Political Rewind: What to expect in the 2023 legislative session; January 6th interviews

Caption

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Dec. 21, 2022.

The panel

Guest Host Donna Lowry, @donnalowrynews, host, GPB's Lawmakers

Andra Gillespie, @AndraGillespie, professor of political science, Emory University

Chuck Bullock, professor of political science, The University of Georgia

Stephen Fowler, @stphnfwlr, politics reporter, Georgia Public Broadcasting

Teri Anulewicz, @tanulewicz, state representative, District 42 (D)

The breakdown

1. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Congress last night.

• The speech came ahead of a bill that will send $2 billion in security aid to Ukraine. The trip is believed to have been Zelenskyy's first trip outside Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February.

2. The January 6th Committee is anticipated to release its final report today.

• After delaying its planned release yesterday, the committee is looking to publish the final report today.
• In the report's place yesterday, the panel released 34 interview transcripts with subjects ranging from Proud Boys to former Trump administration officials.

3. Looking ahead to the 2023 state legislature.

• The late state Rep. Wayne Howard was succeeded by his brother, Karlton Howard, in his District 129 seat.
• The Georgia Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Sheree Ralston, who is looking to fill her late husband Speaker David Ralston's seat.
• Lt. Gov. Burt Jones will serve in leadership in the Senate, marking a significant change from Geoff Duncan.
• New caucuses for Hispanic and Asian-American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) legislators signal a move towards diverse representation in the legislature.
• Legislation on compensation around Georgia's abortion law and new election bills have already been pre-filed.

4. Looking back on the top stories of 2022.

• Stephen Fowler - The destruction of the Georgia Guidestones by an unknown individual brought conspiracy theories to the public spotlight.
• Andra Gillespie - After losing another gubernatorial election, what's ahead for Stacey Abrams?
• Chuck Bullock - Georgia elected Republicans, but it established itself as an anti-Trump state.
• Rep. Teri Anulewicz - The passing of Speaker David Ralston came as a blow to the Legislature.

Friday on Political Rewind: The annual reading of Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory."