Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for June 24, 2019

On June 24, 1497, John Cabot first sighted North America, claiming it for the British Crown.

On June 24, 1795, the United States Senate voted to ratify Jay’s Treaty between the UK and United States. The terms of the treaty required an appropriation from the U.S. House of Representatives to implement it, and Congressional opponents tried to defeat the appropriation, which was approved by a 51-48 margin on April 30, 1796. Click here for more background on the treaty and controversy.

On June 24, 1853, President Franklin Pierce signed the Gadsden Purchase, acquiring what it now southern Arizona and New Mexico from Mexico.

General Robert E. Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac River toward Pennsylvania on June 24, 1863.

John R. Lynch was the first African-American elected Chairman of the Republican National Convention on June 24, 1884; Lynch was nominated by Theodore Roosevelt.

Woodrow Wilson married Ellen Louise Axson of Rome, Georgia in Savannah on June 24, 1885.

On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin from all road, rail, and barge traffic.

Following World War II, Germany was divided into occupation zones. The United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and, eventually, France, were given specific zones to occupy in which they were to accept the surrender of Nazi forces and restore order. The Soviet Union occupied most of eastern Germany, while the other Allied nations occupied western Germany. The German capital of Berlin was similarly divided into four zones of occupation.

The United States response came just two days after the Soviets began their blockade. A massive airlift of supplies into West Berlin was undertaken in what was to become one of the greatest logistical efforts in history. For the Soviets, the escapade quickly became a diplomatic embarrassment. Russia looked like an international bully that was trying to starve men, women, and children into submission. And the successful American airlift merely served to accentuate the technological superiority of the United States over the Soviet Union. On May 12, 1949, the Soviets officially ended the blockade.

General Lucius D. Clay of Marietta, Georgia was military Governor of occupied Germany at that time.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show was released in West Germany on June 24, 1977. It’s astounding.

Rickey Henderson made his major league debut with the Oakland A’s on June 24, 1979, stealing his first base.

On June 24, 1982, the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution was defeated, having garnered the ratification of thirty-five states, three shy of the requisite Constitutional Majority.

Hopes for ratification before the deadline next Wednesday were dashed this week when the amendment was rejected by the Illinois House and the Florida Senate, two states in which supporters felt they had a fighting chance.

Had Illinois and Florida ratified the amendment, there was at least some chance that either Oklahoma or North Carolina would have provided the final needed vote.

Prospects were far slimmer in the other nonratifying states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia.

Phyllis Schlafly, a leader of a group called Stop-ERA, hailed the defeat of the amendment tonight, saying: ”They realized E.R.A. is dead and I think that that is an admission they have lost the battle. My feeling is that E.R.A. will take its place with the prohibition and the child labor amendments as ones which did not have enough support of the American people to be in the Constitution.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Trump Campaign Manager Brad Parscale predicted the President will win Georgia in 2020, according to Politico.

Brad Parscale, Trump’s campaign chief, said the president would win Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Nevada if the election were held this week. All eight are considered to be up for grabs, to varying degrees, in 2020 and the latter three were all won by Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. and Trump won Florida by 1.2 percentage points and North Carolina by 3.6 points.

The comments came ahead of Trump’s rally in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday and were released in full on Friday, the same day Quinnipiac University released a poll that showed Trump trailing both former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in prospective general election matchups.

He also predicted that Trump will win in “an electoral landslide,” securing more electoral votes than in 2016. “I think we win Florida, yeah,” Parscale told Garrett. “I think we win in an electoral landslide, as of today.”

Democratic voters favor using the national popular vote to decide Presidential elections, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Among Democrats, 81% said electing a president by who received the most votes nationally would in some way improve democracy, as opposed to through the current electoral college system. That compared with 52% of independents and 32% of Republicans. In both the 2000 and 2016 presidential election, Democratic candidates won the popular vote but lost the electoral college.

The poll found that Democrats were more in favor of automatic voter enrollment than Republicans or independents, with 85% believing this would fix the political system. Fifty-one percent of the other two groups shared the sentiment.

The notion of congressional districts being drawn by nonpartisan commissions draw also drew majority support from all three groups: 77% of Democrats said that could improve democracy, while 52% of Republicans and 67% of independents agreed.

Governor Brian Kemp arrived in South Korea for his first foreign trade mission, according to 11Alive.

Kemp posted about the visit – which was covered in a front-page spread in English-language newspaper Korea JoongAng Daily – on Sunday.

“Governor Kemp was truly honored to see this cover in the Korea JoongAng Daily today,” the post read. “The Governor looks forward to a week of productive economic development meetings with Korean leaders.”

Kemp said firms from that country have created 9000 jobs in Georgia, including the giant Kia auto plant in West Point, Georgia, near the Alabama border. The governor’s office says that South Korean companies have also invested $2 billion into Georgia’s economy in the last 12 months alone.

Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch said high tariffs on specialized cranes could hurt Georgia ports’ expansion plans, according to the AJC.

The White House is currently mulling whether to add ship-to-shore cranes to its fourth batch of Chinese tariffs. The state’s Ports Authority has already ordered six such cranes, costing some $70 million.

Executive Director Griff Lynch said instituting a 25 percent tariff could have a “substantially negative impact” on work to expand the Savannah harbor, the state’s top economic development project.

“It would also hinder our plans for additional future purchases of these large, purpose-built cranes required for our expanding operations,” he wrote in a recent letter to U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer. “There is no domestic source for these cranes and, indeed, there is no manufacturing facility for these cranes except in China.”

Lynch’s letter, which also included a plea for Lighthizer to exempt port yard equipment from any future tariff discussions, was quickly followed up by Georgia U.S. Sens. David Perdue and Johnny Isakson.

A test by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security alarmed some residents, according to the Statesboro Herald.

The alert read: “EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM PAGE (1/1) A Civil Authority has issued a RADIOLOGICAL HAZARD WARNING at 7:59 a.m. on June 20, 2019 until 8:59 a.m. on June 20, 2018 for the following counties/areas – GEORGIA STATEWIDE.”

The National Weather Service said a radiological hazard warning “alerts the public to the loss, discovery or release of a radiological hazard.” The alert went out via cell phones and on TV stations, according to the AJC. “A warning of that type could be issued of radioactive materials are spilled, like in a traffic accident, or stolen.”

According to the statement issued by Lisa Rodriguez-Presley, GEMA external affairs supervisor, the release said “The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency conducted a test of the emergency alert system today regarding radiological emergency. We conduct regular testing of our emergency alert systems in order to ensure we are capable of reaching the public in the event of an actual emergency. Although the message stated that it was a test, we are aware that there was confusion on the part of some. We have since issued a cancellation message to ensure that the public is clear that this was a test message only.”

The Valdosta Daily Times looks at new legislation going into effect July 1.

The minimum age to marry in Georgia is about to become 17, up from 16. Anyone who tries to sic law enforcement on another person – a prank known as “SWATing” – will face serious penalties. And blind Georgians will now be protected from discrimination in child custody battles.

Public schools will also be required to post signage about reporting suspected child abuse. And military service members can be freed from their local gym contract, and other such obligations, when deployed.

[State Rep. Sharon] Cooper sponsored a measure that, starting next month, requires health practitioners to inform women with dense breast tissue that it can be more difficult to detect cancer through a mammogram and that additional tests may be needed.

Law-enforcement agencies will soon be required to save evidence collected from sexual assaults for as long as 50 years.

Today, they are only required to preserve the evidence for a decade.

Congressman Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) introduced legislation to govern sites under the Superfund, according to The Brunswick News.

The legislation is geared toward more access for the public and more weight given to the will of the community, instead of what can be worked out by the attorneys of the Justice Department and those representing the party responsible for handling the contamination.

“With Superfund sites in the 1st District of Georgia, it’s imperative that the process be updated to maximize the input and participation from the local community,” Carter said in a statement Thursday. “Those with the Superfund sites in their backyards should absolutely be involved with the cleanup throughout the entire process. I introduced this legislation today to ensure their voices are heard.”

The Gwinnett County Board of Elections voted to end its prohibition on running municipal elections, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

The Gwinnett County Board of Registrations and Elections amended an existing policy which blocked cities from asking the county to run their elections. The change came after Peachtree Corners City Councilman Eric Christ approached the elections board in April about changing the rules on whether the county could be involved in municipal elections.

“It basically strikes out the prohibition we would have against engaging in municipal elections,” board member Stephen Day said of the amendment as it was being considered. “It doesn’t obligate the county in any way, shape or form to conduct it. It just takes (out) an overt statement saying we don’t do it and then under Georgia election law, it’s totally up to (the county) to negotiate with municipalities.”

The move to let the county negotiate with cities about running municipal elections had some support. The Peachtree Corners City Council adopted a resolution asking the elections board to change the policy at its May 28 meeting. The Gwinnett League of Women Voters had also asked the board to change the policy.

League of Women Voters co-acting Presidents Diane Fisher and Stephanie Wright said there have been issues when cities hold special elections on the same day that the county is holding a regular or special election because it has meant voters in those cities have had to go to two separate polling locations to cast ballots in each election.

“Just opening it up to the possibility and taking that prohibition out of there will make it so that the discussions can be had,” Fisher said. “Nobody is forcing cities to take advantage of the opportunity and nobody is forcing the county to do it, but at least now they’re not prohibited from doing so.”

The Georgia Supreme Court heard a lawsuit between Glynn County Public Schools and the Brunswic-Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission, according to The Brunswick News.

The issue arose in 2014 when the school board decided that the debt service portion of its bill could not be interpreted as an educational purpose — a constitutional requirement of school expenditures.

“The issue, in this case, is whether school property tax dollars can be used to fund the payment of bonded indebtedness and the construction of capital improvements for the Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer (Commission), a separate governmental local entity and a separate political subdivision,” said Phillip Hartley, an attorney for the school board.

The debt service charge included in JWSC water and sewer bills is used to pay off debt incurred as a result of water and sewer improvements to benefit Glynn County as a whole. As such, the school board can’t pay that portion of its bill, according to court filings. Additionally, Hartley argued the school board can’t pay the JWSC’s debt service fee because the Georgia Constitution prohibits the school board from carrying over debt from year to year. If it can’t take on debt for longer than a year, it can’t pay for other public agencies’ long-term debt either.

Because the debt service fee is presented as a separate charge from actual water and sewer usage and because the amount charged is calculated based on something other than actual usage, the school board considers the debt service fee distinct from their usage bill.

The Hall County Commission is considering a proposed ordinance to regulate the build-out of wireless services in the county, according to the Gainesville Times.

The proposed rules, up for a vote from the Hall County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, would regulate the sizes and fees for poles and the technology such as antennas that may be moving in.

Srikanth Yamala, the county’s planning and development director, said the county does not currently have an ordinance that would address this technology’s installation in the public right of way.

Under the new ordinance, any new, modified or replaced pole on a right of way zoned residential cannot be more than 50 feet tall. In areas that are not zoned residential, poles must be 50 feet or shorter, or within 10 feet in height of the highest pole within a 500-foot radius, whichever is higher.

The rules would provide some direction in what is largely uncharted territory, as residents in more rural areas have long wanted easier access to broadband services.

Commissioner Shelly Echols has seen the need firsthand. Her family relies on using cellular hotspots for internet access at their home in Alto. The hotspots aren’t always enough, especially when her daughter needs to get her homework done.

The Habersham County Commission will meet this week to discuss the proposed FY 2020 budget, according to AccessWDUN.

The Habersham County Commission will hold a called meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, to conduct public hearings on the proposed FY2020 budget and millage rate.

Commissioners have announced the need to increase the 2019 property taxes it will levy by 1.93% over the rollback millage rate.

The commission will hold a called meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, at the Habersham County Administration Building, 130 Jacob’s Way, Clarkesville. The purpose of the third reading of the 2019 millage rate and scheduled commission approval of the FY2020 budget and the 2019 millage rate.

Three candidates have announced for the Republican Primary for Floyd County Sheriff, according to the Rome News Tribune.

[Sheriff Tim] Burkhalter, who’s held the office since 2005, has said he won’t seek a fifth four-year term.

Qualifying isn’t until the first week of March 2020, but Tom Caldwell, Ronnie Kilgo and Dave Roberson have announced they’re running and have filed notices of intent to accept campaign contributions. The party primary election is April 20.

Hall County is receiving increased numbers of building permit applications, according to the Gainesville Times.

A surging economy has meant a significant uptick in building inspections, pressuring area governments to ensure residents are stepping into safe homes and businesses.

“Basically, what you want to do is make sure you grow (the department) slowly. If you (hire) because you have a busy year, then the next year things slow down, you wind up struggling to justify them.” [said Hall County’s Lamar Carver.]

[T]he number of building permits in unincorporated Hall County has jumped over the years, going from 1,916 in 2012 to 3,292 in 2018.

The number of building inspections has soared, as well, increasing to 15,171 in 2018 from 8,056 in 2010.

Gainesville has three inspectors, adding the third one in the past year “because of our load,” said the city’s building official, Joe Davidson. “If we get overwhelmed between (city) budgets, we can get (Bureau Veritas) to help us. As of now, we’re able to handle our workload.”

In going through steps to approve its fiscal 2020 budget, Flowery Branch is taking into account its own response to growth.

The city is looking to add about $130,000 for contracted labor for building inspections and code enforcement, as the city has approved hundreds of homes and apartments since last year.

The Cherokee County Board of Education adopted a FY 2020 budget, according to the Cherokee Tribune Ledger News.

The budget, approved at last Thursday’s board meeting, includes a pay raise for teachers and other staff and reductions in classroom size with no change in the millage rate.

Three public hearings were held on the budget and millage rate, with no speakers signing up.

Local property tax revenue is projected to increase 5.3%, which allows the district to increase investments in employees without increasing taxes.

The $481 million general fund operating budget includes raises for certified and classified employees and higher salaries for starting teachers and some other positions. Part of the state’s budget this year includes a $3,000 raise for teachers, and the school district is using local funds to extend that increase to all certified employees. Classified employees will receive a 2% raise. CCSD’s starting teacher salary is increasing by $3,000, to $46,000, and salaries for specific positions, including police officers, are rising. Also included are longevity step increases for all eligible employees. The district reports 67% of spending is in the classroom, 27% is in student support, such as counselors and nurses, and 6% is in other operating costs.

A new initiative in the proposed budget is the creation of two new mental health counselor positions, who will work districtwide with students, specifically focusing on those in crisis.

Savannah‘s poverty rate is persistently higher than the national average, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Savannah’s most recent rate of 24 percent living in poverty is slightly down from the pre-Recession number of 26 percent. But it’s still nearly double the national rate of 12.3 percent and 10 percent higher than the state level of 15 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“Savannah has intergenerational poverty,” said Step Up Savannah Executive Director Jen Singeisen. “It’s not reflective of the way of the rest of the economy has bounced back . . We see better gains in other areas. If you look at the stock market — the stock market is at record highs. You see unemployment at historic lows and yet our poverty rate hasn’t moved that much.”

The percentage of Savannah’s population living below the poverty level was almost 27 percent in 2015 — up from almost 22 percent in 2000.

The increase occurred as the city invested $2.7 million in general funds in anti-poverty programs between 2011 and 2016, and another $1.1 million was spent supporting Step Up Savannah’s job training and anti-poverty initiatives, and $981,304 went toward various social service agencies.

“It’s not just one thing that creates poverty,” Singeisen said. “So it’s not just one thing that’s going to fix it. You have to wrap around those services and resources for individuals. They want to take care of themselves. They want to take care of their families and they want to live with dignity. But there are systems that make it really difficult.”

Cave Springs City Council will vote tomorrow on a FY 2020 budget and a revised alcohol ordinance, according to the Rome News Tribune.

Cave Spring operates on a fiscal year basis, with budgets covering periods from July 1 through June 30. The city’s operating expenses are offset by a 1-cent local option sales tax so residents are not assessed a municipal property tax.

Council members have been working on a comprehensive revision to the alcohol ordinance since voters approved liquor sales in February.

A first reading June 11 netted approval from all five members. Mayor Dennis Shoaf is on a leave of absence.

The ordinance also allows for liquor package sales outside a half-mile radius from the downtown district. But the biggest changes are provisions for innovative new business models such as craft breweries and micro-distilleries.

The Gainesville Times spoke with newly-elected Flowery Branch City Council member Ed Asbridge.

What started as a social gathering grew into an organized group, South Hall Republican Club, in 2011, with Asbridge as the founding president.

“It grew and grew, and that was really what got me very interested in politics and government in general,” including local issues, Asbridge said.

And that led eventually to him seeking and winning Flowery Branch City Council’s Post 2 seat in a special election Tuesday, June 18. He is scheduled to be sworn in Thursday, June 27.

Retired from J.C. Penney management, the 76-year-old Louisville, Ky., native talked — as he did during the campaign — about delaying an earlier desire to run for office because of his late wife’s illness. His wife of 56 years died in December after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Qualifying is set Aug. 19-21 for the seat’s four-year term beginning Jan. 1, with that election taking place Nov. 5. Asbridge said he plans to seek the four-year term.

Lisa Noel Babbage announced she will run in the Republican Primary for the 7th Congressional District being vacated by Rep. Rob Woodall, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Babbage’s Republican credentials include serving on the Gwinnett County Republican Party’s executive board and the Georgia GOP State Committee.

“She vows to keep the open seat being vacated by Congressman Rob Woodall in the ‘Republican camp,’ “ her campaign said in an announcement. “She further pledges to contribute a significant portion of her legislative salary back to small businesses and community programs in the seventh district.”

She is also an educator in DeKalb County and has received endorsements from National Black Pro Life Union and Babies Lives Matter.

Babbage is one of several Republicans that have jumped into the race to replace Woodall. The growing GOP field already included state Sen. Renee Unterman; Mark Gonsalves, Joe Profit; Ben Bullock, Richard Dean McCormick and Lynne Homrich.

Bulloch County Public Schools Chief Operating Officer Paul Webb will move to Bryan County Public Schools, according to the Statesboro Herald.