Politics & Government

Brookhaven Delegation Experiences Some Shifts During Legislative Session

Jacobs, Parent aren't in sync with cityhood idea.

Even with a freshman lawmaker who is part of the minority party, Brookhaven legislators made their presence known during the recent legislative session, which adjourned late Thursday evening.

The election this past November of new state Rep. Elena Parent resulted in some shifts among Brookhaven’s legislative delegation. State Rep. Mike Jacobs, R-Atlanta, landed the chairmanship of the MARTA oversight committee (MARTOC), previously held by former state Rep. Jill Chambers, who was defeated Parent. Jacobs also serves as vice chair of the powerful House Judiciary Committee.

But despite their neighboring districts, Parent and Jacobs aren’t in sync with the idea of a Brookhaven cityhood or annexation. While Jacobs introduced House Bill 636, which would establish a Brookhaven city charter, late in the session, Parent has said he hasn’t contacted or consulted with her regarding any potential Brookhaven municipality.

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Parent pretty much voted in step with her House Democratic colleagues during her freshman legislative session, including in their opposition to Senate Bill 79, which was openly supported by Jacobs.

Senate Bill 79 would reduce DeKalb’s school board from nine to seven members. It also gives Gov. Nathan Deal the authority to remove and replace every member of Atlanta’s embattled school board.

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Most members of DeKalb’s legislative delegation were vehemently opposed to the bill, arguing it was an unwarranted intrusion by the state into a local matter. The bill now goes to the governor for approval.

As members of the General Assembly’s minority caucus, Parent and her colleagues were also unsuccessful in preventing the passage of illegal immigration reform, which cleared its final hurdle Thursday night in the Senate.

However, Democrats were successful in their opposition to House Bill 388, which would have overhauled the state tax code. Democrats argued the bill offered a minimal personal income tax cut for the vast majority of Georgians, while increasing sales taxes on the same taxpayers, resulting in a net tax increase for 82 percent of all Georgians. 

Despite their differences, both Parent and Jacobs voted for Senate Bill 10, which gives cities and counties the opportunity to vote on a Sunday alcohol sales referendum. Deal has said he will sign the bill.


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