Who Is Regina Lewis-Ward?

Inclusion is not just a belief for me, but a way of life. – Regina Lewis-Ward

Just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, in Henry County, is the city of Stockbridge, population 25,637.  It is also the city where Martin Luther King Sr. was born, father Martin Luther King Jr. Founded in 1895, the city has blossomed and is a hub for intellectual and political involvement. Among the politically astute, Regina Lewis-Ward has come to the foreground. A persistent and engaged leader, Lewis-Ward brings a new and fresh perspective to the many challenges not only facing Georgians, but our nation as a whole. Her leadership in government, community and philanthropy has enriched the lives of many in the community she loves and serves.

” I will stand up for quality free public education, affordable healthcare and protection of working families” Regina Lewis-Ward

Education:

For the majority of U.S. families, public education is the only option. But the quality of public school systems varies widely from state to state and is often a question of funding. Public elementary and secondary education dollars traditionally flow from three sources: the federal, state and local governments. Georgia ranks #38 on the list of states with the best & worst school systems. This candidate understands the value of a quality education and realizes that public education is the backbone of a good workforce, strengthens communities and helps build qualities in young people to help them thrive and become successful contributors to society. Among the items on her agenda, expand access to pre -K and funding for Hope Scholarship. HOPE Scholarship is a merit-based award available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. The scholarship provides tuition assistance to students pursuing an undergraduate degree at a HOPE Scholarship eligible college or university in Georgia.

Healthcare: 

The average American spends nearly $10,000 per year on personal health care, according to the most recent estimates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and that figure is expected to increase over time. Georgia ranks #46, on the list of states with the best & worst healthcare systems. Lewis-Ward advocates the expansion of Medicaid in Georgia, telling her supporters, “Access to quality and affordable healthcare is a right that should be available to any and all persons regardless of race, sex, or income status.”  LewisWard also backs the protection of women’s healthcare and legislation to help fight the oppressive Opioid crisis crippling communities all across the state.

Protection Of Working Families: HB-311

Family and work patterns have changed dramatically in recent decades, yet workplace policies have not kept pace. Nearly 4 in 5 of today’s families (78%) are two-income households, where both spouses work for pay. Two thirds of mothers (65%) with children under age six have entered the workforce. One quarter (25%) of Americans report significant eldercare responsibilities, many of whom are forced to reduce their work hours or take time off to provide care for an elderly relative. Although this legislation only provides 24 hours of relief and is still on the floor, Lewis-Ward hopes with bipartisan support she can move it forward, expand and improve it. Key to protecting Georgian families is providing a living wage, the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs. The living wage differs from the minimum wage in that the latter is set by national law and can fail to meet the requirements to have a basic quality of life which leaves the family to rely on government programs for additional income. Another key as described by Lewis-Ward, is workplace discrimination, which includes equal pay for women. According to experts, Georgia women who work full-time, year-round earn 82 cents on the dollar compared with similarly employed men and up to 39% of households are headed by single women with children under 18 years of age.

Veterans and Their Families: HB-245

Supported Professional Standards Commission, establishing a process by which military spouses may qualify for temporary certificates, certificates by endorsement, or expedited, certificates upon moving to Georgia with their service member or transitioning service member spouse. Similar bills had already been enacted in other states. There are approximately 682,000 veterans living in Georgia, with about 7.9% living in poverty. 8.8% are unemployed and over 1500 are homeless. Needless to say, leadership in this area is vital.

Business

Standing with the Advanced Technology Development Center at Georgia Tech (ATDC) and the One Henry Economic Alliance, Regina Lewis-Ward, wants to empower entrepreneurs, by establishing a technology incubator. The idea is to provide them with education and mentoring services, helping to grow and sustain their business. ATDC works with more than 325 companies per year, has launched more than 150 new ventures, and has generated capital activity of more than $97 million. ATDC companies have:

  • Attracted $2.5 billion in investments.
  • Generated more than $1.3 billion in revenue.
  • Created more than 5,500 jobs.

Mrs. Lewis-Ward has been fighting for Georgian’s for 15 years. She has been a Councilwoman enacting and setting legislation in Stockbridge. She has also been a leader on numerous community boards and non profit organizations. Mrs. Lewis-Ward now wants to head to the State Capitol where her passion and commitment to the people of Georgia can be turned into real and substantive improvement, in our lives and the lives of our families and friends.

Regina Lewis Ward

Regina Lewis-Ward

“Inclusion is not just a belief for me, but a way of life. I understand that a strong democracy is one that invites all stakeholders to have a say. It is the diverse tapestry of cultures, lifestyles and viewpoints that often allow us to seek and maintain a strong economic community that benefits all. I humbly ask for your support in my bid to become the next representative for House District 109, covering portions of Henry, Newton and Rockdale counties. I want to make sure laws introduced and passed in Georgia represent fairness, safety and opportunity for all. I ask that you stand by me at the polls with your vote on May 22, 2018.”

* Early voting begin April 30 and runs thru May 18. Polls are open from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm on Election Day. Any voter who is waiting in line to vote at 7:00 pm will be allowed to vote. Peak voting hours are historically from 7:00 am until 9:30 am, 4:30 pm until 7:00 pm, and during the mid-day lunch hour. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not represent the endorsement of the candidate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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