AJC/ACC Voter Guide - Local & Legislative Questionnaire

Becky Evans graduated from Emory University with an undergraduate degree in political science. She attended Highland Park High School and is a DeKalb public school volunteer. She is a member of the North Decatur Presbyterian Church. She currently resides in Dekalb County with her husband and has three children.

Becky Evans is the current State Representative for Georgia House District 89. She formerly worked as a nonprofit co-founder and healthcare software professional. She has also worked as a chief of staff and legislative assistant to a lawmaker.

Becky Evans is the current State Representative for Georgia House District 89 and is running for the newly redistricted Georgia House District 90. She was elected as a State Representative in 2018 and is currently serving her third term.

Wants to increase Georgia's minimum wage from $7.25 to $15.00 per hour.

Said, "Commuting time is a large factor in the odds of escaping poverty.  I am incredibly proud to have successfully fought for $7.6 million in 2021 and $16 million in 2022, in the new Transit Trust Fund, to improve transportation options for Georgia families and small businesses."

The candidate's website states, "I was able to put money back into the pockets of hard-working Georgia families by suspending  the gas tax until May 30th AND decreasing the state income tax from 5.7% to 4.9%."

Wants to close the "wage gap" and supports pay transparency.

Worked with the Georgia State Retirees Association and provided State of Georgia employees a $5,000 pay raise, and state retirees with their "first cost of living pension raise since the Great Recession."

- Wants to increase Georgia's minimum wage from $7.25 to $15.00 per hour.
- Said, "Commuting time is a large factor in the odds of escaping poverty.  I am incredibly proud to have successfully fought for $7.6 million in 2021 and $16 million in 2022, in the new Transit Trust Fund, to improve transportation options for Georgia families and small businesses."
- The candidate's website states, "I was able to put money back into the pockets of hard-working Georgia families by suspending  the gas tax until May 30th AND decreasing the state income tax from 5.7% to 4.9%."
- Wants to close the "wage gap" and supports pay transparency.
- Worked with the Georgia State Retirees Association and provided State of Georgia employees a $5,000 pay raise, and state retirees with their "first cost of living pension raise since the Great Recession."

Economy

Supports "clean energy" and wants to invest in solar and wind powers. 

Advocates for electric vehicles (EVs), especially EV school buses, and hopes to incentivize EVs by bringing back tax credits and expanding access to charging stations.  Additionally, wants to move the state to 100% renewables by 2035.

Said, "I will...fight to promote organic, local agriculture to help prevent disease, and work with farmers across Georgia to eradicate food deserts" and "I will also fight for safer agricultural practices that maintain soil health and create the most nutrient-dense foods for Georgia families."

Said "I will work to find creative solutions to solve issues of waste and pollution."

- Supports "clean energy" and wants to invest in solar and wind powers. 
- Advocates for electric vehicles (EVs), especially EV school buses, and hopes to incentivize EVs by bringing back tax credits and expanding access to charging stations.  Additionally, wants to move the state to 100% renewables by 2035.
- Said, "I will...fight to promote organic, local agriculture to help prevent disease, and work with farmers across Georgia to eradicate food deserts" and "I will also fight for safer agricultural practices that maintain soil health and create the most nutrient-dense foods for Georgia families."
- Said "I will work to find creative solutions to solve issues of waste and pollution."

Energy & the Environment

Supports expanding Medicaid until "ALL Georgians have the care and coverage they need."

The candidates website states, "We successfully fought for major medical and mental health services reform last year, including Georgia’s 'parity' for mental health care."

Plans to eliminate student loans for mental health providers in "underserved areas."

Expanded Medicaid to 12 months after birth, "boosting infant and maternal health and to Georgians living with HIV-AIDS.

Has worked to improve the testing and abatement standards to reduce childhood lead poisoning.

Wants to increase funding for school psychologists and counselors

- Supports abortion.
- Supports expanding Medicaid until "ALL Georgians have the care and coverage they need."
- The candidates website states, "We successfully fought for major medical and mental health services reform last year, including Georgia’s 'parity' for mental health care."
- Plans to eliminate student loans for mental health providers in "underserved areas."
- Expanded Medicaid to 12 months after birth, "boosting infant and maternal health and to Georgians living with HIV-AIDS.
- Has worked to improve the testing and abatement standards to reduce childhood lead poisoning.
- Wants to increase funding for school psychologists and counselors

Healthcare

Supports both early voting and vote by mail in Georgia.

- Supports both early voting and vote by mail in Georgia.

Voting & Elections

Supports closing loopholes in background checks, mandating training for responsible gun owners, raising the minimum age for purchasing a gun from 18 to 21, ending access to high-capacity firearms, and keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and "persons with dangerous mental illnesses."

The candidates website states, "I will fight for laws that further criminalize hate crimes, and give protections to immigrant families. I will also fight to defend kids who’ve never pledged allegiance to any flag but ours and to increase access to opportunity for first-generation Americans."

- Supports gun control.
- Supports closing loopholes in background checks, mandating training for responsible gun owners, raising the minimum age for purchasing a gun from 18 to 21, ending access to high-capacity firearms, and keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and "persons with dangerous mental illnesses."
- The candidates website states, "I will fight for laws that further criminalize hate crimes, and give protections to immigrant families. I will also fight to defend kids who’ve never pledged allegiance to any flag but ours and to increase access to opportunity for first-generation Americans."

Public Safety

Wants to increase teacher salaries and said "I’m also incredibly proud to have successfully fought to...pass much needed nearly $10,000  teacher pay raises for every teacher in Georgia."

Wants to update school safety and "fought to...get $80,000 in direct funding per school to make our kids’ school safer from gun violence."

Wants to improve literacy rates and helped create Georgia's Literacy Council. She opposes censorship.

Secured $6 million dollars for Georgia Piedmont Technical College to build a vocational training center for truck drivers in Stonecrest.

- Wants to increase teacher salaries and said "I’m also incredibly proud to have successfully fought to...pass much needed nearly $10,000  teacher pay raises for every teacher in Georgia."
- Wants to update school safety and "fought to...get $80,000 in direct funding per school to make our kids’ school safer from gun violence."
- Wants to improve literacy rates and helped create Georgia's Literacy Council. She opposes censorship.
- Secured $6 million dollars for Georgia Piedmont Technical College to build a vocational training center for truck drivers in Stonecrest.

Education

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Becky Evans

Saira resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, Addison, and their three children. She attended Georgia public schools. She received her bachelor's degree in public policy from Georgia Tech and her juris doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Saira is a civil rights attorney who has leveraged the legal system to address matters of fairness. Saira is co-founder of Power the Vote. 

Saira Draper is a freshman representative in the Georgia House of Representatives, serving the people of House District 90. She was elected in 2022.

Candidate website

Said, "One of the votes from the final week that makes me proud is the one doubling the amount of time state workers can take off with pay within the first year of having a baby or adopting."

The candidate's website says, "Georgia has some of the nation’s worst tenant protections and it’s shameful the conditions some Georgians live in while paying most of their income for rent."

Said, "Georgia has some of the nation’s worst tenant protections and it’s shameful the conditions some Georgians live in while paying most of their income for rent."

The candidate's website says, "Senate Bill 362 is a pathetic attempt to prevent Georgia’s working families from organizing their workplace... the state government stepping in to ban that recognition simultaneously harms workers and takes away individual freedoms from business owners."

Said, "Senate Bill 362 is a pathetic attempt to prevent Georgia’s working families from organizing their workplace... the state government stepping in to ban that recognition simultaneously harms workers and takes away individual freedoms from business owners."

Said, "I am proud that House Bill 1125 received unanimous support to phase out the allowance in Georgia law that “certain persons with disabilities” can be paid less than the federal minimum wage."

Said, "I am proud that House Bill 1125 received unanimous support to phase out the allowance in Georgia law that 'certain persons with disabilities' can be paid less than the federal minimum wage."

Supports legislation granting Atlanta seniors over 65 with income under $100,000 a school tax exemption on property taxes, noting the significant financial relief it would provide. Senate Bill 439 is currently under House review.

Supports legislation granting Atlanta seniors over 65 with income under $100,000 a school tax exemption on property taxes, noting the significant financial relief it would provide. 

- Said, "One of the votes from the final week that makes me proud is the one doubling the amount of time state workers can take off with pay within the first year of having a baby or adopting."
- Said, "Georgia has some of the nation’s worst tenant protections and it’s shameful the conditions some Georgians live in while paying most of their income for rent."
- Said, "Senate Bill 362 is a pathetic attempt to prevent Georgia’s working families from organizing their workplace... the state government stepping in to ban that recognition simultaneously harms workers and takes away individual freedoms from business owners."
- Said, "I am proud that House Bill 1125 received unanimous support to phase out the allowance in Georgia law that 'certain persons with disabilities' can be paid less than the federal minimum wage."
- Supports legislation granting Atlanta seniors over 65 with income under $100,000 a school tax exemption on property taxes, noting the significant financial relief it would provide. 

Opposes mining near the swamp, citing irreversible harm, increased droughts, wildfires, destruction of 300 acres of wetlands, groundwater depletion, and pollution affecting birds and alligators.

Opposes mining near Okefenokee Swamp, citing irreversible harm, increased droughts, wildfires, destruction of 300 acres of wetlands, groundwater depletion, and pollution affecting birds and alligators.

- Opposes mining near Okefenokee Swamp, citing irreversible harm, increased droughts, wildfires, destruction of 300 acres of wetlands, groundwater depletion, and pollution affecting birds and alligators.

Supports expanding Medicaid in Georgia using federal funds, co-sponsored HB38 to cover 500,000 residents ineligible for Medicaid or government exchange insurance; frustrated by the bill's stagnation in committee.

Supports expanding Medicaid in Georgia using federal funds, co-sponsored HB38 to cover 500,000 residents ineligible for Medicaid or government exchange insurance

Opposes SB 140, citing a lack of evidence and contradiction with medical standards; supports gender-affirming care for transgender youth, aligning with the American Academy of Pediatrics' advocacy for equitable healthcare access.

Said, "I am proud to co sponsor HB 1497, the Right to Contraception Act, which will protect IVF... The bill says that a human egg or human embryo that exists outside of a uterus is not considered an unborn child or natural person."

Said, "Why does Georgia still have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country—almost twice the national rate? ... Why are we not expanding Medicaid? Why are we restricting women’s access to critical health care such as abortions?"

The candidate's website says, "House Bill 557 would allow advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to prescribe an initial five-day supply of Schedule II controlled substances and ADHD medication under the supervision of a medical doctor or a psychiatrist... This change will especially help residents in rural Georgia where there are severe hospital and medical staff shortages."

As a Representative, she voted for House Bill 557 and said, "House Bill 557 would allow advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to prescribe an initial five-day supply of Schedule II controlled substances and ADHD medication under the supervision of a medical doctor or a psychiatrist... This change will especially help residents in rural Georgia where there are severe hospital and medical staff shortages."

Supports House Bills 458 and 196 to develop Georgia's medical marijuana sector, increasing eligible growers, sellers, and production licenses, thereby enhancing patient access to legally promised medical cannabis treatments.

- Supports expanding Medicaid in Georgia using federal funds, co-sponsored HB38 to cover 500,000 residents ineligible for Medicaid or government exchange insurance
- Opposes SB 140, citing a lack of evidence and contradiction with medical standards; supports gender-affirming care for transgender youth, aligning with the American Academy of Pediatrics' advocacy for equitable healthcare access.
- Said, "I am proud to co sponsor HB 1497, the Right to Contraception Act, which will protect IVF... The bill says that a human egg or human embryo that exists outside of a uterus is not considered an unborn child or natural person."
- Said, "Why does Georgia still have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country—almost twice the national rate? ... Why are we not expanding Medicaid? Why are we restricting women’s access to critical health care such as abortions?"
- As a Representative, she voted for House Bill 557 and said, "House Bill 557 would allow advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to prescribe an initial five-day supply of Schedule II controlled substances and ADHD medication under the supervision of a medical doctor or a psychiatrist... This change will especially help residents in rural Georgia where there are severe hospital and medical staff shortages."
- Supports House Bills 458 and 196 to develop Georgia's medical marijuana sector, increasing eligible growers, sellers, and production licenses, thereby enhancing patient access to legally promised medical cannabis treatments.

Plans to transfer the financial responsibility of voter challenge inquiries to the challengers if the process exceeds 15 minutes, aligning with Georgia's Open Records Act to prevent overburdening counties.

Supports protecting election workers; passed HB 1118 in committee with backing from an op-ed and testimonies against intimidation faced since 2020, aiming to safeguard democracy and officials for 2024 elections.

Opposes Georgia's law permitting unlimited voter challenges, which leads to baseless, widespread challenges against eligible voters, overburdening election officials and deterring voting.

Opposes Dr. Janice Johnson's desire for Georgia to reinstate strict mail voting eligibility from 20+ years ago, disadvantaging workers, non-English speakers, and others; supports current no-excuse absentee voting, like 35 states.

Supports House Bill 559, which lets parents with children under 5 skip to the front of voting lines, aiding family participation in elections and mirroring courtesies extended to elderly and disabled voters.

The candidate's website says, "A healthy Democracy relies on fair maps... Gerrymandering makes minority rule possible, and is the reason issues that are popular with the majority of Georgians– from common sense gun safety laws to reproductive freedom– barely see the light of day in the Georgia General Assembly."

Said, "A healthy Democracy relies on fair maps... Gerrymandering makes minority rule possible, and is the reason issues that are popular with the majority of Georgians– from common sense gun safety laws to reproductive freedom– barely see the light of day in the Georgia General Assembly."

Supports robust protection of voting rights, citing a career dedicated to justice and the necessity of voting rights expertise in legislation, as voting safeguards all other rights and underpins civil and human rights.

Supports robust protection of voting rights, citing a career dedicated to justice and the necessity of voting rights expertise in legislation, as voting safeguards all other rights.

- Plans to transfer the financial responsibility of voter challenge inquiries to the challengers if the process exceeds 15 minutes, aligning with Georgia's Open Records Act to prevent overburdening counties.
- Supports protecting election workers; passed HB 1118 in committee with backing from an op-ed and testimonies against intimidation faced since 2020, aiming to safeguard democracy and officials for 2024 elections.
- Opposes Georgia's law permitting unlimited voter challenges, which leads to baseless, widespread challenges against eligible voters, overburdening election officials and deterring voting.
- Opposes Dr. Janice Johnson's desire for Georgia to reinstate strict mail voting eligibility from 20+ years ago, disadvantaging workers, non-English speakers, and others; supports current no-excuse absentee voting, like 35 states.
- Supports House Bill 559, which lets parents with children under 5 skip to the front of voting lines, aiding family participation in elections and mirroring courtesies extended to elderly and disabled voters.
- Said, "A healthy Democracy relies on fair maps... Gerrymandering makes minority rule possible, and is the reason issues that are popular with the majority of Georgians– from common sense gun safety laws to reproductive freedom– barely see the light of day in the Georgia General Assembly."
- Supports robust protection of voting rights, citing a career dedicated to justice and the necessity of voting rights expertise in legislation, as voting safeguards all other rights.

Believes broad immigration sweeps in Georgia are unjustified, citing statistics that undocumented immigrants commit fewer crimes than U.S.-born citizens and legal residents, particularly in violent, drug, and property offenses.

Supports incentivizing gun safety in Georgia through a $300 tax credit for purchasing gun safes, safety devices, or taking safety courses, acknowledging the role of activists in this legislative progress as the bill advances to the Senate.

Supports incentivizing gun safety in Georgia through a $300 tax credit for purchasing gun safes, safety devices, or taking safety courses.

The candidate's website says, "House Bill 1014 addresses some of the inequities ... in our criminal justice system. HB 1014 would lower the threshold for determining if a convicted killer is mentally disabled such that he cannot understand the sentence. If he cannot, he should not be executed."

As a Representative, she supported House Bill 1014 and said, "House Bill 1014 addresses some of the inequities ... in our criminal justice system. HB 1014 would lower the threshold for determining if a convicted killer is mentally disabled such that he cannot understand the sentence. If he cannot, he should not be executed."

The candidate's website says, "Jails are overcrowded and people are literally dying in jail because of the decrepit conditions. But the GOP wants to put more people in jail –and keep them there– for being poor."

Said, "Jails are overcrowded and people are literally dying in jail because of the decrepit conditions. But the GOP wants to put more people in jail –and keep them there– for being poor."

Opposes SB 63 for exacerbating economic disparities in pretrial release, criminalizing crowdfunding for bail, and limiting options for those unable to afford bail despite the presumption of innocence.

Supports HR 4EX, condemns Hamas and terrorism following October 7 events, empathizes with victims, opposes anti-Semitism, and denounces local anti-Semitic threats.

Supports treating 17-year-olds as juveniles, highlighting rehabilitation benefits in juvenile courts and noting Georgia's move to align with the majority of states in juvenile justice approaches.

- Believes broad immigration sweeps in Georgia are unjustified, citing statistics that undocumented immigrants commit fewer crimes than U.S.-born citizens and legal residents, particularly in violent, drug, and property offenses.
- Supports incentivizing gun safety in Georgia through a $300 tax credit for purchasing gun safes, safety devices, or taking safety courses.
- As a Representative, she supported House Bill 1014 and said, "House Bill 1014 addresses some of the inequities ... in our criminal justice system. HB 1014 would lower the threshold for determining if a convicted killer is mentally disabled such that he cannot understand the sentence. If he cannot, he should not be executed."
- Said, "Jails are overcrowded and people are literally dying in jail because of the decrepit conditions. But the GOP wants to put more people in jail –and keep them there– for being poor."
- Opposes SB 63 for exacerbating economic disparities in pretrial release, criminalizing crowdfunding for bail, and limiting options for those unable to afford bail despite the presumption of innocence.
- Supports HR 4EX, condemns Hamas and terrorism following October 7 events, empathizes with victims, opposes anti-Semitism, and denounces local anti-Semitic threats.
- Supports treating 17-year-olds as juveniles, highlighting rehabilitation benefits in juvenile courts and noting Georgia's move to align with the majority of states in juvenile justice approaches.

Said, "My point was that Georgia has chronically underfunded our public schools. It has for years. Let’s give schools the resources they need rather than redirecting families and resources away. Don’t starve the system and then pretend it cannot work."

Said, "...Georgia has chronically underfunded our public schools. It has for years. Let’s give schools the resources they need rather than redirecting families and resources away. Don’t starve the system and then pretend it cannot work."

Opposes vouchers as they benefit the affluent, discount private education, and deplete public school funds, exacerbating inequality.

Opposes school vouchers as they benefit the affluent, discount private education, and deplete public school funds, exacerbating inequality.

Said, "I’m working on a bill that would increase Teacher Retirement System benefits for teachers... Under the current law, retired teachers receive an annual pension equal to 2% of the member’s average compensation over their two highest paid consecutive years of teaching, multiplied by the number of years they taught."

Supports the Governor's budget for flexible school security grants, which could fund resource officers or metal detectors, and opposes the Lieutenant Governor's past proposal to arm teachers.

Supports the House's initiative to increase Georgia pre-K funding, including equal pay for pre-K teachers, smaller class sizes, and utilizing lottery reserves for the $100 million investment.

Supports increased state funding for school transportation, alleviating local budget pressures and enabling redirection of funds to other educational needs like programs or teacher salaries.

Opposes Georgia's decision to decline participation in a federal initiative aimed at providing summer meals to over a million potentially hungry children, which would have supplemented existing nutrition programs.

- Said, "...Georgia has chronically underfunded our public schools. It has for years. Let’s give schools the resources they need rather than redirecting families and resources away. Don’t starve the system and then pretend it cannot work."
- Opposes school vouchers as they benefit the affluent, discount private education, and deplete public school funds, exacerbating inequality.
- Said, "I’m working on a bill that would increase Teacher Retirement System benefits for teachers... Under the current law, retired teachers receive an annual pension equal to 2% of the member’s average compensation over their two highest paid consecutive years of teaching, multiplied by the number of years they taught."
- Supports the Governor's budget for flexible school security grants, which could fund resource officers or metal detectors, and opposes the Lieutenant Governor's past proposal to arm teachers.
- Supports the House's initiative to increase Georgia pre-K funding, including equal pay for pre-K teachers, smaller class sizes, and utilizing lottery reserves for the $100 million investment.
- Supports increased state funding for school transportation, alleviating local budget pressures and enabling redirection of funds to other educational needs like programs or teacher salaries.
- Opposes Georgia's decision to decline participation in a federal initiative aimed at providing summer meals to over a million potentially hungry children, which would have supplemented existing nutrition programs.

Saira Draper

- 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.

State Representative

Election results

Candidates (2)