Why are there limitations to the growth of Black women in state legislatures?
Kamala Harris at a health care rally in 2017. (Wikimedia Commons)
This past November, we witnessed a historic moment in politics with the election of Vice President Kamala Harris, an Indian American and Black woman. This, coupled with the record number of Black women candidates and newly elected officials may mark the beginning of a shift. However, too many Americans believed that “we have overcome.” The victories shifted the conversation but unfortunately have not moved the needle enough on Black women’s representation in state legislatures.
In a recent report by State Innovation Exchange (SiX) and the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL Women), just 4.82 percent of state legislators are Black women (356 out of 7,383 legislators). This problem caused by the racialized patriarchy so entrenched in this country, of which the progressive movement is not immune has wide-r
Health Care Access and Improvement
Elimination of $500,000 for start-up funding for FQHCs.
Addition of $500,000 in start-up grants for FQHCs in Jeff Davis and Marion counties.
Healthcare Facility Regulation
Addition of $7,454,466 to support strategic measures for stabilizing staffing in the nursing home program.
Medicaid - Aged, Blind, and Disabled
Reduction of $74,646,745 in State funds to reflect savings from the temporary FMAP increase through September 30, 2021.
Addition of $25,328,540 to provide a 10% rate increase for home and community-based service providers.
Addition of $11,932,550 to provide a 2% rate increase for skilled nursing centers.
Addition of $3,470,204 for skilled nursing centers to update the general and professional liability, property insurance, and property tax pass-through rate components to current costs.
Committee Reports
Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee
The Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee, chaired by Representative Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta), met this morning to consider two measures.
HB 76, authored by Representative John Carson (R-Marietta), amends O.C.G.A. § 46-4-164 to increase the percentage limitation of EMC investments in a gas affiliate. Current law allows investments up to 15%. This bill increases that amount to 60%. The subcommittee took no testimony on the bill and moved the bill DO PASS.
HB 150, authored by Representative Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe), amends O.C.G.A. § 46-1-6 to prohibit local governmental entities from adopting policies that prohibit the connection or reconnection of any utility service based on the source of energy or fuel. Members of the committee including Reps. David Dryer (D-Atlanta) and Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) expressed concern
Senate Finance Committee
Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) led his Committee this afternoon with a hearing on SB 1, a bill authored by Senator Dean Burke (R-Bainbridge) which amends Title 31 to require that entities, that receive state income tax credits and provide self-funded, employer sponsored health insurance not subject to the regulatory authority of the Commissioner of Insurance, must report insurance claims information to the Georgia All-Payer Claims Database. The legislation further requires compliance with the reporting requirement beginning January 1, 2022, as a condition to continued receipt of any such tax credits.
The Committee held a hearing only discussion today on the legislation. Senator Burke explained the legislation on the All-Payer Claims Database initiative which has been adopted in 34 states. The goals are to provide transparency and predictability to improve outcomes and access to healthcare. The claims completed by providers for patients would be translate
House Subcommittees Drop Hints on Amended FY21 Budget
Moving quickly after last week’s budget hearings, the subcommittees of the House Appropriations Committee convened in sequence this morning to sign off on their assigned agency budgets. While actual tracking sheets were not released to the public, subcommittee chairs shared some highlights and hints about what we are likely to see in the full Appropriations Committee tomorrow:
Public Safety
The Public Safety Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Bill Hitchens (R-Rincon), reviewed the changes to the Governor s proposed budget for Amended FY21, which include:
Provision of funds for a temporary judge on the Court of Appeals;