“The general consensus from my constituents is this was not a bill they wanted passed,” Taylor said, explaining his vote against the bill to about a dozen town hall attendees. Taylor, a strong Second Amendment advocate who readily acknowledges he carries a concealed gun with him much of the time,…
Read MoreI would like to extend to each and every one of you who cast a vote my heartfelt thanks for being a part of the democratic process that makes our society work. The vote tallies indicate that the voters have returned me to the House District 79 position. There is…
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Thanks to all who co-sponsored, lobbied, and did a lot of the legwork and research that made this possible. The article is correct, this “sailed through” because of the close collaboration and coordination of efforts. Congratulations to all involved, great example of a real bipartisan effort that moves our state…
Read MoreSB-1 Also known as “Ava’s Law”, passed in this session after a 7 year fight. Tom’s Vote: YES From the Autism Speaks website: ATLANTA— Chairman Charlie Bethel and Richard Smith announced at a joint press conference at the Georgia State Capitol that a deal has been reached to pass…
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Tom’s vote: YES HB 192 focuses on stopping the use of government issued Purchase Cards, or “P-Cards”, for personal uses. Although this bill is a statewide bill, it was actions by DeKalb County employees and elected officials that drove it. In recent years DeKalb County has witnessed many elected officials…
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Note: Governor Deal vetoed this legislation on May 3, 2016. Tom’s position: NO HB 859 allows a Georgia firearms license holder to keep their weapon on their person while in or on any building or real property owned by or leased to any technical school, vocational school, college, university, or…
Read MoreTom’s vote: NO HB 757, also known as RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act, is described in a summary as a comprehensive measure that strikes a balance between protecting the religious liberties of clergy, churches, and faith-based organizations (FBOs), while welcoming all to Georgia without fear of discrimination. This legislation incorporates…
Read MoreTom’s vote: YES The Pursuing Justice for Rape Victims Act was introduced in response to the discovery of a huge backlog of untested rape kits in hospitals, clinics, and law enforcement agencies throughout the state. According to an AJC investigation, Grady Memorial Hospital alone had more than 1,400 untested rape…
Read MoreTom’s vote: YES HB 801 seeks to reward Georgia college students for taking academically rigorous STEM classes that ultimately lead to employment in a high-demand STEM field. It directs the Board of Regents to identify bachelor level STEM courses to receive extra weight (0.5 added to a B, C, or…
Read MoreTom’s vote: YES Entitled the Honorable Jimmy Carter Cancer Treatment Access Act, this bill provides that no health plan issued in Georgia that directly or indirectly covers treatment for stage four advanced, metastatic cancer will deny coverage for a FDA-approved prescription drug because a patient does not have a previous…
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