Other Important Issues
Some of the issues that I will fight for as your state representative are:

Full Funding for Education - I believe that before we spend taxpayer dollars on non-essential programs, Georgia must fund 100% of its fair share for our schools. In 2009, I will work hard for a budget that restores fundings to APS, and to Fulton County Schools.
Healthcare- Grady Hospital is vital to the region and to the state. This institution must survive — the state should provide additional funding to ensure that Grady stays afloat. In addition, we need a statewide trauma network to make sure that critical emergency care is available throughout the state.
There are nearly 1.7 million Georgians without insurance. Our children are most at-risk and Peachcare should not only continue, the program needs to be expanded.
Water- We have gotten some much-needed rain since December '07, but there is a critical need to address this state's water supply. Georgia needs a state-wide Comprehensive Water Plan. The plan should include:
· Minimizing withdrawals by increasing conservation, reuse, and efficiency;
· Maximizing returns to the basin by managing interbasin transfers;
· Meeting demands for water through reducing demands, construction of water supply reservoirs and adoption of reservoir management policies; and
· Protecting water quality by reducing discharges of pollutants.
Healthier Communities - I will push for stronger enforcement of environmental standards by sponsoring legislation to mandate that collected user fees for enironmental trust funds and other fees be spent solely on those activities; by proposing innovative tax credits to ease the burden on businesses to conform to better standards; and to allow for more aggressive enforcement. By reducing pollution and pressing for open space and green space development, we can reduce incidences of chronic respiratory ailments, cut health care costs to publicly-funded hospitals, and improve our ability to bring new business opportunties to Fulton County.