By: Libby Hobbs
Records were shattered on November 8 when ten AAPI candidates won election into Georgia’s State Legislature. This made it the largest AAPI state legislature in the nation. With the 2023 legislative session quickly approaching, these newly elected officials share their plans of action.
Samuel Park (D-Lawrenceville) is the Democratic Whip, meaning he connects party members with the party measures. Park hoped to establish the first formal AAPI Legislative Caucus in Georgia.
On November 28, this plan became a reality. According to a Georgia House of Representatives press release, the AAPI Caucus will meet on January 9, 2023 for the next session. The goals of the caucus are “to increase AAPI representation at all levels of government” and ensure multicultural voices are heard and present at the state Capitol, said the release.
“I look forward to serving in the largest AAPI legislative caucus in the nation. My colleagues and I will continue to do all we can to ensure our AAPI communities have a seat at the table and a government that serves their best interest,” Park said in the release.
Michelle Au (D-Johns Creek) said she has ten bills ready to be filed on day one. They address a variety of topics including gun safety, healthcare coverage, insurance, taxes, the cost of living and finally the drawing of Georgia’s electoral maps.
“I would like to introduce a referendum question on the next election’s ballot to allow voters to decide whether we should form a non-legislative, more bipartisan redistricting committee, to minimize partisan gerrymandering and to ensure [a] legislative district [is] more representative of Georgia’s diverse electorate,” Au said.
Other representatives like Long Tran (D-Dunwoody), Farooq Mughal (D-Buford) and Ruwa Roman (D-Peachtree Corners) are focused on building relationships with their fellow representatives.
Tran further emphasized his focus on community and collaboration with his plan to reach out to the elected freshman class of Republican legislators. He hopes this will set a positive, constructive tone for a session that “builds a better Georgia for everyone.”
With Georgia becoming a battleground state, some anticipate the state’s partisan divide to be one of the biggest challenges they will encounter. Au said the existing hyperpolarization can make it hard to get work done. Yet, she plans to work “across the aisle.”
“I have always prioritized the ability to work with diverse coalitions and across the aisle. I plan to continue to work with a broad base of partners, including many Republicans, on the non-partisan problems and solutions, like healthcare access, public safety, and education, that all of us care deeply about,” Au said.
Roman also wants to expand healthcare access along with fully funding public education, bridging the economic opportunity gap and protecting Georgians right to vote. Through working with stakeholders in office and advocacy organizations, she hopes to pass such policies.
Mughal, on the other hand, is focused on lowering taxes, supporting small businesses and economic mobility, calling retailers, entrepreneurs and small business owners the “heart and soul” of the American economy.
“The global pandemic has also excessively impacted minority retailers, small business owners and entrepreneurs. I will advocate for our workers’ rights, protect the community, support retailers and small businesses and continue to incentivize the free enterprise and entrepreneurship that has been a key driver of growth for the State of Georgia,” Mughal said.
Park and Tran both want to invest in education, with Tran addressing specific issues like speeding in school zones, hiring more teachers to decrease class size and adding more technical colleges as an alternative option for students. Additionally, Park hopes to tackle the affordable housing challenge.
Taking a deeper look at the legislation Au drafted, she plans for universal background checks, a mandatory waiting period and safe storage policy in her gun safety bills.
Regarding healthcare coverage and insurance, she wants to eliminate surprise medical billing on emergency ground ambulance transfers and provide short and long-term safety net price caps for patients requiring insulin.
Finally, she hopes to increase the state tax on cigarettes up to the national average and eliminate the sales tax on diapers and menstrual products in her tax and cost of living legislation.
Despite the anticipated challenges to be thrown at their plans, these five representatives are excited to fulfill their leadership position and help Georgians.
“I look forward to cutting through some of the theatrical divides that unfortunately are amplified during an election year and to getting some real work done for the people of Georgia,” Au said.
