May 3d is National Widow’s Day.
Georgia delegates convened in Augusta on May 4, 1789 to approve a new state Constitution and consider amendments.
General Nathan Bedford Forrest led troops who captured raiders near Rome, Georgia who were intent on disrupting the Western & Atlantic Railroad on May 3, 1863.
General William Tecumseh Sherman began the Atlanta Campaign on May 3, 1864 with troops marching from Tennessee toward Catoosa Springs, Georgia.
The Battle of the Wilderness began on May 5, 1864, between the Army of the Potomac, led by General Ulysses S. Grant, and the Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee.
One year and one day after General Sherman began the Atlanta campaign, on May 4, 1865, Atlanta surrendered. On the same day, the Army of the Potomac crossed the Rapidan River in Virginia and into the Wilderness.
One year after that, on May 4, 1865, the last meeting of the Confederate cabinet convened in the old Georgia State Bank Building, which was located at the site of the present-day Wilkes County Courthouse in Washington, Georgia.
On May 2, 1886, Jefferson Davis left Atlanta, headed to Savannah.
Savannah officials had successfully solicited Davis to attend a variety of special ceremonies and events being planned in Savannah. On the way, the train stopped briefly in Forsyth and Macon, where the ex-Confederate president was greeted by crowds and spoke briefly from the back of his train. Although he didn’t leave the train, Davis would return to Macon the following year for a more formal visit.
On May 5, 1886, Jefferson Davis attended a public reception at Savannah, Georgia’s City Hall.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Cy Young threw a perfect game against the Detroit Tigers on May 5, 1904.
Margaret Mitchell was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Gone With the Wind on May 3, 1937.
On May 2, 1939, Lou Gehrig benched himself as the Yankees took the field against the Detroit Tigers, ending his streak of 2,130 consecutive games. Gehrig died on June 2, 1941 of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also called “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”
Alan Shepard, Jr. became the first American in space on May 5, 1961, making a 15 minute sub-orbital flight that reached an altitude of 115 miles, during which he experienced about five minutes of ‘weightlessness.’ He was launched in the 2,000-lb. capsule Freedom 7 from Cape Canaveral, Florida… The flight traveled 302 miles at a speed relative to the ground of 4,500 mph. The mission was named Mercury-Redstone 3, or Freedom 7.
On May 4, 1965, the Rolling Stones played a show at Georgia Southern.
The British band played in Hanner Fieldhouse to an overflow crowd of more than 3,500 people, according to a retrospective by Jim Hilliard in the Statesboro Herald. The gym’s capacity was about 1,500.
Hilliard said organizers figured they could sell 1,800 tickets at $2.50 each, which would be enough to pay the band and have some money left over for expenses.
The Stones had played on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on Sunday, May 2, and advance ticket sales were brisk the Monday and during lunch Tuesday, the day of the concert.
Hilliard said he signed the contract booking the Stones on behalf of Sigma Epsilon Chi fraternity. The contract called for the new fraternity to pay the band $3,000 for the appearance. Hilliard said he got a $1,500 loan from First Bulloch Bank to make the deal happen.
The Stones were expected to take the stage at 8:30 p.m. and play for at least an hour, but Hilliard had lined up three front bands, and “it proved to be a fatal flaw in plans for the concert,” he said in his retrospective.
The noise was deafening as the original Stones lineup — Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts — hit the stage nearly an hour late.
Jagger and the other band members were “openly hostile” at having to wait so long to play.
On May 4, 1970, National Guard members shot into a crowd of protesting students, killing four and wounding nine others on the campus of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
The Weather Channel began broadcasting from Cobb County, Georgia on May 2, 1982.
On May 4, 2003, I had the fortune of marrying the first Mrs. GaPundit. Happy Anniversary.
United States forces killed Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011.
For tomorrow, Happy Star Wars Day! May the Fourth Be With You!
A new state historical marker commemorates John Wesley Gilbert, the first black archaeologist, according to the Augusta Chronicle.
A state historical marker honoring John Wesley Gilbert, the first Black archaeologist, was unveiled Thursday for Paine College students, faculty and local government and academic dignitaries.
Gilbert, Paine’s trailblazing first graduate, embraced his lifelong passion for learning from his Richmond County home to the ancient ruins of Greece and back again.
“I think today speaks to the legacy that Mr. Gilbert left as far as being the first of many,” said [Jordan] Johnson, now Augusta’s District 1 commissioner and a former Paine student. “I hope this marker will not only serve as a way for us to honor his legacy, but also as a way to encourage the next generations to leave their marks on their communities, whether that’s through public service, business or any other venture.”
The Georgia Historical Society erected the double-sided marker on Druid Park Avenue in front of Paine’s Gilbert-Lambuth Chapel, named for Gilbert and missionary Walter Russell Lambuth, who in 1911 began mission trips to the Belgian Congo and founded a church and school that still operates there today.
It’s a fascinating story, and the biography of John Wesley Gilbert may soon find its way to my “to read” stack.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
Retired Houston Judicial Circuit Chief Judge George Nunn, currently serving on Senior status, upheld the Bibb County Board of Elections’s decision disqualifying two candidates for Sheriff, according to 13WMAZ.
Ron Rodgers and Marshall Hughes were disqualified back in March by the Bibb County Board of Elections. The Board said they failed to complete the necessary steps to run by the deadline.
For almost two hours, attorneys for Hughes, Rodgers, and the county argued their cases before Judge George Nunn, previously chief judge out in Houston County. While he retired in 2016, he was appointed to the case because all Bibb County Superior judges recused themselves.
Immediately after the hearing, the judge thanked everybody for sharing their arguments but ultimately decided the Bibb County Board of Elections did not make an errors in disqualifying them.
Part of the reason the board disqualified the men in March was they didn’t submit their fingerprints on time despite signing an oath saying they would.
Macon-Bibb County’s attorney William Noland argued they had no excuses not to know about the deadline.
“Both candidates acknowledged it’s on the state secretary’s website. It tells you… all the qualifications,” Noland said.
He also said a board of elections employee emailed the candidates about it. One candidate said it went to spam, and the other said they didn’t see it.
Unless both Hughes and Rodgers successfully appeal before the May 21 Primary Election, Bibb County voters will chose from four candidates for sheriff. On the ballot are incumbent Sheriff David Davis, Chris Patterson, DeAndre Hall and Christopher Paul.
Some Bibb County voters received ballots including the wrong Commission district election, according to 13WMAZ.
Some Bibb voters in District 6 are getting District 9 ballots by mistake, according to the Bibb County Board of Elections.
Thomas Gillon with the Board of Elections says they are trying to fix the issue “as fast as we can.”
He says when you get your ballot, make sure you review it carefully. If any names seem out of place or unfamiliar, call a worker over to look over it and it will be corrected.
If you’re voting in District 6, the names on your ballot should be George Thomas and Raymond Wilder.
The District 9 names are Brendalyn Bailey, Greg Turner, Thomas Hudson, and Renoalda Scott. So if you see any of those names on your ballot voting for District 6, you need to call a worker to replace it.
However, if you’ve already cast your vote with the wrong district number, it cannot be corrected.
Sticker shock: a project budgeted for under $1 million dollars now to cost $7 million. Projects under the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax in Glynn County are now costing much more, according to The Brunswick News.
During a quarterly update review of ongoing SPLOST projects Wednesday, county officials explained why the Hornet Drive/South Palm crossing drainage outfall project budgeted for $800,000 is now estimated to cost $7 million.
The county is seeking grants to help pay for the project.
“Somehow that was greatly underestimated,” Assistant County Manager John Gentry said.
He said county engineers should be involved early to provide more accurate estimates on the cost of projects.
County Manager Bill Fallon said the purpose of the meeting was to show the progress of projects funded by the 1% tax.
Fallon said the goal is to get all the 2016 SPLOST projects “off the books.”
Five officers from Valdosta State Prison were arrested and charged, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.
All five of the Valdosta State Prison officers were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, while other charges range from sexual assault by persons with authority to trading with inmates, a statement from the Georgia Department of Corrections said Thursday.
The probe — Operation Skyhawk — uncovered the use of drones to bring contraband into Georgia prisons, a statement from Gov. Brian Kemp’s office said.
More than $7 million in illicit goods were confiscated across the state, including methamphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, marijuana, drones, weapons and cellphones, the governor’s statement said.
Altogether, the 150 suspects face more than 1,000 charges. The governor’s office described the contraband gang as involving civilians, inmates and prison staff members.
“The success of ‘Operation Skyhawk’ should be a reminder to anyone — inside or outside our prisons — that we have zero tolerance and will take swift action against those who threaten the safe operations of our facilities and the safety of the public,” said GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver.
Governor Brian Kemp signed ten pieces of legislation to support law enforcement and first responders, according to a Press Release.
Forsyth, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp, accompanied by First Lady Marty Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns, Attorney General Chris Carr, Commissioner John King, members of the General Assembly, and other state and local leaders, signed a sweeping package of legislation, including HB 130, designed to strengthen public safety and provide support to first responders.
HB 130, sponsored by Representative Matthew Gambill, signed by Representatives Bill Hitchens, Bill Werkheiser, Eddie Lumsden, and Yasmin Neal, and carried in the Senate by Senator Bo Hatchett, allows the Georgia Student Finance Commission to repay up to $20,000 in student loans held by a full-time peace officer who completes 5 years of service. To be eligible, you must either have been appointed as a full-time POST-certified public state, or local officer on or after January 1, 2024, or be an existing officer currently enrolled and pursuing a Criminal Justice degree for at least one year.
In addition to HB 130, this legislative package strengthens Georgia’s ban on sanctuary cities, empowers POST certified jailers, cracks down on criminals who introduce contraband into our prisons, engage in drive-by shootings, or “SWAT-ing,” and ensures supplemental illness-specific insurance benefits are offered for first responders suffering from PTSD as a result of a line-of-duty traumatic event that prevents them from carrying out their duties.
“Georgians have witnessed the disastrous impact lawlessness is having on communities across the country,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Thanks to the work of our legislative partners in the General Assembly, we are able to once again send the message that such lawlessness will find no safe haven in Georgia. I am proud to sign legislation that boosts our recruitment of law enforcement officers, makes our communities safer, and provides our judicial system with even tougher tools to bring violent offenders to justice.”
Along with HB 130, Governor Kemp signed nine pieces of legislation included below:
HB 1105, sponsored by Representative Jesse Petrea, signed by Representatives J Collins, Josh Bonner, Emory Dunahoo, Matt Barton, and Rick Jasperse, amended by Representative Houston Gaines, carried in the Senate by Senator John Albers, and made a priority by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and Speaker Jon Burns, codifies existing procedures for jails to determine the nationality and immigration status of confined individuals and requires the Department of Corrections and sheriffs to report on the illegal immigrants in their custody.
SB 37, sponsored by Senator Randy Robertson, signed by Senators John Albers, Bo Hatchett, Carden Summers, Kay Kirkpatrick and Lee Anderson, and carried in the House by Representative J Collins, allows sheriffs who serve in more than one court to receive a court supplement for up to two courts, allows the Governor, a county sheriff, or a chief of police to request the use of the newly converted GPSTC law enforcement unit, and allows jailers who have been certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to have arrest powers within the jail or its guard lines or if a person surrenders themselves at the jail.
SB 63, sponsored by Senator Randy Robertson, signed by Senators Steve Gooch, Matt Brass, Jason Anavitarte, John Kennedy, and Frank Ginn, and carried in the House by Representative Houston Gaines, adds 30 offenses to the definition of “bail restricted offense,” establishes that individuals and entities cannot post more than three cash bonds per year, requires entities that solicit donations for the purpose of securing the release of persons to submit to the same requirements as professional bail bondsmen, and amends various statutes pertaining to the bail forfeiture process to reduce instances in which a surety must forfeit a bond.
SB 159, sponsored by Senator Randy Robertson, signed by Senators John Albers, Kay Kirkpatrick, and Larry Walker, carried by Representative Steven Sainz, and prioritized by Speaker Jon Burns, increases penalties for providing prohibited items to inmates, with stronger penalties for those who work in the facility and provide contraband and for using an unmanned aircraft to take photos of a place of incarceration with the intention to commit a crime.
HB 1058, sponsored by Representative Lauren McDonald, signed by Representatives Bill Hitchens, Alan Powell, Eddie Lumsden, J Collins, and Carter Barrett, carried in the Senate by Senator Randy Robertson, and advocated for by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, Colonel William Hitchens, serves as the annual motor carrier update.
HB 1193, sponsored by Representative Lauren McDonald, signed by Representatives Bill Hitchens, Eddie Lumsden, Soo Hong, and J Collins, and advocated for by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, Colonel William Hitchens, standardizes the use of flashing or revolving amber lights across code sections.
HB 451, sponsored by Representative Devan Seabaugh, signed by Representatives Gregg Kennard, Bill Hitchens, Houston Gaines, Beth Camp, and Derrick McCollum, and carried in the Senate by Senator Randy Robertson, requires that all public entities in Georgia offer supplemental illness-specific insurance benefits – either self-insured or by an insurer – for first responders who are clinically diagnosed by a qualified diagnostician with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of their exposure to line-of-duty traumatic event(s) that prevents them from completing their occupational duties. This bill is also known as the “Ashley Wilson Act” – named after a Gwinnett County police officer, whose partner died as a result of gun shot wounds suffered in the line-of-duty.
SB 421, sponsored by Senator Clint Dixon, signed by Senators John Albers, Kay Kirkpatrick, Randy Robertson, Kim Jackson, and Ed Setzler, carried in the House by Representative Matt Reeves, and prioritized by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, adds a drive-by shooting that damages a building to the offense of criminal damage in the first degree, creates the offense of drive-by shooting, and increases penalties for transmitting a false alarm, commonly referred to as “SWAT-ing.”
SB 10, sponsored by Senator Emanuel Jones, signed by Senators Harold Jones, Gloria Butler, John Albers, Valencia Seay, and Donzella James, and carried in the House by Representative Yasmin Neal, creates a penalty for facilitating a drag race and increases penalties for operating a vehicle while drag racing or laying drags.
Governor Kemp extends his appreciation to all of those whose diligent work and efforts led to him being able to sign these bills today.
“If people are not breaking the law, then they dont have to worry about this. But for people who are breaking the law, the reason the General Assembly is doing this and I support it is because of habitual violators. Our men and women in law enforcement are chasing the same people over and over again. I’m making sure that these habitual violators are left in jail because local judges are letting people out with a get-out-of-jail-free card,” said Kemp.
Opponents said the bill would roll back changes that were passed almost unanimously in 2018 under then-Gov. Nathan Deal. That law allowed judges to release many people accused of misdemeanors without bail.
When the bill was passed, a spokesperson for the ACLU of Georgia said, “Cash bail systems hurt people who cannot afford to pay and do not make communities safer. The state of Georgia is moving backward in terms of people being equal before the law regardless of how much money they have.”
From the Capitol Beat News Service:
House Bill 1105, which the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed primarily along party lines, requires local sheriffs and the Georgia Department of Corrections to notify the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) when they have a suspected illegal immigrant in custody.
The bill gained momentum after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was murdered on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. A 26-year-old Venezuelan man allegedly in the country illegally has been charged with the crime.
“The Biden administration has failed in its duty to secure our southern border, and as a result, we do not know who is entering our country or where they are going,” Kemp said during a bill-signing ceremony at the Georgia Public Training Safety Center in the city of Forsyth.
“In Georgia, we will do everything in our power to ensure criminals are not allowed to walk free and terrorize our communities.”
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who made the bill a priority, said banning no-cash bail will keep Georgians safe.
“We will not allow criminals to roam free in our streets,” he said.
Governor Kemp also signed a package of workforce legislation, according to a Press Release.
Columbus, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp, accompanied by First Lady Marty Kemp, members of the General Assembly, and state and local leaders, signed multiple pieces of legislation, including HB 982, that will provide a boost to Georgia’s diverse and top-tier workforce talent pool.
HB 982, sponsored by Representative Matthew Gambill, signed by Representatives Matt Dubnik, Chris Erwin, Chuck Martin, Soo Hong, and Farooq Mughal, and carried in the Senate by Senator Bo Hatchett, came as a result of work done by the Joint Study Committee on Dual Enrollment for Highly Skilled Talent at Younger Ages which was chaired by Sen. Matt Brass and Rep. Matt Dubnik, and directs the State Workforce Development Board to create the state’s high demand career list. With several existing lists across state government, this designated list will eliminate confusion among stakeholders, educators, and agencies.
“Every job creator who calls Georgia home and every prospective company looking to expand tells me that, along with our business-friendly environment and reliable infrastructure, it is our people that make Georgia special,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “I could not be prouder of the growth we are witnessing across the state and the amount of opportunity that is being created with it. But every new job created requires a hardworking Georgian to fill it, and thanks to our partners in the General Assembly, we are once again able to take forward-thinking action that keeps our state positioned as a model for the nation in developing our workforce for the jobs of today and the economy of tomorrow.”
Along with HB 982, Governor Kemp signed seven pieces of legislation included below:
HB 970, sponsored by Representative Robert Dickey, signed by Representatives David Knight, Chris Erwin, Katie Dempsey, Danny Mathis, and Bethany Ballard, and carried in the Senate by Senator Billy Hickman, changes the funding structure for the REACH scholarship so that now for each $10,000 scholarship, $9,000 will come from the state and $1,000 will come from the participating school system. The bill also adds victims of human trafficking as a qualified group for the scholarship.
SB 440, sponsored by Senator Matt Brass, signed by Senators Elena Parent, Clint Dixon, Gloria Butler, Rick Williams, and Freddie Powell Sims, carried in the House by Representative Matt Dubnik, and prioritized by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, simplifies the accelerated career pathway and allows students engaged in that pathway to receive dual enrollment funding for more than 30 credit hours.
SB 497, sponsored by Senator Billy Hickman, signed by Senators John Albers, Jason Esteves, and Sonya Halpern, carried in the House by Representative Soo Hong, and prioritized by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, increases the number of allowed apprenticeships under the High Demand Apprenticeship Program and directs TCSG to create a pilot Public Service Apprenticeship Program.
SB 384, sponsored by Senator Billy Hickman, signed by Senators John Albers, Sonya Halpern and Jason Esteves, carried in the House by Representative Lehman Franklin, and prioritized by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, creates the State of Georgia as a Model Employer (GAME) Program. This program is intended to assist state agencies with the recruitment, hiring, and retention of qualified individuals with disabilities. Elements of the GAME program shall include, but not be limited to, the following: provision of training and technical assistance for state agency human resources personnel and hiring managers for the recruitment, hiring, advancement, and retention of qualified individuals with disabilities; assistance with the implementation plans of reasonable accommodations by state agencies under the ADA; and the development of evaluation forms and reports for the purpose of data collection and analysis relating to individuals with disabilities employed by state agencies.
SB 354, sponsored by Senator Larry Walker, signed by Senators Brian Strickland, Jason Anavitarte, Kay Kirkpatrick, Kim Jackson, and Steve Gooch, carried in the House by Representative Ginny Ehrhart, and prioritized by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, removes the licensure requirement to provide the services of ‘blow-dry styling’, washing hair, or applying makeup. This will not apply to any services that change the color or structure of the hair, including cutting hair, applying dyes, bleaching, or use of chemicals.
SB 373, sponsored by Senator Larry Walker, signed by Senators Jason Anavitarte, Kay Kirkpatrick, Brian Strickland, Sonya Halpern, and Elena Parent, carried in the House by Representative Alan Powell, and prioritized by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, requires the Board of Marriage and Family Therapists to issue an expedited license by endorsement to any individual moving from another state that has a current valid license to practice in that state and is in good standing with that state.
SB 195, sponsored by Senator Larry Walker, signed by Senators Kay Kirkpatrick, Frank Ginn, Ed Harbison, and Tony Anderson, carried in the House by Representative Bethany Ballard, and prioritized by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, among other things, makes Georgia the 3rd state in the country to join the Social Work Licensing Compact. Once seven states have joined, the compact becomes functional and will facilitate interstate practice of social work services.
Governor Kemp extends his appreciation to all of those whose diligent work and efforts led to him being able to sign these bills today.
Governor Kemp signed House Bill 181 by State Rep. Rick Townsend (R-St Simons Island) to restrict kratom sales, according to The Brunswick News.
A two-year effort by state Rep. Rick Townsend to tighten restrictions on a stimulant and pain reliever that’s available without a prescription came to fruition Thursday.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 181, legislation regulating kratom, into law at the Capitol in Atlanta during a brief ceremony attended by Townsend, R-St. Simons Island, and families affected by kratom.
The regulatory measure sets the minimum age to purchase kratom at 21, requires sales clerks to store all kratom products behind the counter and mandates that the manufacturer of its products be properly identified and the contents and strength properly labeled.
The final version of HB 181 bears little resemblance to the bill Townsend first introduced as a freshman lawmaker during the 2023 session of the General Assembly. The original legislation sought to classify kratom as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, casting it in the same category as LSD, heroin and ecstasy, all of which are illegal to possess in Georgia.
Concerns voiced by veterans and professionals suffering from injuries who claim kratom helps ease their pain, coupled with pressure from lobbyists, paved the way to the current bill.
“A lot of big money was behind kratom,” Townsend said.
Townsend got involved with the state legislation last year at the urging of constituents who have been adversely affected by kratom.
The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, prohibits the sale of kratom to anyone under 21 and says it must be kept behind a counter or in a display area that is only accessible to store employees. It also limits the concentration of kratom’s main chemical components in products sold in Georgia, imposes new labeling requirements and adds penalties for violations.
Extracted from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, kratom is used to make capsules, powders and liquids. It’s often sold in gas stations or smoke shops, marketed as an aid for pain, anxiety and drug dependence.
State Rep. Rick Townsend, a Republican from coastal Brunswick, sponsored the legislation after he was contacted by Anne and Larry Rogers, a couple in his district whose son Wes died after using kratom.
“It shook me pretty hard,” he said of that phone call, which prompted him to do research on kratom. His initial plan was to try to ban it, he said, but he eventually settled on adding regulations.
“This is a joyous day, but it’s not a joyous day because we’ve lost loved ones because of it. But at least right now we can try to save some others in the process,” Townsend said at a news conference after the governor signed the bill. He was joined by the Rogerses and two other families who say they lost loved ones who used kratom.
State legislators representing Bulloch County reviewed the past session, according to Grice Connect.
Building a better Bulloch together was the title of a luncheon hosted on Thursday, May 5, 2024 by Morris Bank. The event held at The Venue’s at Ogeechee Technical College, was the second year the panel included the Bulloch County Georgia legislative delegation in addition to Senator Blake Tillery, Appropriations Chair.
“We live in a pretty cool place with lots of good things happening here. The reason for this is because of leaders and citizens who are engaged in our communities. I am proud to lead a house led by common sense conservatives and that is the policy you see come out of the house,” said Speaker [Jon] Burns. “I agree with Senator Hickman on no issue being more important than literacy for our state. My wife Dayle, a former principal, has joined me in this effort as well.”
“It is good to see so many community leaders here today. It is humbling to see what the leaders of this community have done to make our community so desirable. I have been to alot of countries in the world. There is no community like this one. None more generous, service oriented and with a better sense of servant leadership. We are all very fortunate to live here,” said Representative [Lehman] Franklin.
“Healthcare remains a focus for me. Statesboro is a hub for healthcare regionally. We have been working on a number of things to help enhance what you are doing here that will help provide better access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Georgians,” said Representative [Butch] Parrish.
“I remain focused on improving student reading numbers and literacy rates in Georgia. As Chair of Higher Ed and Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and Higher Ed I am involved with decisions that impact 50% off the annual state budget. Shaping the future of our children is important to our communities and states continued success,” said Senator [Billy] Hickman.
“It is an exciting time in Georgia. Over the past four years we have invested heavily in education and infrastructure while maintaining a very physically conservative budget that positions us well for any downturn that we may see as a state,” said Senator Blake Tillery.
Democrats criticized Governor Kemp’s refusal to consider full expansion of Medicaid under the ACA, according to the AJC.
Democratic leaders of the Georgia Senate on Thursday lambasted Gov. Brian Kemp for his decision not to fully expand Medicaid to poor Georgia adults.
“This political gamesmanship and obstinance has horrific real world consequences for the hundreds of thousands of Georgians who remain uninsured and unable to access quality, affordable health care,” said Sen. Elena Parent, D-Atlanta, chairwoman of the Senate Democratic caucus.
The Democrats also challenged statistics that Kemp laid out to defend his position, saying that they were false.
Kemp is holding off on fully expanding Medicaid to all Georgia adults in order to work for the success of his own Medicaid program, called Georgia Pathways to Coverage.
Estimates vary, but perhaps 290,000 Georgia adults remain uninsured because Georgia has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act — also known as Obamacare — to cover all its poor. Instead, Kemp devised a tailored solution that he forecasted would insure 90,000 Georgians. However, only 4,000 have enrolled since the program launched last July.
Kemp has said his Pathways program will encourage people to work and move up in life. In order for people to enroll, they must prove they’re working or doing certain activities, such as volunteering for a registered nonprofit. But not all types of work count. For example, working to care full-time for a disabled relative does not count. People who are too disabled to work but haven’t been federally declared disabled also don’t qualify.
Sen. Michelle Au, a Democrat from Johns Creek who is also a physician, said Kemp’s rejection of Medicaid expansion after the legislative session ended was a “thumb in the eye” to those who had worked in good faith during the session, including Republicans. The efforts resulted in Kemp approving a study commission on the issue.
“I honestly don’t know what this commission is supposed to do now,” Au said. “Because we’re basically admitting that this was all talk.”
Savannah Police Department launched an app to allow citizens to submit complaints online, according to the Savannah Morning News.
The Savannah Police Department (SPD) has implemented a feature on its mobile app that allows citizens to send in complaints and compliments about SPD officers.
The reporting system, which went live on April 3, can be accessed through the Savannah Police app. In the bottom-right corner of the app reads a widget, “Internal Affairs Online Reporting.” After clicking that, citizens are directed to give a “new complaint” or “new compliment.”
After clicking one of those two options, citizens are directed to provide their first and last name, though they can also opt for anonymity. Citizens can also include their phone number or email if they want to be directly contacted about the status of their complaint or compliment. Citizens are provided a reference number to track the status. Citizens must provide a summary of the incident, limited to 4,000 characters and, if possible, the officer’s name and additional witnesses.
In a press release, Gunther said, “This implementation marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability within our department. By providing the public with direct access to pertinent information, we are fostering a culture of openness and trust, essential elements in our mission to serve and protect the Savannah community.”
I thought the app to complain about everything, including people you don’t know walking on the public streets, already exists and is called NextDoor.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee received support from Governor Brian Kemp and former Governor Roy Barnes, according to the AJC.
The two were the star guests at a Thursday fundraiser for McAfee that raised more than $40,000 for his election campaign. The judicial seat will be on the May 21 ballot.
The judge, who presides over former President Donald Trump’s election interference case, faces a challenge from civil rights attorney Robert Patillo. His other opponent, Tiffani Johnson, was disqualified by an administrative law judge.
Kemp, who appointed McAfee to the bench, and Barnes are among a bipartisan — and nonpartisan — cast that has endorsed the judge.
Others include former Georgia Supreme Court Justices Harold Melton and David Nahmias, former Republican Attorney General Sam Olens and Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves, who was also on hand at the fundraiser.
Some Augusta area leaders hosted a “Vote Yes” rally, according to WJBF.
“This is positive inclusive uplifting and about bringing people together on common ground show me another political campaign in this nation like this at this point in time that’s what’s drawing people in,” said Deke Copenhaver, former Mayor of Augusta.
Copenhaver says giving the Augusta mayor a vote during all commission matters could help end delays in making important decisions.
“So when you think about it the actions of local government the mayor and the commission have more of impact on your daily lives than anything that happens in Washington, so this is particularly for younger voters I want them to be excited about this.”
He also says it gives people the opportunity to use their voices when voting.
“I expect for them to get psyched up and vocal because it’s been 28 years since the citizens of Augusta had the opportunity to weigh in on government functions.”
Liberty County Sheriff Will Bowman faces three Democratic challengers in the May 21, 2024 General Primary and a Republican in November, according to WSAV.
For the primary, Bowman — who is the county’s first African American sheriff — is being challenged by three members of his own party.
Democrats Kevin Hofkin, Keith Jenkins, and Gary Richardson are all looking to unseat him.
The winner will face Republican Gary Eason in November.
WSAV did reach out to all the candidates for an interview; none were available or we did not hear back.
Three candidates are running for Mayor of LaGrange, according to WTVM.
The election, came two months after the city’s first Black mayor, Mayor Willie Edmondson passed away.
Back in February, LaGrange City Council voted to hold a special election on May 21 to select a new mayor.
This was a few days after the death of Edmonson. Quay Boddie currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem.
In LaGrange, there will also be special elections on the ballot, to include the mayoral race.
There are three candidates on the ballot vying for residents’ support, Jim Arrington, Dr. Israel Barsh, and Chalton Askew.
The Dalton Daily Citizen News interviewed the Republican candidates for Whitfield County Commission District 2, incumbent Robby Staten and challenger Christian Phillips.
Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller faces challenger Shekita Maxwell, according to the Macon Telegraph.
First-term Mayor Lester Miller faces his first reelection battle this year as he seeks another term leading Macon-Bibb County.
Miller is one of only two candidates who have qualified for the mayor’s race ahead of the May 21 election, with his opponent being Shekita Maxwell.
Because the race for mayor of Macon-Bibb County is a non-partisan election, the race will be decided on May’s Election Day rather than the General Election in November. The new term will begin Jan. 1.
Dougherty County District Attorney Gregory Edwards faces primary election challenger Elizabeth Gibson, according to the Albany Herald.
Gregory Edwards has been Dougherty County’s DA since 2008 and was re-elected without opposition in 2012, 2016 and 2020. In May’s primary election, Elizabeth Gibson, a local attorney who previously worked in the DA’s office, is contesting Edwards.
Atlanta City Council is working on their proposed $853 million dollar FY 2025 budget, according to the AJC.
The Fiscal Year 2025 general fund budget being proposed by the mayor’s office is up $63 million from the current budget, making it the largest in the city’s history, according to the mayor’s office. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has already outlined his spending priorities for council’s consideration.
In a letter sent on Wednesday, Dickens said the city’s total projected revenue for the new fiscal year starting July 1 reaches about $2.75 billion. He requested that council members OK more than $24 million in new spending on programs to help scout and retain employees as well as more than $29 million more to boost public safety.
“This budget reflects our shared vision of Atlanta as a City of Opportunity for All,” Dickens said in a statement. “As Atlanta’s influence expands on the global stage, it’s imperative that we prioritize critical investments in our infrastructure, residents, and employees.”
The increased public safety budget would buy new radios for police and fire vehicles along with other equipment for $19.4 million; add to the city’s police’s body-camera maintenance and video storage capabilities for $5.3 million; and improve maintenance of the citywide surveillance camera system for $2.1 million.
The proposed FY25 budget also includes a massive $30 million toward capital improvements to build two new fire stations, modernize Atlanta’s municipal buildings and “address years of deferred maintenance.”
Tripp Cofield was named the next President and CEO of the Georgia Banker’s Association, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.
Tripp Cofield has been elected by the Georgia Bankers Association Board of Directors as the association’s incoming President and CEO when the longtime current leader, Joe Brannen, retires on July 15, 2024.
In making the announcement, GBA Board Chairman Rhodes McLanahan, chief executive officer of First American Bank and Trust Company, Athens, said, “I have gotten to know Tripp over the last 15 months since he joined GBA as part of our management succession plan. His thoughtful and intelligent approach to solving complex problems, complemented by his engaging leadership style and years of experience focusing on state and federal legislative and regulatory policy, makes him the right leader for the association. I’m excited about the future of our industry and our association and confident Tripp and the GBA team will successfully lead us forward.”
“It’s an incredible honor to be chosen by the Board of Directors to lead the Georgia Bankers Association. Our organization was founded in 1892 on the belief that in union, there is strength, and bankers speaking with one voice could wield a mighty influence. The years I’ve spent in the legislative and regulatory arenas have led me to believe those words are as true today as they were all those years ago. The Georgia banking industry does a wonderful job serving its customers and communities, and I very much look forward to working alongside the talented team at GBA, our exceptional volunteer leaders, and bankers across the state to serve our industry and share our story,” said Cofield.
He served as a Legislative Fellow for the U.S. House of Representatives before joining the staff of U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA) as Legislative Counsel and House Budget Committee Associate. His issue portfolio included health care, financial services, taxation, trade, labor, and budget.
Prior to joining GBA, Cofield also served as the National Policy Counsel for the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation and Vice President for Government Relations for the Georgia Hospital Association.
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