AJC/ACC Voter Guide - Local & Legislative Questionnaire

Georgia Assembly: Rep. Sheila Jones Biography

Sheila is a graduate of Clark College and F. Douglass High School and attended S. H. Archer High School. She is a board member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia and a member of the Disabled American Veterans Commanders Club. She currently lives in Collier Heights in Atlanta. 

Sheila worked in various leadership positions for Lockheed Martin Company for 34 years before being elected as a State Representative. She has also held various union leadership positions including shop steward, grand lodge convention delegate, and bylaws committee chair. 

Sheila Jones is the State Representative for Georgia's District 60 and has held this position since 2005. She was awarded the Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. 

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Their goal is to improve the businesses and individuals within the community. This is achieved through various objectives, including educating the community on healthier lifestyles, increasing employment opportunities, maintaining community safety, and attracting new, diverse, and sustainable businesses."

Supports labor rights, advocates for higher minimum wage, enhanced unemployment benefits, and improved workers' compensation for Georgia's machinists and aerospace workers at state and national levels.

The candidate's website says, "The average TANF household includes three individuals, such as a mom and two children, but this vital program is not currently eligible to pregnant women in Georgia."

The candidate's website says, "This federal program provides monthly cash assistance to extremely low-income families with the goal of moving these families toward economic freedom and self-sufficiency."

The candidate's website says, "Would increase the public works construction contract value amount from $100,000 or less to $250,000 or less if the contract is exempt from specific contracting and bidding requirements."

Supports suspension of motor and diesel fuel taxes to counter inflation, and endorses additional legislative actions during special session, as evidenced by the adoption of HR 3EX.

The candidate's website says, "Free VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) from United Way of Greater Atlanta & IRS. VITA@unitedwayatlanta.org Qualifications: Individuals with income of $60K and under. February thru April. Greenbriar Mall & Mall West End."

The candidate's website says, "Housing Rehabilitation assistance may only be provided to cover repairs necessary to bring the property in compliance with the City if Atlanta building code."

The candidate's website says, "Free VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) from United Way of Greater Atlanta & IRS."

The candidate's website says, "Would increase the monthly payments for superior court reporters as a contingent expense and travel allowance."

Supports tax relief measures, endorsing Governor Kemp's executive orders to halt motor and diesel fuel tax collections amid inflation, and approves additional legislative actions during the special session.

Wants to cap rental rates for seniors living in senior living facilities and offer tax subsidies for home ownership.

- Supports tax relief measures, endorsing Governor Kemp's executive orders to halt motor and diesel fuel tax collections amid inflation, and approves additional legislative actions during the special session.
- Wants to cap rental rates for seniors living in senior living facilities and offer tax subsidies for home ownership.

Economy

The candidate's website says, "Georgia Conservation Voters (GCV) is on a mission to ... electing leaders with conservation values and holding them accountable to implementing policies that ensure clean water and air, abundant wildlife, scenic landscapes ..."

The candidate's website says, "Home Energy Efficiency Program for insulation and air ceiling"

As of March 19, 2024, Sheila Jones’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Supports access to abortion and opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Said, "Rep. Sheila Jones - "...I have always supported and will continue to support a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her reproductive choices."

Said, "I have always supported and will continue to support a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her reproductive choices."

Said, "I am glad that the House took a step toward alleviating some of the financial burden for these expectant mothers so that they can focus on their prenatal health."

As State Representative, she supported House Bill 129, which expanded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits to low-income pregnant women.

Prioritizes improving access to healthcare.

- Supports access to abortion and opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
- Said, "I have always supported and will continue to support a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her reproductive choices."
- As State Representative, she supported House Bill 129, which expanded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits to low-income pregnant women.
- Prioritizes improving access to healthcare.

Healthcare

Said, "Georgia Stonewall Democrats are ... working to ... inform the LGBT community about the differences between the Parties, and to elect fair-minded Democrats to public office."

Said, "I urge you to go to the voting polls on May 24th and November 8th and elect pro-choice officials. Let us continue to organize, mobilize and lobby and stand in support of a woman’s right to choose"."

The candidate's website says, "U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones (for the Northern District of Georgia) instructed the Georgia General Assembly to redraw Georgia’s State House, State Senate, and Congressional district maps by December 8, 2023."

The candidate's website says, "The order called for five black-majority districts: two in south-metro Atlanta, one in west-metro Atlanta, and two in and around Macon-Bibb without eliminating any minority opportunity districts or making unnecessary changes."

The candidate's website says, "If Judge Jones finds that any of the maps are out of compliance with the Voting Rights Act (VRA), he will appoint a special master to draw the maps..."

The candidate's website says, "Senate Bill 3EX, the 'Georgia Congressional Redistricting Act of 2023,' ... would adjust the composition of Georgia’s congressional districts. ..."

The candidate's website says, "SB 129 - relating to primaries & elections generally; provide time off for employees to advance vote"

The candidate's website says, ") This bill would adjust the composition of Georgia’s congressional districts. SB 3EX received final passage on the House floor on Thursday, December 7, 2023, and was also sent to the governor’s desk."

The candidate's website says, "- relating to primaries & elections generally; provide time off for employees to advance vote"

The candidate's website says, "Senate Bill 1EX, the “Georgia Senate Redistricting Act of 2023” (found here). After receiving final passage in the House, SB 1EX was also sent to the governor to be signed into law."

Voting & Elections

The candidate's website says, "For the more than 45 years, the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) has sought to protect the general welfare of Black people and other people of color ... in matters of ... social and criminal justice ..."

The candidate's website says, "SB 60 - illegal for certain persons to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell or attempt to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell used, detached catalytic converters, used utility wire, or used communications copper"

The candidate's website says, "- illegal for certain persons to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell or attempt to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell used, detached catalytic converters, used utility wire, or used communications copper"

The candidate's website says, "Would restrict the disclosure of the home address, date of birth and home phone number of a non-sworn employee of a law enforcement agency if he/she testifies for the prosecution in a criminal case"

The candidate's website says, "SB 44 - mandatory minimum penalties for violations of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act"

The candidate's website says, "SB 155 - provide for offense of interfering w/ harming a public safety animal/ search & rescue animal"

The candidate's website says, "- mandatory minimum penalties for violations of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act"

The candidate's website says, "- provide for offense of interfering w/ harming a public safety animal/ search & rescue animal"

Public Safety

The candidate's website says, "– establish Georgia Council on Literacy to require local school systems to develop and implement five-year literacy plans for students in kindergarten through grade five"

The candidate's website says, "Would revise the qualifications and implementation of grant funding opportunities for low-wealth K-12 school systems to help build and maintain their schools... which fund school construction and maintenance projects."

The candidate's website says, "Many school systems in rural Georgia cannot afford to build new facilities on their own... these grants would help rural school systems upgrade old buildings and aging infrastructure to offer safer learning environments for our students and teachers."

The candidate's website says, "The bill would require that educational facilities be at least 35 years old to receive funding for consolidation projects, and schools systems could only receive these grants every 10 years after their need has been met."

The candidate's website says, "Completion special schools would allow students who are behind on high school credits, at-risk of dropping out of high school or have already dropped out to enroll ... to earn their diplomas with greater flexibility through online instruction or night classes."

The candidate's website says, "These new completion schools would also allow students who turn 18 to self-enroll in courses until they are 22 years old... to incentivize the creation of new completion special schools."

The candidate's website says, "HB 340 - provide for daily duty-free planning periods for teachers in grades six through 12"

The candidate's website says, "HB 147 – enact Safe Schools Act; provide for a school safety anti-gang endorsement for eligible certificated professional personnel and"

The candidate's website says, "SB 211 – establish Georgia Council on Literacy to require local school systems to develop and implement five-year literacy plans for students in kindergarten through grade five"

The candidate's website says, "HB 538 - provide for the "Georgia Early Literacy Act"; to require the State Board of Education to approve high-quality instructional"

The candidate's website says, "– enact Safe Schools Act; provide for a school safety anti-gang endorsement for eligible certificated professional personnel and"

The candidate's website says, "- provide for daily duty-free planning periods for teachers in grades six through 12"

The candidate's website says, "- provide for the "Georgia Early Literacy Act"; to require the State Board of Education to approve high-quality instructional"

The candidate's website says, "To be eligible for this grant funding, the local school system would have to be currently, or within the last three years, ranked in the bottom 25 percent of ... collections and in property value."

The candidate's website says, "Would create additional educational pathways for at-risk students to earn their high school diplomas."

The candidate's website says, "Would authorize the State Board of Education (BOE) to adopt policies to allow the establishment, funding and operation of “completion special schools.”"

The candidate's website says, "*For local school systems that rank in the bottom 25 percent of SPLOST collections, the system would also have to commit five years of their SPLOST revenues toward the applicable project."

The candidate's website says, "This new educational model would help more Georgia students by increasing the number of completion special schools throughout our state, and it would allow state funding already set aside for these students to flow into the new schools."

The candidate's website says, "Many school superintendents support this bill as a way to help raise graduation rates across the state and produce a more skilled workforce."

The candidate's website says, "Would also authorize the state’s three existing alternative education charter schools to transition into this new completion school model before the next school year."

The candidate's website says, "If these new completion special schools fail to comply with our state’s requirements, the state could permanently or temporarily dissolve the school."

The candidate's website says, "This legislation would update the eligibility criteria for existing project-specific capital outlay grants, which fund school construction and maintenance projects."

The candidate's website says, "Would revise the qualifications and implementation of grant funding opportunities for low-wealth K-12 school systems to help build and maintain their schools."

The candidate's website says, "For more than 50 years, the Page Program has provided an exclusive opportunity for Georgia’s students between 12 and 18 years old to"

The candidate's website says, "- relating to health of students in elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the care of students being treated for epilepsy or a seizure disorder"

The candidate's website says, "House Bill 81 seeks to support our school systems, particularly those in rural areas of our state."

The candidate's website says, "seeks to support our school systems, particularly those in rural areas of our state."

Said, "The Page Program has provided an exclusive opportunity for Georgia’s students between 12 and 18 years old to visit our Capitol and serve in the House Chamber... I encourage students from House District 60 who may be interested to..."

Said, "I was proud to vote “yes” on this legislation to allow struggling high school students to cross the finish line to earn their high school diplomas."

Supported House Bill 87 and said, "I was proud to vote “yes” on this legislation to allow struggling high school students to cross the finish line to earn their high school diplomas."

- Supported House Bill 87 and said, "I was proud to vote “yes” on this legislation to allow struggling high school students to cross the finish line to earn their high school diplomas."

Education

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Sheila Jones

As of April 11, 2024, Sheila Jones’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Sheila worked for Lockheed Martin Company, where she held various leadership positions and was a member of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers AFL-CIO (Local Lodge 709). Additionally, she has been a member of the Executive Board as the Union’s first female trustee.

Sheila Jones has served as a State Representative and was recognized as Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. She has held the position of 5th Congressional District Chair for the Democratic Party of Georgia.

- Supports tax relief measures, endorsing Governor Kemp's executive orders to halt motor and diesel fuel tax collections amid inflation, and approves additional legislative actions during the special session.

The candidate's website says, "House Bill 143 seeks to ensure that CGMs are included as a pharmacy benefit for the state’s Medicaid patients so that those individuals have access to these crucial and lifesaving devices."

The candidate's website says, "The patient or caregiver would be required to participate in training for the device, and an in-person or telehealth visit would be required before and after the initial prescription to continually assess the patient’s diabetes treatment plan."

The candidate's website says, "Medicaid recipients would be eligible for this benefit if they have a diabetes mellitus diagnosis and use insulin daily or have a history of problematic hypoglycemia."

The candidate's website says, "Would require the Georgia Department of Community Health to cover continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) as a pharmacy benefit through Medicaid."

The candidate's website says, "Would require health insurance benefit policies in Georgia to cover biomarker testing for the diagnosis, treatment, management or ongoing monitoring of a disease or condition, such as cancer."

The candidate's website says, "House Bill 85 seeks to encourage better health outcomes for all Georgians... This legislation would afford Georgians coverage for this innovative approach to testing and help individuals figure out if treatment would be effective or not..."

The candidate's website says, "seeks to ensure that CGMs are included as a pharmacy benefit for the state’s Medicaid patients so that those individuals have access to these crucial and lifesaving devices."

The candidate's website says, "seeks to encourage better health outcomes for all Georgians... This legislation would afford Georgians coverage for this innovative approach to testing and help individuals figure out if treatment would be effective or not..."

The candidate's website says, "Services include: nutrition, transportation, health, financial and legal services; housing and supportive services; in-home services; elder abuse and neglect/social services; and mental health services."

The candidate's website says, "Prepares, packs, and delivers nutritious and healthy meals to seniors, HIV/AIDS patients and others on a daily basis... medically tailored to help prevent or manage diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, obesity, and other chronic conditions."

The candidate's website says, "SB 45 - relating to health of students in elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the care of students being treated for epilepsy or a seizure disorder"

The candidate's website says, "House Bill 129 seeks to improve the maternal health of extremely low-income pregnant women."

The candidate's website says, "CGMs can make it much easier for those living with diabetes or hypoglycemia to better understand their blood sugar patterns and manage their health, but this modern equipment can be extremely expensive without insurance coverage."

The candidate's website says, "Biomarker testing analyzes a patient’s tissue, blood or other biospecimen to look for genes, proteins and other substances, which are called biomarkers or tumor markers (according to the National Cancer Institute)."

The candidate's website says, "While biomarker testing is most commonly used for cancer, it could soon be used for other conditions, such as Alzheimer’s."

The candidate's website says, "Would define APRNs as persons registered with the Georgia Board of Nursing as a certified nurse midwife, certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/metal health or a recognized APRN before June 2006."

The candidate's website says, "seeks to improve the maternal health of extremely low-income pregnant women."

The candidate's website says, "Reliable legal advice and healthcare services for all"

The candidate's website says, "Supports older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers through a variety of services such as home-delivered meals, legal assistance, and Medicare counseling. Also investigates cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation of elder persons and adults with disabilities."

- Said, "I have always supported and will continue to support a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her reproductive choices."
- As State Representative, she supported House Bill 129, which expanded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits to low-income pregnant women.

As State Representative, she supported House Bill 87 and said, "I was proud to vote “yes” on this legislation to allow struggling high school students to cross the finish line to earn their high school diplomas."

- As State Representative, she supported House Bill 87 and said, "I was proud to vote “yes” on this legislation to allow struggling high school students to cross the finish line to earn their high school diplomas."

As of April 3, 2024, Sheila Jones’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Sheila Jones has served as a State Representative and was recognized as Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. Prior to her role in the General Assembly, she worked for Lockheed Martin Company, where she held various leadership positions and was a member of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers AFL-CIO (Local Lodge 709). Additionally, she has been a member of the Executive Board as the Union’s first female trustee.

Sheila Jones has served as a State Representative and was recognized as Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. She has held the position of 5th Congressional District Chair for the Democratic Party of Georgia. Additionally, she has been a member of the Executive Board as the Union’s first female trustee and has served on the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia Board. Representative Jones has also been involved with the National Organization of Black-Elected Legislative Women.

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Georgia State House of Representatives.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. All bills dealing with the state budget originate in the Georgia House of Representatives.
- The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 180 members of the Georgia House of Representatives, each representing a single district.
- State Representatives are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342. They only serve in the role part-time.