APN Questionnaire, Shelitha Robertson, State House Special Election D55
(APN) ATLANTA — In Atlanta Progressive News’s continuing coverage of the June 16, 2015 Special Election for State House District 55, the seat of former State Rep. Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta), we now turn to candidate Shelitha Robertson.
Previously, Robertson ran for Atlanta City Council Post 3-at-large in 2009, challenging then-Councilman Lamar Willis. She ran for Fulton County Superior Court in 2010 and 2014.
Atlanta Progressive News endorsed Robertson in 2009 and 2014.
Robertson intervened on the night of the Atlanta Eagle Raid in 2009, calling her contacts to have the arrestees released. All charges were later dropped.
Robertson also has been a supporter of the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless.
She served as an Atlanta Police officer for ten years; then served as Assistant Public Defender and Assistant City Attorney for the City of Atlanta.
Seven candidates are running in the Special Election to replace former Rep. Brooks.
The candidates include Tyrone Brooks Jr., the son of former State Rep. Brooks; Alysia Brown; John Guest; Marie Metze; Michael Fitzgerald; Raghu Raju; and Robertson.
APN’s coverage of Brooks Jr.’s candidacy is available here:
APN’s coverage of Guest’s candidacy is available here:
APN has sent questionnaires to all seven candidates, and has received responses from five, not including Fitzgerald and Metze. Responses were due yesterday, May 25, 2015.
Robertson’s responses are as follows:
DO YOU BELIEVE ALL HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES SHOULD KEEP MINUTES, AND THOSE MINUTES SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL IDEAS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS?
Answer – The Georgia General Assembly should be held to the same disclosure requirements as other governmental agencies. I believe that House and Senate Committees should keep minutes and they should be made available to the public. Making these notes available to the public strengthens the public’s confidence, understanding, and preparedness regarding critical legislation
WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON NUCLEAR POWER?
Answer – While Nuclear power may be a cleaner and cheaper energy source, there are still environmental and health risk from its emissions. I support looking for alternatives that will reduce environmental stress and prove more efficient and cost effective for consumers. Of course with Nuclear Power, there are the issues of storing radioactive waste, potential for radioactive contamination by accident or sabotage, possibility of nuclear proliferation and the disadvantages of centralized electricity production. I believe we have a responsibility to voters to continue to explore sources such as Biomass Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectric Energy and others.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS, IF ANY, TO EXPAND WIND AND SOLAR IN GEORGIA?
This past session Solar Energy bills passed the House and Senate without opposition. I am committed to supporting the expansion of innovations and practices to improve delivery of energy to Georgia residents, and wind and solar energy figures prominently into our future. I would like to see Georgia rise to the top and be counted among the nation’s leading wind and solar energy states.
WOULD YOU SUPPORT REDUCING PETITION REQUIREMENTS FOR INDEPENDENT AND POLITICAL BODY (MINOR PARTY) CANDIDATES FROM THE CURRENT ONE PERCENT STATEWIDE, FIVE PERCENT NON-STATEWIDE REQUIREMENT?
Yes absolutely.
WOULD YOU SUPPORT ADDING A VOTER VERIFIABLE PAPER AUDIT TRAIL TO ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEMS IN GEORGIA?
Yes
WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THE REFERENDUM TO CREATE A STATEWIDE OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO TAKE OVER SO-CALLED FAILING SCHOOLS?
Adamantly Opposed.
DO YOU SUPPORT AN EXPANDED MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM (IN-STATE CULTIVATION, FULL PLANT MEDICINE, EXPANDED LIST OF CONDITIONS)? DO YOU SUPPORT DECRIMINALIZATION? DO YOU SUPPORT LEGALIZATION?
Yes, I support the expanded use of Medical Cannabis. Yes I support the decriminalization of Medical Cannabis. And Yes, I support the legalization of Medical Cannabis.
WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON CITYHOOD PROPOSAL FOR SOUTH FULTON, AND ATLANTA’S PROPOSAL FOR SOUTH FULTON ANNEXATION?
This has been a hotly debated issue but I am firm in my position that the residents’ of the specific communities in question should determine their future through voting. This is not a matter to be decided by the General Assembly.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The creation of cityhood referendum for South Fulton is a matter that will have to be decided by the Assembly. Also, Atlanta annexation, if not accomplished by the petition method, would also be a matter likely to be considered by the Assembly.
DO YOU SUPPORT GMO LABELING?
Yes
DO YOU SUPPORT ANY OF THE RECENT PROPOSALS REDUCING THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD, OR ALLOWING LOCAL JURISDICTIONS FLEXIBILITY TO REDUCE EARLY VOTING?
No. I will oppose any attempt to limit voter access.
(END/2015)