Author: On Common Ground News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) has been elected by his peers to lead the Judiciary Subcommittee – Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet (IP), his office announced. Johnson served as chairman in the 116th Congress as well. “I am honored and excited to again take the helm of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet,” said Rep. Johnson, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee. “We started the critical work of bringing more transparency and accountability to the federal courts in the last Congress, and we will continue that work to ensure that the…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will receive $145,000 for capital improvements to three neighborhood parks on behalf of its Friends of the Park partners. The Friends of Hairston Park group was awarded a $50,000 grant. Commissioner Steve Bradshaw provided a $50,000 match to develop a serenity garden with walking paths and bench swings. The Friends of Briarlake Forest Park was awarded a $45,000 grant and was allocated $280,000 from DeKalb Commissioner Jeff Rader’s district funds. The friends group contributed $5,000 toward the plan to convert a historic homestead into a nature center and a pavilion. The Friends…

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State Representatives Karen Bennett, Doreen Carter, Renitta Shannon, Matthew Wilson named from DeKalb County ATLANTA – Georgia House Minority Whip David Wilkerson (D-Powder Springs) today announced the appointment of the House Minority Caucus Deputy Whip Team for the 2021-2022 legislative term. “Each one of these Democratic legislators were carefully selected for their dedication to serving the caucus and its members, and I am confident in their leadership abilities,” said Minority Whip Wilkerson. “We are devoted to championing our ‘Healthy Georgia’ 2021 legislative agenda, which includes addressing the state’s response to COVID-19, fully funding our education formulas, closing the digital…

Money to help students with eligible expenses   DeKalb County has allocated $1 million to provide one-time grants of up to $1,500 for eligible students to cover living expenses, including mortgage assistance, food, transportation and utilities. In December 2020, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced the Dislocated Workers’ Career Pathway Initiative funded with some of the county’s federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) monies. The redesigned program has been expanded to now provide one-time grants using a tiered system with three grant award amounts of $1,500, $1,000 or $500 for eligible students. The eligibility criteria have been expanded…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain) will hold a press conference to discuss his proposed legislation that seeks to remove all Confederate memorials from Georgia, including Stone Mountain Park, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. at the South Wing of the State Capitol. WHO:             Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain) WHAT:          Press Conference on Removal of Confederate Memorials WHEN:          Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 9 a.m. WHERE:       Georgia State Capitol South Wing (second floor) 206 Washington St. SW Atlanta, GA 30334

ATLANTA – Members of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus (GHDC) will host a series of virtual town hall meetings to discuss the GHDC’s “Healthy Georgia” 2021 legislative agenda. To watch the virtual town hall meetings, contact Kimberly.Romaine@house.ga.gov. The virtual town hall meeting schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10,  5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m. Each meeting will be hosted by GHDC members who are experts in the areas of policy included in the “Healthy Georgia” 2021 legislative agenda, such as health, education,…

The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct a board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 11, at noon. The meeting will be held via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677. Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493. Agenda Adoption of Agenda Administrative Items Welcome and Introduction of Board Members Discussion of Ethics Board’s Jurisdictional Powers including Board Officers Discussion and Nomination of Board Officers (Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary) Discussion of Ethics Office Responsibilities Discussion of Open Records Act and Open Meetings Act Approval of December 2, 2020 Minutes Approval of Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting Dates…

On Sunday, Feb. 7, DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson will recognize National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by hosting a virtual panel discussion aimed at increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and education in DeKalb County. The event will be streamed on DCTV and Commissioner Davis Johnson’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/meredadjohnson) for the public to view. Congressman Hank Johnson and State Rep. Park Cannon will join the event as special guests. Panelists include State Sen. Kim Jackson, State Rep. Park Cannon, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Samuel, Dr. Sherry, Darryl Richards and Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga. The public will have an opportunity to submit questions during the…