Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for April 14, 2022

The first American society advocating for abolition of slavery was founded on April 14, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Benjamin Franklin would later serve as President of the organization.

On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln as the President attended a showing of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theater, seven blocks from the White House; Lincoln survived nine hours before dying the next day.

RMS Titanic hit an iceberg just before midnight on April 14, 1912. Among those losing their lives was Major Archibald Butt of Augusta, Georgia, who had served as a military aide to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.

“Captain Smith and Major Archibald Butt, military aide to the President of the United States, were among the coolest men on board. A number of steerage passengers were yelling and screaming and fighting to get to the boats. Officers drew guns and told them that if they moved towards the boats they would be shot dead. Major Butt had a gun in his hand and covered the men who tried to get to the boats. The following story of his bravery was told by Mrs. Henry B. Harris, wife of the theatrical manager: ‘The world should rise in praise of Major Butt. That man’s conduct will remain in my memory forever. The American army is honored by him and the way he taught some of the other men how to behave when women and children were suffering that awful mental fear of death. Major Butt was near me and I noticed everything that he did.”

“When the order to man the boats came, the captain whispered something to Major Butt. The two of them had become friends. The major immediately became as one in supreme command. You would have thought he was at a White House reception. A dozen or more women became hysterical all at once, as something connected with a life-boat went wrong. Major Butt stepped over to them and said: ‘Really, you must not act like that; we are all going to see you through this thing.’”

“He helped the sailors rearrange the rope or chain that had gone wrong and lifted some of the women in with a touch of gallantry. Not only was there a complete lack of any fear in his manner, but there was the action of an aristocrat. ‘When the time came he was a man to be feared. In one of the earlier boats fifty women, it seemed, were about to be lowered, when a man, suddenly panic-stricken, ran to the stern of it. Major Butt shot one arm out, caught him by the back of the neck and jerked him backward like a pillow. His head cracked against a rail and he was stunned. ‘Sorry,’ said Major Butt, ‘women will be attended to first or I’ll break every damned bone in your body.’”

“The boats were lowered one by one, and as I stood by, my husband said to me, ‘Thank God, for Archie Butt.’ Perhaps Major Butt heard it, for he turned his face towards us for a second and smiled.”

Kennesaw Junior College became a senior college on April 14, 1976 by vote of the Georgia Board of Regents.

By this time, enrollment had tripled from an initial student count of 1,014 in the fall of 1966 to 3,098 in the fall of 1975. Numerous local leaders were involved in the fight for four-year status, but the two politicians playing the most pivotal roles were state Representatives Joe Mack Wilson and Al Burruss of Marietta. In time the memories of both would be honored by having buildings named for them on the Kennesaw campus

A U.S. Postage stamp bearing Georgia’s state bird and state flower was issued as part of a series including all 50 states on April 14, 1982, with first day ceremonies held in Washington and each state.

On April 14, 2010, a signature by Button Gwinnett, one of Georgia’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence sold at auction for $722,500 at an auction by Sotheby’s. About 50 examples of his signature are known to exist and six have been auctioned since 1974.

Happy birthday to former Atlanta Braves David Justice and Greg Maddux, who were both born on this date in 1966.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Former United States Senator David Perdue (Sea Island) continues to be criticized for his remarks about the Georgia State Patrol, according to Fox5Atlanta.

“This is someone who is putting politics ahead of our law enforcement and that is simply wrong, and David Perdue should be embarrassed,” said state Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, the chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee.

Sen. Albers was one of three lawmakers and more than twenty local sheriffs who signed their names to statements released by Gov. Brian Kemp’s campaign decrying Perdue’s words.

Gov. Kemp responded to Perdue’s comments after signing the permit-less carry bill into law Tuesday afternoon.

“I’m used to being attacked, especially by people that don’t have their own record to talk about, but I’m not going to allow people to attack the Georgia State Patrol. They’re elite men and women that have been serving our state admirably,” said Gov. Kemp.

Sen. Albers said that [hiring more GSP officers] is an issue that lawmakers have worked with Gov. Kemp to address.

“We have continued to add new trooper schools, getting more incentives in order to retain and attract new troopers. The leadership from the colonel of the state patrol to the governor and myself and others are working on that every day,” said Sen. Albers.

Camden County Commissioners want more time to subvert the will of their constituents buy property for a Spaceport, according to The Brunswick News.

Commissioners met for an hour Tuesday in closed executive session to discuss what to do about an extension to close on the property deal that was set to expire Wednesday.

When they emerged from the session, they voted to contact Union Carbide to ask for more time. The intent is to convince Union Carbide that there is still a chance county officials will be allowed to close on the property deal to buy the 4,000-acre site.

But county residents opposed to the spaceport mounted a petition drive that led to a referendum last month where 72% of voters told commissioners they could not spend any more taxpayer dollars to purchase the Union Carbide tract.

While the intent of the referendum by organizers was to kill the project, county commissioners are seeking other ways to establish a spaceport at the site through a private agreement with a launch provider.

Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bil 1150, the “Freedom to Farm Act,” according to WALB.

“I will be signing three bills into law this afternoon. The first of these is HB 1150, often referred to as the Freedom to Farm Act.” [said Kemp.]

“Since the very founding of Georgia centuries ago, agriculture has been the foundation of our economic success. Even after all these years of new economy job growth here in the No. 1 state for business, agribusiness continues to be our No. 1 industry. That will always be one of the defining traits of the Peach State.” [said Kemp.]

“As the global marketplace continues to react to Russia’s unprovoked and unjust war in Ukraine – Europe’s breadbasket – the importance of the ag sector here in America, and especially here in Georgia, will only continue to grow. Our farming families are more important than ever, and that’s one of many reasons why it’s so crucial we protect their way of life.” [said Kemp.]

“That’s why I’m thankful to the many partners who put years of study and hard work into what ultimately became HB 1150.” [said Kemp.]

“This legislation increases and clearly defines protection for both farmers and property owners while still addressing bad actors.” [said Kemp.]

“For three years, concerned parties on all sides have worked on this issue, and today we can finally bring their concerns to an end.” [said Kemp.]

“I want to thank Tom McCall and his team at the Georgia Farm Bureau for helping us get this legislation across the finish line. Tom originally carried this bill in the state House of Representatives in 2019, and now as president of the Farm Bureau, along with his public policy team led by Alex Bradford, he has seen it come to fruition.” [said Kemp.]

“I also want to recognize and thank Will Bentley and Jake Tench of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Andres Villegas of the Georgia Forestry Association, Mike Giles and Abit Massey of the Georgia Poultry Federation, and all the many stakeholders who contributed their insight and support during the legislative process and the years that were put into this bill.” [said Kemp.]

From the AJC:

House Bill 1150, called the Freedom to Farm bill, limits the ability of landowners who live near farms or agricultural-related processing facilities such as slaughterhouses to sue because of noises, smells or other impingements on their property. Critics say the legislation restricts the legal rights of nearby landowners harmed by agricultural companies, including other farmers.

Georgia had a Right to Farm law that had been held up as a national model. It balanced the right of landowners against farms, saying anyone who moved near a farm could not sue, and existing landowners near a farm had a maximum of four years to sue if the operation began creating problems that affected their lives or property values.

No one testifying in the hearings on HB 1150 could cite an increase in lawsuits or farms being put out of business by them. But agricultural interests and sponsors of the bill wanted to cut the window of time for neighbors to sue farms to one year, saying they were fearful of future lawsuits. That was later changed to two years.

The bill also prohibits lawsuits by non-neighbors. That would prevent, for example, nonprofit environmental organizations from suing.

The Georgia Department of Public Health is warning of increasing numbers of fentanyl overdoses, according to 13WMAZ.

The Georgia Department of Public Health says it is seeing increased cases of overdoses related to the drug, especially since the start of the pandemic.

The Georgia Department of Public Health found between May 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021, overdose deaths involving fentanyl jumped by 106.2 percent, compared to the same time period the previous year. The agency warns that fentanyl-laced drugs cannot be detected by sight or smell, and even a small amount can lead to an overdose.

Earlier this year, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr joined with a group of attorneys general from across the country, urging the U.S. Department of State to strengthen its fight against the rise of the deadly drug and to pressure China and Mexico to stop the drug’s movement into the U.S. Some leaders have even deployed national guard units to the U.S. border with Mexico to help stop the flow of fentanyl into the country.

The Gainesville Times looks at the campaign for House District 31, in which State Rep. Emory Dunahoo seek reelection.

What to know about this race: A 2021 redrawing of district lines moved state Rep. Emory Dunahoo, R-Gillsville, out of District 30 into District 31. State Rep. Tommy Benton, R-Jefferson, is the current District 31 representative, but he is retiring after his term ends at the end of 2022. Dunahoo faces Don Clerici, who currently serves as the chairman of the Jackson County Board of Education.

A longtime proponent of repealing income tax in favor of a consumption tax, he saw some of his hopes realized when legislators this year setted on lowering the tax rate to an eventual 4.99%, with the current top rate at 5.75%. He said he believes Georgia’s revenues will continue to be strong next fiscal year, which begins July 1. If that’s the case, taxpayers could continue to benefit. “Give it back to the people. That’s the people’s money, anyway.” [said Dunahoo]

United States Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Atlanta) has banked more than $25 million for his reelection this year, according to the AJC.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock broke another fundraising record by amassing $13.6 million over the first three months of the year, ending the quarter with $25.6 million in the bank for a campaign that could decide control of the Senate.

His campaign said Thursday it was the most money ever raised by any U.S. Senate candidate in the first quarter of an election year.

The Democrat bested his own record-setting haul from the last fundraising quarter, when he collected $9.8 million in the last three months of 2021. In this first quarter of 2022, he collected contributions from 183,000 individual donors who gave an average of $40.

Former United States Senator David Perdue‘s fundraising is so anemic, former President Donald Trump is forced to spend to support him. From Politico:

Trump’s Save America PAC has transferred $500,000 to a super PAC devoted to defeating Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, whom the former president has targeted over his refusal to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results. Those close to Trump’s political apparatus describe it as an initial cash infusion ahead of the May 24 primary, which pits Kemp against Trump-endorsed former Sen. David Perdue.

The move underscores the importance — and urgency — of Georgia in Trump’s eyes. Kemp has a substantial polling lead over Perdue and has far outpaced his rival in fundraising, despite absorbing more than a year of attacks from the former president. Trump recruited Perdue into the primary and nudged out another candidate who threatened to cut into Perdue’s vote. The former president recently held a rally for Perdue, recorded a TV advertisement for him and hosted a fundraiser benefiting his campaign.

Kemp has capitalized on his incumbency to establish a major financial advantage over Perdue. According to AdImpact, which tracks campaign advertising, through Tuesday Kemp and allied groups had spent or reserved $11.4 million worth of TV ads, compared to just $2.7 million for the pro-Perdue forces — a difference of more than 4-to-1. Kemp has benefited from the support of the deep-pocketed Republican Governors Association, which has been airing commercials touting his record as governor. The organization is expected to run ads for the duration of the contest.

“Any Republican running in a competitive primary would want Trump’s support,” said Chip Lake, a veteran Georgia-based Republican strategist. “That being said, you still have to bring something else to the table that resonates with voters, and that’s where David is struggling.”

Augusta District Attorney Jared Williams unveiled indictments against alleged criminal gang members, according to WJBF.

According to District Attorney Jared T. Williams, the District Attorney’s Office presented a 25-count indictment to the Grand Jury against Kendariss Brown, Antoine Redfield, Henri Beach, Destiny Rich and Antionous Thomas, members of the criminal street gang “Loyalty Over Everything” AKA “LOE.”

The indictment was presented in connection with two shootings, to include the shooting death of Arbrie Anthony on January 8th of this year, along with the shooting of two other juveniles in the same neighborhood days prior on January 6th, according to District Attorney Williams.

“The breadth and scope of this indictment is a signal to all who are involved in gang violence this community will not stand for it,” says District Attorney Williams in the official press release, “and this District Attorney’s Office is going to use everything at our disposal to remove you from our safe society.”

Williams also states in the release that this case has been referred to the newly formed Violent Crimes Unit for the District Attorney’s Office, and they expect further charges to follow as the investigation continues.

Chris Tomlinson is stepping down from heading three state transportation agencies, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Chris Tomlinson has served as executive director of the State Road and Tollway Authority, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority for the last nine years. In all, he has been in state government for the last 24 years.

“Serving as executive director for the state of Georgia’s mobility authorities has been the most challenging and fulfilling experience of my professional career,” Tomlinson said.

“Chris has been a valued member of the team and a key leader in the transportation sector within Georgia and nationally,” Gov. Brian Kemp added. “Not many leaders can say they started a state agency from the ground up while leading two other state agencies.”

Lula isn’t the first Georgia city you think of when you hear about “urban” problems, but homelessness is spurring consideration of an ordinance to outlaw “urban camping,” according to the Gainesville Times.

Lula residents say they have seen an increase in the city’s homeless population, but not all agree a new city ordinance criminalizing urban camping would solve the problem.

The ordinance would set penalties for people sleeping and camping on public property. It will go before the Lula City Council Monday, April 18, for a potential vote.

At a public hearing Monday, April 11, residents had a chance to speak before the city council, and some advocated for a greater police presence to deal with people sleeping in public parks and abandoned buildings. But others oppose the ordinance change, saying there are better alternatives to solve the problem.

Whitfield County Commissioners voted to spend $3 million in federal COVID relief funding toward the 2022 payroll, according to the Dalton Daily Citizen News.

“There’s been some rumblings that if these cities and counties don’t spend the money, Congress will claw it back,” said [Commission Chair Jevin] Jensen. “Even though we have allocated $10 million (of ARP money), we technically haven’t spent that. After conversation with our county administrator and grant administrator, we’d like to dedicate $3 million plus $87,500 for premium pay towards our current payroll.”

“We are not increasing our payroll by that amount,” he said. “We are applying this (to the payroll). This will, in essence, give us a $3 million surplus for 2022. This won’t be ongoing. It’s a one-time surplus. This is legal, and it can’t be clawed back once it is applied to our payroll.”

Jensen said the county will likely use part of the surplus to pay for rising fuel costs.

The commissioners also voted 4-0 Monday to add $300,000 to the Public Works Department’s budget line item for fuel, more than doubling that part of its budget to $525,000. Commissioners said they expect other departments will be seeking increases to their budgets to cover higher fuel costs.

Expect higher fuel costs and general inflation to hit the budgets of many local governments. From the Dalton Daily Citizen News:

In 2021, the Whitfield County Public Works Department paid an average of $2.59 a gallon for gasoline. In March 2022, the price was $4.02 a gallon. For diesel, the county paid an average of $2.45 a gallon in 2021. In March 2022, it paid $5.02.

Citing those rising fuel costs, the county Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 Monday to add $300,000 to the Public Works Department’s budget line item for fuel, more than doubling that part of its budget to $525,000. Board Chairman Jevin Jensen typically votes only if there is a tie.

“I appreciate the heads-up (from the Public Works Department),” said Jensen. “We obviously can all see that the price of gas is going up, and we are big consumers as we mow our right-of-ways and pave our streets and answer calls to clean up after storms. I certainly don’t want to punish departments for things that are out of their control.”

The department has already spent some $98,408 on fuel. At that pace, it would have exhausted its fuel budget by early summer. And Jensen said the department will likely be using fuel at an even greater pace during the coming months as mowing picks up.

The University System of Georgia Board of Regents is being hit by inflation, according to the AJC.

Georgia’s Board of Regents on Wednesday agreed to multimillion dollar budget increases for several construction projects, which officials blamed on global supply chain issues.

The budget for one project, a venue for sports and other events at Georgia Gwinnett College, rose from $42.3 million to $48.3 million.

Costs for construction materials has increased significantly in the past year, an impact of the coronavirus pandemic. There’s a shortage of workers in some construction fields, which has slowed the time to transport materials worldwide.

Annual inflation in metro Atlanta climbed into double-digits in February, federal officials said.

The rising costs have been an ongoing concern, University System of Georgia leaders say. In November, the board approved a nearly $10 million budget increase for a construction project at Valdosta State University.

Former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, who this month became chancellor of the state’s public university system, said after Wednesday’s vote his office would look at ways to better budget construction costs.

Five local governments lobbied for more renewables in Georgia Power’s Integrated Resource Plan, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Hearings regarding Georgia Power’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) happen every three years, but this year for the first time the cities of Savannah, Decatur, Atlanta and Athens-Clarke and DeKalb counties were at the table.

“It’s pretty unprecedented. It’s such an important opportunity to get to represent ourselves and our citizens,” said City of Savannah Energy Analyst Alicia Brown, the Savannah representative for the Georgia Coalition for Local Governments.

The IRP, which essentially maps out how the company will use its various forms of energy over the next 20 years was filed with the Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) in January, the 200-page IRP outlines Georgia Power’s plans to shutter nearly all Georgia Power-controlled coal units, which could begin later this year.

“We have these renewable goals and just the way the current regulations are set, the way the current laws are on the books, it’s very challenging for us to meet those renewable energy goals without Georgia Power setting up programs that are workable for us,” [Brown] said.

The city of Savannah is already taking action locally to reduce carbon emissions and move toward clean and renewable energy through the 100% Savannah Clean Energy Plan, which was adopted by Savannah City Council in December.

The plan aims to achieve 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for all energy needs by 2050.

Savannah-Chatham Public Schools is working on spending $99 million in federal COVID relief funds, according to WTOC.

After being awarded roughly 99 million dollars, Chief Financial Officer Larry Jackson says they are planning to spend it on supplemental learning like mental health for students and staff, tutoring for students who have learning loss from the pandemic and staff and faculty retention.

“We’re trying to focus on employee incentives, as you can see and go anywhere around the county and see that businesses are offering incentives for employers to maintain their staff. We’re also offering signing bonuses for employees to come on board. We’re also using some of the funds for professional development,” Larry Jackson, Chief Financial Officer said.

Jackson says the state has to approve their budget before they can receive the money or reimbursements for any initiatives.

LaGrange City Council will host a public meeting to discuss changes to voting districts, according to WTVM.

According to Mayor Jim Thornton, the districts need to be changed to achieve the federal one-person, one-vote requirement.

Based on the 2020 Census, District 1 had over 17,000 residents. However, District 2 only has a little more than 13,000 residents.

LaGrange City Council asked the map-makers to take existing district maps and make as few changes as possible to achieve population equality.

Once adopted, the map will be used for a special election this fall to fill the unexpired term of the late Legree McCamey as well as for future city council elections.