Category: Kim Schofield

By State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) and Sandra G. Scott (D-Rex)

(687 words)

They call it the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” but for everyday Georgians, it’s nothing more than a “big ugly bill.” This Republican budget plan delivers unprecedented tax breaks to the ultra-rich, while gutting critical programs like Medicaid, SNAP food assistance and Pell Grants that working families, seniors and students depend on. As elected officials serving in the Georgia House of Representatives, we cannot sit silent while our communities are sacrificed for billionaire bonuses.

The Good (what they claim):
Republican leaders claim this bill promotes economic growth and tax fairness. They argue it will streamline the government and eliminate waste. But let’s be clear: this bill is not about fiscal responsibility. It’s about redistribution — upward. It’s about picking winners and losers, and in this case, the billionaires win while the rest of us lose.

The Bad (what it really does):

• Gives away $1.1 trillion in tax cuts to those making more than $500,000 per year;
• The richest 0.1 percent get an average annual tax cut of $255,670;
• Uses budget gimmicks to hide the real cost and increases the federal deficit by $7 trillion;
• The Republican-backed budget would:
  • Strip health care coverage from 142,450 Georgians on Medicaid, including 104,344 children and 19,000 seniors;
  • Raise health insurance costs by up to $15,832 per year for some middle-income families.

The Ugly (the real-world consequences in Georgia):

Health Care Losses:

• Nearly 14 million Americans are projected to lose health coverage;
• In congressional district GA-04, 142,450 people rely on Medicaid, including 104,344 children;
• In GA-05, 125,550 people depend on Medicaid, including 25,000 seniors;
• In GA-13, 156,090 people rely on Medicaid, including 117,610 children;
• Premium costs would spike up to 220 percent, placing a crushing burden on middle-income families.

Food Assistance Cuts:

• New rules and red tape may cut benefits for at least 3 million Americans nationwide;
• GA-04 has 86,000 people receiving SNAP benefits;
• GA-05 has 196,000 people on food assistance;
• GA-13 has 77,000 people relying on SNAP.

Education Cuts:

• 4.4 million students nationwide could:
  • Lose Pell Grants entirely;
  • See reductions in Pell Grants;
  • Face up to $7,400 more in college costs for a bachelor’s degree;
  • Be forced into lower-value short-term programs.
• In GA-04, 6,597 Pell Grant recipients are at risk;
• In GA-05, 39,611 students could lose financial aid;
• In GA-13, 3,176 students could see grant reductions or elimination.

Public Job Threats:

• Thousands of federal jobs are at risk, including:
  • 15,623 in GA-04;
  • 11,834 in GA-05;
  • 14,667 in GA-13.

Undermining Working Families:

• Overtime pay, tips and loan interest may be tax-free for high earners, but everyday workers get fewer services and more out-of-pocket costs;
• Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP shift burden to states — reducing benefits or closing hospitals.

 
This budget is not beautiful. It is brutal. We have a duty to protect the most vulnerable among us — our children, our elders, our students and our working parents. This bill does the opposite. Our families deserve better, and we will stand against this attack on our values and our future.

This budget is not just numbers on paper—it is a roadmap for injustice. In district five, we are talking about more than 125,000 people who depend on Medicaid and almost 200,000 who rely on SNAP. You cannot gut their lifelines to fund tax cuts for billionaires and call that leadership.

Budgets are about priorities, and this budget shows exactly who Republicans are fighting for: billionaires and big corporations. In Georgia’s 13th District, more 150,000 people depend on Medicaid and thousands of students rely on Pell Grants. This bill punishes the people who work hard and play by the rules.

Conclusion:
The “big ugly bill” reveals where Republican priorities truly lie— not with families struggling to afford groceries or seniors managing chronic conditions but with millionaires seeking another tax break. This is not governance; it’s economic warfare against those with the least. We urge our constituents to call their U.S. Senators, write to Congress and speak out. Let them know that Georgians (regardless of political party) see through the spin. This bill might be beautiful to billionaires — but to us, it’s ugly. And we’re fighting back.

*Editor’s note: a photo of these legislators is attached.

Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes a portion of DeKalb County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Health, Insurance, Natural Resources & Environment and Urban Affairs committees.

Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 63, which includes a portion of Fulton County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves as Secretary of the Urban Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Health, Industry and Labor and Small Business Development committees.

Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes a portion of Clayton County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves on the Banks & Banking, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Insurance and Reapportionment and Redistricting committees.

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