Tuesday on Political Rewind: New progress was made on major pieces of legislation as state lawmakers worked late on Crossover Day. The legislature faced a self-imposed deadline yesterday to pass bills through either body of the General Assembly. Our panel of insiders discussed the legislation that made the cut, including bills restricting absentee voting and citizen’s arrest reform.
Monday on Political Rewind: Georgia teachers are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Officials hope the move will ensure schools across the state are able to keep their doors open for in-person classes. Also, legislators face an important deadline at the state Capitol. Crossover Day at the General Assembly means any legislation unable to pass out of either legislative chamber today is potentially dead until next year.
Thursday on Political Rewind: The U.S. House passed H.R. 1 yesterday. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, it would have have have sweeping consequences for Georgia election law. The legislation would weaken state-imposed voter ID laws, mandate automatic voter registration and restore voting enfranchisement to people previously incarcerated in prison.
Georgia is in last place among U.S. states in the pace of vaccination. Only Puerto Rico and Micronesia are slower than Georgia at distributing COVID-19 vaccines.
Wednesday on Political Rewind: Reforms or restrictions? That's the question on the latest bundle of laws that would change the way Georgians vote. Voting access advocates are expressing concerns this legislation will make voting harder, and describe it as an attempt at voter suppression by state Republicans. But first, we remember the life of civil rights leader Vernon Jordan.
Today on Political Rewind: Democrats and voting rights groups are mounting a furious counterattack to legislation designed to restrict early and absentee voting in Georgia. Also, Georgia teachers will soon be able to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Yesterday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced his plan to expand the circle of Georgians eligible for shots to include educators and school staff starting early in March.
Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday announced that, effective March 8, all educators and school staff of both public and private schools are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in Georgia. This, however, does not include college professors.
Thursday on Political Rewind: Few areas of our lives during the pandemic have been as fraught with anxiety and uncertainty as our schools. As the virus rages through communities across Georgia, school systems have struggled to open classroom doors to students. Are we ready for school life to resume normally? And at what cost?
Monday on Political Rewind: The fallout from the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. The Senate took an unexpected vote to allow witnesses on Saturday morning, only for Democrats to abandon that path hours later in the interest of a speedy conclusion to the trial. Meanwhile, the 43 Senate Republicans who voted to acquit provide a glimpse onto the hold that the former president continues to have on the party.
Today on Political Rewind: Gov. Brian Kemp is preparing to unveil his proposal for reforming Georgia’s citizens’ arrest law. Also, the Fulton County district attorney and the secretary of state each launch new investigations announced into the actions of former President Donald Trump.
As the pandemic stretches on more people are struggling with opioid use disorder. At an annual event highlighting addiction recovery, state leaders shared alarming statistics and their plans for helping Georgians through the opioid crisis.
Monday on Political Rewind:The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has published new polling gauging voter attitudes in Georgia in the aftermath of January's major political headlines, including the Senate runoffs, the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, former President Donald Trump's second impeachment and more.
The survey results show that state Republicans are in a much weaker position than they have been in years. About half of those polled said that they have a positive view of Democrats, but only about a third said the same about the GOP. Still, a majority of Georgians polled approved of proposals for adding photo I.D. or other documentation for absentee voting, but oppose further restrictions.
Wednesday on Political Rewind: A member of the Georgia House of Representatives was removed from the floor by a state trooper after refusing to comply with rules requiring legislators to be tested regularly for the coronavirus.
Also, the General Assembly considers an array of issues as the session begins its opening weeks, including the state budget.