President Blake Welcomes Attorney General Chris Carr to Campus
Attorney General Chris Carr, this week hosted the latest meeting of the Georgia Anti-Gang Network at Georgia State University. With local, state and federal partners in attendance, the meeting centered on new and ongoing anti-recruitment efforts, including SB 44, which increases the penalties for those convicted of recruiting a person under the age of 17 into a criminal street gang.
Social Media Restrictions
SB 93, sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte
(R-Dallas), would prohibit state employees in all branches of government and all kindergarten through 12th grade public schools from installing, using, or visiting on state equipment a social media platform that is controlled or influenced by a foreign adversary. This would include TikTok, WeChat and Telegram among others. Assigned to the Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.
Needs Based Financial Aid
HB 249, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin
(R-Alpharetta), would allow students to apply earlier to the needs based financial aid program. Assigned to the House Higher Education Committee.
Hygiene Products
HB 5, sponsored by Rep. Sandra Scott (D-Rex), would require the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia to make menstrual hygiene products available at no cost to students in certain facilities or portions of facilities of institutions. Assigned to the House Higher Education Committee.
Georgia Cyber Command Act
SB 97, sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte
(R-Dallas), known as the “Georgia Cyber Command Act” would create the Georgia Cyber Command Division under the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. Assisigned to the Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.
Tobacco and Vaping
SB 47, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Huffstetler
(R-Rome), would add vaping to the no smoking signs in restricted areas and would be considered a misdemeanor punishable by fine. The bill unanimously passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and is now eligible for consideration in the Senate Rules Committee.
Income Tax Credit
HB 162, sponsored by Rep. Lauren McDonald (R-Cumming), provides a one-time tax credit of $250 for individuals and $500 for married couples who filed income taxes returns in Georgia for both the 2021 and 2022 taxable years. Assigned to the House Ways & Means Committee.
HOPE IPSE Grant
HB 185, sponsored by Rep. Houston Gaines
(R-Athens), would provide for HOPE Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) grants for students with intellectual disabilities. Assigned to the House Higher Education Committee.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
HB 214, sponsored by Rep. Alan Powell
(R-Hartwell), would authorize advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to execute affidavits certifying an individual is disabled for purposes of obtaining special vehicle decals for persons with disabilities. This bill would also authorize physicians to delegate the authority to physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances under certain conditions. Assigned to the House Health Committee.
Military and Veterans Affairs
HB 205, sponsored by Rep. Mike Cameron
(R-Rossville), would provide veterans with a service related disability free access to all state parks. Assigned to the House Game, Fish & Parks Committee.
City of Buckhead
SB 114, sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson
(R-Cataula), to incorporate the City of Buckhead. Assigned to the Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.
GSU Alumni Association – 40 Under 40 Class of 2023
Macy McFall
Juris Doctor ’20
College of Law
Lobbyist and Attorney, the Robbins Firm
Macy McFall’s (J.D. ’20) extensive government experience provides her with critical insights necessary to understand legislative, regulatory and administrative issues for the Robbins Firm’s clients. McFall spent eight years working in Georgia politics, most recently as chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan. In this role, she oversaw all day-to-day operations and was the top strategist for public policy decisions, legislative initiatives, media outreach and constituent relations for the Lt. Governor’s Office.
Before rising to become the first female chief of staff for a lieutenant governor in Georgia, McFall spent eight years working in state politics, holding key roles in which she provided strategic advice to policymakers and cultivated relationships with state, local and corporate partners. While obtaining her law degree, McFall was legislative policy analyst in the Senate Research Office, advising legislators on ethics and elections policy. McFall is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers.
Ed Hula III
Bachelor of Arts ’09
College of Arts & Sciences
Press Secretary, U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05)
Edward B. Hula III (B.A. ’09) works in the U.S. House of Representatives as the press secretary for Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), who represents the district that contains Hula’s childhood home, his current residence and Georgia State University. Prior to his current position, Hula had his own communications consultancy working with corporate and institutional clients around the world. In his previous profession as a reporter, he covered major events at the White House, United Nations and multiple Olympic games.
A sought-out public speaker, Hula has delivered speeches in various countries including Switzerland, Azerbaijan and Cape Verde. Dedicated to both his field and community, Hula is a Georgia State Panther Athletic Club board member, graduate of Catholic Charities of Atlanta’s leadership class and is involved in Toastmasters clubs throughout Atlanta.
Mary Christina Riley
Bachelor of Arts ’11
College of Arts & Sciences
House Committee on Education & the Workforce at the U.S. House of Representatives for Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05)
Mary Christina Riley (B.A. ’11) advises U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and other members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor on issues in higher education, meets with constituents and higher education stakeholders, drafts legislation and helps prepare committee members for congressional hearings. Riley has more than eight years of experience working for members of Congress or in congressional offices. She previously served as legislative director for Congressman Rick W. Allen (R-GA), a member of the House Education and Labor Committee and held roles handling education and workforce issues as professional policy staff member for Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA) and former Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA).
Riley also served as senior advisor in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs at the U.S. Department of Education, where she led legislative efforts to streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), provide funding for Minority Serving Institutions, reinstate Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals and worked with Congress on crafting COVID-19 relief provisions in the CARES Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
Currently the vice president of membership for the Georgia State Society in Washington, Riley is also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Pi Sigma Alpha political science honors society.
Intern Spotlight: Anthony Hill
This week’s newsletter features intern, Anthony Eugene Hill Jr. Anthony is a second-year Economics and Political Science double-major. For his GLIP placement, he is representing GSU in the House Minority Leader’s office. Anthony was looking for internship experience ahead of pursuing a career in law. Having found a program that gives him hands-on experience and course credits, Anthony knew this was a chance to make the most of his undergraduate experience and felt he “would’ve been foolish to disregard such an opportunity.”
During his experience, Anthony hopes to gain a comprehensive understanding of the law and figures “there would be no better place to become more acquainted with the law than the capitol.” Anthony also adds that he is “making valuable connections with key players in this massive political atmosphere.” His day-to-day responsibilities include bill reports, gathering data about representatives and their committees, and assisting with various tasks around the office.
When asked his thoughts on the program, Anthony said, “I love GLIP so far, and continue to thank God everyday for leading me to such an amazing opportunity. It seems that the internship is everything that I hoped for and more; all the way from witnessing and being a part of the legislative process first hand to enjoying the free breakfast left behind from caucus meetings.” Anthony is making the most of his internship and carrying his favorite quote, 1 Corinthians 10:13 with him during his time there.