Paying the Price: How SB 63 Criminalizes Poverty in Georgia
Imagine being jailed for weeks—not because you are convicted of a crime, but simply because you can’t afford to pay your way out. This rings true …
Capitol Corner
A collection of policy papers written by Frye Fellows.
Fostering Fresh Starts: Outlawing Juvenile Life-Without-Parole Sentences
The United States of America is the only country in the world that sentences children to life behind bars without the opportunity to get out. Children…
Get Out the GVRA
Voter suppression is an aspect of elections in the United States that is well-known by many Americans, especially people of color. Throughout our elec…
Rising Waters, Rising Urgency: A Georgia Coastal Resilience Plan
Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean is from June 1 to Nov. 30. While most hurricanes are downgraded to tropical storms before they make landfall in…
Modernizing Georgia’s Education Funding
In 1985, the Nintendo Entertainment System was released. The first smartphone was manufactured in 1994, and DVDs continued to rise throughout the earl…
Censorship Threatens Education
Free speech is the cornerstone of American democracy. As such, it’s driven change that has been crucial to individual freedom. Freedom is brought ab…
Ending Gender-Based Violence Through Education
In Georgia, gender-based violence (GBV) is an issue that transcends mere statistics and poses serious infringements of human rights, drastically impac…
Carceral Employment Opportunities or Modern-Day Slavery?
Georgia remains one of seven states where incarcerated individuals usually receive no pay for their labor, even though many of them work full-time sup…
Let All Georgians Vote
Voting in the U.S. allows citizens to voice their concerns by electing officials who defend their rights. Although felons make up a sizable population…
Georgia Must Invest in Telehealth
In a state where nearly a third of rural residents lack the bandwidth to join a Zoom call, Georgia’s promise that telehealth can solve the mental he…
Parking Minimums Mean Minimal Housing
Imagine standing in a Walmart parking lot. Think about its size. Now, consider the number of spots typically occupied. On a typical day, there will be…
Will We Need Taller Boots? Stormwater Runoff Is a Problem
A new challenge is arising in areas of Georgia with dense urban growth. As compact growth becomes the norm, so do problems with urban stormwater runof…
Georgia’s Unhoused Populations Are Targets of Voter Suppression
Since the 2020 election, Georgia has been a focal point of voter suppression and discrimination. The voters of Georgia have suffered constant attacks …
Voting? An obstacle to overcome.
“I’m a Georgia Voter” is the catchphrase on stickers voters receive after successfully casting their votes. However, despite being eligible, man…
Doulas Transform Maternal Outcomes
Maternal mortality, a statistic representing racial inequities and healthcare failures, refers to “the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 …
Advancing Digital Literacy Education for Georgia’s Next Generation
In a 2022 report, McKinsey & Company noted that “at least 50 percent of Gen Zers see news on social media daily” and “up to 15 percent of pe…
Migrating Away From an Exclusionary Healthcare System
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness: the cost of the ‘American Dream.’ Immigrants are historically excluded from this right as they are re…
Feeding Futures: Food Insecurity and Education Outcomes
Georgia’s schools have a fuel problem, but it’s not school buses or generators that need sustenance. Instead, the harsh reality is that 22% of Geo…
Data Centers: Incentives vs. Reality
With the rise of mobile connectivity, much of our daily lives now reside on the digital cloud. While the cloud may seem invisible to the average user,…
A Minimum Wage That Doesn’t Cover the Minimum Costs
Georgia’s minimum wage is $5.15, but for most employment in Georgia, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 applies due to the Fair Labor Standards Act (…
Fellow Spotlight: Kaitlyn Muzio
This week’s Fellow Spotlight goes out to Kaitlyn Muzio! Kaitlyn is a third year from Cumming, Georgia, majoring in Criminal Justice and…
Addressing Immigration
Immigration has been a long-standing controversial issue throughout American history, let alone the world. A touchy subject in the House and the Senat…
A Mother’s Touch: The Case for Extended Paid Maternal Leave in Georgia
The health of a newborn depends on the health of the mother. This was the finding of research conducted by the Longitudinal Study of Australian Childr…
Fellow Spotlight: Ian Roberts
This week’s Fellow Spotlight goes out to Ian Roberts! Ian is a Sophomore from Americus, GA, majoring in Political Science and History whi…
Fellow Spotlight: Aarov Malhotra
This week’s Fellow Spotlight is dedicated to Aarov Malhotra! Aarov is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and is the only first-year studen…
Adequate Composting Infrastructure in Georgia
Imagine a world where every business in Georgia was to replace its single-use plastics with biodegradable and compostable alternatives. Imagine that a…
Fellow Spotlight: Francesca Mariano
This week’s fellow spotlight goes to Francesca Mariano! Francesca is a Sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia, double majoring in Political Science and Int…
Taxation Without Benefits: Lowering the Annual EV Registration Fee
Georgia has one of the highest annual taxes on electric vehicles (EVs) in the nation. Currently, the fee for non-commercial alternative fuel vehicles …
Adequate Staffing and Funding for Correctional Facilities
A radio, a set of keys, and a baton. For most corrections officers in Georgia, these three items are the only resources they have during their shifts …
Fellow Spotlight: Ashton Sellers
This week’s fellow spotlight goes to Ashton Sellers! Ashton is a third year from Ellijay, Georgia, majoring in English and minoring in Politi…
How Tele-health Can Prevent Maternity Care Deserts
Currently, fewer than half of the rural hospitals in the nation have maternal units. More than 2.2 million women of childbearing age across 1,119 US c…
How Walkable Cities Can Save Lives and Transform Communities
As pedestrian fatalities surge to an unprecedented high, it is time to critically examine the measures required to transform Georgia cities into walka…
Fellow Spotlight: Jack Jarashow
This week, the Fellow receiving the Spotlight is none other than Jack Jarashow! Jack is a second-year from Marlboro, New Jersey majoring in Economics …
Tackling Affordable Childcare and Its Gender Related Discrepancies
Who pays the price when childcare is hard to come by? Georgia’s failure to adequately support working families in need of affordable childcare optio…
A Case for Tuition-Free Technical Schools in Georgia
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the U.S. economy experienced a rapid rebound that few had expected. [1] People clamored for goods and servi…
Fellow Spotlight: Anthony Tringali
Our first Fellow Spotlight of the spring semester goes to Anthony Tringali! Anthony is a fourth year from Kennesaw, GA, double majoring in Eco…
Adopting Full Medicaid Expansion in Georgia
As one of ten states that have not adopted full Medicaid expansion, Georgia leads as one of the country’s top states for uninsured rates. While …
Fellow Spotlight: Niamh Dempsey
Our final Fellow Spotlight of the semester goes to Niamh Dempsey! Niamh is a fourth year from The Turks and Caicos Islands, double majoring in Interna…
Rural Healthcare Providers in Georgia
Healthcare in rural Georgia is in desperate need of a change because due to limited access. 89 Georgia counties have been identified as Primary Care H…
Fellow Spotlight: Nishat Nayla
This week’s spotlight goes to Nishat Nayla! Nishat is a second year from Chamblee, Georgia, majoring in both International Affairs and Economics…
Addressing Mandatory Minimums, Non-Violent Drug Offenses
America has a prison problem. As of 2020, nearly one out of every 100 Americans were incarcerated [1]. Nearly 63% of those incarcerated are serving se…
Schedule F Civil Service Appointments and Their Potential Effects
In October 2020, then-President Trump signed Executive Order 13957, creating a new federal job classification known as Schedule F appointments. In sim…
Fellow Spotlight: Saanvikha Saravanan
This week’s Fellow Spotlight goes to Saanvikha Saravanan! Saanvikha is a third year from Suwannee, Georgia, majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular B…
Fellow Spotlight: Anna Rachwalski
The Fellow Spotlight this week goes to Anna Rachwalski! Anna is a second year from Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Economics, English, and International…
Reforming Georgia’s Cash Bail System
Fellow Spotlight: Caroline Oliver
The Fellow Spotlight this week goes to Caroline Oliver! Caroline is a fourth year from Sandy Springs, GA, majoring in Health Promotion and minoring in…
Cybersecurity Challenges in Georgia’s Elections
Georgia’s elections have become heavily scrutinized. After Joe Biden won the presidency due to a narrow lead in Georgia, and the senatorial election…
Fellow Spotlight: Bianca Medeiros Pinto
The Fellow Spotlight this week goes to Bianca Medeiros Pinto! Bianca is a fourth year from Dacula, Georgia, double majoring in Political Science and …
Adequate Funding for Public School Transportation
For many public school students, the school day starts by riding on the bus. Indeed, adequate school transportation is essential for the 932,693 stude…
Addressing Police Brutality
It has happened again. On Friday, January 27th, a disturbing video was released of the violent arrest of Memphis resident Tyre Nichols. According to a…
Long-Term Care in Georgia
As the population of the United States ages, the need for long-term care services will continue to grow, placing more strain on the current system. Th…
Automatic Sealing of Eviction Records
Within the context of the current housing crisis, evictions have become an even more salient issue among Georgians and hold far more lasting consequen…
Fellow Spotlight: Caroline Oliver
This week’s fellow spotlight goes out to Caroline Oliver! Caroline is a third-year Health Promotion student, and it is her first year with the f…
Re-Evaluating QBE Funding
Proper funding for our schools is of utmost importance. Students must have access to all the resources they need to succeed in life. Georgia’s curre…
Fellow Spotlight: Isabel Archer
Isabel Archer is a third-year from Atlanta, Georgia. This is her second year with the fellowship. We are happy to have her back, especially because sh…
Fellow Spotlight: Wally Stover III
Wally is a second-year Political Science & International Affairs double major. It is Wally’s first year with the fellowship, and he is also …
Mental Health Resources in School
In the past few years, the number of middle and high school students dealing with mental health issues has increased. Teachers cannot successfully tea…
Fellow Spotlight: Riley Batz
Next up on our fellow spotlight series is Riley Batz! Riley is a second-year at UGA majoring in Economics and double-minoring in Political Science and…
Fellow Spotlight: Juliana Hartley
This week, we are highlighting Juliana Hartley! Juliana is a second-year at UGA studying Political Science and Economics and is also pursuing a certif…
Food or Rent? Tackling Georgia’s Housing Crisis
When one thinks of Georgia, they typically envision the “Empire State of The South” where almost everyone has a roof over their head, incomes rema…
Fellow Spotlight: Paige Graham
Paige Graham is our fellow spotlight of the week! Paige is a fourth-year International Affairs and Spanish major. She is also pursuing a Master’s of…
Addressing Food Insecurity in Athens
One in every five people in Athens-Clarke County is experiencing food insecurity.[1] In the past decade, many local Athens organizations and nonprofit…
ICE Facilities in Georgia
During his campaign, President Biden vowed to end all privately-run detention facilities, including immigration detention facilities.[1] The United St…
Fellow Spotlight: Carlos Lopez Ramirez
Carlos Lopez Ramirez is a fourth-year at UGA majoring in Computer Science, Psychology, and Cognitive Science. It is Carlos’ first year with the fell…
The Potential for Clean Energy in Georgia
As carbon dioxide levels on our planet continue to increase, many states have enacted legislation to reduce gas production. Although a state with a ma…
Progressive Prosecution as a Solution to Georgia’s Incarceration Rate
Georgia has the fourth-highest prison incarceration rate in the country. In 2021, Georgia’s prison incarceration rate was 968 inmates per 100,000 pe…
The Recent Threat to Affirmative Action
The use of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment in college admissions has been the subject of criticism, mainly for using race as a…
School-to-Prison Pipeline
A national trend is pushing students who misbehave out of public schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems. The school-to-prison pipe…
Importance of Telehealth and Telemedicine Services in Georgia
A 2019 study by the Commonwealth Fund ranked Georgia 42nd for state healthcare system performance with the biggest problems being affordability and ac…
The Possibilities for Rail Expansion in Georgia
The United States is on the brink of a major expansion in freight and passenger rail lines. Thanks in part to a $66 billion rail investment in the 2…
Continuums of Care
Homelessness has chronically plagued Georgia’s urban areas, but with the efforts of non-profit organizations and increased funding allocations, home…
Closing the Homework Gap with Chromebooks
The “homework gap” is a term FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel used to describe students’ difficulty getting online at home to complete s…
“Constitutional Carry”: An Alarming Step Towards Increasing Gun Violence
This past March marked one year since the shooting of three Atlanta-based spas, which led to the deaths of eight individuals, of whom six were women o…
The U.S.’s Response to Ukraine
In just a month, the entire state of the world has changed. Russia has invaded and started a gruesome war with Ukraine. Many countries worldwide have …
Fellowship Spotlight: Khushi Mehta
Khushi Mehta is a second-year Fellow majoring in economics, international business and political science. She is also pursuing a minor in Spanish and …
Obstacles to Obtaining Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants
A privilege that many Americans often take for granted is the ability to obtain a driver’s license. In fact, most of the U.S.’s infrastructure is …
Fellowship Spotlight: Julia Hawkins
Julia Hawkins is a fourth-year Fellow pursuing a major in Public Relations, a minor in political science and a public affairs communications certifica…
Equalization Across Georgia Districts
Georgia’s schools are unfairly funded throughout the state. Public education is funded predominantly by local tax revenue, which includes money deri…
Fellowship Spotlight: Ciera Thomas
Ciera Thomas is a fourth-year Fellow majoring in microbiology with minors in Spanish, international affairs and global health. Through politics, she a…
Giving Credit Where It Is Due: How Carbon Cap-And-Trade Could Help Georgians
Janisse Ray, in her autobiography “Ecology of a Cracker Childhood,” discusses her childhood growing up in south Georgia, surrounded by the towerin…
Fellowship Spotlight: Kate Thompson
Kate Thompson is a fourth-year Fellow majoring in international affairs with certificates in global studies and public affairs professional in applied…
Georgia Aims to Criminalize Teaching American History
On March 8th, 2021, Senator Carden Summers of the 13th District introduced Senate Bill 613, also known as the “Common Humanity in Private Education …
Fellowship Spotlight: Jaiden Dosani
Jaiden Dosani is a fourth-year economics major minoring in sociology and philosophy. As a fellow, he aims to be more involved in the community and lea…
Fellowship Spotlight: Ansley Hatcher
Ansley Hatcher is a third-year Senior Staffer majoring in political science and minoring in criminal justice studies. She has been with the Fellowship…
New Report Discusses the Rise of Electric Vehicles in 2022
A new report from Bankrate discusses the rise of electric vehicles in the past several years, while addressing common concerns about electric vehicles…
Fellowship Spotlight: Susannah Long
Susannah Long is a third-year Fellow majoring in International Affairs and Economics with a minor in French. She was motivated to get involved in poli…
Getting Georgia Online: The Importance of Broadband Expansion
Broadband has become an essential infrastructure for Americans, which means accessibility and affordability is a critical issue facing politicians. Th…
Fellowship Spotlight: Caroline Solomon
Caroline Solomon is a third-year Senior Staffer majoring in Environmental Economics and Management and Russian with a minor in Studio Art. She was mot…
Georgia Assembly Aims to Silence Georgia Schools
The Georgia Assembly is aiming to silence schools that acknowledge and discuss the ongoing presence of racism and oppression present in the United Sta…
Fellowship Spotlight: Inaara Lalani
Inaara Lalani is a third-year Fellow majoring in international affairs. Her background as the daughter of Pakistani immigrants and an Ismaili Muslim m…
Safe Schools For All: How Georgia Fails to Protect LGBTQ+ Students
On January 21, 2022, a student at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School in Athens had their artwork, which featured a pride flag, removed after a parent…
Fellowship Spotlight: Keegan Cardman
Keegan Cardman is a third-year political science major with a minor in international affairs. She was first motivated to enter politics after meeting …
A Systemic Failure: The Child Care Crisis
In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to ravage the United States and schools moved online, parents were left with an immediate crisis and an …
Fellowship Spotlight: Matthew Curlee
Matthew Ryan Curlee is a fourth-year international affairs major pursuing the master of public administration at the University of Georgia. He was ini…
Press Release: Rep. Spencer Frye Releases Proposed Athens-Clarke County Commission District Map
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Betsy Theroux Tuesday, January 18, 2022 (404) 656-3996 betsy.theroux@house.ga.gov C…
Fellowship Spotlight: Riley Grube
Riley Grube is a third-year Senior Staffer majoring in political science with a minor in international affairs. This is Riley’s second year with…
Fellowship Spotlight: Ashni Patel
Ashni Patel is a second-year majoring in international affairs and economics with a minor in statistics. She was motivated to get involved in politics…
Fellowship Spotlight: Isabel Archer
Isabel Archer is a second-year political science major with a minor in women’s studies. As a Legislative Fellow, she hopes to learn about the be…
CVS v. Doe: Ensuring Access to Life-Saving Medication for All
Equitable access to healthcare, especially medication, is a right all Americans should enjoy. Those living with diseases such as HIV, in particular, d…
Fellowship Spotlight: Katie Roth
Katie Roth is a fourth-year political science major with a minor in communication studies and a certificate in applied politics. Through the Fellowsh…
The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color
As of early October, over 700,000 Americans have died as a result of the coronavirus.[1] While the average number of COVID-19 related deaths in the st…
Revisiting Georgia’s Three Strikes Laws
The three-strikes law is a law for habitual offenders that imposes mandatory sentences for people convicted of their third felony. In 1993, the stat…
Fellowship Spotlight: Ellie Wilson-Wade
Ellie Wilson-Wade is a third-year political science major with minors in women’s studies and law, jurisprudence and the state. This is her secon…
A New Encampment to Provide New Hope for Athens’ Unhoused Community Members
Growing up in Athens, it was not unusual to pass tents when driving near the 10 Loop and Highway 78. We always called it “Tent City.” It has been …
Fellowship Spotlight: Daniel Schultz
Daniel Schultz is a second-year political science major with minors in cognitive science and statistics. Daniel is currently serving as a Senior Staff…
Food Deserts Starve the State and Its Residents
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately affect low-income communities, the lack of proper access to food only serves to worsen this d…
Fellowship Spotlight: Gitzel Anguiano
Gitzel Anguiano is a third-year at the University of Georgia studying international affairs and public relations with a minor in French. She is also p…
Fellowship Spotlight: Catie Gelting
Catie Gelting is a fourth-year at the University of Georgia studying international affairs and philosophy with a minor in political science. She is a …
The Toll of COVID-19 on Women in the Workplace
“We can do it!”––the iconic poster of Rosie the Riveter looms over girls and women in schools and workplaces alike. But can they really do it?…
The Student Loan Crisis Plaguing America
The Student Loan Crisis The student loan crisis is a predicament millions of Americans face daily. In the wake of the Russians’ launch of Sputnik, t…
Gun Reform: A Sensible Response to Growing Tragedy
Following recent tragedies such as the Atlanta spa shootings and the Boulder shooting, gun control advocates are once again calling for new federal an…
Private Influence in the University System of Georgia
In 2014, the University System of Georgia became the laboratory for what one Savannah newspaper called “one of the nation’s largest experiments in…
Fellowship Spotlight: Shahrzad Roshan
Shahrzad Roshan is a third-year at the University of Georgia studying international affairs. She is the co-president and co-founder of Undocumented St…
Fellowship Spotlight: Adia Aidoo
Adia Aidoo is a fourth-year at the University of Georgia studying public relations and sociology with a certificate in Public Affairs Communications. …
Mobile Health Clinics: Georgia’s Next Big Advancement in Healthcare
As Georgia has faced unprecedented challenges over the past year managing the COVID-19 pandemic, all eyes are on healthcare institutions and the effor…
Fellowship Spotlight: Dinah Gorayeb
Dinah Gorayeb is a first-year student at the University of Georgia studying International Affairs and Economics. Along with the Fellowship, she is als…
Protecting Georgia’s Workers Must Be Our Top Priority
The past year has been tough on all Americans. There have been lockdowns after lockdowns, quarantines and separations from loved ones and many have be…
Fellowship Spotlight: Madison Greer
Madison Greer is a second-year public relations and marketing major. Madison serves as the Vice President of Member Relations for Women in Media at UG…
Georgia’s Assault on Reproductive Justice
Introduction On May 7, 2019, Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 481, also known as the “heartbeat bill”, into law. The bill prohibited physicians from …
Fellowship Spotlight: Taylor Wilhelm
Taylor Wilhelm is a political science, international affairs and criminal justice major with a certificate in Public Affairs Communications. She is a …
Georgians Sue the Georgia Department of Labor Over Unemployment Benefits
As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Georgians are still out of work with no end in sight. As of D…
Fellowship Spotlight: Maeve Breathnach
Maeve Breathnach is a second-year Legislative Fellow pursuing an A.B. in International Affairs, an A.B. in Economics and minors in Spanish and Social …
Painful Lessons: Corporal Punishment in Schools
Young people spend most of their time in school. As a result, it is essential to ensure that schools are a nurturing environment that cultivates infor…
Health Care Access in Georgia
Georgia currently holds the sixth-highest percentage of uninsured residents in the country, with almost one out of five Georgians lacking health insur…
Fellowship Spotlight: Prisha Nandakumar
Prisha Nandakumar is a second-year Legislative Fellow majoring in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Health Policy & Management. With aspirati…
Fellowship Spotlight: Richy Wagner
Richy Wagner is a third-year at the University of Georgia, studying Political Science, Sociology and Criminal Justice. He is also a theatre minor and …
Emergency Response Hindered in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic
In early March of 2020, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was already striking large cities, namely New York. The effect of the strained American he…
Can Blockchain Voting Restore Trust in Our Democracy?
From 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 7, 2018, Ontaria Woods waited in line at the polls in Snellville, Georgia. The governor’s race between B…
Fellowship Spotlight: Isabella Ristuccia
Isabella Ristuccia is a fourth-year student majoring in Political Science and English. She is the Site leader for IMPACT, whose mission is to engage U…
Fellowship Spotlight: Ellie Wilson-Wade
Ellie Wilson-Wade is a second-year at the University of Georgia, majoring in Political Science and Journalism. She is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority…
What a Second Impeachment Means for Former President Trump
On Jan. 9, 2021, the House of Representatives made history when they impeached former President Trump for a second time, making him the first presiden…
Georgia Owes Its Youth More
“Despite hundreds of student requests for science-based programs and several parent-led initiatives for curriculum change, abstinence-based programs…
Fellowship Spotlight: Natalie Navarrete
Natalie Navarrete is a second-year International Affairs, Spanish, and Russian major with a minor in Latin American and Caribbean studies. In addition…
Fellowship Spotlight: Kate Thompson
Kate Thompson is a third-year student majoring in international affairs with a minor in public policy and management. She is currently enrolled in the…
The Truth Behind Dairy: How the Georgia’s Agriculture Needs to Grow
Georgia’s dairy industry has been a key area of development in the last few decades and embodies the issues facing Georgia’s broader agricultural …
Veterans’ Silent Battle with Mental Health
Veteran health care has long been an issue in Georgia. The Atlanta Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Decatur has struggled with unstable leadership an…
Georgia is Failing its Non-Citizen Students
Introduced on February 5th, 2020, Georgia House Bill 896 could have changed the lives of Dreamers in Georgia in the near future. This legislation allo…
Fellowship Spotlight: Zarah Punjwani
Zarah Punjwani is a second-year marketing and international business major with a minor in French. After graduation, she hopes to work in the tech ind…
The Policy of Black Lives Matter
This past summer, legions of people took to the streets of their cities, tense, masked, and six feet apart. They gathered to protest the recent deaths…
How Standardized Testing Fails Georgia Students and Teachers
The Georgia education system faces a real threat as teachers are flocking away from the profession and students battle test anxiety and learning loss.…
Voting Rights Aren’t Always Guaranteed in Georgia
Georgia garnered national attention this recent election cycle for its newfound status as a battleground state, but the state also cycled through elec…
Fellowship Spotlight: Micah Nix
Micah Nix is a second-year political science and international affairs major pursuing a public affairs professional certificate in applied politics. A…
Fellowship Spotlight: Riley Grube
Riley Grube is a second-year political science major with a minor in international affairs. She joined the fellowship to learn how to conduct policy r…
Modern American Eugenics: The Fight for Reproductive Justice Continues
Compulsory Sterilization in ICE Detention Centers The United States has a treacherous history with eugenics that continues to specifically endanger Bl…
Child Mental Health Interventions in Georgia Schools
During the 2018-2019 school year, nearly 80,000 Georgia students in sixth through 12th grade considered attempting suicide, according to the School-Ba…
Fellowship Spotlight: Charley Claudio
Charley Claudio is a fourth-year international affairs and economics major. This is her second year working as a legislative fellow. She was motivated…
Fellowship Spotlight: Caroline Solomon
Caroline Solomon is a second-year Russian and environmental economics and management major with a minor in environmental design. She is involved with …
When You Lose Your Right to Vote
Fifteen Percent Fifteen percent of the population of Georgia faces sanctions on their right to vote. While the right to vote constitutes an essential …
Fellowship Spotlight: Vanisha Kudumuri
Vanisha Kudumuri is a second-year economics, international affairs and political science major with a minor in women’s studies and a certificate in …
How Georgia Fails to Protect Transgender Youth
Georgia lawmakers are creating legislation that targets, dehumanizes and terrorizes its transgender community. On June 26, 2020, the Governor signed i…
A Dirty Taste of “Clean” Energy
Two biomass power plants in northeast Georgia have led to enormous fish kills, environmental investigations, legal battles, and adverse health effects…
Fellowship Spotlight: Jalise Black
Jalise Black is a senior at the University of Georgia double majoring in International Affairs and Political Science with a minor in Public Policy. Sh…
A Better Reality for Dreamers
Georgia’s sizable immigrant population greatly contributes to the state’s social and economic prosperity. Ten percent of the state’s population …
How a Virus Could Threaten Your Right to Vote
As the novel coronavirus continues to take its toll on America, the debate surrounding mail-in voting has grown increasingly prevalent. Though the opt…
What Governor Kemp’s Executive Order Means for You
The Georgia Department of Public Health has determined that implementing restrictions is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 [1]. Starting at 6 p…
Unpacking the COVID-19 Relief Package
WHAT IS IT? The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, was signed into law on Friday, March 27, 2020 by Pr…
Fellowship Spotlight: Dionne Wareham
Dionne Wareham is a senior majoring in International Affairs and minoring in French at the University of Georgia. She is a Cine Film Critic and a LEAD…
Fellowship Spotlight: Madeline Moore
Madeline Moore is a third year pre-law international affairs and political science double major at the University of Georgia. She is a member of the p…
Athens Transit – A Model for Mid-Sized Municipalities
Athens has been ranked the 4th most used transit system in the nation that follows only the New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. areas […
What Athens Residents Need to Know About COVID-19
As COVID-19, commonly referred to as the Coronavirus, continues to spread, over 300,000 cases have been confirmed in the world [1]. The local, state a…
Fellowship Spotlight: Charley Claudio
Charley Claudio is a third year International Affairs and Economics double major at the University of Georgia. Charley has been recognized as a Public…
Benefitting Communities One Trail at a Time
Community trails will help create many social, economic and health benefits for Georgians throughout the state. Socially, trails create a safe and e…
Dual Enrollment: A Program Worth Preserving
Slashing dual enrollment funding and opportunities will hurt Georgia’s high school students and future workforce. Dual enrollment, a program with an…
The State of Adoption Laws in Georgia
The adoption and foster care system in Georgia is caught in a tug of war between the past and the future. While some areas of adoption and foster care…
Fellowship Spotlight: Buket Urgen
Buket Urgen is a sophomore International Affairs and Social Work double major at the University of Georgia. She is a member of Young Democrats at UGA …
The Democrats are Coming to Georgia
After about a year of campaigning, the Democratic presidential primaries are happening now. The Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire primary and Nevada caucus…
Fellowship Spotlight: Katie Morris
Katie Morris is a senior International Affairs major minoring in Spanish at the University of Georgia. She is a recipient of the Hope and Zell Miller …
More MARTA: Closing the Coverage Loop
When MARTA hit its 40-year birthday in 2019, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms unveiled a new expansion plan, the “More MARTA” project. In a city…
Fellowship Spotlight: Saarah Amer
Saarah Amer is a senior Political Science major at the University of Georgia with a Public Affairs Certificate in Applied Politics. She is a Hope Scho…
Fellowship Spotlight: Caroline Taylor
Caroline Taylor is a senior International Affairs major at the University of Georgia. Caroline has served as a School of Public and International Affa…
Georgia’s Path to Healthcare Coverage
Background Since its establishment in 1965, the government-funded healthcare assistance Medicaid, has been the subject of much praise and criticism. T…
Transparency through the Lens of Impeachment
In 2019, President Donald Trump withheld $250 million in aid to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative [1]. It was later discovered that senior of…
Fellowship Spotlight: Jaaie Varshney
Jaaie Varshney is a second year Anthropology and Political Science double major at the University of Georgia. She is an Honors student, a Foundation F…
Proposed Budget Cuts Risk Georgia’s Future
Overview Each January, the Governor proposes two separate budgets. The first is an adjusted budget for the remainder of the current fiscal year based …
Fellow Spotlight: Luke Chandler
Luke Chandler is a third year Economics major minoring in Political Science at the University of Georgia. He is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, the first…
More Than Numbers: 2020 Census
It’s that time of the decade. Every ten years, the US Census Bureau sets out to complete a seemingly impossible task – to gather basic demogra…
Fellow Spotlight: Willie Daniely
Willie Daniely III is a third year Journalism and Political Science double major at the University of Georgia. He is a member of the National Associat…
Mothers Matter: Maternal Mortality in Georgia
The United States is failing mothers. Over the past few decades, maternal mortality has been on the rise. Between 1987 and 2016, the number of deaths …
Fellowship Spotlight: Elena Gilbertson Hall
Elena Gilbertson Hall is a high school senior at Clarke Central High School dual enrolling at the University of Georgia. Elena has been recognized as …
Voter Purging in Georgia
Since the 1965 Voting Rights Act, various states have instituted policies and systems such as voter ID laws, poll closures, voter intimidation and ger…
Fellow Spotlight: Ayah Abdelwahab
Ayah Abdelwahab is a second year at the University of Georgia with majors in International Affairs and Geography and a minor in Arabic. Ayah is a Pres…
Sustaining Georgia’s Growth
Georgia is a highly competitive business environment. CNBC ranks Georgia as the 6th best place to do business in 2019,[1] and Site Selections has ran…
Fellow Spotlight: Anna Milukas
Anna Milukas is a third year political science major at the University of Georgia. She is involved in UGA Mock Trial and the Demosthenian Literary Soc…
Georgia’s Difficult Fight Against Human Trafficking
Human trafficking can be defined as an exploitation of human rights by way of “compelling or coercing a person’s labor, service, or commercial sex…
Fellow Spotlight: Sophia Tarragó
Sophia Tarragó is a senior Economics and International Affairs double major at the University of Georgia. She serves as President of Habitat for Huma…
Repealing the Tampon Tax: The Monetization of Periods
As of November 2019, 33 states tax menstrual hygiene products as “non-essential goods,” whereas other hygiene products are generally granted tax e…
Fellow Spotlight: Vivian Bridges
Vivian Bridges is a junior Economics and Political Science double major at the University of Georgia. Her academic excellence has been recognized thro…
Fellow Spotlight: Mennah Abdelwahab
Mennah Abdelwahab is a sophomore International Affairs and Journalism double major at the University of Georgia. She is involved in the Student Govern…
Education & Poverty: A Joint Issue
WHAT’S THE ISSUE? The link between poverty and education has consistently proven to be a deeply intertwined relationship. Studies show that high l…
Crime and Consequences: Felon Voting Rights in Georgia
On April 2, 2019, the Georgia Senate passed SR 153, designated as a Senate Study Committee on Revising Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felony Offenders.1…
Fellow Spotlight: Jessica Pasquarello
Jessica Pasquarello is a fifth year Double Dawg at the University of Georgia. She is pursuing a bachelor’s in Economics and International Affairs wi…
Casino Gambling: The Downside to Positive Revenue
States around America are growing increasingly lenient on gambling. Along with online gambling, casino gambling has become more popular. The National …
Fellow Spotlight: Kate Thompson
Kate Thompson is a sophomore International Affairs major at the University of Georgia. She serves as assistant chair on the UGA Miracle High School Ou…
The Case of Aimee Stephens and Georgia LGBTQ+ Discrimination
Note: The following article contains language that some readers may find transphobic, homophobic, sexist, or otherwise offensive. Arguments and facts …
Fellow Spotlight: Julianna Isbitts
Julianna Isbitts is a sophomore at the University of Georgia double majoring in economics and political science with a minor in history. As a School o…
Better Education for A Better Future
Every year, taxpayers’ dollars invest in the future by funding public education. The educational system, particularly high school, is intended to he…
Fellow Spotlight: Richy Wagner
Richy Wagner is a sophomore double majoring in political science and theatre at the University of Georgia. He is a presidential scholar and a member o…
The Georgia Heartbeat Bill’s Battle to the Supreme Court
The fetal heartbeat bill signed into law in early May has shaken up Georgians and the rest of the nation. Now, a new chapter to the saga takes place, …
Fellow Spotlight: John Tierney
John Tierney is a senior Finance and Political Science major with a minor in Classical Culture at the University of Georgia. He is a member of Phi Bet…
CBD’s Flawed Victory: The Georgia Hemp Farming Act
The Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 213, also known as the Georgia Hemp Farming Act, last April. The bill legalizes the cultivation and pro…
Fellow Spotlight: Jeffrey Parmet
Jeffrey Parmet is a sophomore at the University of Georgia majoring in Political Science with minors in French and Geography and an Urban and Metropol…
Athens’ New Mayor: Kelly Girtz
National and state politics are at the forefront of media coverage. News feeds are flooded with the daily chaos of congressional and executive affairs…
Senate Bill 77: What does it stand for?
The protection and acknowledgement of Confederate monuments has long been a divisive issue both in Georgia and throughout the country. Georgia Senat…
A Firm Response to HB 481
On March 11, Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick announced her “testicular bill of rights” in response to Georgia’s “heartbeat bill,” HB 481. The legis…
Fellow Spotlight: Marnagee Scott
Marnagee Scott is a junior at the University of Georgia majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communications and a certificate in Applied Poli…
A Better Alternative: Self-Grown Plants
In wake of current controversy, the topic of medical marijuana has made its way to the state of Georgia. We have already seen some previous legislatio…
Fellow Spotlight: Monique Sholeh Alavi
Monique Sholeh Alavi is a Sophomore at the University of Georgia majoring in International Affairs with minors in Spanish and Criminal Justice. Moniqu…
Analyzing House Bill 340
Last year, the state legislature made great strides in bail reform in our state by passing a bipartisan bill requiring judges to consider an individua…
Fellow Spotlight: Hannah Weeg
Hannah Weeg is a senior at the University of Georgia majoring in Public Relations. During her time at UGA, she raised a guide dog for the Guide Dog Fo…
Election Security in Georgia
Following an election that was shadowed with allegations of voter suppression, upholding the integrity of the Georgia’s elections and ensuring that …
Hate Crime Legislation
On March 7, a potentially historic bipartisan bill passed the Georgia House of Representatives, bringing it one step closer to possibly becoming l…
Fellowship Spotlight: Rachel Thornton
Rachel Thornton is a senior at the University of Georgia majoring in Public Health with a minor in Global Health. Outside of the fellowship, Rachel ha…
Vouchers
House Bill 301 would give state money to cover the tuition and associated fees of some students whose guardians want to send them to private school. I…
Fellowship Spotlight: Emily R. Martin
Emily R. Martin is a senior at the University of Georgia double majoring in Political Science and International Affairs. Emily is an integral part of …
Upcoming Legislation on Domestic Violence
Representative Spencer Frye has decided to revive House Bill 786 from the 2017-2018 legislative session. This bill will expand discrimination protecti…
Citizens United
For years now corporations have been deciding who is going to be in office and who is going to hold the power. In 2010, Citizens United v. Federal Ele…
Fellow Spotlight: Josh Hudson
Joshua Hudson is a senior at the University of Georgia majoring in Political Science along with a Public Affairs Professionalism certificate. Joshua…
The Evolution of Georgia Adoption Laws
According to Georgia’s Division of Family and Children services, adoption is “social and legal process whereby an individual joins a family, earni…
How Investing in Teachers Today Makes for a Better Georgia Tomorrow
An excellent teacher can alter the course of any child’s life. The wisdom teachers give to their students stays with them over the course of their…
Upcoming Gun Legislation
In the state of Georgia there have been 10,146 acts of gun violence since 2014, over 650 of these involved minors.1 The Democratic Caucus in the Geor…
Affordable Housing Crisis
Last week, the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity Gala took place at the Foundry in downtown Athens. For several years, Habitat for Humanity has helped…
Fellow Spotlight: Lauren LaMar
Lauren LaMar is a master’s student at the University of Georgia studying Educational Administration and Policy. She dedicates much of her time givin…
Food Insecurity in Athens
Merriam Webster defines hunger as “a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient”, but the causes and effects of hunger goes much furth…
Fellow Spotlight: Gennifer Allen
Gennifer Allen is a junior at the University of Georgia majoring in International Affairs with a New Media Certificate. On campus, she is involved wit…
Savannah Harbor Expansion Project
By: Mathilde Carpet In early 2015, construction was started to expand the Savannah Harbor. Currently, the harbor has a depth of 42 feet below mean low…
Fellow Spotlight: Mathilde Carpet
Mathilde Carpet is a senior at the University of Georgia majoring in International Affairs with minors in Spanish and Political Science and certificat…
Athens Inaugurates a New Mayor
On January the 8th, the city of Athens inaugurated Kelly Girtz as its new mayor. Girtz won the mayoral election this past May with a majority 60.5 % o…
Fellow Spotlight: Annefloor de Groot
Annefloor de Groot is a senior at the University of Georgia double majoring in Political Science and Communication Studies with a pre-law intent. As C…
The Case for Medicaid Expansion
“Medicaid expansion” has become a buzzword throughout Georgia and around the country as people are demanding more options for affordable health ca…
K-12 Education
One policy issue that Georgia is consistently concerned with is quality education in the K-12 education system. The Georgia Department of Education is…
Fall 2018 Special Session
This last week, the current Georgia state representatives and senators got together for one last time before the end of the year to review the annual …
Fellow Spotlight: Josie Feron
Josie is a senior at the University of Georgia double majoring in Political Science and International Affairs with a minor in Spanish. Throughout the …
Analyzing the 2018 Midterms
Although not a presidential election year, 2018 has been a big year for politics. Earlier this month, voters across America went to the polls and part…
The Epidemic of Homelessness in Athens
As a University of Georgia student, whenever I think of “Athens,” the first word that pops into my head is “college town.” To be able to harbo…
Fellowship Spotlight: Ali Elyaman
Our next Fellow Spotlight goes to Ali Elyaman! Ali is a junior at the University of Georgia triple majoring in History, Political Science, and Religio…
Racial Disparities in Education in Athens-Clarke County
Often times when we speak at the University of Georgia about disparities in education, we don’t always think of Athens, Georgia. Many of us are pri…
Fellowship Spotlight: Taylor Nchako
Taylor Nchako is a Presidential Scholar and pre-law student at the University of Georgia double majoring in Public Relations and International Affairs…
Plant Voglte: Worth It To The Ratepayer?
The construction process for the nuclear power reactor, Plant Vogtle, has been anything but simple. One of the utility partners of the project, Ogleth…
Fellow Spotlight: Amy Pan
Amy Pan is a junior at the University of Georgia studying Political Science with minors in English and Communication Studies. She is a member of the H…
Fellow Spotlight: Mehak Gillani
Mehak Gillani is a junior at the University of Georgia studying International Affairs with a minor in Global Health. While at UGA Mehak has been invol…
Fellow Spotlight: Danielle St. Amand
Danielle St. Amand is a sophomore at the University of Georgia majoring in French and Political Science. On campus Danielle serves on a committees for…
This Week Under the Gold Dome
Many interesting things have been happening during this phenomenal, productive Capitol Session! To begin, there was an electric car conference to ensu…
Just say NO to ICE
In Athens-Clarke County there’s currently a very public controversy over whether to comply with requests for detention from ICE (the federal Immigra…
Athens is a Sovereign City
There’s been a lot of press over the last few months about the Athens-Clarke County Sheriff’s Office holding people on behalf of the US Dept. of H…
Fellow Spotlight: Maisha Imam
Maisha Imam is a junior at the University of Georgia majoring in International Affairs and Political Science and minoring in Spanish with Pre-Law inte…
Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in School Discipline in Georgia
Racial and socioeconomic disparities in school suspension among school-age children in Georgia and in the United States generally adversely influence …
Fellow Spotlight Alexandria Pinckney
Alexandria Pinckney is a sophomore at the University of Georgia majoring in Political Science and minoring in Spanish. On campus, she is currently inv…
Voting Inaccessibility in Georgia
In today’s increasingly dynamic, modern, and progressive era, one might be surprised to learn that accessibility to the voting booth is still not a …
Campus Sexual Assault Bill
Session has started, and there are a multitude of bills that have become the focus of attention for Georgians. One piece of legislation that has been …
Fellow Spotlight: Vaibhav Kumar
Vaibhav Kumar is a second year student at the University of Georgia and is double majoring in International Affairs and Political Science with a min…
Fellow Spotlight: Josh Hudson
Josh Hudson is a fourth year student at the University of Georgia double majoring in Political Science and Consumer Foods with an Applied Politics Cer…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 1
This week, the Georgia State House of Representatives began its 155th session. After a year full of special elections, the structure of the House has …
Food Insecurity
Every holiday season, I have dreams about all the delectable foods that I plan to gorge on with my family; from the turkey and dressing, to my grandmo…
Campus Carry
On July 1, 2017, House Bill 280, nicknamed the campus carry bill, was put into effect. This law will allow individuals to conceal carry a gun on the c…
Biomass Energy in Georgia
Blanketed in over 24 million acres of forest, Georgia is an ideal source for harvesting a renewable energy source called biomass1. Biomass energy is d…
Foster Care in Georgia
As we follow our nation’s debate regarding our “Dreamers” and recipients of DACA, it makes me think of where our friends, family, and community …
Fellow Spotlight: Zach Banov
Zach Banov is a fifth year student at the University of Georgia majoring in Pharmaceutical Sciences. He currently runs the Emerging Leaders Program fo…
October Fellowship Retreat
Saturday in Athens entails waking up early, brewing some coffee, and preparing for the big . . . volunteer event? On Saturday, October 7th, Representa…
Issues In Focus: A Visit to Athens Transit
Last week, the Fellowship team had the pleasure of meeting with Athens Transit director, Butch McDuffie. After learning more about Athens Transit’s …
Fellowship Spotlight: Alex Estroff
Meet Alex Estroff Graduation Date: May 2017 Majors or Areas of Study: Political Science and Journalism Hometown: Marietta, GA Community & Cam…
Fellowship Spotlight: Julia Ricciardulli
Meet Julia Ricciardulli Graduation Date: December 2019 Majors or Areas of Study: International Affairs, Economics, Political Science Hometown: Alph…
Issues in Focus: the ACCA and ageism
This week the Spencer Frye Legislative Research Fellows met with Eve Anthony and Erin Beasley, the CEO and Director of Operations respectively, of the…
This Week Under the Gold Dome
With session being almost half-way complete, bills are making their way to the House floor to be voted on. New legislation is introduced every day, an…
Fellowship Spotlight: Ishana Ratan
Graduation Date: May 2017 Majors or Areas of Study: Double Major in International Affairs and Economics, Minor in Spanish Hometown: Chennai, Indi…
Fellowship Spotlight: Evan Katz
Graduation Date: Spring 2019 Majors or Areas of Study: Political Science, International Affairs Hometown: Atlanta, GA Community & Campus In…
Fellowship Spotlight: Annefloor de Groot
Graduation Date: May 2019 Majors or Areas of Study: Political Science and Communication Studies Hometown: Peachtree City, GA Community & Campus I…
Issues in Focus: Opportunity School District
This election season in Georgia there are four amendments for the voters to decide upon. Amendment One, also known as Opportunity School District (O…
Issues in Focus: Public Transportation
Georgia, known for its great weather, good food, and recent economic boom, is also known for its terrible traffic problems. The most recent survey by …
Fellowship Spotlight: Alanna Pierce
Graduation Date: May 2017 Major: Theatre Hometown: Athens Other Community & Campus Involvement: Demosthenian Literary Society, UGA Theatre D…
Fellowship Spotlight: Luke Boggs
Fellow Spotlight: Luke Boggs Graduation Date: December 2015 Majors or Areas of Study: Political Science and History Hometown: Saint Marys, Georgia Com…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Sine Die
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Sine Die Time during the final day of the 2016 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly expired on Sine Die.…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week Ten
With only two legislative days remaining, Rep. Frye is still working hard in the General Assembly to have a strong finish. Keep reading to see what …
Fellowship Spotlight: Eleanor Traynham
This week we caught up with Eleanor. Read more here to learn a little more about her experiences as a fellow. Fellow Spotlight: Eleanor Traynham Gradu…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 9
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week Nine The Georgia General Assembly had another busy week as the 2016 session quickly approaches an end. With only…
Fellowship Spotlight: Anna Beth Smith
This week we talked with Anna Beth Smith about her experience as a FACS intern and fellow for Rep. Frye. Graduation Date: August 2017 Majors or Areas …
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 8
With Crossover Day in the rearview mirror, work in the Georgia General Assembly is now overflowing across the halls. Bills passed in the House of Repr…
State Route 316
Learn more about how Rep. Frye is supporting Georgia State Route 316 improvements here:
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 7
Today marks day 30 under the Gold Dome! On day 30, also known as Crossover Day, any bill that has not passed its original chamber will not continue in…
Fellowship Spotlight: Kristyn Hicks
Fellowship Spotlight: Kristyn Hicks Graduation Date: May 2017 Majors or Areas of Study: Public relations, Political Science and New Media Hometown: D…
House Bill 1032
House Bill 1032 could be a step towards positive change regarding public transportation. Rep. Frye is proud to co-sponsor a bill that would provide mo…
Save Yourself Some Green…We Mean Money and the Environment
Save Yourself Some Green…We Mean Money and the Environment What is House Bill 877? House Bill 877 clarifies what it means for a vehicle to use a…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 6
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week Six This week was a busy one for the Georgia General Assembly. With just a few legislative days remaining, every…
Fellowship Spotlight: Karsyn Kendrick
This week we caught up with Karsyn Kendrick, a senior at UGA with a passion for helping others and a special interest in the German language and cultu…
House Bill 877
Legislation from the 2015 session removed some of the benefits of purchasing environmentally friendly vehicles. Rep. Frye is working with other repres…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 5
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week Five Another week has passed, and the Georgia General Assembly has officially reached the halfway point in the ses…
Fellowship Spotlight: Kalin Wilson
Fellowship Spotlight: Kalin Wilson Today we talked to Kalin Wilson for our Fellowship Spotlight. Kalin shared some of her future goals and plans as …
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 4
As the Georgia General Assembly presses onward towards March 24 and Sine Die, here’s a look at the issues Rep. Frye discussed this week under the Go…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week Three
Another week under the Gold Dome has passed, and the Georgia General Assembly is beginning the 13th day of the legislative session this morning. Durin…
Issues in Focus: “Marijuana: The Overlooked Outcomes”
According to the Sentencing Project, a research and advocacy group for criminal justice reform, the United States currently holds the largest incarcer…
Fellowship Spotlight: Elizabeth Hall
Fellow Spotlight: Elizabeth Hall Today we talked to Elizabeth Hall for our Fellowship Spotlight. Elizabeth shared some of her favorite places in Athen…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 2
During the second week of the legislative session, Rep. Frye continued to build positive proposals to address issues affecting the district and the st…
This Week Under the Gold Dome
The 2016 presidential election is the most explosive campaign in recent memory. Everyone seems to have an opinion about whom should win the primaries …
Efforts to End Domestic Violence and Help Victims of Sexual Assault
The Spencer Frye Fellowship team recently had the opportunity to visit The Cottage, an Athens-based non-profit devoted to child advocacy and combating…
November Policy Snapshot
As Thanksgiving draws near, and as one lucky bird eagerly awaits a presidential pardon, the Spencer Frye team is here to highlight three political sto…
The Earned Income Tax Credit: A Bipartisan Tool to Fight Poverty
Over the last several years, Americans have been paying more attention to the growing problems of poverty and income inequality. However, there is bro…
Community Connections: Ensuring No Need Goes Unmet
Founded in 1978, Community Connection serves 13 counties in Northeast Georgia, and its mission is to “strengthen the individuals and organizations o…
On the Docket: Fundamental Tax Reform in Georgia?
Months in advance of the next legislative session, attention is already turning to tax reform. Legislators typically pass a few tax bills every year, …
Habitat for Humanity: Building a Better Future for Athens-Clarke County
On Friday, October 16th, the Spencer Frye Fellowship Team visited the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity. Our visit involved a conversation with Represe…
What We Talk about When We Talk about Women’s Reproductive Health: A Look into the Planned Parenthood Controversy and its Implications for Georgia
This July, the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) released a secretly recorded video in which Planned Parenthood executives discussed providing fetal t…
October Policy Snapshot
October Policy Snapshot As lawmakers continue to gear up for the spring session, and as policy wonks wait for the political fireworks to start at the …
Fellow Visit: Casa de Amistad
At the intersection of multiculturalism, community outreach, religion, and Athens lies a small nonprofit with a big heart. This organization, Casa de …
The Sharing Economy
The sharing economy has become an idol of the modern business world, with the success of companies in this field suggesting that the sky is the limit.…
What the Supreme Court’s Decision Means for Me
After last week’s Supreme Court decision in King vs. Burwell, the Affordable Care Act remains intact, preventing hundreds of thousands of Georgians …
June Policy Snapshot
Although the legislature is not in session, policymakers across the state are hard at work dealing with the important problems and preparing for next …
Fellow Spotlight: Victoria Ward
This week we talked with Victoria Ward for our profile series Fellow Spotlights. We discussed what was appealing to her about joining the Spencer…
Fellow Spotlight: Breyuana Smith
This week we talked with Breyuana Smith for our profile series Fellow Spotlights. We discussed what was appealing to her about joining the Spencer …
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Sine Die Edition
The legislative session for 2015 came to an end late in the evening on Thursday. Here is a recap on what made it through the legislative gauntlet this…
Fellow Spotlight: Kaylee Maxwell
This week we talked with Kaylee Maxwell for our profile series Fellow Spotlights. We discussed what was appealing to her about joining the Spencer …
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Sine Die Draws Near
The pace at the Gold Dome picked up last week as the end of the 2015 Session nears. Dozens of bills worked their way towards the end of the legislativ…
Fellow Spotlight: Samantha Keitt
This week we talked with Samantha Keitt for our profile series Fellow Spotlights. We discussed what was appealing to her about joining the Spencer…
Opportunity School District Falls Short of Meeting Needs of Georgia’s Most Disadvantaged Students
During his State of the State Address, the Governor signaled his intentions to file a plan with the legislature to provide greater state oversight for…
Fellow Spotlight: Blake Feldman
This week we talked with Blake Feldman for our profile series Fellow Spotlights. We discussed what was appealing to him about joining the Spencer …
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Crossover Day Edition
Athens was a little quieter this week as students were away for spring break, but debate under the Gold Dome was loud as members of the General Assemb…
Fellow Spotlight: Emma Cramer
This week we talked with Emma Cramer for our profile series Fellow Spotlights. We discussed what was appealing to her about joining the Spencer Fr…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Roads, Rails, and Crosswalks
The House made it closer to the home stretch of session last week by voting on one of Georgia’s most important challenges. Check out the all tra…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 7
Despite the weather, last week was a busy week as the House made progress on some of the more visible legislative proposals during this session. The H…
Fellow Spotlight: Leah Blackman
This week we talked with Leah Blackman for our profile series Fellow Spotlights. We discussed what was appealing to her about joining the Spencer F…
Issues in Focus: Raising the Minimum Wage
Raising the minimum wage, or the existence of a minimum wage at all, is one of those topics that nearly everyone you meet will have some opinion on. S…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 5
Transportation Update This week the Transportation Committee passed House Bill 170 by committee substitute. As it was passed by committee substitute, …
Fellow Spotlight: Andrew Stoehr
This week we talked with Andrew Stoehr for our profile series Fellow Spotlights. We discussed what was appealing to him about joining the Spencer …
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 4
House Votes to Facilitate Residential Use of Solar Power Athens is a city on the front lines of conservation and concern for the environment. From the…
Fellow Spotlight: Sezi Erdin
This week we talked with Sezi Erdin for our profile series Fellow Spotlights. We discussed what was appealing to her about joining the Spencer Fry…
Square One: Medical Marijuana
On this edition of Square One, we take a look at the increasingly important issue of medical marijuana, including how it can help children suffering f…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Transportation, Education, and Medical Marijuana
The legislators were back to work last week with discussions on some of the biggest challenges the state faces like transportation and education. Whil…
Fellow Spotlight: Elizabeth Holland
This week we talked with Elizabeth Holland for our profile series Fellow Spotlights. We discussed what was appealing to her about joining the Spen…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 2
While the days may be cold, business under the dome is heating up. Through the budget discussions, the transportation debate and new legislation, Spen…
Fellow Spotlight: Gary Ashcroft
This week we talked with Gary Ashcroft for our profile series Fellow Spotlights. We discussed what was appealing to him about joining the Spencer …
Issues in Focus: Georgia Breweries
Fairness. It’s a quality we cultivate in this country and this state. This quality extends to small businesses trying to compete in today’…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Budget Week
Welcome back to This Week Under the Gold Dome, our weekly rundown of events at the Capitol and here in the Athens community. Spencer Hosts Affordable …
A Letter to My Constituents: True Solutions
Tomorrow marks the first day of the 2015-2016 legislative session, and I couldn’t be more excited to get back to the Gold Dome. During the last …
Fellow Spotlight: Laura Pontari
Check out the latest of our Fellow Spotlights on Laura Pontari. Find out what she loves about the Spencer Frye Fellowship program, what her favorite p…
What We’re Reading: Monday, October 13th
Check out what we're reading this week, including two op-eds covering the state of standardized testing in our schools, education at the center of the…
Fellow Spotlight: Caitlyn Todd
Check out the first of our Fellow Spotlights. Each week, we'll be profiling our hard-working State Representative Spencer Frye Fellows. Learn more abo…
Square One: Education in Georgia
Education is one of the most important issues that our community, our state, and our nation deals with each year. Whether its funding for schools, tea…
What We’re Reading: Monday, September 29th
Check out an all-education edition of what we're reading this week including reports on the Clarke County Schools new resolution on the teacher evalua…
What We’re Reading: Monday, September 8th
Check out what we're reading this week including driverless car testing at the University of Michigan, the AJC's report on the impact of UGA ending th…
Square One: Criminal Justice Reform
Criminal justice reform has been a pretty active issue at the state and federal level over the past few years. Reforms have been passed to focus on re…
What We’re Reading: September 2nd
Check out what we're reading this week including Pennsylvania expanding their Medicaid program, schools cutting PE and recess requirements, Georgia fo…
What is an Investment?
Spencer and his team talk a lot about investments in public and through this blog. But what do we really mean by investments, and what does that look …
Square One: Health Care
There has been a lot happening with health care lately. It is likely you have heard or seen news about Obamacare, doctor shortages, the end of Medicar…
What We’re Reading: August 25, 2014
Check out what we are reading this week including a second UGA student getting hit by a car in the early weeks of classes (be careful out there!), a r…
Profiles in Service: Nuçi’s Space
Last week, our summer fellows got the opportunity to meet with Nuçi’s Space to talk about their work in the Athens community. Executive Director, B…
What We’re Reading: Monday, July 28th
Check out what we're reading this week while you wait to find out if the bachelorette and bulldog are a match made in television. Clarke County School…
What We’re Reading: July 21, 2014
Check out what we're reading on this election eve including all you need to know to cast your ballot tomorrow, an article describing the pressures on …
Spencer Frye Selected to Serve on Georgia Bioscience Joint Development Authority
Last week, Spencer was selected by Mayor Nancy Denson and the Athens Clarke County Commission to serve on the Georgia Bioscience Joint Development Aut…
Profiles in Service: Project Safe Inc.
Earlier this month, the Summer Fellows visited Project Safe, a local non-profit committed to ending domestic violence through prevention and education…
Profiles in Service: Interfaith Hospitality Network
Last week, our summer fellows got the opportunity to sit down with Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) to talk about their work in the Athens communi…
What We’re Reading: Monday, July 7th
This week, we are reading the Bitter Southerner about the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Flagpole about the Varsity as a setting for Athe…
Profiles in Service: Action Ministries
It may surprise people to find that Action Ministries, nestled in a corner building on Lumpkin Street, is responsible for leading many people out of p…
Spencer Frye Receives Clean Water Champion Award from Georgia Water Coalition
Last week, I was honored to be the recipient of a Clean Water Champion Award from the Georgia Water Coalition. The Georgia Water Coalition is a group …
What We’re Reading: Tuesday, July 1st
This week on What We're Reading: Dr. Jack Crowley has more on downtown development, ABH has reports on the primary runoff early voting and free meals …
What We’re Reading: Monday, June 23rd
On this week's edition of What We're Reading: Pictures from Athfest, chain retailers and restaurants are increasingly finding a home downtown, Athens …
Profiles in Service: Casa de Amistad
Today, we are excited to bring back Profiles in Service. Throughout the summer, we’ll be connecting you with the organizations and individuals makin…
Affordable Care Act Providing Affordable Market for Uninsured
This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report showing that Affordable Care Act Marketplaces are providing some o…
Spencer Appointed to Georgia Film Industry Study Committee
This week, House Speaker David Ralston announced assignments to the 10 House Study Committees scheduled to meet during the 2014 offseason. Study commi…
What We’re Reading: Monday, June 16th
On this week's edition of What We're Reading: Job Fairs in Augusta and Atlanta, a recap of this weekends celebration on the Hot Corner, standardized t…
Port of Savannah Funding Signed by President Obama
On Tuesday, President Obama signed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, a legislative package that included $12.3 billion in funding for 34…
What We’re Reading: Monday, June 9th
This week on What We're Reading, see the review of the winners from the Athens Clarke Heritage Foundation Preservation Awards, a report on the rise of…
Capitol Corner 3.0: Lets Take it Back to Square One
During the election of 2012, our team started this blog to communicate directly with you about the latest in campaign events and issues, and our staff…
Square One: Georgia’s Transportation and Infrastructure
Have you read the news recently and seen stories on the drying up Federal Highway Trust Funds or the confirmation that the Port of Savannah will be de…
Federation of Neighborhoods: Georgia Legislative Review Forum
Monday night, Spencer joined Representatives Regina Quick and Chuck Williams and Senators Bill Cowsert and Frank Ginn at Cine for the Federation of Ne…
What We’re Reading: Monday, June 2nd
Welcome to What We’re Reading, a brief summary of articles and resources that have caught our eye related to investing in our community or the thing…
2014 General Assembly Session Legislative Review
The 2014 legislative session came to a frenetic end on March 20th as the House adjourned at midnight. While several headlining bills hit procedural sn…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Health Care Takes Center Stage
We’re getting close to crunch time in the 2014 legislative session as today marks Day 35 and the next-to-last week before Sine Die. Here is a recap …
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Crossover Day Edition
The annual tradition of Crossover Day is today, and it continues into the night as we share this week’s update with you. Crossover Day marks the fin…
Issues in Focus: Hunger and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Georgia
The supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), more commonly known as the food stamp program, provides financial assistance for food purchasing…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Budgets, Guns and HOPE
As we near Crossover Day, many of the most prominent issues discussed this session are beginning to come across the desks of House members. Last week …
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 4
Week 4 flew by with testimony on Spencer’s HB 750, Habitat for Humanity Day at the Capitol and several bills passing through the chamber. Check out …
Issues in Focus: What Iowa’s Medicaid Expansion Plan Means for Georgia
Much of President Obama’s signature domestic legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, officially took into effect January 1st of…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Snow Jam 2014
What a week! Tuesday night, President Obama began his State of the Union Address by saying, “Today in America, a teacher spent extra time with a stu…
Issues in Focus: Green Transportation
Electric cars have become increasingly popular in recent years with more than 50,000 completely electric and plug-in hybrids sold in 2012 and only sli…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week 2
The second week under the Gold Dome was a quiet one compared to the first week as legislation begins to ramp up in committee and work on the Amended F…
Guns on Campus Off the Table in 2014
Spencer is happy to report that a legislative provision allowing guns on college campuses is off the table for the 2014 session. Introduced in 2013, H…
This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week One
If you are a follower of politics in Georgia you have heard a few dozen times by now that this session will be one of the fastest in recent memory. Th…
A Letter to my Constituents: Three Foundations for our Future
Tomorrow marks the beginning of the second year in my first session as your Representative, and I am incredibly excited and honored to get back to wor…
Profiles In Service: Athens Justice Project
Athens-Clarke County has one of the highest rates of poverty in the state, and poverty is often linked with drug addiction, crime, and recidivism. The…
Profiles In Service: Project Safe
Project Safe, a local nonprofit dedicated to eliminating domestic violence in Athens and the surrounding area, began in the 1970s as a small network o…
Issues in Focus: Georgia’s Pre-K Program
In 1992, Georgia Governor Zell Miller started a pilot program to educate 750 at-risk four-year-old children in twenty schools across Georgia. Three ye…
Profiles In Service: Stonehenge Youth Association
Melvin Hayes is a retired IT professional that worked for the University of Georgia for 30 years. While Mr. Hayes is retired he still maintains a busy…
Profiles in Service: Athens Land Trust
Recently, I spoke with Heather Benham, Director of Operations of Athens Land Trust, and Christina Hylton, their Community Agriculture Program Director…
Profiles in Service: Georgia Options
Georgia Options is a local nonprofit organization that provides care and companionship to over forty men and women in the Athens region who suffer fro…
Profile In Service: Keep Athens Clarke County Beautiful
Keep Athens Clarke County Beautiful is an organization active in our community working to keep Athens a beatiful place for Athenians to live and for o…
Profiles in Service: Bike Athens
As the weather gets warmer, more people choose to walk or bike to class, work, or wherever they might be going around town. While Athens is a great to…
Profiles in Service: Whatever It Takes
Tuesday night, I met with Tim Johnson, the Executive Director of Whatever It Takes. Whatever It Takes is an initiative through the Family Connection-C…
Georgia Alternative Fuel Vehicle Road Show
Environment, Economics, and Energy. Which of these E’s is the most important? That’s the question people have been asking for the last three decad…
Local: Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation Historic Preservation Awards
Monday night, Spencer attended the 44th annual Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation Historic Preservation Awards. Held at the Historic Morton Theatre, th…
Profiles in Service: Books for Keeps
This is the first in our series “Profiles in Service” where we hope to connect Athens with the community organizations that are making a differenc…
Athens Legislative Delegation holds forum at Federation of Neighborhoods Meeting
Last week, the Federation of Neighborhoods invited Athens citizens to engage in a Q&A session with the Athens Legislative Delegation. In attendance we…
Capitol Corner 2.0: Profiles in Service
As we enter the enter the summer offseason, legislative news occurs less frequently. However, here in Athens there are passionate volunteers and great…
UGA’s Dr. Crowley Presents Downtown Master Plan at Public Forum
Tonight, the Classic Center in Athens hosted University of Georgia Professor Jack Crowley and his team of graduate students for a public forum regardi…
#prayforBoston
At 2:50pm on a brisk afternoon in Boston, Massachusetts, a deafening bang and bright flash engulfed the sidewalk of Boylston street at the finish of t…
Courage and Integration: Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball
Since April 3rd, we have learned of the efforts of students at Wilcox County High School in Wilcox County, Georgia to host the first integrated prom i…
2013 General Assembly Session Legislative Review
March 28th was the final day of the forty day legislative session in Georgia. Legislators voted on proposals related to guns, the HOPE Grant Scholarsh…
Keep Building: A Review of the Progress We Made and How We Continue to Grow
March gave us a surprisingly optimistic jobs report for the overall American economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 236,000 jobs were a…
Take a ride on the Megabus!
Wednesday, Spencer and I took advantage of some public transportation options to get down to the Capitol. One of the little known options for getting …
Let the Sunshine In
Recently, Spencer signed onto House Bill 503, a bill establishing portfolio standards for renewable energy production by Georgia’s energy companies …
The Medicaid Expansion: Georgia’s Missed Opportunity
Earlier this week, Florida’s Republican Governor announced that he would be accepting the federal expansion of medicaid that would provide healthcar…
Black History Month
This week I had the honor of taking part in a very special moment on the House Floor. Each legislative day during February, a morning order is dedicat…
Budget School
Today, Spencer and his staff were joined by staff from Representative Stacey Evans’ office at Budget School on the campus of the University of Georg…
This Week at the Gold Dome: Mid-Week Update
The last week and a half has been very busy for Spencer and our team as we begin to settle in at the Gold Dome. At the end of last week, Spencer and t…
This Week at the Gold Dome: Budget Hearings
The second week of this legislative session was all about the budget. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the joint appropriations committee met to re…
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, First Week at the Gold Dome and Budget Hearings
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This Monday, January 21st, is a day that…
Thank You
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve you, the city of Athens and the State of Georgia in the capacity of State Representative of House Dis…
Why Our Interns Support Spencer Frye
Tomorrow is the end of a journey for our team of interns. Over the last two months we have knocked on over 4,500 doors and made nearly as many phone c…
What Can Be Done To Bring Jobs To The District?
In short, we need to unleash the potential we already have. With our employment rate, there's no reason why we should still have such high poverty....
What does it mean to fully fund education?
One of the most important issues facing Georgia in the upcoming General Assembly session is how to reverse the trends of education funding. Over the p…
Why is this election so important?
Right now, the 118th House district is the last Democratic seat in Athens-Clarke County. We have 2 Republican Senators, 1 Republican Congressmen with …
A Message from Spencer
Athens is unique – known statewide, nationwide, and even worldwide for arts, academics, technical innovation, agriculture, and a vibrant fabric of u…