Name: The People for Nikki Merritt
Address: 1911 Grayson Highway, Grayson, GA, 30017-1245, US
Telephone: 404-369-3682

Meet Nikki

We need inclusive leadership in Georgia to make sure all voices are given the respect and time they deserve. As your next State Senator I will be that leader.

MEET NIKKI

Nikki Merritt for Georgia | Georgia Senate District 9 | Gwinnett | Dacula, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Snellville

Putting People at the Heart of Georgia

We need inclusive leadership in Georgia to make sure all voices are given the respect and time they deserve. Together we can move Georgia forward.

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Nikki on the Issues

A people first approach to social and economic change in Georgia is the backbone of my campaign.

While Georgia may be the best state for business, we are one of the worst states for workers’ rights - in fact, we have ranked in the bottom three states in the nation for worker protections for years. We have thousands of job openings across the state that are critical to our success - we need to step up our efforts to make Georgia the best state for business and workers by strengthening employees’ rights and supporting unions. Good business is only successful when workers are valued and protected.

Examples in action:

SB166 - Allowing public employees to engage in collective bargaining in wage negotiations

SB 25 Raise the minimum wage

Combat Anti Union Bills SB367
In Georgia, we need to ensure that economic benefits are shared by all, not just a select few. It's about creating an inclusive economy where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Our commitment is to foster a state where progress uplifts everyone, leaving no one behind.

Examples in action:

HB 1015 Income tax saving to benefit every household HB 1015

HB717 Gwinnett County Ad Valorem tax-increase homestead exemption $8000

HB 748 Gwinnet Homestead exemption for public service employees

SB 534 Fair Business Practices

SB 539 Increase taxes on tobacco and vaping

Preserve local control and fight preemption laws.
A key component of our ability to work and live is access to affordable healthcare. I am troubled by the limited access to critical healthcare services in poor and rural communities around our state, which is in part a result of short-sighted policies designed to preserve profit over Georgians’ wellness. I fully support expanding Medicaid to cover those most in need, taking the government out of the exam room, and allowing Doctors and Patients to make the choices that are right for them. I am also committed to seeing an improvement in racial equity in healthcare - black women are three times more likely to die due to complications in childbirth compared to white women in Georgia - we must close this gap.

Examples in action:

SB76 - Capping insulin costs for state employees on the benefits plan

Expanding Medicaid fully to cover tens of thousands of Georgia residents who cannot afford healthcare, including thousands of children

Protecting abortion rights and allowing women to make family planning decisions without government intervention - we need to decriminalize reproductive healthcare

Keeping the government out of doctor-patient relationships, including for trans teenagers seeking counseling and healthcare

SB441 - Improving oversight in prescriptions of opioids to prevent expansion of the opioid epidemic

SB 487 Medicaid Expansion

SB 106 Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Act

SB 35 require Department of Community Health to include continuous glucose monitors as a benefit for Medicaid recipients
With the metro-Atlanta region projected to hit 8 million people by 2050, all of Georgia is feeling the crunch when it comes to housing. Not only is the stock of available housing too small to sustain a growing workforce, but many of the units being built are either too expensive or are being controlled as rentals by investment companies. It is my goal to ensure that every Georgia resident is able to have a safe and affordable place to live - not only is it our moral obligation, but it also crucial to supporting Georgia’s economy.

Examples in action:

SB239 - Requiring carbon monoxide detectors in all rental properties in Georgia - a cheap and effective safety mechanism to protect renters

HB404 - Supporting sweeping overhauls in renter protections and regulations, to ensure that every resident has safe housing

Reducing the ability of rent-to-own companies to take over neighborhoods, allowing local residents to engage in home ownership (the most important factor in securing intergenerational wealth for low income families)
Children are our future, and ensuring all of Georgia’s children have equitable access to a good education will ensure the future of our state and nation. No child should receive less resources than their peers due to their race, rural home, or income level - I will continue to fight for all students to receive top-tier public education, improving pay and benefits for teachers, and prevent public dollars from being funneled towards private schools through voucher programs.

Examples in action:

Anti-voucher, promoting equity in school spending and protecting at-risk students in minority and rural communities

Opposing don’t-say-gay bills and teacher/literary censorship
In the past 4 years we have witnessed a rise in anti-democratic and authoritarian rhetoric and violence that have shaken our democracy and institutions to the core. We must continue to combat misinformation, protect public servants and civil liberties, and ensure equitable access to the polls for all Georgians.

Examples in action:

SB89 - Allowing campaign funds to be used for childcare and dependent care, removing barriers for lower-income and new parents, diversifying our General Assembly and bringing these critical voices to the Capitol

SB253 (first bill to passed in 2021) Notice of poll location changes provisions for proper signage

SB 538 Elections Interfering with poll workers

Combatting voter suppression legislation that reduce voting access

Combatting misinformation and anti-democracy measures