Join the Obama - Biden Summer Organizing Fellowship Program
Through the program this summer, thousands of organizing fellows will work as full-time volunteers to carry out important grassroots activities on the ground: registering voters, recruiting and training volunteers, running phone banks, having conversations with people on their front porches, and building the relationships that will bring communities around the country together to fight for progress.
Please encourage anyone you know who might be interested to apply here:
The state Senate yesterday voted to pass Senate Bill 458, which would prevent undocumented students from attending any of Georgia's 60 public colleges. Laws are on the books that already stop undocumented students from attending any colleges with a competitive application process (includes the top five state schools), as well as making the undocumented students — many of whom have spent most of their lives in Georgia — pay out-of-state tuition. The state estimates that one tenth of one percent of students in the system are undocumented or roughly 300 out of about about 318,000 students.
Chancellor Hank Huckaby of the University System of Georgia came out against the law in his testimony Feb. 22 before the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying "I believe our current policy addresses the concerns some of you have that the System should ensure that all undocumented students pay out-of-state tuition, that no Georgians should be denied a seat in college if they were academically qualified because of an undocumented student, and that educating undocumented students would not cost Georgia taxpayers."
Huckaby added: "Graduating more students is a key goal of the System as we work to help Georgia prosper. Even for those who are here through no fault of their own, it makes sense to me that we should educate them to the highest level possible. It helps our state economically, culturally, and educationally."
Despite his testimony, the Senate voted 34-19 in favor of the bill, largely along party lines. No Democrats voted for it.
Senate action from Crossover Day - Highlights
Amendment bans sending public work overseas:
Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta, successfully attached to a different bill an amendment that would ban state agencies from outsourcing work overseas except in limited circumstances. Orrock earlier this year had proposed a separate bill to do the same, but it stalled in the Republican-dominated Senate. Her amendment, which passed 27-25, is now part of Senate Bill 506, which mandates how local governments handle public works contracts involving heavy equipment.
Exemption for birth control coverage
Wading into a national debate, the Senate passed a proposal that Georgia exempt religiously affiliated businesses from having to provide birth control coverage. Senate Bill 460 was sponsored by state Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus. It passed at 3:24 p.m. on a 38-15 vote, despite objections especially from Democratic women.
"Here we are again, in 2012, with women's access to healthcare, women's health decisions and the contraceptives that play such an important roll...yet again on the chopping block," said Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta. "Birth control pills are used for other medical reasons besides contraception. This is one more example of us going in the wrong direction, fixing something that ain't broke."
Safety net, worker rights being shredded, Dems say
By Tom Crawford | Published: March 8, 2012
Democratic legislators criticized their General Assembly colleagues for passing legislation that would reduce the payment of unemployment benefits and make it harder for workers to organize.
“We don’t see efforts to grow jobs, we don’t see efforts to build the economy,” Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) said at a Thursday news conference. “Instead, we see attacks on labor, attacks on the right to organize and protest. It’s the 1 percent riding on the backs of the 99 percent.”
“The number one priority for all Georgians is job creation, and job creation should be the number one priority of the General Assembly,” said Rep. Virgil Fludd (D-Tyrone). “Yet, we see a mass of legislation passed on crossover day that hurts working families.”
They were referring to a bill passed late Wednesday night, SB 469, that would prohibit picketing near private homes and also require union members to provide written authorization each year before dues can be deducted from their paychecks.
Orrock noted that during Senate debate on SB 469, the only senator allowed to speak on the bill was its sponsor, Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville). Debate was cut off before any opponents of SB 469 could speak.
Orrock and Fludd also criticized SB 447, a bill passed by the Senate that is now in the House Industrial Relations Committee.,
SB 447 attempts to restore the fiscal stability of the unemployment insurance trust fund by reducing the number of weeks that jobless benefits are paid to laid-off workers from 26 weeks to a range of 12 to 20 weeks.
“We are promoting the shredding of the middle class,” Orrock charged. “Georgia will have the weakest unemployment insurance system in the nation” if SB 447 becomes law.
Exciting Opportunity for Families in District 36! Intorducing the Zoo Atlanta Family Pass
Thanks to an exciting new partnership with the Georgia Public Library Service, Georgia residents can check out the Zoo Atlanta Family Pass for free admission for a family of four.
Where do I get the Zoo Atlanta Family Pass?
You must visit your local public library to obtain the Zoo Atlanta Family Pass.
Adults with a valid library card from any branch of a participating public library system throughout the state of Georgia* may access the Zoo Atlanta Family Pass. One pass is available for checkout at each participating branch and may be checked out once per year, per household.
Sen. Orrock and Lt. Gov. Cagle Welcome Rev. Michael N. Harris as Chaplain of the Day
February 15, 2012
Sen. Nan Orrock and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle welcomed Rev. Michael N. Harris to serve as the Chaplain of the Day on February 15, 2012, in the State Senate.
“It is such an honor to introduce this great man to the Senate today,” Sen. Orrock said. “His message uplifted our spirits and inspired us to take on today’s debates with strength and faith.”
Rev. Harris is the lead pastor at Wheat Street Baptist Church located in the heart of the Sweet Auburn Historic District and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site and Preservation District. As one of the nation's oldest African American churches, Wheat Street Baptist Church is a pioneer for socio-economic development in Atlanta's community. Rev. Harris earned his degree at Morehouse College and doctorate at East Baptist Theological Seminar.
Nan and Jason Carter Fire Back at the Governor's Office Over Hope Scholarship
Check out this recent story on WSB-TV about how Nan and Senate Democrats are fighting to save the HOPE Scholarship.
Go here to open up the WSB media player and click on the video titled "Dems fire back at Governor over HOPE"
Don't Forget to Register to Vote!
The deadline to register to vote in Georgia's presidential primary is February 6, 2012.
Election Day is March 6, and the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you don't know which precinct you're zoned for, check your Voter Precinct Card or call 404-730-7072
To Register to Vote, You Must:
Be a citizen of the United States.
Be a legal resident of the county.
Be at least 17 1/2 years of age to register and 18 years of age to vote.
House Democrats Hold Public Hearing On Economic Security
February 2, 2012
House Democrats held a public hearing on Thursday to promote economic security, highlighting their legislative plans to create good jobs and a strong economy, promote rural recovery and help small businesses.
House Democrats were joined by advocates for residents impacted by the Great Recession and the failure of HB 87.
Representative Virgil Fludd, author of the Georgia Buy American Act, emphasized the devastating impacts of the dual hits on Georgia families and farmers and highlighted his targeted legislation to create good jobs and a strong economy.
Representative Pat Gardner, author of the Georgia Healthcare Relief Act, laid emphasis on her targeted legislation towards helping small businesses grow.
Along with aiming to require the establishment of small business healthcare exchanges, the House Democratic Caucus hopes to require any company bidding for state funds show that they will provide jobs for Georgians.
“Our 2012 legislative agenda began with a conversation about the kind of Georgia we want for our families,” said Rep. Quincy Murphy, author of the Georgia Jobs Matter Act. “By starting with the basics of determining how government must help where it can and get out of the way when it should, I have introduced this bill to provide better economic security for Georgia employees. This legislation will not cost the state a single dollar, but it will be transparent to citizens who want to see their tax funds spent well and spent on improving our employment rates.”
More information about the House Democratic Caucus legislative package can be found at www.gahousedems.com.
Watch Nan at a Press Conference about the 2012 Democratic Legislative Agenda
January 23, 2012
Nan talks about the need to keep jobs in Georgia, creating a health insurance marketplace and launching a blue ribbon commission to study age related policy issues.
Huffington Post Names Senator Nan Orrock One of Immigration's Top Ten Heroes of 2012 along with Chuck Schumer and Michael Bloomberg
January 17, 2012
"Earlier this year, when Georgia proposed an immigration law modeled after SB 1070, Nan lead the opposition. Nan said that we need policies "based on the real world, not based on political rhetoric," and that anti-immigration types "crafted a bill that insists on demonizing people of brown skin and with Spanish accents." She knew that the anti-immigration proposal would hurt Georgia's economy (she was right). Of course, since the copycat law was passed, Georgia farmers have been decimated, and are estimated to lose $250 million this year alone -- that's jobs lost, the economy hurt, and consumers paying more at the store. Nan Orrock stood up for Georgia's working families by fighting against this anti-immigrant legislation."
Senator Nan Orrock and Georgia Democrats Fight for the Affordable Care Act
The Georgia House and Senate Democratic Caucuses held a press conference on Friday, January 13th to support the Affordable Care Act. They filed an amicus breif with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the healthcare reform law and are proposing legislation to create healthcare exchange in order to extend healthcare coverage to uninsured Georgians.
“The new federal health reform law is already making a difference here in Georgia,” said Sen. Orrock. “The law has brought relief to roughly 43,500 young individuals in Georgia who can now have quality affordable coverage through their parents. And nationally, one million young adults have gained health insurance thanks to the new law.”
"We are sending a strong message today by signing this amicus -- friend of the court -- brief that more than 500 legislators support the constitutionality of this law."
The Page program provides students a first-hand opportunity to observe and participate in your state government. As a Senate Page, you will serve the Senators by delivering important information and messages to them in the Senate Chamber during the Legislative Session day. While paging, you will work for the full legislative day. You must be at least twelve (12) years old to participate in this program.
Thank you for your generous support and for joining me at our campaign reception at the newly-opened Wrecking Bar in Little Five Points (with special thanks to owners Bob and Christine Sandage – a beautiful venue with delicious food and drink!). It was great to gather with so many friends and supporters and to have your renewed support for my legislative service. Your enthusiasm in energizing! We’ll be working hard together for our shared goal to get Georgia back on track, put Georgians back to work, and unite our state to move forward, not backward!
Thanks,
Nan
Special thanks to our great host committee:
Sen. Steve Henson, Sen. Vincent Fort, Sen. Doug Stoner, Sen. Horacena Tate, Sen. Gloria Butler, Sen. Jason Carter, Sen. Emanuel Jones, Rep. Stacey Abrams, Rep. Margaret Kaiser, Rep. Simone Bell, Rep. Pat Gardner, Chairman John Eaves, Commissioner Joan Garner, Councilmember Michael Julian Bond, Councilmember Carla Smith, Councilmember Kwanza Hall, Councilmember Joyce Sheperd, Elaine and Miles Alexander, Midge and John Sweet, Brooke Jackson Edmond and Rod Edmond, Holly and Will Hazleton, Alan Landis and Ritchie Crownfield, Sandy Evans and Carson Pease, Sheri and Steve Labovitz, Lana and Jimmy Hardy, Rod and Bobbie Paul, Ann and Jeff Cramer, Jerry Gonzalez and Ray Deeb, Ken Britt, Paul Horning, Howard Kaplan, Jess Crawford, Rob Teilhet, Krista Brewer, Barbara Meyer, Danny Orrock, Bill Clark, Sally McDaniel, Mtamanika Youngblood, Bryan Markowitz, Sharon Gay, Kevin Perry, Jim Tudor, Steve Lomax, Walter Andrews, Ben Myers, Eric Robertson, Mary Lou Waymer, Howell Keown, Sam Zamarripa, Doug Hopkins, Jason Rooks, Aubrey Villines, Don Cargill, Michael Culbertson, Brandee Bickle, Melissa Mullinax, Debi Starnes, Ralph Green, Verna Jennings Cleveland, Mickey Gillmor and Henry Kahn, Charles Huddleston, Paul Bolster, Tom Boller, Wayne Reece, Stan Jones, Trip Martin, Fred Kitchens, Tom Holder, Ted Bradford, Walter Jospin, Bob and Christine Sandage, Mike Birdsong, Sally Bethea, Michael McPherson, Calvine Rollins, and Elizabeth Appley
WiLL President Senator Nan Orrock Named "Local Hero" Thursday, August 25, 2011
Congrats to WiLL President Senator Nan Orrock for being named a "Local Hero" by Immigrants' List for her work toward immigration reform.
Georgia Senator Nan Orrock has long been a passionate supporter of civil rights and continues this work by challenging anti-immigrant agendas. She voted against the "papers, please" law modeled after the anti-immigrant Arizona laws and has sought to protect working families from political machinations. She argued that anti-immigration laws are not only discriminatory toward a group of people but are also damaging to Georgia's economy. Although the controversial immigration reform bill HB87 passed in Georgia, Senator Orrock has established herself as an important community leader in the fight for immigration reform and for policies that benefit working families.
Watch Nan Argue Against HB87 on the Floor of the Senate
April 11, 2011 Part1:
April 11, 2011 Part 2:
April 14, 2011 Part 1:
April 14, 2011 Part2:
Senator Nan Orrock and Representative Virgil Fludd Call for Hearings on Economic Impact of Immigration Reform
From the Savannah Daily News Dec. 22, 2010
Anticipated legislative proposals from the Georgia General Assembly's Joint Legislative Committee on Immigration Reform are raising serious concerns about the impact on Georgia's fragile economic recovery outlook.
In the face of Congressional failure to address immigration reform, the threat of job killing measures such as those that passed in Arizona loom over the upcoming legislative session. Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) and Rep. Virgil Fludd (D-Tyrone) call for comprehensive hearings that will look at the problem and demand a solution to protect Georgia's security and economic recovery.
Agriculture is the backbone of Georgia's economy. U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) has estimated that our nation's agricultural workforce is 50-70 percent undocumented workers. The Georgia Farm Bureau last week weighed in on this issue, opposing any consideration of an Arizona-type anti-immigrant law for our state and demanding that Congress act. Clearly, given the devastating impact on agriculture of threatening this workforce, the Georgia Legislature should not consider passage of the kind of legislation that would negatively impact our leading industry.
Georgia's economic recovery strategies include significant efforts to attract and retain foreign investment. Legislators were briefed earlier this week at the Biennial Session in Athens about the deepening project for the Port of Savannah that expands its capacity and as a deep water port in order to remain competitive and grow our economy. This massive undertaking has significant support from our state's leadership, and has been identified as a high priority for the state's economic growth plans. A legislative proposal which would paint Georgia as a state unwelcoming to people of other nations would hamper Georgia's efforts to attract foreign investment at a critical time.
Moreover, Georgia relies heavily upon our tourism, convention and sports industries in places like Atlanta, Savannah, Macon and other great destinations in Georgia. Any legislation that would create a negative perception of Georgia around the world could harm Georgia's competitiveness in our global economy.
Georgia State Representative Virgil Fludd, expressing concern with the failure of the current Immigration Reform committee to
Each month we feature a prominent member of our Democratic community as guest speaker. Reports on the latest news, issues and activities are given by Vice-Chairs, constituency groups, Congressional District Chairs, State Committee Members and guests. Free refreshments are served. We are a cordial and collegial group who enjoys socializing, sharing ideas and working with other committed Democrats.
Each month we feature a prominent member of our Democratic community as guest speaker. Reports on the latest news, issues and activities are given by Vice-Chairs, constituency groups, Congressional District Chairs, State Committee Members and guests. Free refreshments are served. We are a cordial and collegial group who enjoys socializing, sharing ideas and working with other committed Democrats.
Each month we feature a prominent member of our Democratic community as guest speaker. Reports on the latest news, issues and activities are given by Vice-Chairs, constituency groups, Congressional District Chairs, State Committee Members and guests. Free refreshments are served. We are a cordial and collegial group who enjoys socializing, sharing ideas and working with other committed Democrats.
Each month we feature a prominent member of our Democratic community as guest speaker. Reports on the latest news, issues and activities are given by Vice-Chairs, constituency groups, Congressional District Chairs, State Committee Members and guests. Free refreshments are served. We are a cordial and collegial group who enjoys socializing, sharing ideas and working with other committed Democrats.
Each month we feature a prominent member of our Democratic community as guest speaker. Reports on the latest news, issues and activities are given by Vice-Chairs, constituency groups, Congressional District Chairs, State Committee Members and guests. Free refreshments are served. We are a cordial and collegial group who enjoys socializing, sharing ideas and working with other committed Democrats.
“For decades, Nan Orrock has been a voice for women’s health in Georgia, staunchly defending access to health care and a full range of reproductive choices. Without leadership like Nan’s, Georgia would have turned back the clock on women’s rights many years ago.”
--Elaine Taylor-Klaus, Pine Hills
“Nan has shown me time and time again that she has a clear grasp of what is important to me as an Atlanta intown resident and she doesn't let the extraneous noise of State Capital politics divert her attention away from hearing and addressing the needs of her constituents. I support her 100%!”
--Anna Copello, Poncey-Highland
“Nan Orrock is committed to building stronger families and prosperous communities in Atlanta.”
