Political Rewind: SEB clears Fulton County; Training center opponents sue over referendum delays

Caption

Community organizer Kamau Franklin speaks during a news conference outside Atlanta's City Hall, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, to announce an effort to force a referendum that would allow Atlanta voters to decide whether the construction of a proposed police and firefighter training center should proceed. Under the proposed referendum, voters would choose whether they want to repeal the ordinance that authorized the lease of the city-owned land upon which the project, which opponents call Cop City, is being built.

Credit: AP Photo/R.J. Rico

The panel: 

Alan Abramowitz, professor emeritus of political science, Emory University

Andra Gillespie, professor of political science and director, James Weldon John Institute for the Study of Race and Difference, Emory University, @AndraGillespie

Charles Bullock, professor of political science, University of Georgia, @AlanIAbramowitz

The breakdown:

1. Georgia officials won't take over elections in state's largest, Democrat-heavy county.

• Georgia's State Election Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to end its performance review of Fulton County nearly two years after it had begun.
• Fulton County officials noted that the review panel found no violations of state law or rules across nine elections that it monitored.

2. Atlanta police training center opponents sue over delays in approving referendum.

• Opponents say the city clerk is delaying a petition drive that seeks to force a voter referendum on halting the complex.
• The proposed referendum is a last-ditch effort to halt the project that opponents refer to as “Cop City.” 
  • Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and others say the $90 million facility would replace inadequate training facilities.

3. The Supreme Court prepares to wrap up its term. 

• The Supreme Court is expected to rule on affirmative action sometime this month.
• Most of us understand that some colleges use race as a factor in college admissions. 

4. Hunter Biden agrees to plead guilty in tax case and avoid prosecution on gun charge.

• Hunter Biden, the surviving son of the president, has been charged with federal offenses related to his taxes and business dealings, the U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday.
• The younger Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor offenses related to his filing of federal income taxes.

Thursday on Political Rewind: Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin joins the show.