I completed my B.A. in Liberal Studies at Emory University while working full-time in constituent affairs for the Secretary of State of Georgia. I went on to work for The Carter Center in Public Information, and later worked for a year on The Atlanta Project before President Carter announced its inception. I continued in this position until leaving the Center. Since my marriage to Eric Kaiser, I have assisted with the operation of his restaurants, Grant Central and Grant Central East Pizza. After the birth of my first son, Willem, I opened Cabbagetown Grill with my husband and a business partner, and, after the birth of my second son, Ewan, became involved in the start-up of a Charter school in our neighborhood and sold my half of this business. Currently, I serve as President of our family’s small business, Kaiser Dough and Pizza Concepts, and I still remain active in our children’s schools.
As State Representative for House District 59, I speak for one of the most diverse and exciting districts in the State. District 59 stretches from high-rises and homes in Midtown, through historic Old 4th ward, parts of downtown, historic Inman Park, Grant Park, Summerhill, Peoplestown, Mechanicsville, and Pittsburgh, through South Atlanta, including the neighborhoods of historic Lakewood, Thomasville, Polar Rock, as well as the communities along Pryor Road South.
In the State House, I serve on the Banks and Banking, Education, Industrial Relations, and Health and Human Services Committees. I took part in the Charter School subcommittee that prepared a legislative package for our charter schools. I was honored to be selected as one of 25 House and Senate members to participate in the University of Georgia’s Legislative Leadership training; appointed by the Speaker of the House to the Chronic Kidney Disease and Fulton County Study Committees; appointed by the Speaker to serve on the House Study Committee on Georgia’s Pre-K Program; and participated as one of two Georgia House members in the Emerging Leadership Program at the University of Virginia. In 2008, I was one of three Georgians on then Presidential candidate Barack Obama’s Platform Committee.
Here is the legislation I work on. Each item has a link to the Legislative website, where you can read the bill in full. I would value any feedback you have for me on any of these bills.
Rep. Margaret Kaiser is the primary sponsor of the following legislation pending in the 2010 session:
HB 340, which would prohibit sheriffs from turning out residential debtors or tenants without proof they were given 30-day notice of eviction.
HB 341, which would provide one free license plate per Purple Heart citation to veterans who qualify for the special car tag.
HB 407, which would increase the homestead tax exemption for surviving spouses of U.S. service members who are killed in action.
HB 428, which would extend financial assistance to parents who adopt a special needs child to those taking custody of the child in the event of the parents’ death.
HB 461, which would provide a homestead exemption in the amount of the median value of a homestead in the taxpayer’s county of residence.
Rep. Kaiser co-sponsored the following legislation which was approved during the 2009 session and signed into law:
HB 129, providing a sales and use tax exemption for zoos.
HB 181, extending the state revenue commissioner’s authority to distribute unidentifiable sales and use tax proceeds.
HB 229, the Student Health and Physical Education Act.
HB 251, allowing parents to enroll their students in any public school in their school district, as long as that school has classroom space after its assigned students have been enrolled.
HB 473, providing grants for clean energy property.
HB 509, establishing the Georgia Composite Medical Board for licensing and regulation of the practice of medicine.
Rep. Kaiser sponsored the following legislation which was approved during the 2008 session and signed into law:
HB 1191, increasing the Atlanta School District homestead tax exemption.
HB 1192, increasing the City of Atlanta homestead tax exemption.
HB 1205, increasing the Fulton County homestead tax exemption for homeowners 65 and older.
HB 1277, providing health insurance plans for charter school employees.
Rep. Kaiser co-sponsored the following legislation which was approved during the 2008 session and signed into law:
HB 921, creating an automated licensing system for mortgage lenders and brokers.
Rep. Kaiser co-sponsored the following legislation which was approved during the 2007 session and signed into law:
HB 465, changing a provision in the district board member appointment in the City of Atlanta.
HB 734, redefining terms for community improvement districts in Fulton County.
