| First elected to office in 2003, Representative Jan Jones has distinguished herself as a
passionate advocate for changing lives and increasing economic opportunities through
improved public education and government closer to the people. Additionally, she has
consistently voted to reduce government spending and shrink the state budget.
Jan was overwhelmingly re-elected Speaker Pro Tem, on January 12, 2015, the second
highest position in the Georgia House of Representatives. She proudly serves House
District 47 in northwest Fulton, covering Milton, Mountain Park and portions of Roswell
and Alpharetta.
Personal
Born in Warner Robins, Speaker Pro-Tem Jones has lived in Fulton County for 25 years. She
graduated with a B.A. from the University of Georgia and an M.B.A. in Finance from Georgia
State University. A former marketing manager for Home Box Office, she also owned a
home-based small business while raising her children. She currently operates an energy
consulting business with her husband.
Jan is the granddaughter of two Laurens County farmers and the daughter of a career
soldier.
She and her husband, Kalin, have four children, and the family worships at Northpoint
Community Church in Alpharetta.
Extended Bio Information
Speaker Pro-Tem Jones has authored a wide variety of legislation including bills to bring
local control, transparency and accountability to government. Several of her legislative
accomplishments have been geared toward reforming our educational system to become
more innovative and flexible.
Georgia's K-12 and higher education systems are not only a critical investment in our
students, but also the state's future workforce and long-term economic success.
Jones has authored and secured passage for legislation including-
2014- Authored HB 990 to require a vote of the state legislature prior to expanding
Medicaid through an increase in the income threshold. Without this bill, a future governor
could have unilaterally made the decision.
2012- Authored HR 1162, a constitutional amendment to allow a state charter commission
to approve and fund state charter schools and wrote House Bill 770 to implement it.
Georgia voters approved the amendment by 58% in the General election, paving the way
for more educational opportunities for children statewide.
2009- Authored HB 149, Move On When Ready Act, which allows 11th and 12th grade
students to leave their assigned high schools and attend a college or technical college to
complete graduation requirements while earning college credit.
2008- Provided more public school choices to families by authoring HB 881, which created
an independent authorizing commission to approve public charter schools and assure
equitable funding. The legislation was recognized nationally as a model for improving
public education. The Georgia Supreme Court struck it down in a tight 4-3 decision leading
to a subsequent, successful constitutional amendment.
2007- Required utility companies to itemize city-imposed franchise fees on customer bills
to bring greater transparency and accountability to taxation.
2007- Gave parents a greater voice in public education by making all 2000-plus local
school councils parent-majority and designating a parent as chair.
2006- Passed a charter bill creating the city of Milton to bring more local control to
residents in her district.
2004- Created a trafficking offense with a mandatory minimum sentence for the drug
Ecstasy, which is primarily sold to children and young adults.
2003- Required cities, counties and school boards to abide by local land disturbing ordinances, which includes tree ordinances. |