Atlanta, Ga. - January 23, 2014 - Georgia Senate Democrats today rolled out a bold legislative agenda for 2014, aimed at closing the income gap in the state and supporting Georgia's working and middle class families.
"Income inequality in Georgia has to be at the forefront of every legislator's mind as working families continue to face serious economic challenges," said Sen. Horacena Tate (D-Atlanta), chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. "Georgia now ranks 40th in the nation with regard to income inequality and 27 percent of Georgia's children are living in poverty- one out of every four kids. Overall, Georgia has the sixth worst poverty rate in the country.
Senate Democrats' 2014 legislative priorities include an increase in the state minimum wage, an expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, restoring funding to public education and ethics reform. Democrats say that Medicaid expansion in particular is an issue that the state should make a priority.
"Medicaid expansion would insure an additional 650,000 Georgians," said Sen. Vincent Fort, (D-Atlanta). "Tens of thousands of middle class Georgia are adversely affected by the growing income gap. It is morally and fiscally imperative that we give them access to health insurance."
Fort said that expanding Medicaid was a "good deal" for the state. "With the federal government providing at least 90 percent of the cost, it makes economic sense for individuals and businesses," he said.
Democrats also want to increase the state minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $10.10 per hour. "The current state minimum wage is simply not enough for someone in Georgia to provide for a decent life in 2014," said Sen. Donzella James (D-Douglasville). "Our current minimum wage rate is not enough to pay the bills and not enough to feed a family."
The issue of voting rights in Georgia will also be important to Democrats this session, as they will again propose a repeal of the photo identification voter law that was passed in 2006. "The Voter ID law restricts voting access for those without certain forms of identification, especially the elderly, our poor, and minority voters. We, as a caucus, are firmly against measures that obstruct Georgians' access to the voting booth," said Sen. Nan Orrock, (D-Atlanta).
Sen. Steve Henson (D-Tucker), the Democratic caucus leader, said ethics reforms is also on the agenda for Democrats. He cited a proposal for establishment of a study committee to review tax expenditures as well as of an independent authority to investigate reports of misappropriation of state funds as caucus proposals this session.
###
Comments