Episodes

Each week during the session, host Stephen Fowler will be answering questions from students about what goes on at the Georgia Capitol, like “Who’s in charge of taxpayer money?” or “What's the legislative schedule?"

A runoff election is a second election held to determine a winner when no candidate in the first election met the required threshold for victory. In this episode, we take a look at why runoffs happen in Georgia and why fewer people tend to show up on runoff election days.

In this episode of Peach State Politics, host Stephen Fowler explains what an outgoing governor does during his final days in office and how he helps prepare the governor-elect and his team for the position. 

This week on Peach State Politics, host Stephen Fowler speaks with Pat Hinote to answer the question, "What does the doorkeeper do in the Senate and the House?"

In this episode of Peach State Politics, host Stephen Fowler explains how Georgia's state budget works, where the money goes, and how the money is spent.

The legislature has several committees, but what do they do? Host Stephen Fowler explains the roles of committees in state government and how they help with the passing of new legislation.

How does a bill become law, and who's in charge of writing it and getting it passed? We explain in this week's episode of Peach State Politics.

Host Stephen Fowler explains how lawmakers determine their work schedule and the legislative calendar. 

Host Stephen Fowler explains the roles of lobbyists and how they can influence legislation in this episode of Peach State Politics. 

Host Stephen Fowler explains what happens to a bill after Crossover Day in the legislature. Bills that are not passed by Crossover Day — known as "Zombie Bills — are still able to "see the light of day" if they are attached to a bill that has already been passed.

Members of Georgia's General Assembly, the state's legislative branch, are required to meet certain qualifications as defined by Georgia's Constitution. Host Stephen Fowler explains what criteria must be met and how much money members of the General Assembly make as set by the Constitution.

In this episode of Peach State Politics, host Stephen Fowler speaks with Georgia's Speaker of the House, David Ralston, to learn more about the Speaker's role and responsibilities.

Sine Die, a Latin phrase meaning "without day," is the final day of the legislative session. Host Stephen Fowler explains why this is such an important day to lawmakers and why they often work until the very last minute of the day to pass bills.