Representative Simone Bell Featured Content

Rep. Simone Bell: Legislative Update March 23rd, 2010

Rep. Simone Bell simonebell@comcast.net — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:40:36 PST

Hello Friends of District 58,

I trust this newsletter finds you well, or headed in that direction. We are closely approaching Cross Over Day, which is the last day that bills can be sent from the House to the Senate for a vote in this legislative session. It is also the 30th day of the legislative session, which leaves us with only 10 days to accomplish an enormous amount of work. Many of you have been engaged throughout the session and I encourage you to stick with me as we reach the home stretch. Now, more than ever, we will need to keep our eyes and ears open to make sure that the remaining bills that pass move Georgia FORWARD. I’m counting on YOU to help me get US there.

Best,

- Your State Representative, Simone Bell

Join me at at Community Meeting this Saturday, March 27th, at 10AM at Parkside Elementary in Grant Park for a Legislative Update and to talk over issues at stake in the 2010 General Assembly.

What: Community Meeting with Rep. Simone Bell
When: Saturday, March 27th, 10AM
Where: Parkside Elementary, 685 Mercer Street
Who: Open to all my constituents
Co-hosted by Rep. Margaret Kaiser and Senator Nan Orrock

Click here to read this update online on our website

LEGISLATION UPDATE

HB 1013 - requires ESPLOST funding be published publicly just like SPLOST monies. Voted Yes/Passed

HB 1079 - Allows online payment for Teacher Certification Fees. Voted Yes/Passed

HB 788 - would ban the use of gas chambers to euthanize animals. Voted Yes/Passed

HB 703 - Grants next-of-kin the first right to purchase condemned property before a county or city sells it. Voted Yes/Passed

HB 903 - institutes a value-added-tax for funding the Georgia Dome and World Congress Center development through 2050. Voted Yes/Passed

SB 84 - allows the Governor suspension powers of school boards stripped of their accreditation or in violation of ethics laws. Voted Yes / Passed

HB 1015 - changes and fixes to the Georgia Street Gang and Terrorism Prevention Act, also authorizes the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to to create and manage a Georgia Criminal Gang Database. - Voted Yes / Passed

HB 1073 - brings Georgia into compliance with the federal MOVE act for overseas 7 military absentee ballots, provides that absentee ballots may be requested electronically. Voted Yes / Passed

HB 1085 - provides the siblings in the foster care system be kept together when possible, also provides for transition planning for youth about to leave the foster-care system. Voted Yes / Passed.

COMMUNITY

MARTA Online Survey:

MARTA is hosting an online survey regarding their Deficit Reduction plans, and your feedback is encouraged. Take the survey online atwww.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22A9HS5LZ2M

Atlanta Free C.A.R.E. Clinic March 27th

On Saturday March 27th, the Georgia Free Clinic Network will host a free clinic for all persons in Georgia who do not have health insurance at the Georgia International Convention Center near the Airport from 7AM to 7PM. Screenings, Vaccinations, HIV testing, Glaucoma screening, mental health services and more will be provided free of charge!

For more information about this event or to volunteer, visit www.regonline.com/builder/site/default.aspx?EventID=824801

Girl Scouts Recognized for Excellence

The House of Representatives was proud to recognize the leadership and service of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta this week at the State Capitol. We were excited and honored to hear about the great work this organization continues to do for young women across our state. Visit their website at www.gsgatl.org.

Keep DeKalb Beautiful Strategy Session on Community Garden

Keep DeKalb Beautiful will host a strategy session on Thursday March 25th at 6:30pm at The Sanitation Division, 3720 Leroy Scott Drive in Decatur, to discuss specifics about a possible community garden in DeKalb Memorial Park such as garden design and plot availability. For more information, call Keep DeKalb Beautiful at 404-371-2654.

Chris Kids Seasons of Love

Rep. Bell was proud to attend the Chris Kids Seasons of Love event at 14th Street Playhouse on March 5th and 6th. Chris Kids is currently building a new facility in East Atlanta that will provide permanent housing for youth ages 17-24 who grew up in foster care or are homeless. For more information about this awesome organization visit their website at www.chriskids.org.

Metro-area Leaders to Ride & Rally in Support of Alternative Transportation

On March 23rd the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association will be co-sponsoring the 5th Annual "Georgia Rides to the Capitol" event to raise support for the development of a regional bicycle network of road and trail and cycling connections focused around major facilities, activity centers and schools.

More than 1,000 bike enthusiasts are expected to participate in the ride that will end at the State Capitol. For more information visit www.georgiaridestothecapitol.org.

The 2010 Census is here!

I encourage everyone to participate in the 2010 Census. It is critically important and only takes a few minutes. For more information, please visit www.2010census.gov.

Bringing a group to the Capitol and need information? Contact my Secretary Rejenia Ford at 404-656-0325.

SURVEYS AND FEEDBACK

I want to hear from you! Insert Question Here...

Please visit my website to take this weeks' Survey. Go to simonebell.com and click on "Surveys".

COMING UP...

Key topics of interest still ahead in the 2010 General Assemby:

- Budget Crisis - state revenue projections are down almost $1.3billion for fiscal year 2010-2011
- Water - solving our state's water crisis
- Jobs & Job-Creation - the statewide unemployment rate is currently at 10.3% up from 7.5% in 2008
- Ethics Reform - House Bill 920 has been introduced to attempt to limit the influence of lobbyists' gifts
- Education - with massive budget deficits facing our state, education cuts, tuition hikes and teacher furloughs have been discussed among both the media and the state leadership. Please know that I support a strong public education system and will continue to work hard to support our students and teachers in every way i can.

Your contact information for me at the State Capitol:

State Rep. Simone Bell
18 Capitol Square
Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg Suite 612
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-0330
Email:simone.bell@house.ga.gov

State Website Link - Click Here

Rep. Simone Bell: Legislative Update March 1st, 2010

Simone's Campaign Team timcairl@gmail.com — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:51:23 PST

I hope this finds you all well.Before the Legislature took a short break to work on budget issues, I was honored to hear from children in our Foster System about proposed legislation that will improve our current system including placing siblings together to maintain familial bonds.

I have also been honored to introduce, along with my colleagues, a Resolution Honoring the Life of Allen Thornell. Allen was a mentor and friend to many in our community, and he is sorely missed. To read a copy of the Resolution online, click here.

Even though the House is in recess until March 8th, there is much work continuing at the Capitol in regards to the Budget. However, all comittee meetings with the exception of House Appropriations, Transportation, Natural Resources & Environment, and the Ways & Means have been suspended. I appreciate the hundreds of constiuents who have contacted my office regarding legislation, and the overwhelming support you continue to provide me as I represent the people of State House District 58.

- Your State Representative, Simone Bell

Click here to read this update online on our website

LEGISLATION UPDATE

Some Legislation on which I voted last week:

HB 122 - Requires Cities and Counties with Annual Budget greater than $1million to post their budgets online for public review - Voted Yes / Passed

HB 991 - Changed provisions between state and county disputes on sales tax collections to allow for a time limit to appeals - Voted Yes / Passed

HB 665 - Allows for a pilot program in 2012 for electronic absentee ballots for overseas military personnel subject to funding for the program - Voted Yes / Passed

HB 1028 - Clarifies language related to the Forest Land Protection Act of 2008 - Voted Yes / Passed

*the bills above now go to the State Senate for consideration*

SB 131 - revises language regarding Trusts & Trustees to bring Georgia into compliance with other state 7 federal laws - Voted Yes / Passed

COMMUNITY

MARTA Community Forums:

MARTA is hosting a series of Community Forums March 1st and 2nd

March 1, 2010, 6-8pm
Maloof Auditorium
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, Georgia

March 2, 2010, 6-8pm
Adamsville Recreation Center
3201 MLK Jr Drive SW
Atlanta, Georgia

Property Tax Exemption Deadline Coming Up

The 2010 Property Tax Exemption deadline is March 1st. If you purchased a home for residence between January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2010, you can apply for a Basic Homestead Exemption and Property Tax Assesment Freeze with your County by March 1, 2010. There are also special exemptions for those over the age of 62, disabled and veterans. Apply in person at your county tax office or call 404-298-4000 for more information.

The 2010 Census is here!

The US Census is starting for 2010! Please be sure you are counted and that our communities are accurately represented in this important event. For more information, visit the Census website at 2010census.gov.

DeKalb NAACP Housing Committee Presents a Landlord & Tenant Forum

Saturday March 13th at the DeKalb County Public Library - 215 Sycamore Street in Decatur - from 10AM to Noon.

Bikes/Cycling Survey

A group of Cyclists & Bicycle Riders has an online survey published to gauge support in addressing traffic safety and cycling in Decatur and surrounding areas. Take the Survey online here.