Your March 2021
Legislative
&
Community Update!

Don't Forget Senator Rhett
District 33




What's Happening
in
District 33!
Georgia Legislative Black Caucus 2021
Senator "Doc" Rhett GLBC Senate Deputy Whip
Senate Bill 241 Election Bill Results
AJC News
The Georgia Senate passed a bill Monday to roll back no-excuse absentee voting and require more voter ID, which would create new obstacles for voters after Republicans lost elections for president and the U.S. Senate.

The legislation would reduce the availability of absentee voting, restricting it to those who are at least 65 years old, have a physical disability or are out of town. In addition, Georgians would need to provide a driver’s license number, state ID number or other identification.

The Senate approved the bill on a party-line 29-20 vote, a one-vote majority of the chamber’s 56 senators required by the Georgia Constitution for legislation to pass.

How the senators voted!

COVID Rental Assistance
This program is separate from the CARES rental and mortgage assistance approved by the board in 2020. 
Here is how those funds can help:
Who is eligible to seek assistance?
An "eligible household" is defined as a renter household in which at least one or more individuals meets the
following criteria:
1. Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs,
or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
2. Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
3. Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median.
What can those funds be used for?
Assistance can be provided for rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy costs arrears, and other expenses related to housing.
Who will handle applications for the funds?
The same groups who worked with the county on the CARES assistance will also handle this new grant program. Those groups are:

1. HomeFree-USA,
2. Star-C Corporation, 
3. MUST Ministries, 
4. The Center for Family Resources, and;
5. Sweetwater Mission.
When can I apply?
Those groups are sorting through the new requirements with this program and coming up with applications. We hope to have them available in the coming days. We will post the latest when that information is available and keep updates on our COVID Assistance Center page at
Press button below to view.
MIC
To watch Cobb County Commission Chair's State of the County in its entirety,
Drive-through food pantry at South Cobb Library in Mableton on March 17

A drive-through food pantry event at South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17 from 11 am to 1 pm, or while supplies last.

In partnership with Atlanta Community Food Bank, Cobb County Public Library is staging the free outdoor food pantry event at the library in Mableton with support from Cobb government colleagues. One package of 20 pounds of food will be distributed per family on a first-come, first-served basis. The packages include produce and shelf-stable items.

For more information, visit www.cobbcounty.org/library or call the South Cobb Library at 678-398-5828.

Drive-thru food distribution for seniors next Friday
Drive-up services for Cobb residents age 60 and older to get shelf stable food will be held on Fridays, March 12 and 26, from 11 a.m. to noon (or while supplies last). An ID showing date of birth and Cobb County home address for each senior is required upon arrival. No appointment needed. Location: Cobb Senior Services, 1150 Powder Springs St., Marietta.

Senior Services staff is also hosting a critical food drive to help continue battling food insecurity. Thank you to our residents and county employees who are stepping up to help feed seniors in need. We encourage you to join the effort and donate shelf stable food and other needed supplies.

To view a list of needed items, visit cobbseniors.org. No appointment is necessary; just drop your donations in the barrel at Cobb Senior Services (1150 Powder Springs St, Marietta) 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday. If you have questions, call Merline at 770-528-5355. If you would prefer to make a financial donation to help continue the food drives, 
American Legion Update
Celebrating Women Who Served
In celebration of Women's History Month, we honor the women who have served our nation and encourage all women Veterans and service members to take advantage of the benefits available to them. We at the Veterans Benefits Administration are committed to providing you with the benefits and services you have earned and deserve.


Home Rental Assistance

In an effort to aid renters adversely affected by COVID-19, qualified renters who currently reside in single-family homes, condos, attached homes, and apartments in Cobb County can now apply for up $4,800 to help pay their rent.
Visual exhibits around county showcase students' art

Support our talented local youth by attending the Kaleidoscope Visual Arts Showcase now through March 29. Cobb PARKS and Cobb County School District teamed up to highlight artists from more than 40 schools.

The art work is displayed physically at the Art Station-Big Shanty (2050 Kennesaw Due West Road NW, Kennesaw), Sewell Mill Cultural Arts Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta) and the Mable House Art Center (5239 Floyd Road, Mableton). Due to social distancing protocols, please call each location before visiting the exhibit. 

For those who would like to enjoy the galleries virtually, they will also be available at artstationcobb.org/kaleidoscope, cobbcounty.org/parks/arts/sewell-mill-center and mablehouse.org/index.php/arts-center/gallery-exhibits.

The featured artwork is by Jennifer D., a senior at Osborne High School, and is on display at Mable House Arts Center.
Serving Community & Country!
Senator "Doc" Rhett

Georgia State Senator District 33

Master Sergeant Michael "Doc" Rhett
Retired
U. S. Air Force Reserves

Retired Educator

Doctorate Degree: University of Georgia (UGA)

American Legion Post 296 Marietta, Georgia

Officer/Trustee Turner Chapel AME Church Marietta, GA