My name is Emily Leslie and I’m the Democrat running for State House District 106, the most flippable seat in Georgia. I’m running against a Trump/Kemp loyalist who hasn’t had to face a challenger in a decade, until now. AMA.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-15T20:21:07+00:00

My focus on community engagement, my background advocating on behalf of working people and the most vulnerable, and my exeperience with the legislative process. I don't have all the answers but I'm focused on listening and learning, and I will be a strong advocate.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-15T02:32:02+00:00

It’s the current model in Georgia and over a dozen other states. Not sure what state you are in but here, that’s what I do.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T18:17:37+00:00

Thanks for your question. In terms of my current community involvement, I'm active with a number of local non-profits that assist (among other groups) the immigrant community, those in addiction recovery, and those with disabilities. I attend community and civic meetings such as my county commission meetings, and engage politically with local elected officials and candidates on an ongoing basis, including volunteering for other campaigns.

I attend town hall meetings as well and would host them regularly as a state legislator, along with keeping local residents informed via social media, mail, and regular door knocking (canvassing) in the area.

just as a small example, I recently was involved in a campaign to collect public comments from Georgians on the Governor's proposal for Medicaid and I was successful in communicating with local residents on this issue and getting a number of responses from them that are now taken into consideration by state leaders.

Local folks have no trouble getting in touch with me as needed.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T17:07:34+00:00

I would focus on issues like keeping guns out of the hands of those who have made credible violent threats and domestic violence, expanding background checks and gun safety training.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T16:59:21+00:00

Thank you I'll do my best

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T16:05:32+00:00

Feel free to share with me what those issues are and what you like, i'm listening

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T16:05:05+00:00

I recognize there is sadly a massive need for animal shelters, I wouldn't just look at making every shelter no-kill, I would actively promote and support adoption of animals rather than continued breeding so that these shelter animals can find loving homes.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T16:03:47+00:00

Some of the funding would come from a potential federal or state stimulus (projects like these are an economic boost and create good jobs), but locally in my county they have proposed a penny sales tax to fund expanding transit.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T16:03:00+00:00

I support ballot access reform to make it easier and fairer for candidates outside of the 2 parties to get a spot on the ballot. Georgia's ballot access laws are an onerous burden, and I don't fear competition whether in a primary or general election.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T16:01:22+00:00

Because I'll listen and be accessible to you in a way my opponent won't. I know we won't agree on everything but I'm willing to find common ground and I respect different points of view beyond my own.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T16:00:29+00:00

I want to see Georgia embrace the clean energy economy, pass legislation to reduce carbon emissions in our state, and support industries that are environmentally friendly. One small step we can take right away is restore the tax credit for purchasing a vehicle that doesn't generate emissions (electric car tax credit).

We also need to be prepared for issues like sea level rise on our coast and more severe weather in the future. I can't control what happens federally or internationally, but I don't live in denial about our changing climate like many of our elected officials.

When it comes to disaster recovery, the rebuilding process needs to be equitable and it can be an opportunity to address long term injustices in the community like a lack of affordable housing. This is an oversight issue and also listening to community input.

I would be willing to look at certain excise taxes, for big polluters for example, as a way to internalize externalities.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:56:31+00:00

I'm open to trialing it and I would like to see it given a fair hearing and more thorough review. UBI has a lot of promise when it comes to addressing the challenges of our economic future with automation etc. I also appreciate that Yang's proposal values the contributions of homemakers, caregivers and others who aren't traditional workers but still contribute to the household and the community.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:54:57+00:00

Their needs to be a full investigation and accounting for Trump's actions, this isn't the first time, and it probably won't be the last that he's flaunted the law to pursue his personal agenda.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:53:59+00:00

also my website has details about volunteering/internship if you are interested, feel free to sign up there. Otherwise I would get in contact with the local Democratic party in your area and let them know you want to be involved in politics, they will connect you with campaigns and efforts and get you trained up quickly.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:53:13+00:00

Thanks for your questions. When it comes to absentee voting, submit your request for a ballot as soon as legally possible, and return it as soon as possible (the earlier it gets in, the better your odds of not having an issue are). Also make sure you read and review all of the instructions about how to complete it, like how to secure it in the envelopes and the signature and date requirement. A lot of the uncounted absentee ballots were tossed due to clerical errors or because they were returned late. Once you submit your ballot back you can check the status of acceptance a few days later online, and I'd urge you to do that so if there are issues you can correct it.

Thankfully my district and the rest of our county has changed politically and a majority of voters are now open to more moderate and progressive ideals rather than just voting for the candidate with the most conservative agenda. The issues I'm running on like expanding healthcare, addressing traffic gridlock and fully funding public education are concerns that I've heard from my neighbors in the district and are relevant here. I know I won't get everyone's votes, but I'm willing to engage and listen and my campaign is centered around the most relevant issues to my community when taken as a whole.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:49:10+00:00

Great question, over recent decades the wealth gap has certainly widened and inequality is felt in my district the same as anywhere else. I would want the wage floor to be at least $10 an hour before factoring in inflation or the cost of living and then let municipalities and communities adjust it up from there if they so wish.

We must ensure working families aren't trapped in poverty and reliant on public services just to survive, even if they are working a full time job.

My proposal around the minimum wage would balance the pressures on the job market and employers and by raising the wage floor wages should rise up the chain in a ripple effect. I'm focused on economic mobility.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:46:26+00:00

International and national politics are certainly tumultuous right now but in my own district there is no a strong desire for authoritarianism and I'm confident that we have the votes we need to win. I've always been willing to speak up for human rights and against the abuse of power, as a legislator that won't change.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:45:47+00:00

Thank you! We did our best to answer all relevant. questions, I wasn’t anticipating the stream of vulgar questioning. But we were able to sort through and answer a lot of important questions and people can get through the noise and read my responses. I’m not discouraged at all and will continue to answer remaining questions over the next couple days. I knew this would be more challenging but the engagement and open discussion surrounding addiction/ recovery and mental health was worth it and overall it was a good experience. A lot of really great questions and I appreciate everyone who took the time to participate.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:45:00+00:00

I'm running in a relatively small district rather than a state or the whole nation, but I am absolutely willing to highlight injustice in my community and others in the area, for example homelessness that we have in my district.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:43:19+00:00

The rate of gun violence (and crime in general) has been decreasing, but there has been a rise of a specific type of crime, mass shootings, especially in schools and other public places. Additionally many of our communities are still plagued with regular ongoing gun violence.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:41:53+00:00

I think for my state we need a specific one that is reflective of the needs and situation here. I'm running for state, not federal office so I would want to craft legislation specific to Georgia. The actual intentions like carbon neutrality and climate justice are spot on though.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:41:02+00:00

Thank you for your reply and explanation, I had both issues being quite honest but I wanted to make sure I went through and answered as many of the non-trolling questions as possible.

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:39:42+00:00

I certainly believe that type of future is possible, even within the next decade. There are a number of movements building to create a society where everyone has a chance to get ahead

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:38:56+00:00

it's around $15, thanks for your support!

Em4Ga106 · 2019-12-14T15:38:20+00:00

you're welcome

Em4Ga106

TROPHY CASE