Georgia Legislators Consider Resolution to Help People with Brain and Spinal Cord Injury

Legislators in the Georgia House of Representatives are set to vote on March 3 on a resolution that would authorize a referendum on whether to impose a surcharge on reckless driving offenders. If approved, that money would boost Georgia's Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission.

The Commission was founded in 2003 to ensure that Georgians with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) are not only valued, but also have equal opportunities when they transition back to their communities. The agency awards grants that help pay for necessary services and medical equipment not covered by Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. Also, the Commission develops and oversees a state action plan to better align services and develop community support to meet patients’ needs. It also tracks and monitors cases of TBI and SCI to identify what resources are needed.

At present, the Commission is solely funded by a surcharge on individuals convicted of driving under the influence. But that funding has been decreasing because individuals accused of DUI are often pleading guilty to the lesser charge of reckless driving instead. So State Rep. Rusty Kidd, who is a former Shepherd Center patient, and several of his colleagues have introduced House Resolution 1183 in the House.

If the Georgia House passes the resolution on March 3, then it will go to the Senate for a vote of approval for the referendum that could go before Georgia voters.

If you want to let your Georgia state representative know that you support this resolution, you can contact them by phone or email. Find your state representative at Votesmart.org.

Here is a sample email message you can send to your representative:

Dear _______,

I reside at ___________. I'm writing in support of HR1183, which I understand potentially increases funding for the Georgia Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Commission by allocating a portion of reckless driving fines to the fund. The trust fund is a vital resource for Georgia's survivors of brain and spinal cord injuries. It has typically been funded only by DUIs, which have been dramatically reduced in recent years by individuals pleading to lesser charges. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to support this legislation.

Sincerely,_________

To read more about Shepherd Center's involvement with the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission, click here.