The Georgia House Democratic Caucus offered a slate of what they termed as “ambitious proposals” Wednesday — focusing on “three pillars including educational opportunity, economic security, and shared responsibility.”
“As a Caucus, they are the pillars that allow us to offer concrete solutions to our state’s toughest challenges,” said Rep Stacey Evans, Chairman of the Minority Caucus.
The package of 35 bills addresses a number of issues including equality and fairness in the workplace, healthcare disparities, quality of education in the public schools, affordable higher education, and supporting Georgia’s military families.
The caucus also stressed their commitment to expand Medicaid, with a re-introduction of the “Expand Medicaid Now Act,” which they say would bring healthcare to nearly 500,000 Georgians and create 56,000 new jobs in the state.
“Georgia is a vibrant state with a bright future, but our responsibility is to ensure that we succeed together — leaving no Georgian behind,” said House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams. “All politics is local, and in this new political era, the engagement of every voice becomes vital and necessary.”
Minority Whip Carolyn Hugley stated that the House Democratic Caucus will continue to promote “common-sense legislation anchored in the Democratic values of educational opportunity, economic security and shared responsibility.”
“The 2016 Legislative session proved that transcending the politics of division is how we achieve progress for Georgia families,” said Hugley. “We worked alongside Republicans in the House, as well as colleagues from both sides of the aisle in the Senate, to pass legislation in support of military families, survivors of sexual assault, and students with disabilities. We are stronger and safer than we were a year ago.”
The Caucus expressed its commitment to expanding “A Promise Kept,” a 2016 package of legislation that offered support to military families. New legislation in 2017 “The Military Spouses Employment Act” would require the Georgia Department of Education to adopt and implement a process which allows military spouses to qualify for temporary teaching licenses by endorsements or expedited teaching licenses. “We want to make Georgia not only the best place to do business, but also the best place to live,” said Rep. Al Williams.
Democrats also plan to introduce the “Credit for Service” resolution which would “urge the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia” to allow former service members to translate their military training and experience into academic credit.
“We work very hard offer legislation that is common sense that either party can support,” said Abrams. “Ninety percent of the time, we find ways to work together. When we can’t agree, we have to be clear about why we don’t agree.”
The 2017 package also builds on “previous efforts to protect women from violence,” and will include the “Georgia Voters’ Bill of Rights,” which will, among other provisions, implements automatic voter registration when obtaining a driver’s license or registering for classes at a public college.
“Democrats see government as a partner, not the enemy, but our government must respond to our needs,” said Abrams. “As your House Democratic Caucus, we stand ready to stand up for Georgians.”
