Georgia Watch logo

THE WATCHER 

News From Georgia Watch
November 23, 2015
Happy Thanksgiving!
During this season of giving thanks, we at Georgia Watch want to thank you for your strong support of our work protecting, educating and empowering Georgia consumers.        
In This Issue
Promoting EMC democracy
2016 Legislative Breakfast
Court rules on hospital bills
Saving on power bills
In the News
Quick Links
Get Updates!
Promoting democracy in Electric Coops
Nearly half the population of Georgia is served by Electric Membership Corporations or Cooperatives (EMCs), and a majority claim tax-exempt status under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.), § 501(c)(12). Rural EMCs were founded in the 1930s on principles of democracy to meet the energy needs in remote and rural areas of the country. Are today's EMC boards still as democratically controlled as they were intended? Georgia Watch conducted research into EMC practices regarding IRS requirements and democratic membership involvement in governance. Today, we release this report on our findings.  
2016 Legislative Breakfast
2015 Legislative Breakfast Panel
Save the Date!
 
Georgia Watch 2016 Legislative Breakfast
    
January 28,  7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Freight Depot
 
For more information or to sponsor the event, 
contact Liz Coyle at 404-525-1085 
 
Court Watch: Emergency hospital bills
Our Court Watch program will now be producing timely blog posts about important consumer decisions rendered by Georgia courts.  A decision released on October 6, 2015 by the Georgia Court of Appeals has important implications for consumers who assume the responsibility for signing hospital admission forms on behalf of adults who lack the capacity.  In this decision, the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of shielding a mother from liability for her incapacitated adult son's emergency hospital bills.

Helping Georgians save money on their power bills 
According to a 2014 study from the Atlanta Community Food Bank, 76% of their client households had to choose between paying for food and utilities. Starting this week and through December, families seeking food assistance may also receive a kit to help them lower their energy bills. Georgia Watch helped connect Georgia Power and the Georgia Food Bank Association in a creative partnership to distribute more than 9,000 Energy Efficiency Kits through food pantries throughout the state. Georgia Watch also has a resource page and educational programming to show consumers some helpful ways to reduce their energy costs.  Contact Elise Blasingame to learn more or to schedule a workshop. Find a listing of all our educational workshops here. 
Georgia Watch in the News