Capitol Corner

Imagine being jailed for weeks—not because you are convicted of a crime, but simply because you can’t afford to pay your way out. This rings true for 93% of those arrested in Fulton County, who are impoverished. Unfortunately, this is not unique to Georgia; it reflects a broader national issue known as the criminalization of […]

The United States of America is the only country in the world that sentences children to life behind bars without the opportunity to get out. Children as young as 13 years old have had to face the reality that they will not step foot outside of the gates of a correctional institution for the rest […]

Voter suppression is an aspect of elections in the United States that is well-known by many Americans, especially people of color. Throughout our electoral history, there has been a continuous push and pull with voting rights.  The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that prohibited racial discrimination in elections. However, […]

Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean is from June 1 to Nov. 30. While most hurricanes are downgraded to tropical storms before they make landfall in Georgia, the wrath of these storms is felt through severe thunderstorms, flooding, property damage and power outages. On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene entered Georgia as a category two […]

In 1985, the Nintendo Entertainment System was released. The first smartphone was manufactured in 1994, and DVDs continued to rise throughout the early 2000s. Yet one thing that hasn’t changed since 1985 is the Quality Basic Education Act (QBE). This act creates a formula dictating funding allocations for Georgia’s public schools, affecting students’ lives every […]

Free speech is the cornerstone of American democracy. As such, it’s driven change that has been crucial to individual freedom. Freedom is brought about partly through education, which censorship threatens. Measures that diminish and censor education have been implemented nationwide and are actively threatening the quality of American education.  Censorship, as defined by the American […]

In Georgia, gender-based violence (GBV) is an issue that transcends mere statistics and poses serious infringements of human rights, drastically impacting individuals and their families. As we navigate a post-COVID-19 world, we must face the disturbing reality that domestic violence cases have risen significantly. The General Assembly must address this situation immediately.  To tackle this […]

Georgia remains one of seven states where incarcerated individuals usually receive no pay for their labor, even though many of them work full-time supporting state functions. This practice of unpaid inmate labor is not only exploitative but also runs contrary to our foundational values of fairness and justice. Georgia must take a critical step forward […]

Voting in the U.S. allows citizens to voice their concerns by electing officials who defend their rights. Although felons make up a sizable population in the U.S., some states, including Georgia, limit their right to vote.  Felon disenfranchisement has a substantial impact on the Black community since, in the South, one in five Black individuals […]

In a state where nearly a third of rural residents lack the bandwidth to join a Zoom call, Georgia’s promise that telehealth can solve the mental health crisis falls flat. As COVID-19-era internet access expansion policies expire, Georgians are left to grapple with the third-worst mental healthcare infrastructure in the nation. Recent telehealth legislation has […]

Imagine standing in a Walmart parking lot. Think about its size. Now, consider the number of spots typically occupied. On a typical day, there will be plenty of empty spaces. This raises the question: Why is that parking lot so large if there are many empty spaces?  This size is due to parking minimums or […]

A new challenge is arising in areas of Georgia with dense urban growth. As compact growth becomes the norm, so do problems with urban stormwater runoff. Studies have found that flooding could become 7.9% more “flashy” by the end of the century—but this is in large part if we continue with high carbon emissions. The […]

Since the 2020 election, Georgia has been a focal point of voter suppression and discrimination. The voters of Georgia have suffered constant attacks on their voting rights, the most recent of which was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp in May 2024. Senate Bill 189 is the latest in a string of bills disguised […]

“I’m a Georgia Voter” is the catchphrase on stickers voters receive after successfully casting their votes. However, despite being eligible, many people do not get the chance to receive this sticker.  After the 2020 elections, despite having the votes counted three times, state legislators passed SB 202. This law restricts dropbox locations, tightens identification requirements, […]

Maternal mortality, a statistic representing racial inequities and healthcare failures, refers to “the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy.” Within the U.S., death from pregnancy or pregnancy-related issues was 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022. When disaggregated for race, data shows that Black women faced […]

In a 2022 report, McKinsey & Company noted that “at least 50 percent of Gen Zers see news on social media daily” and “up to 15 percent of people aged 18-24 regularly get their news from TikTok.” Moreover, a December 2023 survey showed around 43 percent of individuals aged 18 to 29 expressed a significant […]

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness: the cost of the ‘American Dream.’ Immigrants are historically excluded from this right as they are repeatedly subjected to healthcare barriers in the form of identity and status verification, exacerbated by a lack of translated resources and services. Even more, navigating a new and foreign healthcare system is […]

Georgia’s schools have a fuel problem, but it’s not school buses or generators that need sustenance. Instead, the harsh reality is that 22% of Georgia children have faced food insecurity at some point in the past 12 months.  In Georgia’s already underfunded public schools, chronic food insecurity among students hinders academic success and stunts economic […]

With the rise of mobile connectivity, much of our daily lives now reside on the digital cloud. While the cloud may seem invisible to the average user, the thousands of data centers and physical servers that power it across the U.S. are not. These facilities process, manage and store millions of terabytes daily. Across Atlanta, […]

Georgia’s minimum wage is $5.15, but for most employment in Georgia, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 applies due to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).[1,2]  This wage is even lower if one is considered a tipped employee, decreasing the number to $2.13.[3] This is also possible due to the fact that Georgia does not […]

   This week’s Fellow Spotlight goes out to Kaitlyn Muzio! Kaitlyn is a third year from Cumming, Georgia, majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Sociology. In her spare time, she enjoys reading classical literature and campaigning with SGA candidates. We have loved having her in the Fellowship this year!

Immigration has been a long-standing controversial issue throughout American history, let alone the world. A touchy subject in the House and the Senate, the U.S. has not had too many bills and laws regarding immigration. One particular bill created massive change for the future of immigrants, especially during its time, the Immigration Reform and Control […]

The health of a newborn depends on the health of the mother. This was the finding of research conducted by the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.[1] The study investigated the associations between maternal health both during pregnancy and up to 15 months from childbirth and children’s health outcomes during infancy and adolescence.[Ibid] The results of […]

  This week’s Fellow Spotlight goes out to Ian Roberts! Ian is a Sophomore from Americus, GA, majoring in Political Science and History while minoring in Religion and Philosophy. Outside of academia, Ian serves as both the Co-Junior Warden and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the Episcopal Campus Ministry at UGA, while also being […]

  This week’s Fellow Spotlight is dedicated to Aarov Malhotra! Aarov is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and is the only first-year student in the Fellowship, majoring in Economics and Political Science while minoring in Health Policy and Management. In his spare time, Aarov loves to play club ultimate frisbee and volunteers with the Athens Prison […]

Imagine a world where every business in Georgia was to replace its single-use plastics with biodegradable and compostable alternatives. Imagine that all containers and to-go cutlery were made of plant-derived plastic. Although it would be easy to assume that the change would be advantageous for the environment, such a situation could lead to an increase […]

This week’s fellow spotlight goes to Francesca Mariano! Francesca is a Sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia, double majoring in Political Science and International Affairs while minoring in Italian. Francesca is very involved in extracurricular activities being a member of the SPIA Ambassador Program, an office assistant for the Office of International Student Life, and a member […]

Georgia has one of the highest annual taxes on electric vehicles (EVs) in the nation. Currently, the fee for non-commercial alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) is $210.87 and $316.40 for commercial AFVs.[1] These fees are determined based on a formula that changes annually, and has continuously increased over the past couple of years. These steep prices […]

A radio, a set of keys, and a baton. For most corrections officers in Georgia, these three items are the only resources they have during their shifts in state prison units.[1] According to the Department of Justice, the federal baseline inmate-to-corrections-officer ratio is 15:1. In the state of Georgia, some understaffed prisons are experiencing a […]

  This week’s fellow spotlight goes to Ashton Sellers! Ashton is a third year from Ellijay, Georgia, majoring in English and minoring in Political Science and International Affairs. Ashton has been a member of the UGA Young Democrats, active in the community through canvassing, and involved in several volunteering opportunities at the local ACC jail […]

Currently, fewer than half of the rural hospitals in the nation have maternal units. More than 2.2 million women of childbearing age across 1,119 US counties live in maternity care deserts without hospitals offering obstetric care or birth centers.[1] The rapid closure of rural hospital maternity wards in 2023 is exacerbating the issue with mothers […]

As pedestrian fatalities surge to an unprecedented high, it is time to critically examine the measures required to transform Georgia cities into walkable communities. A 2023 report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) estimated that approximately 7,500 pedestrians had been killed while commuting on U.S. highways.[1] This number represents a 40-year peak in nationwide […]

This week, the Fellow receiving the Spotlight is none other than Jack Jarashow! Jack is a second-year from Marlboro, New Jersey majoring in Economics and Political Science and minoring in Spanish and Statistics. Filling out his burgeoning academic career, Jack is an active member of several extracurricular groups such as, the Georgia Kickstart Fund, Athens […]

Who pays the price when childcare is hard to come by? Georgia’s failure to adequately support working families in need of affordable childcare options hurts the economy and drives women out of the workforce.   In the state of Georgia, affordable childcare options are hard to come by as early childcare professionals and staffers continue […]

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the U.S. economy experienced a rapid rebound that few had expected. [1] People clamored for goods and services that had been put on hold to slow the transmission of COVID-19; however, consumers would be kept waiting.  The shortage of skilled workers was already on the rise; however, the […]

  Our first Fellow Spotlight of the spring semester goes to Anthony Tringali! Anthony is a fourth year from Kennesaw, GA, double majoring in Economics and Political Science and double minoring in French and International Affairs. In addition to being a dedicated academic, Anthony is also a member of several organizations such as the Alpha Kappa […]

As one of ten states that have not adopted full Medicaid expansion, Georgia leads as one of the country’s top states for uninsured rates. While the uninsured rate in Georgia has seen a downward trend over time, the trend has been too slow to account for the critical necessity for immediate action.[1] Today, 1.2 million […]

Our final Fellow Spotlight of the semester goes to Niamh Dempsey! Niamh is a fourth year from The Turks and Caicos Islands, double majoring in International Affairs and Political Science and minoring in Law, Jurisprudence, and the State whilst also pursuing a certificate in Applied Politics. Outside of being an academic weapon, Niamh is the […]

Healthcare in rural Georgia is in desperate need of a change because due to limited access. 89 Georgia counties have been identified as Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas.[1] More specifically, as of 2020, 9 counties had no physicians; 82 counties had no OB/GYN physicians; 65 counties had no pediatric physicians; and 90 counties had […]

This week’s spotlight goes to Nishat Nayla! Nishat is a second year from Chamblee, Georgia, majoring in both International Affairs and Economics. Outside of the Fellowship, she is the Government Relations Director with SGA for SGA at UGA and is a PR intern at the Georgia Museum of Art. She has been a valuable member […]

America has a prison problem. As of 2020, nearly one out of every 100 Americans were incarcerated [1]. Nearly 63% of those incarcerated are serving sentences equal to or longer than ten years [2]. The issue of mass incarceration in America is due to many complex and intertwined factors and policies, with one such policy […]

In October 2020, then-President Trump signed Executive Order 13957, creating a new federal job classification known as Schedule F appointments. In simple terms, Schedule F was designed to make it far easier for political officials to fire and discipline non-political policy-focused government workers. While the legal basis for the executive order originates from an interpretation […]

This week’s Fellow Spotlight goes to Saanvikha Saravanan! Saanvikha is a third year from Suwannee, Georgia, majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and minoring in Spanish and Applied Biotechnology. It is her first year with the Fellowship and she has proven to be a great addition to the program! Outside of the Fellowship, Saanvikha is […]

The Fellow Spotlight this week goes to Anna Rachwalski! Anna is a second year from Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Economics, English, and International Affairs. It is Anna’s first year with the Fellowship and we have thoroughly enjoyed having her. Outside of the Fellowship, Anna is a member of the Crisis Insights and Analytics Lab and […]

A terrible new trend has taken over America’s prison systems in the past fifty years. Mass incarceration, or the exponential growth in this nation’s prison population, first started to become an apparent problem in the 1970’s. Unfortunately, this trend was only further inflamed by political pressure aimed to combat the uptick in crime by adding stricter sentencing laws and requiring law enforcement agencies to be tougher on crime

The Fellow Spotlight this week goes to Caroline Oliver! Caroline is a fourth year from Sandy Springs, GA, majoring in Health Promotion and minoring in Spanish, and Health Policy and Management. She is a Senior Staff member within the Fellowship and leads the Housing and Rural Development policy groups. Outside of the Fellowship, she is […]

Georgia’s elections have become heavily scrutinized. After Joe Biden won the presidency due to a narrow lead in Georgia, and the senatorial election of Raphael Warnock determined control of the Senate, the state’s role in national politics cannot be ignored [1]. Recently, former President Donald Trump, and 19 other defendants, were charged by a grand […]

The Fellow Spotlight this week goes to Bianca Medeiros Pinto! Bianca is a fourth year from Dacula, Georgia, double majoring in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Law, Ethics, and Philosophy. It is her first year with the Fellowship, and we have enjoyed having her! Outside of the Fellowship, Bianca is the president of […]

For many public school students, the school day starts by riding on the bus. Indeed, adequate school transportation is essential for the 932,693 students in Georgia who ride the bus daily.[1] Unfortunately, to the detriment of these students and school transportation employees, the Georgia General Assembly has consistently underfunded transportation costs for decades and the […]

It has happened again. On Friday, January 27th, a disturbing video was released of the violent arrest of Memphis resident Tyre Nichols. According to a statement from the Memphis Police Department, twenty days prior to the video’s release Nichols was returning back to his home in Memphis when he was pulled over for reckless driving […]

As the population of the United States ages, the need for long-term care services will continue to grow, placing more strain on the current system. The Association for Community Living estimates that 70% of individuals over the age of 65 will need to access some form of long-term care services.[1] Long-term care facilities include nursing […]

Within the context of the current housing crisis, evictions have become an even more salient issue among Georgians and hold far more lasting consequences than anticipated. Over the past year, nearly 3.5% of the residents that constitute the five counties in the metro Atlanta region have had evictions filed against them.[1] Though this percentage may […]

This week’s fellow spotlight goes out to Caroline Oliver! Caroline is a third-year Health Promotion student, and it is her first year with the fellowship. Caroline is originally from Sandy Springs, GA. Beyond the fellowship, she has held leadership positions in Pi Beta Phi and worked with UGA Miracle and Oasis Tutoring. Caroline had an […]

Proper funding for our schools is of utmost importance. Students must have access to all the resources they need to succeed in life. Georgia’s current system for funding public education is based on the Quality Basic Education Act (QBE). Initially passed in 1985, this formula remains responsible for “distributing nearly $11 billion to…1.6 million public […]

Isabel Archer is a third-year from Atlanta, Georgia. This is her second year with the fellowship. We are happy to have her back, especially because she is super involved! Isabel is a Political Science major with minors in Women’s Studies and Law. Additionally, she recently completed the Applied Politics Professional Certificate. On top of her […]

Wally is a second-year Political Science & International Affairs double major. It is Wally’s first year with the fellowship, and he is also involved with Young Dems at UGA. Wally is originally from Ellijay, Georgia where he volunteers with the Ellijay Lions Club. Wally’s talents include playing both the piano and guitar, as well as […]

In the past few years, the number of middle and high school students dealing with mental health issues has increased. Teachers cannot successfully teach if mental health is not being addressed. Kids’ basic needs being met needs to be prioritized.    The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated many mental health struggles for all age groups. Children suffering […]

Next up on our fellow spotlight series is Riley Batz! Riley is a second-year at UGA majoring in Economics and double-minoring in Political Science and Law, Jurisprudence, & the State. In addition to the Fellowship, Riley is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and Phi Alpha Delta, a pre-law fraternity! She is also involved […]

This week, we are highlighting Juliana Hartley! Juliana is a second-year at UGA studying Political Science and Economics and is also pursuing a certificate in Data Analytics and Public Policy. In addition to these rigorous studies, Juliana is an active member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She is also a staff member for Strike Magazine […]

When one thinks of Georgia, they typically envision the “Empire State of The South” where almost everyone has a roof over their head, incomes remain high, and there is a sense of overall economic well-being. For middle and higher-income individuals in the state, this is indeed true, but for lower-income individuals, the ability to buy […]

Paige Graham is our fellow spotlight of the week! Paige is a fourth-year International Affairs and Spanish major. She is also pursuing a Master’s of International Policy through the Double Dawgs program. It is Paige’s first year with the fellowship, and she has already made her mark by becoming a Capitol Fellow. Paige is originally […]

One in every five people in Athens-Clarke County is experiencing food insecurity.[1] In the past decade, many local Athens organizations and nonprofits have made individual efforts to reduce this problem. However, despite a common goal, no system has been able to unite these actors’ work. One solution to this problem is establishing a “Food Policy […]

During his campaign, President Biden vowed to end all privately-run detention facilities, including immigration detention facilities.[1] The United States immigration system uses detention facilities to keep individuals suspected of visa violations, illegal entry, or any kind of immigration violation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has two detainment offices: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), […]

Carlos Lopez Ramirez is a fourth-year at UGA majoring in Computer Science, Psychology, and Cognitive Science. It is Carlos’ first year with the fellowship. Carlos is from Cumming, GA. Outside of the fellowship, Carlos is involved in Corsair Society UGA, which is a group for business students to connect them to alumni. Additionally, Carlos works […]

As carbon dioxide levels on our planet continue to increase, many states have enacted legislation to reduce gas production. Although a state with a massive opportunity to produce clean power instead of carbon dioxide, Georgia has fallen behind in the race to decrease carbon dioxide levels. Data recorded in 2019 by the U.S. Energy Information […]

Georgia has the fourth-highest prison incarceration rate in the country. In 2021, Georgia’s prison incarceration rate was 968 inmates per 100,000 people — well above the national average of 664 per 100,000.[1] Furthermore, in both jail and prison incarceration, ethnic disparities can be observed, with Blacks and Latinos being overrepresented while Whites are underrepresented.[2] On […]

The use of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment in college admissions has been the subject of criticism, mainly for using race as a positive factor in the admissions process. Despite the clear necessity for diversity throughout this country’s education system, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. (SFFA), filed suit against the University of […]

A national trend is pushing students who misbehave out of public schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems. The school-to-prison pipeline (STPP) is a result of the objective application of harsh disciplinary measures and the overuse of referrals to law enforcement that set up vulnerable students for failure. These policies include zero-tolerance school […]

A 2019 study by the Commonwealth Fund ranked Georgia 42nd for state healthcare system performance with the biggest problems being affordability and accessibility of healthcare statewide.[1] A large portion of Georgians, especially those residing in rural communities, lack access to quality, affordable healthcare.[2] Telehealth and telemedicine have the potential to provide immediate access to a healthcare […]

The United States is on the brink of a major expansion in freight and passenger rail lines.  Thanks in part to a $66 billion rail investment in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Georgia lawmakers have the opportunity to pursue new statewide rail projects.[1] In the past 10 years, Georgia’s population grew by over […]

Homelessness has chronically plagued Georgia’s urban areas, but with the efforts of non-profit organizations and increased funding allocations, homelessness numbers in Atlanta have dropped 38% since 2020.[1] Unfortunately, surrounding rural areas cannot say the same. As of 2018, one-third of those experiencing homeless on a given night live in rural Georgia.[2]   The Department of […]

The “homework gap” is a term FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel used to describe students’ difficulty getting online at home to complete school assignments.[1] With 93% of students participating in some form of virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue was thrust into mainstream conversation.[2]   The homework gap stems from a lack of internet […]

This past March marked one year since the shooting of three Atlanta-based spas, which led to the deaths of eight individuals, of whom six were women of Asian descent. [1] That same year, 2021, the state of Georgia was ranked 9th in the nation for its high rate of gun violence.[2] Despite the continued increase […]

In just a month, the entire state of the world has changed. Russia has invaded and started a gruesome war with Ukraine. Many countries worldwide have been responding with caution to avoid another world war with the fear of mutually assured destruction. Being one of the Western countries on which Ukraine relies, the US’s response […]

Khushi Mehta is a second-year Fellow majoring in economics, international business and political science. She is also pursuing a minor in Spanish and a certificate in Legal Studies. She was motivated to get involved in politics through her involvement with her city’s youth council in high school as this experience showed her how much politics […]

A privilege that many Americans often take for granted is the ability to obtain a driver’s license. In fact, most of the U.S.’s infrastructure is so dependent on a car-based transportation economy, that obtaining a driver’s license has become a near-mandatory rite of passage for teenagers. However, the right to a driver’s license is not […]

Julia Hawkins is a fourth-year Fellow pursuing a major in Public Relations, a minor in political science and a public affairs communications certificate. As she became increasingly aware of the integral role that politics plays in everyday life, she was motivated to be more involved. Through the public affairs communications certificate, Julia has been able […]

Georgia’s schools are unfairly funded throughout the state. Public education is funded predominantly by local tax revenue, which includes money derived from property taxes within districts. Oftentimes, districts with greater property wealth raise significantly more than districts with less, leading to districts with a great population of lower-income residents having fewer resources for their schools. […]

Ciera Thomas is a fourth-year Fellow majoring in microbiology with minors in Spanish, international affairs and global health. Through politics, she aims to improve the lives of individuals who identify as members of marginalized communities. She has been able to work towards this goal through the Fellowship by gaining insights into the policy creation process […]

Janisse Ray, in her autobiography “Ecology of a Cracker Childhood,” discusses her childhood growing up in south Georgia, surrounded by the towering longleaf pines of the South. Through stories of her family and of Georgia’s natural history, she describes the significance of the Georgia landscape to her. Though many of Ray’s cherished longleaf pine forests […]

Kate Thompson is a fourth-year Fellow majoring in international affairs with certificates in global studies and public affairs professional in applied politics. She is also a Double Dawg pursuing a Masters’ of Public Administration at UGA. This is Kate’s third year with the Fellowship. Throughout her time as a Fellow, she has learned about the […]

On March 8th, 2021, Senator Carden Summers of the 13th District introduced Senate Bill 613, also known as the “Common Humanity in Private Education Act.”[1] The bill claims that an increasing number of private and nonpublic schools in Georgia have “embraced curricula and programs based in critical race theory,” which has caused these schools to […]

Jaiden Dosani is a fourth-year economics major minoring in sociology and philosophy. As a fellow, he aims to be more involved in the community and learn from the Fellowship community. His biggest takeaway has been how important it is to go outside the campus bubble and engage with the Athens community. Jaiden was motivated to […]

Ansley Hatcher is a third-year Senior Staffer majoring in political science and minoring in criminal justice studies. She has been with the Fellowship since 2020 and was motivated to join to gain experience analyzing legislation, strengthening her policy research skills and building relationships with other Fellows. Throughout her time with the Fellowship, she has learned […]

A new report from Bankrate discusses the rise of electric vehicles in the past several years, while addressing common concerns about electric vehicles. As the article explains, electric vehicles sales have increased by 40% annually in the past several years. Currently, there are 59 electric vehicle models available for Americans to purchase. This falls behind […]

Susannah Long is a third-year Fellow majoring in International Affairs and Economics with a minor in French. She was motivated to get involved in politics because of the significant impact it can have on people’s lives. Through the Fellowship, she hopes to gain experience in politics, form friendships with other Fellows and see how impactful […]

Broadband has become an essential infrastructure for Americans, which means accessibility and affordability is a critical issue facing politicians. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) defines broadband internet as a minimum of 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download speed, the time it takes to receive data such as loading a web page, and 3 Mbps upload […]

Caroline Solomon is a third-year Senior Staffer majoring in Environmental Economics and Management and Russian with a minor in Studio Art. She was motivated to join the Fellowship to be involved at the place where change is happening. This is her second year with the Fellowship, and throughout this time she has learned the diversity […]

The Georgia Assembly is aiming to silence schools that acknowledge and discuss the ongoing presence of racism and oppression present in the United States. In the 2021-2022 Georgia Legislative Session, House Bill 888 was introduced and assigned to the Education House Committee. This bill is sponsored by Powell (32nd), Leverett (33rd), Jasperse (11th), Washburn (141st), […]

Inaara Lalani is a third-year Fellow majoring in international affairs. Her background as the daughter of Pakistani immigrants and an Ismaili Muslim motivated her to get involved in politics, as she feels the minority experience is one that is often not included in politics. She has seen minorities having to depend on the majority to […]

On January 21, 2022, a student at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School in Athens had their artwork, which featured a pride flag, removed after a parent complained and compared the artwork to hanging a Nazi flag.[1] This local incident is reflective of the issues LGBTQ+ students face across the state and the nation. LGBTQ+ students in […]

Keegan Cardman is a third-year political science major with a minor in international affairs. She was first motivated to enter politics after meeting her Representative on a school trip to D.C. in 8th grade. Through the Fellowship, she aims to gain a robust understanding of the political sphere, from the policy-making process to communications. By […]

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to ravage the United States and schools moved online, parents were left with an immediate crisis and an important decision to make: how to care for their children while providing economic stability for their families. While exacerbated by the sudden changes caused by the pandemic, this impossible […]

Matthew Ryan Curlee is a fourth-year international affairs major pursuing the master of public administration at the University of Georgia. He was initially motivated to enter politics because of his desire to see his community grow and prosper, and he hopes to pursue a career in management in local government or humanitarian non-profit organizations. Through […]

PRESS RELEASE   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Betsy Theroux Tuesday, January 18, 2022 (404) 656-3996   betsy.theroux@house.ga.gov   Camille Taylor   (404) 656-0305   camille.taylor@house.ga.gov   Rep. Spencer Frye Releases Proposed Athens-Clarke County Commission District Map   ATLANTA – State Representative Spencer Frye (D-Athens), who is a member of the Athens-Clarke County Legislative Delegation, today […]

Riley Grube is a third-year Senior Staffer majoring in political science with a minor in international affairs. This is Riley’s second year with the Fellowship and she has been motivated to continue her involvement so she can gain experience conducting research and analyzing legislation as well as getting to know other Fellows. Through her experience […]

Ashni Patel is a second-year majoring in international affairs and economics with a minor in statistics. She was motivated to get involved in politics by Stacey Abrams’ 2018 run for governor, which taught her the importance of working to elect politicians that represent her values and the power that we have to make that change […]

Isabel Archer is a second-year political science major with a minor in women’s studies. As a Legislative Fellow, she hopes to learn about the behind-the-scenes of politics, particularly what it is like to campaign and be a part of the legislative session. Throughout her experience in the Fellowship so far, Isabel has learned the importance […]

Equitable access to healthcare, especially medication, is a right all Americans should enjoy. Those living with diseases such as HIV, in particular, deserve the same protection afforded to those unafflicted. The United States Supreme Court is currently preparing to hear a case regarding this kind of protection in CVS Pharmacy Inc. v. Doe. The respondents, […]

Katie Roth is a fourth-year political science major with a minor in communication studies and a certificate in applied politics. Through the Fellowship, she hopes to gain a better understanding of the bill drafting and legislation writing processes while also strengthening her political research and public communication skills. Her biggest takeaway from her time in the […]