Friday on Political Rewind: Former Gov. Sonny Perdue is one step away from the top job overseeing Georgia's public universities and colleges. Meanwhile, the latest from the federal hate crimes trial in Brunswick. The prosecution presented evidence to proves racial animus led to the murder of Ahmaud Arbery by Gregory and Travis McMichael and William "Roddie" Bryan.
Women Lead Right, a conservative grassroots organization for suburban Atlanta female voters, held a press conference to introduce its campaign and goals.
Tuesday on Political Rewind: A discussion with Georgia mayors on governing through the pandemic. Also, an Atlanta federal judge began hearing arguments this week in a lawsuit claiming Georgia’s newly drawn congressional map under represents Black voters. Plus, school mask mandates are being dropped in a number of states. How have the politics of COVID played out in local Georgia communities?
A bill to erect a monument on Capitol grounds in honor of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who was born in Georgia, passed the Senate on Monday. A committee also heard SB 377, a controversial bill that would limit schools’ ability to teach “divisive concepts.”
Monday on Political Rewind: Partisan gerrymandering has reduced the number of competitive congressional seats to lows not seen for decades. Meanwhile, Georgia GOP legislators promote bills that would exert new control over the teaching of race in state classrooms. Also, the federal trial for the McMichaels for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery starts this week.
Friday on Political Rewind: This year's session of the General Assembly might be defined by efforts to control what is taught in the state’s schools. GOP bills banning “critical race theory” and “obscene” books are in the mix. Our panel looks at the potential impact. Meanwhile, one defendant in the federal trial of the murderers of Ahmaud Arbery withdraws his guilty plea, ensuring the hate crime trial will go forward for at least one of the three men convicted in the state trial.
In a one-on-one interview with GPB Lawmakers host Donna Lowry, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan provided an update on the progression of his top legislative priorities.
Thursday on Political Rewind: A look at the slate of legislation in the General Assembly. Among those bills, we discussed a proposed parental "bill of rights” for Georgia schools. Gov. Brian Kemp said the legislation would allow parents a more active role in their child’s education, but critics warn the bill could cause a chill on free speech. Republican governors of other states, like Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida, are pushing similar legislation.
