Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for August 28, 2020

General Robert E. Lee’s Confederates met General John Pope’s federal forces at the Second Battle of Manassas on August 29, 1862.

Union General William T. Sherman’s forces tore up 12 miles of railroad between Red Oak and Fairburn on August 29, 1864.

On August 30, 1888, Asa Griggs Candler bought one-third interest in the Coca-Cola company, bringing his total ownership to more than two-thirds of the company.

Georgia native Ty Cobb debuted with the Detroit Tigers on August 30, 1905.

August 28, 1929 saw Governor Lamartine Hardman sign a Constitutional Amendment authorizing the levy of a state income tax.

Advertising in the rights of way of state roads and placing signs on private property without the owner’s approval were prohibited in the first Georgia law regulating outdoor advertising, which was signed by Governor Richard Russell on August 27, 1931. Over the years, both practices would become enshrined in Peach State political strategy.

The United States Air Force Academy moved to its permanent home in Colorado Springs on August 29, 1958.

On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the “I Have a Dream Speech” on the Mall in Washington, DC.

The Beatles played their final concert at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park on August 29, 1966.

On August 29, 1971, Hank Aaron broke the National League record for most seasons with 100 or more RBI, as he drove in his 100th run to make 11 seasons hitting that mark.

An obscure college professor named Newt Gingrich began his political career on August 28, 1974, as he kicked off his first campaign against Congressman Jack Flynt.

Former Georgia Governor Lester Maddox was nominated for President on the American Independent Party ticket on August 27, 1976, making the race probably the only one to ever feature two former Georgia governors. During the campaign, Maddox described Jimmy Carter as “the most dishonest man I ever met.”

On August 29, 1977, Lou Brock stole his 893d base, to surpass the record set by Georgia-born Ty Cobb.

On August 30, 1979, President Jimmy Carter reported being attacked by a rabbit near Plains, Georgia. Here’s an interview in which President Carter was asked about the rabbit incident.

On August 27, 1982, Oakland Athletics outfielder Rickey Henderson broke the record for stolen bases in a season, nabbing number 119 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Georgia Governor Zell Miller addressed the Democratic National Convention on August 27, 1996. In 2004, Miller would address the Republican National Convention, likely becoming the first Georgian to address both major parties’ national conventions. Congressman John Lewis and Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney also addressed the ’96 DNC. That day, President Bill Clinton signed a Welfare Reform bill, called the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.

Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell was indicted on August 30, 2004 on racketeering, bribery and wire fraud charges and would later plead guilty to tax evasion.

On August 27, 2008, Barack Obama became the Presidential nominee of the Democratic Party, the first African-American nominee of a major United States political party.

On August 28, 2008, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revoked the accreditation of the Clayton County Public Schools. Later that day, Governor Sonny Perdue removed four members of the Clayton County Board of Education upon the recommendation of an administrative law judge.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

First Lady Marty Kemp and Tyler Perry released a Public Service Announcement on sex traficking, according to a Press Release.

In partnership with First Lady Marty Kemp and the GRACE Commission, Tyler Perry – a world-renowned filmmaker and philanthropist – released a public service announcement (PSA) urging Georgians to join the fight against human trafficking. The PSA calls viewers to action by imploring them to participate in the First Lady’s Human Trafficking Awareness Training to learn about warning signs and who to contact for help.

“We are deeply grateful to Tyler Perry for his dedicated work and leadership to support survivors and raise awareness about human trafficking,” said First Lady Marty Kemp. “With his partnership, more Georgians will be equipped with the knowledge to identify potential instances of trafficking – but most importantly, they will be equipped with the ability to save lives.”

The PSA was produced by Tyler Perry Studios.

An article in the Wall Street Journal looks at business shutdowns and the COVID pandemic.

In response to the novel and deadly coronavirus, many governments deployed draconian tactics never used in modern times: severe and broad restrictions on daily activity that helped send the world into its deepest peacetime slump since the Great Depression.

Five months later, the evidence suggests lockdowns were an overly blunt and economically costly tool. They are politically difficult to keep in place for long enough to stamp out the virus. The evidence also points to alternative strategies that could slow the spread of the epidemic at much less cost. As cases flare up throughout the U.S., some experts are urging policy makers to pursue these more targeted restrictions and interventions rather than another crippling round of lockdowns.

“We’re on the cusp of an economic catastrophe,” said James Stock, a Harvard University economist who, with Harvard epidemiologist Michael Mina and others, is modeling how to avoid a surge in deaths without a deeply damaging lockdown. “We can avoid the worst of that catastrophe by being disciplined,” Mr. Stock said.

The impact of lockdowns on families, the economy and mental health also mattered, he said: “When you see unemployment numbers going through the roof, businesses not just threatened week to week but potentially [never] being open again, you have to take that into account,” said [California secretary of health and human services] Dr. Ghaly.

The experience of the past five months suggests the need for an alternative: Rather than lockdowns, using only those measures proven to maximize lives saved while minimizing economic and social disruption. “Emphasize the reopening of the highest economic benefit, lowest risk endeavors,” said Dr. Mina.

Social distancing policies, for instance, can take into account widely varying risks by age. The virus is especially deadly for the elderly. Nursing homes account for 0.6% of the population but 45% of Covid fatalities, says the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, a free market think tank. Better isolating those residents would have saved many lives at little economic cost, it says.

And this Wall Street Journal Editorial lauding Gov. Kemp’s approach:

Remember when the national press corps portrayed Georgia Governor Brian Kemp as a villain for reopening the state’s economy too soon? Well, more than a few states would like to be in the Peach State’s pandemic and fiscal position now.

Start with the state’s economy, which had a relatively low jobless rate of 7.6% in July. Construction was never shut down, and schools in much of the state are opening for classroom instruction. The state expected a budget shortfall of $1 billion for the year but the actual deficit was $210 million. Mr. Kemp says sales tax revenue is rebounding and the state hasn’t exhausted its $700 million reserve fund.

Georgia saw a surge in coronavirus infections in June and July, which the Governor attributes to people “letting down their guard” during holiday weekends, graduation parties and the like. But new cases have fallen 30% since July 26, hospitalizations by 23.4%, and test positivity to 9% from 13.1%.

Georgia saw a surge in coronavirus infections in June and July, which the Governor attributes to people “letting down their guard” during holiday weekends, graduation parties and the like. But new cases have fallen 30% since July 26, hospitalizations by 23.4%, and test positivity to 9% from 13.1%.

Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan announced the formation of a Senate Law Enforcement Reform Study Committee, according to a Press Release:

The study committee will examine the techniques, patterns, and practices of law enforcement and was established pursuant to SR 1007 – adopted during the 2020 legislative session.

“Law enforcement officers across our state put their lives on the line for us every day, and are generally underpaid and oftentimes not provided with tools for success. This committee will engage in a comprehensive study of our law enforcement practices in order to examine whether we are adequately equipping officers with the necessary training to protect our communities,” said Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. “I look forward to the committee’s work on this issue, and believe this coalition will continue to build upon the work accomplished this past session.”

“Recent events involving the use of force by law enforcement across our country has brought certain policing practices into question,” said Sen. Bill Cowsert (R – Athens). “While law enforcement officers are here to protect and serve the citizens of our state, they are sometimes put into situations where they have to make a split-second decision that could cost them their life. In this study committee, our goal is to closely examine law enforcement techniques and patterns in order to ensure the safety of our citizens, as well as our first responders, and identify areas where current practices may need to be revised. I am honored to serve as chairman on this committee and I look forward to working with my fellow committee members over the next few months to study possible solutions to this critical issue.”

The Study Committee on Law Enforcement Reform will be chaired by Senator Bill Cowsert (R – Athens). The following Senate members were also appointed to serve on this committee:

Senator Jesse Stone (R – Waynesboro)

Senator John Albers (R – Roswell)

Senator Harold Jones (D – Augusta)

Senator Gail Davenport (D – Jonesboro)

Senator Randy Robertson, Ex-Officio (R – Cataula)

Georgia Gwinnett College Professor Fang Zhou spoke to WABE about being a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

“The National Republican party has to understand Georgia is a battleground state. Georgia is going to be extremely competitive,” he said. “I am honored in the sense that the Georgia Republican Party understands the Asian voters, although a small demographic group, are going to be oftentimes in a very close election, could be the decisive voters. Or a very close margin victory in a very very close election. I am honored they understand this demographic”.

Zhou explained why he is in Atlanta and not in Charlotte. He said he does miss being physically at the convention and misses seeing and physically experiencing many parts of the process.

“This is my first time as a delegate. The disappointing aspect is not having the opportunity to be on the convention floor and not have the opportunity to network with delegates with other states,” he said. “They’re doing the best they can to engage the delegates with the speakers. But it is not the same.”

The Georgia State Elections Board referred issues related to absentee ballot processing by the Fulton County elections office to the Attorney General’s office, according to WABE.

Frances Watson, investigations supervisor with the secretary of state’s office says they received 250 complaints from voters who had problems receiving their absentee ballots for June. She said of those complaints, about half were about applications sent in by mail and half were by email.

The investigation found that Fulton had violated Georgia code regarding processing and mailing a requested absentee ballot.

“If one person being denied their right to vote is to many, 250 is certainly too many,” said state elections board member David Worley, who added that there is “no margin for error when it comes to processing absentee ballot requests.”

“Our job is to decide whether there is probable cause to refer to attorney general,” said Worley. “Beyond that, this is going to be a severe problem in November if it’s not fixed.”

Georgia’s Secretary of State certified the results of the August 11 Primary Runoff elections, according to the Griffin Daily News.

The League of Women Voters of Coastal Georgia raised $30k to provide eight ballot drop boxes for Chatham County to use in the November election, according to the Savannah Morning News.

The drop boxes have already been ordered, and are set to be delivered on Sept. 9. Rolfes said they’re hoping to have the boxes in place and installed by the end of September.

“I think people see that it’s very urgent, and it is something tangible that you can do that you know is going to make a difference,” Rolfes said. “And that just really resonated with people.”

The Glynn County Board of Elections reversed an earlier decision on voting procedures for a referendum to dissolve the county police department, according to The Brunswick News.

The Glynn County Board of Elections voted Wednesday to rescind its earlier decision to hold a special election on a referendum on whether to abolish the Glynn County Police Department, deciding instead to place it on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Board Chairwoman Patricia Gibson said board members made the best decision they could with the information they had last week when the five-member body voted 4-1 to hold the referendum separately but parallel to the November general election.

The board reversed its decision after further discussions with Ryan Germany, legal counsel for the office of Georgia Secretary of State. Germany said in a letter to the board’s attorney, Mark Johnson, that he saw no reason to hold a special election for the referendum.

“While I understand that the referendum question itself is controversial in Glynn County, I am trying to consider this issue from an election administration standpoint,” Germany wrote. “I don’t see anything in election law that requires the board to hold it separate and apart and thereby make the entirety of the November election more difficult for Glynn County.”

Whitfield County will ask the Dalton Building Authority to float a bond and speed up projects to be funded by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that voters approved in June, according to the Dalton Daily Citizen News.

County Administrator Mark Gibson said officials want a bond to finance the Tier 1 projects (repairs at the courthouse and jail), as well as construction of the planned Riverbend Park, near Southeast Whitfield High School, and renovations to Westside Park, including adding two turf/soccer fields and resurfacing of the Miracle Field, a special turf field for baseball for those with special needs, as well as retiring the bond indebtedness on Fire Station 12.

“These are the major projects the bond will cover,” he wrote in an email.

Gibson said the bond will not exceed $26.5 million.

The four-year SPLOST is expected to raise $66 million and will start collections on Oct. 1. A SPLOST is a 1% sales tax on most goods sold in the county.

Without a bond, county officials would have to wait for the money to come in to start the projects. The bond will borrow against that revenue to allow the projects to be started more quickly.

New federal unemployment benefits may take 3-4 weeks to come online for Georgia residents, according to the Center Square.

Unemployed Georgians may have to wait three to four weeks to receive an additional $300 weekly federal jobless benefits, Georgia labor officials said Thursday.

GDOL Commissioner Mark Butler said the state can’t use the same application to process the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) payments because its flagging criteria are different from the U.S. Department of Labor’s.

Among other things, unemployment applications can be flagged for back taxes, child support or overpayments. FEMA’s system does not screen for those scenarios.

The program, called Lost Wages Assistance (LWA), supplements benefits for people who already receive at least $100 a week in unemployment benefits. GDOL still will apply for the payments regardless of the delays.

Initial claims for unemployment are down, according to the Albany Herald.

Initial unemployment claims in Georgia fell below 100,000 last week for the fifth week in a row, the state Department of Labor reported Thursday.

For the week ending Aug. 22, 56,768 jobless Georgians filed first-time unemployment claims, down 1,331 from the previous week.

Democrats in the Georgia House of Representatives complained this week that the state’s backlog of unprocessed unemployment claims is unacceptable and called on Gov. Brian Kemp to boost staffing at the labor department to speed up the processing of claims.

But Butler said simply hiring temporary workers lacking experience in the complexities of handling unemployment claims wouldn’t solve the problem.

“Our big issue is not processing claims,” Butler said Thursday. “Besides fraud, it’s dealing with appeals and redeterminations. … You cannot program a computer to do that. It takes a very experienced, well-trained [Department of Labor] person.”