Progress Report: Electeds Getting Things Done
Even though we devote much time, thought and money to candidates and campaigns. election day, truly, is only the beginning!
We’re so very proud of the talented leaders we’ve helped to elect, and we intend to check in often and report back on their accomplishments in the districts they represent.
We’ll start with two from Georgia: Kenya Wicks and Aaron Whitley.
Kenya Wicks | GA State Senate, District 34
Co-Authored GA Senate Bill 85, The Georgia Foster Care Scholarship Act, recently signed into law. This legislation creates a grant program offering up to $30,000 annually to eligible former foster youth under the age of 26 pursuing an undergraduate degree. It covers tuition, housing, meals, and books, and is available until a bachelor’s degree is earned, 127 credit hours are attempted, or 10 years of support are used. The program is managed by the Georgia Student Finance Authority and is contingent on state funding.
Also introduced GA Senate Bill 273 revising the minimum wage law to provide a minimum wage increase and annual increases to match the rising cost of living; provide a credit toward the minimum wage for employers of tipped workers; eliminate various eligibility exemptions; provide an effective date; repeal conflicting laws; and for other related matters. Ms. Wicks is pushing to have the minimum wage to $22 per hour.
Aaron Whitley | Commission District 6, Chatham County, GA
- Worked with the commission to attain 40% MWBE (Minority Women Business Enterprises) participation in all county contracts
- Advocates for the implementation of an Urban Camping Ordinance and adopting the Interagency Council on Homelessness’s five-year plan.
- Advocated for necessary resources to make Chatham County’s Restorative Justice Homeless Court effective.