When the General

Assembly convenes next week, state Sen. Donzella James knows it's going

to be a busy session.

James knows

the state is facing a budget crunch because of a slowing economy, but

wants to make sure the state doesn't leave residents behind.

"I'm going

to make sure that the different social programs remain funded for my constituents,"

she said.

An issue that

she plans to introduce next week also focuses on the children in Georgia.

James wants to see a minimum age of 9 for being incarcerated in the state.

"We've

got children as young as 5 being incarcerated. I call them the bubble

gum criminals. It's not right for them to be thrown in with hardened criminals,"

she said.

Georgia is

one of only six states that does not have a minimum age for incarceration,

and James believes the children are being mentally harmed by having to

be in the criminal atmosphere.

In addition

to listening to residents' concerns for the upcoming session, James has

also put hundreds of miles on her car as she starts her run for the newly

created 13th Congressional District seat.

"I've

been attending at least two or three church meetings a week and listening

to hundreds of ideas," she said.

James has got

a campaign office established at Shannon Boulevard in Union City and said

she is excited by the volunteers who have come out to help her in her

quest for victory.

"I'll

attend every community meeting I can, because I really enjoy helping people

and I want to hear what the issues are," she said.