Political Rewind with Bill Nigut, July 16, 2020

Chalk outside of an Atlanta coffee shops says masks are required by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Chalking outside of an Atlanta coffee shops says masks are required by "Keisha," Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Credit: Sam Bermas-Dawes - GPB News

Thursday on Political Rewind, there is an ongoing tension between how the state and local governments handle the COVID-19 pandemic, especially on whether to mandate face masks. Gov. Brian Kemp ordered Georgia one direction, while several municipal and county governments have tried to enact their own policy.

The pandemic has put a lot of pressure on local leaders. On today’s episode we discuss with a panel of mayors how they have led through crisis.

Sandy Spring Rusty Paul said local leaders are in suburban towns are in a tough spots as they balance legal barriers with the requests of their constituents. 

“I'm struggling," he said. "I'm struggling because I want to be able to do more than I am able to do now."

East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham said unemployment remains a huge issue as coronavirus continues to spread.

“Unfortunately, our unemployment numbers soared. In January we had a rate of 4.8. And then in April we had a 20 percent unemployment rate for our city.”

 

Panelists:

Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham, East Point

Mayor Julie Smith, Tifton

Mayor Rusty Paul, Sandy Springs

 

 

Listen to Political Rewind with Bill Nigut live on weekday at 9am and 2pm.