Representative Stephanie Stuckey Benfield
“On Your Side”

In her three terms in the Georgia House of Representatives, Stephanie Stuckey Benfield has worked for social and economic change to improve the lives of DeKalb citizens. She has been instrumental in the passage of many Laws. Her legislative accomplishments include:

• Protecting Georgia's Children
  1. Expanded Juvenile Court jurisdiction to provide more community services for troubled teens.
  2. Established Juvenile Courts in every judicial circuit in Georgia.
  3. Reformed Georgia's child custody laws.
  4. Co-authored Child Endangerment legislation
  5. Strengthened Georgia's child support laws.
• Standing up for Seniors and Health Care
  1. Co-authored laws that lowered property taxes for DeKalb's senior citizens
  2. Co-authored the "Patient Right to Know Act" to increase patient's access to their medical records and information.
• Fighting for Safer Neighborhoods
  1. Imposed tougher penalties on pimps who prey on young women.
  2. Strengthened Georgia's stalking laws
  3. Worked to crack down on drunk drivers.
  4. Successfully obtained state funds to conduct a transportation study to improve traffic and pedestrian safety in DeKalb's neighborhoods.
• Helping our Local Schools
  1. Fought to increase local control of schools
  2. Increased the amount of state funds to local districts for new schools, smaller class sizes, and more teachers.
  3. Co-authored the "Gender Equity in Sports Act" to provide girls in Georgia's public school system greater opportunities to participate in athleticc programs.
• Cleaning Up Our Environment
  1. Serves on the House Natural Resources committee
  2. Earned the 2001 Environmental Leadership Award from the Georgia Conservation Voters.
  3. Initiated legislation expanding the use of alternative fueled vehicles.
  4. Created a carbon sequestration registry to offset toxins in our air.
  5. Obtained state funding for Decatur's Yellow Bikes program.
  6. Fought development efforts to limit stream buffer zones.
  7. Served on the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's Clean Water Initiative.
  8. Instrumental in the passage of clean water legislation.