Vernon Jones in State of Georgia Archives
On Education:
Vouchers for any public school
Jones supports the following principles regarding Education Issues:- Support the federal government funding universal pre-K programs.
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Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any public school.
- Support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students (No Child Left Behind).
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Abortion:
Abortions should always be legal
Jones supports the following principles regarding Abortion Issues: - Abortions should always be legal.
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Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
- Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Abortion:
Supports embryonic stem cell research
Q: Do you support federal funding for research on existing embryonic stem cell lines? A: Yes.
Q: Do you support federal funding to create lines of stem cells from new embryos?
A: Yes.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Abortion:
Opposed anti-abortion "heartbeat" bill enacted in Georgia
Jones must answer for a long history of controversy in public office that includes allegations of sexual assault that he has denied,
along with votes that could alienate Republicans such as Jones' opposition to a strict anti-abortion "heartbeat" measure that Kemp signed into law in 2019.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race
Apr 16, 2021
On Budget & Economy:
Lead the way to protect home ownership
My job as CEO of Dekalb County is to educate people on home foreclosure. They need someone to speak up for them in Washington. I would lead the way to protect home ownership.
There are over 8,000 homes a day being foreclosed on and it's ironic that the government bailed out Bear Sterns in Wall Street while there are millions of American families losing their homes every day.
Source: Georgia 2008 Democratic Senate Primary Debate
Jun 30, 2008
On Budget & Economy:
Record of balancing budgets and not raising taxes
Senator Sam Nunn was a fiscal conservative and I am along the same lines. I have a record of balancing budgets and not raising taxes. Maintaining the best stewardship of taxpayers' dollars is so important.
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Source: Georgia 2008 Democratic Senate Primary Debate
Jun 30, 2008
On Civil Rights:
Constitutional amendment defining marriage
Q: Do you support a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman?A: Yes.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Civil Rights:
Lawsuit: he wanted a "darker administration" as county CEO
Four DeKalb workers filed a lawsuit that claimed Jones worked to replace white managers in the Parks Department with African Americans. The lawsuit said Jones and other county officials said they wanted
a "darker administration" to reflect "the new DeKalb County." Six years later, a federal court jury awarded two of those employees $185,000 in damages.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race
Aug 23, 2020
On Crime:
Support the federal death penalty
Jones supports the following principles regarding Crime Issues:- Support the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
- Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills
and job-placement assistance when released.
- Support strict penalties for internet crime (e.g. hacking, identity theft, worms/viruses).
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Crime:
Approved 10-year minimum for assaulting a cop
Legislative Summary: HB 258: Amends the Code regarding the aggravated assault of a peace officer by increasing the minimum sentence to ten years of imprisonment. If the aggravated assault of a peace officer
involves the discharge of a firearm, none of the mandatory minimum sentence can be probated, stayed, suspended, deferred or withheld.
Speaker Stacey Abrams opinion in support of voting NO: I disagree with the increase of mandatory minimums and the lack of discretion available to judges to fully determine if extenuating circumstances are present.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 120-51-9 on Mar/3/17; State Rep. Vernon Jones voted YES
Source: Speaker Stacey Abrams website on Georgia voting record HB258
Mar 3, 2017
On Crime:
I cannot stand for the defunding of the police
I am no longer a Democrat. I cannot stand for the defunding of the police, higher taxes on working families and job-killing socialist policies that will devastate Americans of all walks of life.
Now, let me make one thing clear--I haven't changed. The Democratic Party has changed. It's become a toxic combination of radical leftists and liberal elites in San Francisco and Hollywood have taken over my former Party.
Source: Jones in Fox News: on 2022 Georgia Gubernatorial race
Jan 8, 2021
On Crime:
Make attacks for party affiliation or ideology a hate crime
Jones will introduce the Jones Amendment that will make it punishable to commit a crime based on a person's political party affiliation or ideology. "Americans are being attacked because of their party affiliation and political ideology. I have
personally been subjected to hate speech and threats because of my support for Trump's reelection," said Jones. "While we are discussing hate crimes legislation in Georgia, this could address another form of hate crime that people are experiencing."
Source: Valdosta Today on 2022 Georgia Gubernatorial race
Jan 8, 2021
On Drugs:
Mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs
Jones supports the following principles regarding Drugs:- Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
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Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
- Support strict penalties for internet crime (e.g. hacking, identity theft, worms/viruses).
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Education:
Opposed Keeping Georgia's Schools Safe Act
Analysis by 11-Alive News: Senate Bill 15, or the Keeping Georgia's Schools Safe Act, a Republican-sponsored bill, was passed and sent to Kemp's desk, but the governor vetoed it due to concerns from the education world. The bill called for
threat assessments taken at each school and mandated annual safety drills at schools. Guns were not addressed in the bill much to the disappointment of Democrat leaders. Kemp wrote, the bill "undermines local control, generates an unfunded mandate for
school safety coordinators, and places a ministerial duty on school administrators, increasing their exposure to legal liability."Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 110-56-14, Vote #420 on Apr/02/19; State Rep. Vernon Jones voted NO; Passed Senate 42-11-3, Vote #434 on Apr/02/19; Vetoed by Governor Brian Kemp on May/10/19
Source: 11alive.com on Georgia legislative voting record SB15
Apr 2, 2019
On Education:
School choice: why can't the money follow the child?
He made it clear that the conservative talking point of school choice is an undertaking dear to him. "When the mother lies [by using a false address] to get their kids into a performing school, because she wants better for her kid too, where's the
sanctuary for that child? Why is that parent arrested? It does not make sense. Black families want their children in performing schools, why can't the money follow the child," he concluded.
Source: Yahoo.com News on 2022 Georgia Governor race
Apr 16, 2021
On Energy & Oil:
Supports cap-and-trade, but also domestic oil
Jones supports the following principles regarding Environment and Energy Issues:- Support domestic oil exploration in areas that are currently restricted.
- Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels.
- Support the use of
ethanol as an alternative fuel.
- Allow energy producers to trade pollution credits under "cap and trade" laws.
- Support international voluntary emission targets to limit global warming.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Environment:
Supports CWA, CAA, CAFE but also nukes
Jones supports the following principles regarding Environment and Energy Issues:- Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act & Clean Air Act.
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Strengthen fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
- Support research and development of nuclear reactors as an alternative energy source.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Environment:
Capture methane gas from landfills for electricity
Out in Dekalb County, we're capturing the methane gas from landfills. We've partnered with Georgia Power to convert it into electricity.
I've invested in our water and sewer infrastructure. We're working on recycling our water.
Source: Georgia 2008 Democratic Senate Primary Debate
Jun 30, 2008
On Families & Children:
Voted YES on criminalizing "up-skirting"
Legislative Summary: HB 9: Commonly known as "up skirting," legislation criminalizes knowingly using any device or apparatus to observe, photograph, videotape, film, or record underneath such person's clothing for
the purpose of viewing intimate body parts or undergarments without the person's consent. Also unlawful to disseminate any such image or recording. Legislative Outcome:Passed House 156-1-23 on Feb/17/17; State Rep. Vernon Jones voted YES
Source: Speaker Stacey Abrams website on Georgia voting record HB 9
Feb 17, 2017
On Families & Children:
1998: outlaw selling music with explicit lyrics to minors
In 1998, he filed a bill that would outlaw selling music with explicit lyrics to minors. During the debate on the House floor,
Jones was blocked from playing some songs. Instead, Jones read choice lyrics out loud, self-editing wherever necessary. The bill did not pass.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race
Aug 23, 2020
On Government Reform:
Increasing individuals donation limits for federal campaigns
Jones supports the following principles regarding Campaign Finance and Government Reform Issues - Support increasing the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
- Remove all contribution limits on federal campaigns
and parties.
- Support prohibiting ads containing candidates' name that are paid for by third parties from airing 60 days before a primary and 30 days before a general federal election.
- Support designating Election Day as a national holiday.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Government Reform:
Exact-match process doesn't violate Voting Rights Act
HB 268: Seeks to void a recent federal court settlement requiring the Secretary of State to refine its voter registration process to exclude the "exact matching" process that led to the unlawful cancellation more than 30,000 voter registration
applications since 2013. The bill would also require non-partisan voter information groups and Election Protection groups to move at least 25 feet away from voters standing in line throughout the course of Election Day.Speaker Stacey Abrams
opinion in support of voting NO: HB 268 would negatively impact reforms recently agreed to by the Secretary of State in the federal settlement of the "exact match" federal voting rights lawsuit and would likely lead to further expensive and time-
consuming litigation. Furthermore, it likely violates the First Amendment, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the National Voter Registration Act.Legislative Outcome:Passed House 102-48-30 on Mar/24/17; State Rep. Vernon Jones voted YES
Source: Speaker Stacey Abrams website on Georgia voting record HB268
Mar 24, 2017
On Government Reform:
Stop redistricting voters of color to dilute their votes
Legislative Summary: HB 515: This bill amends the boundaries of multiple House legislative districts. Of most concern, the new map packs African-American voters from Republican HD 40 into heavily Democratic HD 53. In HD 111, the revised
maps continue a process initiated in 2015 to dilute black votes by shifting voters into adjacent districts and by adding white voters to the district in 2017.
Speaker Stacey Abrams opinion in support of voting NO: Voters of color are facing increased inconvenience by repeated shifts in their districts, in order to accommodate diminished GOP voting strength. With each redrawing of the lines, voters
of color are shifted to new legislators and divided from neighbors.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 108-59-13 on Mar/3/17; State Rep. Vernon Jones voted NO
Source: Speaker Stacey Abrams website on Georgia voting record HB515
Mar 3, 2017
On Gun Control:
Allow individuals to carry concealed guns
Jones supports the following principles regarding Gun Issues:- Allow individuals to carry concealed guns.
- Slightly Increase enforcement of existing restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
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Eliminate restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Gun Control:
Gun-carry license should apply to "campus carry"
HB 280: Current version of "campus carry." HB 280 would allow for any weapons carry license holder to concealed carry a firearm on public university campuses. Athletic areas, student housing, and fraternity and sorority houses are not covered
under the proposed exception. Carrying is also prohibited on up to three on-campus pre-school spaces. Legislative Outcome: Passed House 96-70-14 on Mar/30/17; Speaker Stacey Abrams voted NO; State Rep. Vernon Jones voted YES
Source: Speaker Stacey Abrams website on Georgia voting record HB280
Mar 30, 2017
On Gun Control:
Supports the NRA; received campaign donation in 2016
Jones supports the
National Rifle Association and received a campaign donation from the gun rights group in 2016.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race
Aug 23, 2020
On Health Care:
Part of team that created the PeachCare Act
Jim Martin and I were part of the team that created the PeachCare Act. We provided children with health insurance.
We provided pre-dental care to children who were afraid to smile because their teeth were in disarray. I have a record of helping young children getting health care.
Source: Georgia 2008 Democratic Senate Primary Debate
Jun 30, 2008
On Health Care:
Supported limited instead of full expansion of Medicaid
Legislative Summary:: SB 106: A BILL to authorize the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Analysis by
Georgia Public Broadcasting:The Patients First Act requests a Medicaid waiver from the federal government. Both proponents and opponents of the move are making it clear a waiver isn't the same as full Medicaid expansion, which is what then-
President Obama envisioned for states when crafting the Affordable Care Act. Democrats say a waiver doesn't go far enough while some conservatives say even a partial expansion is too costly.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 32-20-4, Vote #65 on Feb/26/19; Passed House 104-67-9, Vote #288 on Mar/25/19; State Rep. Vernon Jones voted YES; Signed by Governor Brian Kemp on Mar/27/19
Source: GBP.org on Georgia legislative voting record SB 106
Mar 25, 2019
On Homeland Security:
Military tribunals ok; domestic spying not ok
Q: Do you support using military tribunals to try suspected terrorists when ordinary civilian courts are deemed inappropriate or impractical? A: Yes.
Q: Should law enforcement agencies have greater discretion to monitor domestic communications,
to prevent future terrorist attacks?
A: No.
Q: Do you support the creation of a federal identification card system?
A: No.
Q: Should the United States hold foreign states accountable for terrorists who operate in their country?
A: Yes.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Homeland Security:
Supports missile shield & pre-emptive military strikes
Q: Should the federal government increase funding to states and cities for homeland security? A: Yes.
Q: Do you support pre-emptive military strikes against countries deemed to be a threat to United States national security?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support long-term use of National Guard troops to supplement the armed forces in assignments overseas?
A: Yes.
Q: Should the United States expand its missile defense shield?
A: Yes.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Homeland Security:
Find the terrorists no matter where they are
LANIER: [to Jones]: You said you voted for George Bush in 2000 and again in 2004. I just want to ask you what it is you liked about George Bush. Was it the $1 trillion tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans or the $400 million a day in Iraq?
JONES: We needed to find the terrorists no matter where they were. Most people felt like we should keep George Bush as president because we were in the middle of a war. We needed to maintain that consistency.
Source: Georgia 2008 Democratic Senate Primary Debate
Jun 30, 2008
On Immigration:
Colleges should not be allowed to have sanctuary policies
HB 37: Would prohibit any private postsecondary institution eligible for tuition equalization grants from implementing a sanctuary policy. Sanctuary policies restrict employees' cooperation with federal and state officials or law enforcement officers
reporting immigration status information. Any private postsecondary institution that refuses to cooperate may lose state funding or state-administered federal funding, which includes scholarship funds received by students.Speaker Stacey Abrams
opinion in support of voting NO: Institutions of higher learning should not be compelled to act as immigration enforcement officers. More concerning, if the institution violates the policy, all students would be punished. For example, if a
school violates the policy, any HOPE Grant recipient could lose funding, regardless of immigration status.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 112-57-11 on Feb/22/17; Speaker Abrams voted NO; State Rep. Vernon Jones voted YES.
Source: Speaker Stacey Abrams website on Georgia voting record HB 37
Feb 22, 2017
On Immigration:
Co-sponsored bill to crack down on illegal immigrants
After he regained office, Jones quickly became a pariah to fellow Democrats as he aligned himself with Republicans on
controversial measures, including co-sponsoring a proposal to crack down on unauthorized immigrants.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race
Apr 16, 2021
On Jobs:
Include gender identity in federal anti-discrimination laws
Jones supports the following principles regarding Employment Issues:- Increase funding for national job-training programs that retrain displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
- Reduce government regulation of the
private sector.
- Encourage employers to offer child care services, flex-time scheduling, comp-time, and unpaid leave for family emergencies.
- Include gender identity in federal anti-discrimination laws.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Jobs:
Opportunity for all rather than increase the minimum wage
We need leaders who will support economic opportunity for all Americans, and the loudest voices in today's Democratic Party are focused on an incremental increase to the
minimum wage instead of promoting policies that give all Americans the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
Source: Jones in Fox News: on 2022 Georgia Gubernatorial race
Jan 8, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Black voters would vote for David Duke if a Democrat
Jones connected David Duke to his string of thoughts while all but coming a hair short of calling Black Democratic Party voters inept when it comes to the civic process. "You know,
David Duke today, someone Black folks see as a big Klansman, could run as a Democrat today and Black people would vote for him just because he has a D beside his name," Jones rattled off.
Source: Yahoo.com News on 2022 Georgia Governor race
Apr 16, 2021
On Social Security:
Fight hard as the Dickens for our seniors
I have a track record of working with seniors and making sure they have access to Medicaid and Medicare. I would [as a senator] make sure they don't have to choose between buying food and prescription medicine.
Our seniors have worked hard all their lives and nobody's there for them. I'll fight hard as the Dickens for our seniors.
Source: Georgia 2008 Democratic Senate Primary Debate
Jun 30, 2008
On Tax Reform:
Permanent repeal of the federal estate tax
Q: Do you support the permanent repeal of the federal estate tax? A: Yes.
Q: Do you support requiring the federal budget to be balanced each year?
A: Yes.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
On Tax Reform:
2007: Backed a flat tax proposal as "fair tax"
In 2007, he said he backed the idea of a "fair tax," which is
a flat tax proposal that has some support in conservative and libertarian circles.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2022 Georgia Governor race
Aug 23, 2020
On Technology:
Work around Federal ban on "no drone zones" at prisons
Legislative Summary:SB6: A BILL to prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft systems to deliver or attempt to deliver contraband to a place of incarceration.
Analysis by BFV Law:Federal law prohibits states from
establishing "no drone zones" around prisons and from deploying counter-drone measures. Senate Bill 6 appears to be an attempted work around that could permit law enforcement to monitor and prevent drone operations around prisons. Georgia law already
makes it a crime to give anything to persons in custody without the warden's permission. Senate Bill 6 makes it a crime to intentionally use an unmanned aircraft system to violate the anti-contraband law.
Legislative Outcome:Passed
House166-4-10, Vote #315 on Mar/28/19; State Rep. Vernon Jones voted YES; Passed Senate 50-0-4, Vote #323 on Mar/29/19; Signed by Governor Brian Kemp on Apr/28/19
Source: BFVLaw.com on Georgia legislative voting record SB6
Mar 28, 2019
On Welfare & Poverty:
Supports federal block grants and local welfare control
Jones supports the following principles regarding Welfare and Poverty Issues:- Require welfare recipients to spend at least 40 hours a week in a combination of work and training programs.
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Continue to give states and local governments flexibility in and responsibility for welfare programs through federal block grants.
Source: Georgia Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 2, 2008
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023