Maryline Blackburn, Candidate for Georgia District 34 Representative

My name is Maryline Blackburn and I’m running for the GA House of Representatives for District 34. I've always been moved to inspire people, first through my successful music career, and now through public service.

I know that a better GA demands quality education for our children, a 21st century transportation system and the jobs it will bring, and quality healthcare for all GA families. So many individuals in District 34 have informed me that they've voiced their concerns only to find an apathetic 6-term incumbent who turned a deaf ear as our schools are falling apart, our teachers and students are punished for the failings of the legislature, our roads are gridlocked, and families struggle for access to quality healthcare.

Below are my stances on several issues affecting Georgians throughout the state:

Education

Education will be my top priority as an elected official. Georgia's children deserve an education that will prepare them to compete in a global economy. We must fully fund education. We cannot continue to balance the budget on the backs of our students and educators. We must look for alternative revenue streams, like the point of sales tax, so we can guarantee that our children graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the 21st century.

Women's issues

I will fight for legislation that offers women and our families every opportunity to thrive. Too many women and children in the state of Georgia live in poverty, are uninsured with limited access to services, and live in dangerous environments. This is unacceptable. Our mothers, sisters, and daughters are the bedrock of every community in this state and deserve a legislature that listens to our voices and values our needs. When women have economic stability, affordable health care, and education, the local community and ultimately the state, succeed as well.

Transportation

Georgia's future requires that we embrace 21st century transportation systems that support jobs for Georgia workers and businesses. MARTA was my lifeline when I arrived in Georgia 24 years ago, and it is every bit as important for citizens today. In order to continue to bring jobs into the state, reduce the amount of time we spend in traffic, and preserve our environment, we must approach the transportation crisis by expanding transit options within our district, and by connecting the state through innovative strategies. Georgia's entire economy suffers if we do not solve our transportation problems now.

Ethics

Georgia citizens deserve a transparent legislature and honest elected officials who are receptive to participation. When elected I will fight for this in word and deed.

Scandal after scandal has caused the general public to lose its faith in the Georgia General Assembly. We have been promised time and time again that passing stronger ethics legislation is a priority. Unfortunately, current legislation does little to ensure the ethical mistakes of the past will not be repeated. We must strengthen ethics legislation to restore the public's trust in government.

Budget

As an elected official I will ensure that Georgia taxpayers have a balanced budget that provides for transportation, education, and public safety.

This year the General Assembly passed a $17 billion unbalanced budget. This budget is bad for every single Georgian. Too many school boards will have to deal with hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts or raise your property taxes. Georgia already ranks 49th of our 50 states in education, and our state continues to lag behind in infrastructure and in transportation as well.

The current, unbalanced budget does nothing to invest in our state or in our future. Georgians deserve lawmakers who are responsible enough to pass a balanced budget. Our families should be supported in their hard work. We must give our students a fair shot at educational opportunities. We must work together to implement creative solutions, not raise taxes on the working families of Georgia while passing tax cuts for the wealthiest.

We need to work together to find creative solutions to move Georgia forward, not blame and complain, or sit idly by. I hope you will act today and join me because with your help, I can win this race and we can build a better Georgia.

Please make as generous a contribution as you can right now, and sign up to volunteer. I look forward to meeting you as I walk District 34, and hold community meetings to hear your concerns and ideas for solutions to our issues. Thank you!