January Updates

GLENN MEMORIAL UMC TOWN HALL TOMORROW NIGHT

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I participate in town halls throughout the year, and they are especially valuable before, during, and immediately after the legislative Session. I look forward to speaking with constituents at Glenn Memorial UMC at Emory on Sunday, February 1, and at the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia on February 11. Some town halls are livestreamed, allowing you to participate from home, and are also archived for later viewing. We’re using these tools to expand opportunities for you to learn about our work and share your views. That said, nothing compares to visiting the Capitol while we are in session to truly see how the process works. We would love to welcome you—or a group—anytime, and encourage you to reach out if you’d like to schedule a visit.

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EXTRAORDINARY DAYS

The Georgia General Assembly has completed 9 of the 40 days of the 2026 Session. Our initial work in January overlaps with the chaos and tension surrounding politics in general in 2026. Conversations among colleagues - many of whom are friends as well as legislative partners - reveal how unsettled we are by events of the past three weeks. We are closely following the news and seeing disturbing reports and images of aggressive ICE actions, including use of deadly force against Renee Nicole Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti. The image of five-year-old Liam in his blue bunny hat, caught between ICE agents and his pregnant mother while his father was also arrested, is horrific and heartbreaking. At the same time, lobbyists are routinely asking for our attention and help on behalf of clients who can afford their representation, underscoring the contrast that defines much of our daily work.

This week’s FBI raid of the Fulton County elections office is unprecedented, incomprehensible, and potentially catastrophic. While our routine legislative work continues at the Georgia Capitol, it is sharply juxtaposed with what I view as lawless and dangerous actions by federal agents. These actions are being carried out under a President with three more years in office and supported by a party that, to date, are complicit in his actions. Still, I remain hopeful, and there are early signs that Congress may begin to assert its authority in a more consequential way.

There is broad agreement—at least among Democrats and independent political observers—that the FBI’s seizure of Fulton County ballots is tied to the upcoming midterm elections, not to any legitimate review of Georgia’s 2020 results. If, as many suggest, the president’s aim is to take control of the Fulton County election office and its processes, the prospect of fair and credible midterm elections appears remote. I share these concerns to give you a sense of the unique and troubling dynamics shaping the start of our work in 2026.

Please read the below Bloomberg article, ICE Begins Buying 'Mega Warehouse Detention Centers Across US, about proposed ICE facilities across the United States, including ones in Social Circle and Flowery Branch.

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CUT TAXES, CUT TAXES, CUT TAXES

Since the 2026 General Assembly Session began on January 12, more than a half dozen Republican statewide candidates have expressed their alleged intent to cut taxes. Senate candidates seem to be focused on eliminating income taxes, the House Republican leadership wants to eliminate property taxes, and neither body has been willing to call for the restoration of contracts serving the 10,000 foster care children of Georgia.

Any elimination or reduction of a tax shifts the cost of government services elsewhere. Eliminating property taxes and replacing them with expanded income taxes would shift the burden disproportionately onto lower-income Georgians. The House Minority Caucus housing agenda also addresses property taxes, but does so strategically—focusing on relief for lower-income Georgians for whom homeownership still represents the American dream.

Next week, Democrats will introduce legislation to reduce property taxes for certain workers who live in designated areas and earn less than 150% of the area median income (AMI). In addition, some local delegations are proposing further property tax reductions for senior citizens through means-tested programs. Tax policy discussions can be dense, so I’ve included links to helpful AJC articles that explain the proposals. I’ll continue to discuss additional options throughout the session, which is now scheduled to end April 2—so stay tuned.

January 7th: https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/01/state-legislative-leaders-back-separate-tax-relief-plans/

January 15th: https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/01/kemp-budget-includes-tax-cuts-2000-for-teachers-and-state-employees/

January 28th: https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/01/burns-unveils-plan-to-eliminate-property-taxes-on-georgia-homes/

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SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET

As you know, the Georgia General Assembly’s primary statutory duty is to pass a balanced budget for the Fiscal Year, which runs July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Each year, we also pass a Supplemental Budget to adjust the current year’s spending. I serve on the Human Services Subcommittee for Appropriations, and over the past week we’ve held public hearings and submitted recommendations for agency funding within our portfolio. While final decisions are not yet clear, we will continue to expand crisis mental health services and address the $86 million deficit in the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS). This is the second consecutive year of multi-million-dollar deficits, and last year’s shortfall was only partially addressed. Many of us continue to call for a full audit to understand the true causes, as anecdotal explanations from the Commissioner are insufficient. This DFCS deficit is the largest I have seen in state government for any agency.

The Governor is ultimately responsible for foster care services, which his Commissioner has cut, yet he has remained silent on the crisis facing foster children and their families. At this point, the Commissioner’s statements are no longer relevant. Only the Governor can act immediately, using emergency funds. Representative Lydia Glaize and I have written to him urging exactly that—and we have not received a response.

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HEALTHY HOUSING DAY AT THE CAPITOL

I was proud to sponsor Georgia Appleseed and the Georgia Healthy Housing Coalition's first-ever Healthy Housing Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, January 21. The Georgia Healthy Housing Day brought together policymakers, advocates, and community leaders across sectors and regions to advance practical, solutions-oriented housing policy. Thanks to Michael Waller (speaking below), Darlene Lynch, and all the staff at Georgia Appleseed.

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DEKALB DELEGATION MEETING AND DATA CENTERS

Our DeKalb Delegation met on Monday with CEO Cochran-Johnson, and predictably, we had a good discussion about data center permitting applications for DeKalb County. You may watch the entire meeting HERE(password: Tm3j.cL&). In my newsletter, I asked you how you would vote for a one year moratorium on new data centers. 620 of you voted! Keep reading the newsletter for results.

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PREVIOUS POLL RESULTS

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JOIN US FOR MENTAL HEALTH PARITY DAY!

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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!

Lots of advocates in our halls on Thursday! I was very happy to meet with Rosie, daughter of Callan Wells, and Stephanie Blank, Board Chair of Georgia’s Early Education Alliance (GEEARS)— it was rolling strollers with a purpose in the Capitol, advocating for better childcare!

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I loved Thursday night's Schwartz Center concert by Icelandic pianist Vikingur Olafsoon. Music always, always makes us feel better.

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January 27 - Back at work! Channel 11Alive is following up with Rep. Mitchell and I on budget questions for Stone Mountain Park, and in committee we voted to eliminate partisan elections for the few remaining judges in Georgia who are elected based on party affiliation.

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Last weekend we enjoyed power, heat, some walks in the cold, and slow days. And, very grateful for all the workers out in the freezing rain and ice working to keep us safe through a dangerous storm. We went back to work in person at the Capitol on Tuesday the 26th.

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January 23 - I agree with the Georgia Supreme Court that a lawyer convicted of a crime based on his participation in the January 6th attack on the US Capitol should be disbarred. The State Bar thinks a reprimand is sufficient. Please read this AJC article and tell me what you think.

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January 21 - The Appropriations Committee schedules a week of budget hearings every year, beginning on the Tuesday following MLK day. All of the hearings are live streamed and you can watch on the General Assembly website. On this day I had to leave the Capitol and drive to Athens to speak to the Council of Superior Court judges on Senate bill 123 and chronic absenteeism. Then dinner that night at the Emory President’s house. Long day. Whew!

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January 19 - We had a great cold morning with the NAACP Martin Luther King Day parade! Rep El-Mahdi Holly joined our car, and we brought our own saxophone player— thank you Zack! It was fun!

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UPCOMING DATES

Sunday, February 1st - Jesus on the Front Page at All Saints' Episcopal Church

Sunday, February 1st- Glenn Memorial UMC Legislative Update

Monday, February 2nd - DeKalb Delegation Meeting

Monday, February 2nd - Appearance on GPB Lawmakers

Tuesday, February 3rd - Carter Center Mental Health Parity Day at the Capitol

Wednesday, February 11th - Legislative Town Hall at Lou Walker Senior Center

Thursday, February 12th - CRSA New Americans 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.