ISSUES
Asha Jackson for House District 58. I’m ready to work for all of us.
Everyday people are feeling less safe in their homes and our streets are becoming more dangerous. We are in challenging economic times that demand action to improve our community, transportation, and the environment. Our schools are failing and we need access to affordable housing and health care. We need a leader who is ready to fight for the safety of our neighborhood, our jobs, our schools, and our health. I am ready to work for all of us, right now. I’m Asha Jackson, an attorney, an advocate, an ally who is ready to work right now.
SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS
From East Atlanta to DeKalb, I have seen our courageous neighbors take a stand against criminals who have been preying on us. I join them in saying that we will not stand for crime and we will take back our neighborhood. As State Representative, I will work with the Atlanta City Council, the DeKalb County Commission, local law enforcement, and you-my neighbors to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe.
I support tough action against criminals who perpetrate violent crimes and gangs who terrorize our children and neighborhoods. At the same time, the real solution to crime is not to put band-aids on the problem but to combat the systemic ills that result in crime. As your next State Representative, I will enhance my work and investment in community initiatives that encourage and train young people so that they do not fall by the wayside. We need to start early to reduce recidivism and juvenile crime and I will partner with our District Attorney and Solicitor General to provide continued support for programs like drug court for non-violent offenders and teen court.
I will also work to make sure District 58 receives its fair share of the $4 billion in Department of Justice grant funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to enhance state and local law enforcement efforts. I will work to hire more police officers, combat violence against women and children, and fight Internet crimes against children.
Jobs and the Economy
Not since the Great Depression have we experienced such an unprecedented loss of jobs, homes, and resources that Georgia families now face. We are struggling to keep a roof over our heads and to provide for our families. At the same time, our community is made up of talented and hardworking citizens who deserve to have a neighborhood that is the best place to live, work, and raise our families. As the next Representative for Georgia House District 58, I will fight for our families and make it a priority to bring jobs with livable wages and benefits to our district. Specifically, I will continue to provide training and skills enhancement to our workforce through educational opportunities and job preparedness. And I will support small business owners who increasingly represent the best pool of employers in our district .
Our Schools
As a graduate of the Atlanta public school system, I know how vital education is to our children. We must support our teachers and empower the community to educate our children. I will fight the raid on our public school budgets, fight for fair wages for our teachers, and help put the control of our schools where it belongs – with parents, teachers, and local communities.
“No Child Left Behind” left a lot of our children without a voice or the resources to compete in society. I will work for lower student-teacher ratios so our teachers can give our students the attention they need. I am committed to bringing “real” learning back into the classroom through innovative programs, advanced technology, and resources to give our children the skills to compete in the global economy. I will also work with parents, teachers, business people and elected officials to provide enhanced opportunities for our kids beyond the school day.
Health Care
Many Georgia families are one serious illness away from financial disaster. Others are forced to choose between medications they can afford and those they need at the pharmacy. Too many people go without basic preventative healthcare and wait until there is a crisis to go to the doctor. This often means a trip to the emergency room, which is costly and not comprehensive. We cannot wait any longer to get serious about the health care challenges facing Georgia.
As our next State Representative, I will fight for affordable healthcare for our community and for access to quality healthcare for all Georgians. I will work to create and support comprehensive care networks that provide well-care, health education, and preventative care to the citizens of our District. I will work, specifically, to expand choose between medication PeachCare so that it includes all children and so that every Georgia child can go to the doctor when they are sick.
