle Baruchman entitled Problems with mental health coverage persist, despite 2022 Georgia law. We continue to talk with Insurance Commissioner John King and other advocates on how to improve the complaint process. We particularly need to encourage providers of mental health services who are complaining about lack of payments to make complaints under the existing process. Providers need to take on this issue, along with advocacy on behalf of their patients.
The 2026 Budget for mental health services was less than we wanted, but does make some progress. Implementation of provider increases is ongoing, expansion of crisis beds is budgeted for North Fulton and other areas, and additional services for the homeless population will be provided. These additions obviously will be in competition with cutbacks that we know are coming from President Trump and Elon Musk, and there are many questions that cannot yet be answered.
OUT AND ABOUT
I enjoyed joining a panel on May 14th with the State Court Council, and all DeKalb State Court Judges were in the audience. A good group!
Nothing better than beautiful Grayton Beach with friends of many years!
I had lunch on May 13th with the City of Decatur School Board! Celebrating 457 new graduates and a 95% plus graduation rate— Congratulations all!
Our delegation held a Legislative Town Hall on May 3rd at The Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center—thank you for attending! We will have more in the future! My comments from the Decaturish article: “We know that right now in Washington, there is activity every single hour of the day to cut that $35 billion share of our $70 billion in spending dramatically,” Oliver said. “I think that our discussions about budget, particularly around our Medicaid funding…will result in us having a special session before the federal budget year begins Oct. 1....I am very, very worried about all of that, that’s happening in Washington, that’s coming our way,” she added.
On May 2nd Saira Draper and I enjoyed the Druid Hills Tour of Homes. The gardens and art work are worth seeing, particularly on a convertible day.
On April 30th I attended a Druid Hills Tour of Homes party, and other events with constituents—- I toured the county in my convertible and cocktail party suit. Lots of volunteers doing good work!
Late April, beautiful spring morning over Fightingtown Creek. Henry in a pensive mood.
On April 22nd, Rep. Omari Crawford and I joined the Emory Young Dems, and the week prior I was also on the campus for Professor Beth Reingold’s class on Gender and Politics. Thanks to my Emory bioethics interns Caroline and Kit for organizing the Emory legislative recap!
What a privilege on April 19th to join Senator Warnock in Decatur to talk about his new children’s book “Leo’s Lunch Box” about kindness and generosity in a land of plenty where children go hungry. Very timely!
On April 11th, I had lunch with President Fenves and alumni. There we learned that the State Department has revoked the visas for four Emory students. More to come. But the day ended with the Morehouse Glee Club and quartet— huge treat!
UPCOMING DATES
Tuesday, May 27th - 4:30pm protest of CDC firings on Clifton Road.
Wednesday, May 28th – participate with judges and advocates on implementation of SB 123 to address absenteeism. 25% of K-12 students are chronically absent from school. Absenteeism for 80,000 + children homeschooled is not counted.
Friday, May 30th – meet with GA Appleseed to review Legislative Session.
Tuesday, June 10th— visit Andalusia, home of Flannery O’Connor, with book club. Andalusia now owned and managed by Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville.
Wednesday, June 11th– attend Senate hearing on obstacles created by DHR in relation to the statutory interstate compact agreements.
Saturday, June 21st – participate in Georgia Municipal Association panel with Rep. Victor Anderson in Savannah.
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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