March News

QUALIFYING DAY!

I am privileged and humbled to have qualified for reelection to House District 84 without opposition. I look forward to helping you for another term, and always invite your suggestions and requests.

Not having an opponent means that I can help my friends who are running for office. Rep. Dr. Jasmine Clark and I qualified together. She is my candidate for Georgia's 13th Congressional District in the 2026 election.

Many other friends are running for local and statewide elections and I want to support them. I'll be out on the campaign trails and look forward to talking with you.

We have eight days to go in the 2026 Session. Sine Die is April 2. Please let me know of any issues you are following or how I can help you. Below in the newsletter is a link to the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget draft, which I am following closely.

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CROSSOVER DAY COME AND GONE

Crossover Day ended about 1:00 AM and there were the usual wins and losses. The good news is that HB 1166, our housing bill to facilitate accessory dwelling units, passed the House! We are now on to the Senate. The one-penny MARTA tax did not pass over and there will be continuing drama about it. The most extensive drama will relate to ongoing competing tax proposals from the House and Senate. Lots of work is left on the table before Sine Die. In the above photo, I was debating HB 1324, a Republican bill to enhance the use, purchase, and availability of silencers on guns. The bill was defeated by a mad group of Democrat women legislators—- a not so small victory in my book. This was a big deal on Crossover Day. More to come - we are not done yet.

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BUDGET

On March 9th,the House revealed its draft for the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. Serious work begins. You may read the summary document HERE. Please call if you have any questions. Highlights for me include: increased reimbursement rates from mental health providers and behavioral and mental health service increases.

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HOUSING BILLS MOVE FORWARD

Thanks to the Georgia Press for covering HB 1166, one of the bills in the House Dems' housing affordability package. “Whether you’re a small, medium or large county, we know we need more housing options,” Oliver said. “A group of us have been working on housing options, tenant rights enhancements and other incentives to create more doors, more opportunities for housing options that could be more affordable, like small houses less than 400 square feet..." Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, said counties across the state are grappling with housing affordability and housing supply." Read the entire article HERE.

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RECOGNIZING YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS THROUGH HOUSE RESOLUTIONS

Last week, I presented House Resolutions to three deserving individuals and groups. They ranged from a 100th anniversary for a leading statewide environmental organization and recognition of an award-winning constituent for his book on the affordability and homelessness crisis, to a multi-agency declaration highlighting the importance of the arts for mental health outcomes. I was proud to provide these resolutions.
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Monday, March 9: House Resolution 1335: Brian Goldstone Commendation. Thanks to author and constituent Brian Goldstone for joining us at the State House! I was pleased to recognize his award-winning book There Is No Place For Us: Working and Homeless in America.

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Tuesday, March 10: House Resolution 1261. I enjoyed celebrating with the staff and board of Birds Georgia on their 100th Anniversary along with the development of the Georgia Birding Trail!

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Friday, March 13: House Resolution 1007: Thanks to the entire Georgia arts community, including the Woodruff Arts Center and SouthArts, as well as the Georgia mental health community as led by Sarah Phillips of the Carter Center, for joining me in holding yesterday's press conference on HR 1007. I enjoyed partnering with Reps. Kim Schofield and Todd Jones to bring this Arts and Mental Health Resolution to the attention of all Georgians. Progress! Watch

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CITY OF DECATUR SCHOOL BOARD

Yesterday, the Decatur legislative delegation sent a letter to the members of the CSD Board of Education asking them to request a voter referendum on the ECLC project. Decaturish has already written an article on the letter, and you may read that article in its entirety HERE. Please see the below letter.

AJC BEST DRESSED LAWMAKERS 2026

Thanks to GPB Lawmakers, Donna Lowry, and AJC's Maya Prahbu for interviewing me about this year’s Best Dressed Lawmakers article. Read the entire article HERE. Below is a clip from my interview with Maya Prahbu on GPB Lawmakers discussing the suits my mother made me through the years!

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GEORGIA BUDGET & POLICY INSTITUTE

GBPI provided an excellent summary of the highlights of the House-Passed $38.5 Billion Budget for FY 2027. Please read that summary HERE. Thanks to GBPI for their good work!

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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!

March 14 - I love good news! I am so glad I supported the Outdoor Stewardship Fund. Read the entire article HERE.

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March 10 - Thanks to the health care professionals from the Georgia Majority for Gun Safety for standing on the South Steps landing of the Capitol every day of Session. I am grateful for your dedication to the safety of all Georgians. One day we shall prevail!

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March 7 - I enjoyed attending an International Women's Day event hosted by my friend Anne Harper!

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UPCOMING DATES

Thursday, March 19 - DeKalb Drug Court Graduation

Monday, March 23 - DeKalb County Day at the Capitol

Saturday, March 28 - DeKalb County League of Women Voters series

Thursday, April 2 - SINE DIE

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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.