Another missed opportunity for gun safety
Under the guise of culling the deer population, our Legislature passed a bill allowing a tax-free purchase of a hunting rifle or any other gun — such as AK-15s, a Glock automatic and others — before the hunting season.
They know a child dies almost every other day in Georgia from gun violence. A bill (HB1) to promote the safe storage of guns has been sent to the Public Safety Committee in the House so it can die without a hearing or vote to save our representatives from having to take a stand on gun safety.
We are 46th in the nation when it comes to gun safety laws on our books. Do we want a reputation like that?
TEED M. POE, ATLANTA
Trans people unfairly targeted
The dialogue about transgender people has become shrill and frightening. Our president recently called us “sick” and “deranged” and even implied that we are incapable of honor, trustworthiness and discipline. This is unnecessary, not to mention ignorant and mean.
I have lived and worked among transgender people in the Atlanta area for more than 30 years. I genuinely like people who are transgender. They have learned to become responsible for who they are. Personhood is not something thrust on them and enforced like some kind of prep school dress code or legislative imperative. Transgender people consciously decide to enter the world with integrity and live honestly with whom they are, accepting the consequences (well, usually). It is a rare and wonderful thing.
THE REV. ERIN K. SWENSON (RET.), PRESBYTERY OF GREATER ATLANTA
State lawmakers should rethink tax cuts, refunds
I relocated to the great state of Georgia over 50 years ago. I love the state and want to see it continue to prosper. I fear that federal cuts will impact the most vulnerable in our communities. It may be time for our elected state representatives to rethink the planned tax cuts and refunds proposed in HB 111 & 112: “$2B in Georgia tax cuts and refunds clear first hurdle” (AJC Feb. 13).
With the dismantling of our federal government by Elon Musk, it appears that the difference in federal funds being cut will be shifted to the states. A 2025 GA House Budget and Research Office PowerPoint reflects a total state budget of $66.8 billion, with $19 billion of those funds from the federal government. Funds from these state cuts and refunds (HB 111/112) will be necessary if elected officials care about the citizens who benefit from programs the federal money supports. Areas that will be impacted include education, Medicaid, research (including cancer), disaster relief (Federal Emergency Management Agency), food assistance and child care, to name a few.
Georgia citizens need to ask themselves: What are our priorities?
VALERIE WOLNY, ATLANTA
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