Political Rewind: Abrams promises big boost for teachers; BJay Pak testifies; 10th District heats up

Caption

GPB News' Donna Lowry talks with Stacey Abrams at the Georgia School Boards Association conference.

Credit: Donna Lowry

The panel:

Audrey Haynes — professor of political science, University of Georgia

Karen Owen — professor of political science, University of West Georgia

Tamar Hallerman — senior reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The breakdown: 

1. Stacey Abrams promises an $11,000 raise to Georgia's teachers. 

• GPB News' Donna Lowry reports Stacey Abrams wants to raise the starting salary from $39,000 to $50,000. 
  • The proposal would tout a $1.65 billion price tag over four years.
    • Abrams says she'll pay for it without using taxes, by using the surplus in the Georgia state budget.
• Incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp signed off on a boost for teachers during the legislative session. 

2. Kemp and Abrams disagree on school safety.

• Abrams discussed stricter gun safety laws.
  • She has been a proponent of repealing permitless carry.   
• Kemp focused on school security plans and active shooter classes for school resource officers.

3. BJay Pak shuts down election lie over suitcase of ballots. 

• Pak, the former Georgia U.S. attorney, said claims made by former President Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani were "false."
  • Giuliani claimed "suitcases of ballots" were illegally counted in Fulton County at State Farm Arena.

4. 10th District race heats ups 

• The race between Vernon Jones and Mike Collins turns negative. 
• An ad mailed to 10th District voters featured a picture of Jones, calling him a "radically anti-white racist."
• Collins has confirmed his support for Kemp's reelection, while Trump-endorsed Vernon Jones said he was "not going to blindly support a RINO."

Wednesday on Political Rewind: 

The AJC's Greg Bluestein joins the panel.