LYNN'S LIST

LYNN’S LIST FOR FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Protection of Civil Rights

Last week we advocated on the Reproductive Freedom Act bills, which were assigned to committees but did not advance. There is another bill that did not advance and needs our advocacy. It pertains to hate crimes. Sometime February 4 or 5, antisemitic flyers were distributed in Atlanta targeting several neighborhoods with significant Jewish populations. House Bill 30 proposes to align Georgia’s definition of antisemitism with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition, expanding the definition to include harming Jewish people, negative stereotypes, and denying the Holocaust. Hate crimes are up overall and 59% of all religious hate crimes are committed against Jewish people according to 2020 FBI reporting. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. 

• Contact the following House Judiciary Committee members with the suggested script: My name is —- and my name is —-. HB 30 creates a state definition of antisemitism and adds that definition to the Hate Crimes Act. I am in full support of this bill. Please vote to move it out of committee.

Stan Gunter, Chairman stan.gunter@house.ga.gov

Matt Reeves, Vice Chairman matt.reeves@house.ga.gov

Rob Leverett rob.leverett@house.ga.gov

Roger Bruce roger.bruce@house.ga.gov

James Burchett james.burchett@house.ga.gov

Omari Crawford omari.crawford@house.ga.gov

Chuck Efstration* chuck.efstration@house.ga.gov

Stacey Evans* stacey.evans@house.ga.gov

Scott Holcomb scott.holcomb@house.ga.gov

Soo Hong soo.hong@house.ga.gov

Todd Jones todd.jones@house.ga.gov

Trey Kelley trey.kelley@house.ga.gov

Mary Margaret Oliver mary.oliver@house.ga.gov

Mitchell Scoggins mitchell.scoggins@house.ga.gov

Deborah Silcox deborah.silcox@house.ga.gov

Tyler Smith tyler.smith@house.ga.gov

Doug Stoner doug.stoner@house.ga.gov

Georgia STOMP, a coalition partner, seeks to eliminate the Georgia state sales tax on menstrual products, “a tax we believe is unconstitutional based on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. It is a tax on products for which we have no choice but to purchase, that are a medical necessity and required for good health and full participation in work and life.” These items should have been included in the exemptions given at the time groceries and prescriptions were exempted. Eliminating the tax now would remedy that oversight while removing barriers for those most in need. The bills (HB123 and SB51) have been assigned to committees.

If you are new to Lynn’s List advocacy and aren't sure who your legislators are or haven’t checked for a while, click here and enter your address. When you are contacting your district state legislator be sure to let him/her know that you are their constituent.

• Contact your Georgia Legislative Assembly Senator with the suggested script: My name is — and I am your constituent from —. I support the elimination of the Georgia state sales tax on menstrual products, a tax I believe is unconstitutional based on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. It is a tax on products for which menstruators have no choice but to purchase, that are a medical necessity and required for good health and full participation in work and life. These items should have been included in the exemptions given at the time groceries and prescriptions were exempted. Eliminating the tax now would remedy that oversight while removing barriers for those most in need. Vote YES on SB51.

• Contact your Georgia Legislative Assembly Representative with the suggested script:  My name is — and I am your constituent from —. I support the elimination of the Georgia state sales tax on menstrual products, a tax I believe is unconstitutional based on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. It is a tax on products for which menstruators have no choice but to purchase, that are a medical necessity and required for good health and full participation in work and life. These items should have been included in the exemptions given at the time groceries and prescriptions were exempted. Eliminating the tax now would remedy that oversight while removing barriers for those most in need. Vote YES on HB123.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2023 and the Keep America Safe Act were introduced in the U.S. Senate. Both bills would ban high-capacity magazines that could be used on the type of semi-automatic firearm that is typically used in most mass shootings. The Assault Weapons Ban would ban the sale, transfer, manufacture, and import of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and other high-capacity ammunition feeding devices. The gun control legislation passed last year did not ban assault rifles or high capacity magazines. According to the Gun Violence Archive, as of February 11, 2023, there have already been 75 mass shootings in the U.S. this year!

• Contact Senators Ossoff and Warnock with the suggested script: My name is — and I am from —. I am concerned about the never-ending gun violence in our country. Legislation has been introduced in the Senate that limits the sale of military-style weapons and high capacity magazines. These weapons of war are not designed for personal protection or hunting and should not be available for use by the general public. Please support this legislation when it is available for a vote.

Don’t forget the new location! Our first signing event of 2023 is coming up. Join us at Ingleside Village Pizza on February 22, 4:30-6:30.

As always, it’s a marathon and not a sprint.

The link to your legislators is here. It will be updated with the new information soon.