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Mark your calendar to join us on Thursday, October 1, 2026, for our annual Consumer Champion Award Celebration! This will be an evening of recognition as we come together to honor our local heroes who have made a remarkable impact on consumer rights and protection. Stay tuned for details.
For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Liz Coyle at lcoyle@georgiawatch.org.
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Georgia Watch is delighted to welcome Rachel Shanklin as our new Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy.
Rachel brings extensive experience in policy, public health, financial protection, and community development. Throughout her career, she has led strategic initiatives, built cross-sector partnerships, and advanced policies that strengthen communities and improve outcomes for individuals and families. In her new role, Rachel will lead Georgia Watch's policy, advocacy, and consumer education efforts across the organization's key issue areas. Rachel will join Georgia Watch on August 3.
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We're excited to welcome Shana Risby back to Georgia Watch as our Communications Consultant!
Since her time at Georgia Watch, Shana has served as Senior Outreach Coordinator for the National Audubon Society's Conservation Ranching program, where she led strategic communications, public outreach events, and marketing initiatives connecting people to conservation and sustainable agriculture. Previously at Georgia Watch, Shana managed digital communications, storytelling, and engagement to support our advocacy work.
| | Please join us in welcoming Rachel and Shana to the Georgia Watch team! | | Data Centers and Energy Affordability | |
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Executive Director Liz Coyle joined Georgia Advancing Communities Together (Georgia ACT) for its July webinar to discuss the impact of data center growth on Georgia consumers. Liz highlighted the connection between expanding energy demand, rising utility costs, and the importance of ensuring residential ratepayers are not left paying for infrastructure built to serve large commercial customers. She also shared Georgia Watch's ongoing advocacy to promote transparency, accountability, and affordable energy as data center development continues across the state.
Watch the full webinar HERE. Passcode: %Dt8C0#x
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| Georgia Hospital Accountability Score Card Listening Session | |
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This month, Georgia Watch hosted four listening sessions on the Georgia Hospital Accountability Scorecard. Hospital leadership and community organizations from across the state attended to learn how to use the Scorecard to measure transparency, highlight community benefit spending, and track hospital investment to meet community needs. The interactive discussions provided a valuable forum for participants to share local perspectives on healthcare equity, financial assistance policies, and the pressing need for nonprofit hospitals to meaningfully invest in the communities they serve. The feedback gathered throughout these sessions will directly inform our ongoing advocacy efforts and guide future developments of the Scorecard.
To see how your local health system performs, visit georgiawatch.org/scorecard or email glandram@georgiawatch.org to give feedback and explore ways to get involved.
| | New Financial Protection Webinar | |
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On July 21, Georgia Watch and the Georgia Financial Protection Coalition hosted the first in a series of webinars to help consumers and advocates navigate today's evolving financial landscape. Participants learned to identify emerging financial products, recognize warning signs of predatory lending, and connect Georgians with trusted resources and legal protections. The webinar covered payday and tribal lending, title pawns, earned wage access products, buy now, pay later services, illegal debt collection practices, and fraud prevention.
Watch the full webinar HERE.
| | Your Gift Equals Real Impact for Georgia Families | | |
Every day, Georgia Watch advocates to ensure your access to healthcare, economic opportunity, and fair financial practices.
Your donation helps us train advocates, connect communities with lawmakers, and support strong policies that help Georgia families thrive.
Stand with us— click below to make a tax-deductible donation today.
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Georgia Watch
55 Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
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