Your April 2021
Legislative
&
Community Update!
Don't Forget Senator Rhett
District 33
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What's Happening
in
District 33!
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Georgia Legislative Black Caucus 2021
Senator "Doc" Rhett GLBC Senate Deputy Whip
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Voting Legislation
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to provide that persons or entities that mail absentee ballot applications shall mail such applications only to eligible registered electors who have not already requested, been issued, or voted an absentee ballot; to require certain comparisons to remove improper names from mail distribution lists; to provide for sanctions for violations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
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Redistricting
Senator "Doc" Rhett is the democrat representing Cobb County on the state legislature
The 2020 United States redistricting cycle will take place following the completion of the 2020 United States Census. In all fifty states, various bodies will re-draw state legislative districts.
The rules for redistricting vary from state to state, but all states draw new legislative and congressional maps in the state legislature. They will also review school boards, municipal, and county government maps.
A committee from the state house and state senate will address redistricting in Georgia.
Aside from the possibility of mid-decade redistricting, the districts drawn in the 2020 redistricting cycle will remain in effect until the next round of redistricting following the 2030 United States Census.
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MLB All-Stars to Cobb: You’re out
MDJ News
Major League Baseball has pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Cobb County, a bombshell announcement Friday afternoon that capped off a week of mounting backlash to the passage of Georgia’s new omnibus elections law.
The Midsummer Classic, as the game is known, was originally scheduled to be played July 13 in Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, with related activities and events taking place between July 7 and July 14 throughout Cumberland. Cobb officials had hoped the game would not only showcase the new stadium but the county itself.
In a prepared statement, Robert Manfred Jr., the MLB’s baseball commissioner, said moving the All-Star Game and league draft from Georgia would be “the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport.”
“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box,” he wrote.
“In 2020 … we proudly used our platform to encourage baseball fans and communities throughout our country to perform their civic duty and actively participate in the voting process. Fair access to voting continues to have our game’s unwavering support.”
At a news conference Friday afternoon, Lisa Cupid, chairwoman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, said the news was disheartening, but she wasn’t completely surprised.
“We’re disappointed, but wanted to see how we could take the energy and concern of the Players Association, and channel that into something positive and constructive for us,” Cupid said.
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Scott’s House Ag panel probes USDA discrimination against Black farmers
Greetings,
Last week, I chaired a historic hearing to review the current status of Black farmers in the United States. According to reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of Black farmers in the U.S. declined by over 90% since 1900. Currently, black farmers account for only 1.7% of farms in the United States, and they only receive approximately 0.7% of total USDA payments.
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Washington, DC — Following remarks urging immediate action on “red flag” laws by President Biden at the White House today, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06), who stood by the President at the event, reintroduced H.R. 2377, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act. Extreme risk laws—also called “red flag laws”—empower loved ones and law enforcement to ensure that those who pose a threat to themselves or others do not have access to firearms.
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Want to have a voice of the development in your community? Stay connected by being “In the Zone.” Zoning and land use decisions shape our communities for generations. Think parks, trails, residential and commercial development and how they impact our daily lives.
Join Commissioner Monique Sheffield and Planning Commissioner Galt Porter for District 4 zoning updates and let your voice be heard! Virtual meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Our next meeting will be held on April 28.
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Low-income residents can apply for cooling utility bill assistance
Tallatoona Community Action Partnership staff will begin accepting appointments for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program cooling assistance soon. This program helps eligible, low-income residents with heating and cooling costs.
Appointments will open:
- 8:30 a.m., April 1
- Households in which all adults are age 65 or older and homebound households
- 8:30 a.m., May 3
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- General public
Appointments can be scheduled online at tallatoonacap.org, by phone at 770-817-4666, option 2 or 770-773-7730, option 2. Due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, all Tallatoona offices are closed to the public. Appointments will be completed remotely by telephone. All required documents will be accepted via fax, mail, or quick drop off at local county offices. Please DO NOT send documents prior to your appointment.
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Cobb County residents can apply online for the county's new $22.8 million COVID-19 rent and utility relief program starting Thursday.
Patch News
COBB COUNTY, GA — Cobb County residents struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic can soon apply for help making rent and utility payments.
Cobb County is opening applications for its new $22.8 million COVID-19 rent assistance program April 1, just over a month after Cobb commissioners gave the go-ahead for the county to implement the program.
Five nonprofits will be administering the funds for the program: Sweetwater Mission, Home Free-USA (Cobb ), MUST Ministries, Center for Family Resources and Star-C Programs. Each of the nonprofits have helped distribute rent relief funds for the county throughout the pandemic.
Eviction moratorium was set to expire March 31, but the agency announced Monday that the deadline is now extended to June 30. At a county forum last week, Cobb Chief Magistrate Judge Brendan Murphy said the court had about 2,000 pending eviction cases.
An "eligible household" to apply for the program is defined as a renter household in which at least one or more people meets the following criteria:
- Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
- Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median.
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Seniors invited to final food distribution event next Friday
More than 240 older adults were served at our food drive last week. Cobb Senior Services' final drive through food distribution will be held from 11 a.m. to noon (or while supplies last) Friday, April 16. Residents age 60 and older are encouraged to get shelf stable food at Cobb Senior Services, 1150 Powder Springs St., Marietta. An ID showing date of birth and Cobb County home address for each senior is required upon arrival. No appointment is needed.
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Drive thru food pantry continues at Mableton library
Families in need are invited to drive thru food pantry events this spring. Twice each month, Cobb Public Library and Atlanta Community Food Bank staff stage these free outdoor events at South Cobb Regional Library. The next food distribution will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or while supplies last, Wednesday, April 21.
One package of 20 pounds of food will be distributed per family on a first-come, first-served basis. The packages include produce and shelf-stable items. South Cobb Library is located at 805 Clay Road, Mableton, near the Mableton Post Office and Mable House Complex. For more information, visit cobbcounty.org/library or call the library at 678-398-5828.
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Mableton Town Square Park
Ribbon Cutting, April 21, 2021, 2:30 pm
Everyone is invited to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Mableton Town Square at 2:30 pm on April 21st. The new playground is installed, along with benches, tables, waste bins, and water fountains funded by community sponsors and Cobb County. A few more sponsorship opportunities are still available.
This project began in 2018 when MIC and Cobb Parks invited the community to "Imagine the Mableton Town Square." Community input created the master plan that we will celebrate at the Ribbon Cutting.
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Smyrna to administer another 1,000 vaccine doses next week; appointments available
Smyrna will hold two vaccination events next week after receiving another 1,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the city announced Friday.
Smyrna will administer the vaccines in the large gym at the Smyrna Community Center Thursday, April 15, and Friday, April 16.
The vaccines are free, and patients need only to bring a photo ID to their appointment.
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Our student Athlete, Rajaan Bennett. Gone too soon. |
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Serving Community & Country!
Senator "Doc" Rhett
Georgia State Senator District 33
Master Sergeant Michael "Doc" Rhett
Retired
U. S. Air Force Reserves
Retired Educator
Doctorate Degree: University of Georgia (UGA)
American Legion Post 296 Marietta, Georgia
Officer/Trustee Turner Chapel AME Church Marietta, GA
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