November 2025 Updates
2026 GENERAL ASSEMBLY PREVIEW
2026 will be the first time in 40 years that the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Attorney General will be elected with a newcomer to the job. Because of the intensity of elective politics in general, and based on the specific messaging that many of the candidates are offering even a year ahead of the election, we are repeatedly told that "very little will happen" in the upcoming Session. Particularly in the State Senate over 1/3 of the members are running for a new office, including the Lieutenant Governor. Burt Jones is believed to be the leading candidate by most Republicans. Burt Jones did not even bother to appear at the first candidate forum sponsored by Politically Georgia. He said he had a conflict on that evening. Pointing fingers and sending out messages that have been poll tested is not the best way to help voters choose their candidates.
Despite this sobering prediction, I choose to be optimistic, and I am working on a variety of issues for the 2026 Session. As you can see from my "Out and About" photographs below, I am invited many places for a variety of interests as constituents and others make their requests for my attention and support come January. The following are some of my efforts to prepare for the 2026 Session.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley asked me to work with our Democratic Caucus to prepare an agenda for housing affordability. The Atlanta Regional Commission, consisting of 27 counties surrounding Atlanta, has determined that housing is the number one issue facing voters. Based on multiple meetings, research efforts, and help from others, I believe the housing crisis is real, and we are discussing possible solutions. I will be updating you on these efforts as we move towards January.
Atlanta continues to be a target for out of state investor purchases of houses to rent. Following the passage of House Bill 399 in the 2025 Session, I am now moving forward on next steps, including meeting with the Real Estate Commissioner on his implementation of HB 399. In addition, I am researching legislation passed in other states about limiting out of state investor purchases of houses to rent. Some of the ideas from other states include capping the number of purchases, adding additional taxes and procedures for out of state purchases, and repealing the ban on rental registries.
Strengthening the rights of tenants by defining habitability and continuing to fund the rental emergency rental assistance previously funded in the budget may be priorities. More to come--- what do you think we should do to make housing more affordable? Experts believe we need 390,000 additional houses to meet the current demand. The average rent has doubled in the past six years, and the average age for a first time house buyer is almost 40 years old. We need to find solutions.
Please see the photos below on the our affordable housing discussions at the November 10th House Democrat retreat. You might also enjoy reading Matt Reynolds' excellent AJC article Study: Rents for low-wage Atlantans rose 9 times faster than for high earners.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
Our additional funding for children's mental health is showing some progress in the availability of services. However, the DFCS Commissioner has terminated extensive contracts for services for both foster care children and families in need of services to provide safer homes for their children. I am researching these budget cuts to learn if court approved case plans are being followed or parents rights are being violated based on these cuts. Children's mental health services will continue to be a priority for me in the 2026 Session.
ISSUES IN DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOLS AND CITY OF DECATUR SCHOOLS
This month I am visiting with City Councils and School Boards to learn about their legislative priorities for 2026. Both Stonecrest and Decatur have ongoing charter review commissions and anticipate bringing local legislation for charter amendments. The school districts for Decatur and DeKalb County both have specific budget requests. The cost of transportation for school buses, fully funding and improving the Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula, and reliable money for school safety additions and programs are necessary. As you may know, cell phones were banned in the lower grades and in middle school in the 2025 Session, and I am hearing requests that cell phones should also be banned for youth in high school. How would you vote on a cell phone ban for all school children? Read this AJC article by Rosie Manins on DeKalb schools and phones: https://www.ajc.com/news/2025/11/dekalb-school-district-reveals-4m-social-media-addiction-problem/
I will be giving you updates on these and other issues that will be emerging, and I would like to know what laws you think need to be passed in the 2026 Session. Please come to our Town Hall meeting on December 2nd.
Below are photographs of my meetings with both the DeKalb County School Board and the City Schools of Decatur School Board in the past two weeks.
DRUID HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
As we were "going to print" this morning, we got good news that the DeKalb County School Board does not intend to close or move Druid Hills High School. I’m very grateful. I hope this news continues to be true, but I want the Board and my constituents to know my view in the following letter.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE/CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM
During the 2025 Session, additional legislation was passed to address the issue of chronic absenteeism by public school children grades K through 12. Chronic absenteeism is defined as more than 10% of 180 days required attendance to be missed. A group of advocates, juvenile court leaders, and educators want full implementation of the statutory requirements for community response to absenteeism. I am working with a group to urge statutory compliance and to follow any progress closely.
I will be updating you on further issues that emerge between now and the beginning of the 2026 Session. A central focus of every Session is our state budget. Based on the Trump cuts that are draconian and devastating, very difficult decisions will have be made on our state's budget for Fiscal Year 2027.
IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE BUDGET!
I will be updating you on further issues that emerge between now and the beginning of the 2026 Session. A central focus of every Session is our state budget. Based on the Trump cuts that are draconian and devastating, very difficult decisions will have be made on our state's budget for Fiscal Year 2027.
GUN SAFETY : RED FLAG LAWS AND GLOCK SWITCH BANS
Although communities nationwide continue to suffer daily from mass shootings and countless other means of gun violence, many states and their citizens are pursuing strategic and creative ways to pass laws supporting gun violence reduction.
22 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands have passed red flag laws, or Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs). The University of Michigan's data on red flag laws by state is very helpful in understanding the similarities between different ordinances: https://firearminjury.umich.edu/erpo-by-state/
Maine just passed a red flag referendum into law through the citizen coalition Safe Schools, Safe Communitiesafter the Maine State Legislature failed to pass any red flag laws. For more detail, read this article from The Maine Monitor entitled Two years after Lewiston shooting, Maine voters approve red flag law.
28 states, including Alabama and Mississippi, have laws banning "Glock switches," which are devices that convert semi-automatic handguns into automatic weapons. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey passed this bill, which was part of SB116, in the 2025 Session of the Alabama Legislature. For more information, watch this segment from WSFA 12 News in Montgomery entitled Alabama governor signs Glock switch ban bill into law. Everytown for Gun Safety has pushed this conversation about Glock switch bans, and I support it.
Would you be willing to work with a community initiative to put a red flag referendum on the ballot next November? Would you support a Glock switch ban bill? I would like to pursue both measures. Stay tuned. We must not stop our fight for gun violence reduction.
Credit: https://firearminjury.umich.edu/erpo-by-state/
PREVIOUS POLL RESULTS
Did you support the shutdown of the federal government on October 1st?
Total votes: 446
Yes: 69% (307) No: 31% (139)
Do you think the gun industry should be held accountable for its role in gun violence?
Total votes: 438
Yes: 90% (393) No 10% (45)
AJC STONE MOUNTAIN OPINION PIECE
Thank you AJC for publishing my column! I wrote this opinion piece in hopes that the Republican leadership would allow a hearing on our legislative efforts to move the Stone Mountain Memorial Association Board forward to a more modern and business friendly face and message. The article begins: "A DeKalb County lawmaker wants to make Stone Mountain Park inclusive for all Peach State residents, not just those who honor the Confederate States of America's history. " What would you advise?
I was stunned by the response - I am grateful for the interest from over 1000 people who made comments. Please read my opinion piece HERE.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MELITA EASTERS AND GA WIN LIST
I am delighted my friend Melita Easters and Georgia WIN List have gotten well deserved recognition this morning from AJC columnist Patricia Murphy. Georgia WIN List is good news for all of us! https://www.ajc.com/politics/2025/11/georgias-never-had-a-woman-governor-melita-easters-plans-to-change-that/
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!
November 12th - Breakthru House is a 50 year old substance abuse recovery center located in DeKalb County serving women and children. Based on private fundraising and behavioral health grants, it is the largest service provider for substance abuse recovery for women with children in Georgia. Kevin Tanner was in Decatur on Wednesday to recognize Caroline and Bill Curry’s efforts in support of expansion. We are very proud of this facility in DeKalb County.
November 11th - Veterans Day, 2025. My father was a Navy WWII veteran, and my mother was left alone for years in Lake Claire with my sister, then a toddler. They are buried in Decatur Cemetery, and Decatur had a small lovely Veterans Day ceremony a cold morning, and I was glad I could attend. The Veterans Monument where the ceremony was held was dedicated in November 1945.
November 9th - My enjoyment of holiday chorale music concerts begins! Multiple choirs joined the Temple singers for Kristallnacht— Beyond the Broken Glass, A concert of Healing and Light! More to come, join me for Emory choirs for Lessons and Carols, Atlanta Master Chorale, and Coro Vocati. All fabulous!
By my count, as of November 7th, Trump had changed his mind four times on whether SNAP benefits will be delivered to the 1.3 million Georgians that are eligible for help. Now that the shutdown has ended, we are all still confused as to when recipients will receive their benefits. I have increased my donation to Atlanta Community Food Bank, and I know all of us are watching this debacle closely and thinking about our neighbors who want to feed their children.
BTW— the DeKalb delegation visited with the DeKalb School System Board and leadership team on November 7th. It was a positive and substantive discussion and I was impressed with Interim Superintendent Sauce.
November 5th - After a winning Nov. 2025 election for Democrats, the AJC Politically Georgia turns our attention to 2026 and hosts both D and R candidates for Governor. Lt. Gov Burt Jones DOES NOT SHOW, and AG Chris Carr did a good job of pointing out his absence. Lots of talent among the D candidates, and Mike Thurmond always shines. You can listen to the entire show—- lots to come and enjoy before you vote in the May primary.
November 4th - Thank you, Georgia! We have turned the corner, and more to come.
November 3rd - The good news celebration for WIN list continues — a really lovely event!
November 2nd - Good news to celebrate!! The Spelman Choir sang to help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of WIN list. The most applause came from “Let No Man Hinder Me” — crowd pleaser!
October 30th - I joined Commissioner Ted Terry and other leaders to protest the termination of SNAP benefits at Belvedere Plaza.
October 30th - Ira Katz at Little Five points pharmacy and I have been friends for decades. He remembers my dad and my dad‘s drugstore and we talked about all of my jobs in our families local independent drugstore. Ira has been a mainstay has been a leader in little five points and helped countless people.
October 28th - First Amendment Foundation Weltner Dinner at the Emory Conference Center. I was pleased to sit with my longtime friend Dubose Porter!
October 27th - Most of the panels where I am invited to discuss issues are a mixture of zoom and in person—-and I think this works. Senator Blake Tillery, Katie Dempsey, and I joined about 50 people and tech executives to discuss data collection and sharing of child welfare files and information. Productive 90 minutes.
October 26th - I spent Sunday morning, October 26th with Sally Yates at the New Yorker Festival —— a privilege. She is inspiring in these difficult times. Thank you, Sally!
Update: endorsing Thomas Worthy for his runoff on December 2nd! October 20th - Both Representative Betsy Holland and I are endorsing Thomas Worthy for election to District 7 of the City of Atlanta Council! Thomas‘s experience in the Capitol as counsel to the Governor and as Chair of the MARTA Board give him unique skills to help the City of Atlanta. I enjoyed working with him on criminal justice reform. Please vote!
October 20th - Mayor Garrett and I enjoyed meeting with German teachers this morning visiting Decatur and Atlanta area, and several Decatur friends are hosting them. Welcome!
October 18th - Having an unusual and fabulous day! Go Dawgs! And, both Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech won!
October 15th - CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson led a very interesting discussion tonight on data centers at the Porter Sanford Center. SRO and the presenters were very specific and detailed about the challenges any county faces when asked to grant permits. I am one of the co-sponsors of House Bill 528 introduced to require disclosures and environmental accountability prior to issuance of any permit. I hope we will have hearings on this bill come January.
October 10th - Eric Nelson is back!! The Atlanta Master Chorale season begins—-treat yourself, enjoy!
October 4th - The Decatur Book Festival was amazing! First for me were 4 authors talking about Georgia nature, featuring Charles Seabrook.
UPCOMING DATES
Friday, November 14th - Jazz at All Saints'
Tuesday, November 18th - Governmental Affairs Subcommittee meeting
Wednesday, November 19th - Decatur Homelessness Strategy meeting
Thursday, November 27th - Thanksgiving
Tuesday, December 2nd - Legislative Town Hall
Friday, December 5th - Emory Lessons and Carols
Thursday, December 11th - State Bar Legislative Committee
Saturday, December 13th - Atlanta Master Chorale
Tuesday, December 16th - Justice for Children meeting
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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