Rep. Morgan: Glad Session Is Over

In her 10 years in public office, told constituents Wednesday that "I really want to forget" the recently-concluded 2012 state legislative session.

She asked those in attendance at her Wednesday town hall meeting to visit www.legis.ga.gov to get the latest updates on legislation from the session. The meeting had about 25 residents in attendance and was held at the South Cobb Recreation Center in Austell. A legislative update from Rep. Morgan is also available through her office.

Morgan praised the passage of the HB 1176 Criminal Justice Reform Bill because "all three branches of state government came together to get it accomplished."

Morgan said she voted against HB 347, which cut unemployment benefits from a maximum of 26 weeks to a sliding scale of 14 to 20 weeks. "People don't need less benefits in this economy, they need more," said Morgan.

She also voted against HB 954, the bill that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks with limited exceptions: the immediate threat of death to the mother or irreversible physical impairment.  "We had some bills this session that just got a little too close," said Morgan, adding situations like this "should be a personal issue."

The talk turned to charter schools and passage of Donna Askew, who is running against Morgan in the July 31 primary, asked Morgan if she would gain financially if it passes.

"No one in my household is in the business of building charter schools," said Morgan, whose husband, , is Georgia governmental affairs advisor for the American Federation for Children and vice president of the

One parent asked, "Why can't we put all our energies and resources toward our public schools to make them better?"  Morgan said she fully supports public education and works to make it better every day, but she believes parents and children should have choices based on the individual needs of their child.