Team Member Profile: Arteen Afshar
When did you decide you wanted to work in public policy?
My passion for public policy is connected to childhood. I was born here in Georgia, but my entire family is from Iran and my grandparents legally came to the United States in hopes of having a better life and achieving their own American Dream. Unfortunately, they got lost in the immigration system. I saw what my family went through, the amount of money they had to spend on attorneys, the false hope. I never wanted anyone else to have to go through that, so I decided to do whatever I could to change immigration policy and create a clear path to citizenship for immigrants wanting their own American Dream. Helping people and enriching their lives through legislation and policy work is something that I’ve always been passionate about.
What was the most rewarding piece of legislation you worked on this past Ga. Legislative session?
SR 463, the Joint Study Committee on the Electrification of Transportation. More and more Georgians are buying electric vehicles and electric vehicle companies are investing in Georgia. It’s great to see the General Assembly take a deeper dive into this issue and explore the possibility of expanding electric charging in the state.
What was a tender bipartisan moment you enjoyed?
The final passage of HB 1013, the bipartisan measure to expand healthcare services in Georgia. Both parties came together to pass legislation that will uplift Georgians and make sure those struggling with their mental health get the help that they need. It was a rare, pure moment of bipartisanship in Georgia and one of my favorite moments in Georgia politics!
What are you looking forward to working on with ORS?
ORS has given me the wonderful opportunity to continue to further strengthen my talents and grow in the field of public policy. I’m looking forward to collaborating with this wonderful team to work on advocacy, research, community engagement, and electoral work.