5 Days Remaining for 2017 Session!
As my 5th legislative session comes to an end, it has been a good year. Many important bills have come across my desk for consideration. The most challenging part of being a legislator is to keep up to date with bills as they go through the process of committee hearings. As of March 16th-Day 35, there have been 2,006 bills and resolutions introduced by the House & Senate legislators. The voices of our citizens are imperative to the process. The position of a Georgia House of Representative is a distinguished honor and I don't take it lightly. I serve faithfully on the committees of Education (Subcommittee Vice-Chair on Early Learning & K-12), Small Business, Economic Development, Interstate Cooperation and Medical Cannabis Working Group (Vice-Chair) by doing my part in making Clayton County and Georgia great places to live, work, and play. Days remaining: March 20, 22, 24, 28, 30

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STOP FIGHTING CHANGE

As leaders we must find a way to embrace change by being open to new ideas. Inclusiveness among our youth and young adults will bring vitality to our communities. Just because things have always been one way doesn't mean things should remain the same. The delegation introduced legislation to redistrict the wards in the cities of Morrow, Lake City, Riverdale, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy. Presently the voters in these cities elect their councilmembers and mayors at-large. The bill will not change how the mayor is elected, but only affect the city councilmembers. The voters will be able to gain a balance representation by elected candidates in their perspective wards just like in Forest Park and College Park presently. The bills have passed the House unanimously and awaits passage in the Senate. There is also consideration for redistricting of school board and county commission seats. 
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rep. Stovall will host the first Parent Advocacy Day for Video Cameras in Special Needs Classrooms at the Capitol
HB 614 Landon Dunson Act passed May 3, 2016
Friday, March 24, 2017
12pm-2pm
Coverdell Legislative Office Building Rm 605
Parents of children with developmental disabilities will learn the best strategies for requesting to local school boards to install video cameras in their children's self-contained classrooms. This is a free event. It has been almost a year since the passage of HB 614 and no school has installed the much needed cameras. Staff with the Georgia Council for Developmental Disabilities will be in attendance. Contact my office for more information: 404-656-0314

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State Capitol Recognitions:

James Jack Hadley Black History Museum located in Thomasville, Ga. The curator, Mr. Hadley started this museum in 2006 to preserve local, state and national African American history and culture and to bring attention to the many contributions made by African Americans. The museum has over 4,182 artifacts. It has taken on the project of requesting a Commemorative Postal Stamp for Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper, born a slave in 1856 in Thomasville, Ga. and was the 1st Black American to graduate from the US Military Academy in 1877 and the 1st African American Officer in the US Army. He is seeking the help of everyone. Contact the museum www.jackhadleyblackhistorymuseum.com


7 Wonders of Radio (Women In Radio) was the 2nd year recognizing the tremendous hard work of the voices on the radio who educate and entertain their listening audiences daily. 2017 awardees are Raquaya Ward (formerly of WIGO & 91.9 WCLK, presently 89.3 WRFG), Lorraine Jacques White (formerly 1380 WAOK), Rene Miller (formerly 107.5, 104.1 & 1380, presently Ga. Lottery), Veronica Waters (news & weather Kiss 104.1, B98.5 The River, 95.5, 97.1), Marjorie Coley (formerly 1380, V-103, & Kiss 104.1), Cynthia Young (formerly V-103, WIGO, Kiss 104.1), Melissa Summers (formerly V-103 & Kiss 104.1). These women were recommended by The Dee Hill Radio Show. It was exciting to meet in person these wonderful women.


Wande Okunoren-Meadows was my 2017 recipient of the Nikki Randall Women Servant Leadership Award. This is an annual award sponsored by the bi-partisan Women Legislative Caucus. Wande is the program administrator at Little Ones Learning Center in Forest Park. She promotes community service at the center and in her personal life. The community garden at the school has garnered the visit from 1st Lady Sandra Deal.


Foot Soldiers Class of 1964 were freshmen women in Spelman College who participated in the largest coordinated series of civil rights protest in Atlanta's history through picketing, sit-ins, kneel-ins & other nonviolent demonstrations. They have gone unnamed & voices unheard. Pictured: Dr. Georgianne Thomas, Gloria K. Bell, Lois T. Dunlap, Delores Y. Strawbridge, Billie P. Williams, Valjean Williams, Avelyn Sanders, Big Bethel AME church, and the Film production crew, Not pictured: Retired Major General Maralite Harris, Janice C. Hartsfield, Edwina P. Hunter, Malinda C. Logan, Deborah D. Mitchell, Dr. Roslyn Pope, Sadye B. Gray, Dr. Dorothy J. Fields, Dr. Ida M. Hilliard


James M. Walker, Jr. (MJ Walker) is a senior basketball player at Jonesboro High and the 1st Clayton County Public Schools' student athlete to be named a McDonald's All American. He has scored over 2, 200 points, played in 2 state basketball championships, maintained 3.87 GPA. Thanks to School Board Member Jessie Goree for contacting Rep. Stovall to honor him.


Babb Middle FCCLA visit the Capitol



Utopian Academy For The Arts State Charter School 8th graders visit the Capitol to lobby for support of HB 423 (introduced by Rep. Stovall) which allows state charter schools like Utopian to have free usage of unused facilities. Clayton Co. Public Schools Board has insisted on UAFA to purchase the building for an absorbent cost ranging from $750,000 - $1.5 million. UAFA is a public school because no tuition is charged. Their parents pay taxes in the county. CCPS should treat UAFA fairly. 

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Rep. Stovall Bills introduced:
*HR 279- designates Single Parents Day on March 21 in Georgia, designates Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on Sept. 1. (passed House, in Senate)
*HB 423- requires local school district to offer unused facilities to state charters at no cost and if sold it must be sold for no more than $1 (tabled in House Education Committee)
*HB 493- amends the open meeting act to require public comments be included in any video recording of public meetings held by commissioners, city councils, and school boards
*HR 316- creates a House Study Committee on Stakeholder Engagement in School Redesign. (in Special Rules Committee waiting on a hearing)

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Save the Date


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Rep. Stovall 2017 Legislative Agenda

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Did you miss the Educate Ga Summit this year?
Click here to view the Recap

Over 700 attendees from around Georgia joined together under the "Big White Tent" in Liberty Plaza for 2 days at the State Capitol. Experts served as panelists and facilitators. There was an Education Leaders Panel with Chair Coleman-House Ed, Chair Tippins-Senate Ed, Chair Millar-Senate Higher Ed, Chair Royal-State Bd of Ed. Questions were answered during one on one conversations with State Superintendent Richard Woods. Updates on the future of education were delivered by Speaker Ralston and Governor Deal. 

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Read more information on featured articles
HB 614 Landon Dunson Act
http://www.news-daily.com/news/gov-deal-signs-rep-stovall-s-landon-dunson-act-into/article_5bac50f0-799c-5a84-8461-610c8fbe1489.html

Women In Politics Award
http://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/legislators/womens-legislative-network/women-in-politics-making-a-difference-awards.aspx

2016 Educate Ga Summit Recap
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwBBw5qsi_QSZjR6ckJwMV9vNk0/view

Chris & Kyle Massey Brothers Honored at Capitol
http://www.j-14.com/posts/chris-and-kyle-massey-have-been-honored-for-their-humanitarian-and-entertainment-achievements-91248

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The new CCRPI scores have been published. For more info click http://gosa.georgia.gov/ Did your school show improvement?