March 8, 1862 saw the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia at Hampton Roads, VA, take ninety-eight hits from Union warships without sinking. Virginia sank USS Cumberland after ramming it, blew up USS Congress, and ran USS Minnesota aground. It was the worst day in US Naval history at that time.
On March 8, 1946, a conference convened on Wilmington Island, near Savannah, that would lead to the creation of the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, commonly called the World Bank.
On March 8, 1946, a special train arrived at Savannah’s Union Station from Washington, holding nearly 300 delegates, government officials, technical experts and reporters from 35 nations. Thousands of Savannahians watched as a 100-car motorcade rolled along flag-bedecked streets to the General Oglethorpe Hotel on Wilmington Island.
Treasury Secretary Fred M. Vinson headed the American delegation; the British were led by John Maynard Keynes, “the father of modern macroeconomics.”
The stakes were enormous.
Two years earlier, as World War II neared its murderous end, the winning Allies pondered the nature of the postwar global economy. The United States was emerging as the leader of the free world, largely supplanting the British Empire, gravely weakened by the war.
The IMF and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (better known as the World Bank) were born at a July 1944 conference in Bretton Woods, N.H., where 44 countries established rules for the global monetary system.
The IMF was intended to promote international economic cooperation and secure global financial stability, providing countries with short-term loans. The World Bank would offer long-term loans to assist developing countries in building dams, roads and other physical capital.
The Bretton Woods agreements were ratified internationally by December 1945. Vinson, seeking a site for the new organizations’ inaugural meetings, sent Treasury agents around the country. “They made some fine reports on Savannah,” he later told the Morning News. He had never visited the city.
On March 8, 1982, President Ronald Reagan called the Soviet Union “an evil empire” for the second time, in an address to the National Association of Evangelicals.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
State Senate Rules Committee Chair Jeff Mullis (R-Extreme Northwest Georgia) announced he will retire, according to the Rome News Tribune.
Republican State Sen. Jeff Mullis of Chickamauga, who has served more than two decades, announced Monday, March 7, he’s not seeking reelection.
As of Monday afternoon two Republicans have qualified for the post. A Ringgold Republican, Steven Henry, currently the chair of the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners and former State Representative Colton Moore.
“Serving the hardworking people of Northwest Georgia for the previous 22 years in the state Senate has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Mullis said in a press release. “My goal has always been to represent my fellow Georgians in an effective way and I’m proud to say we have accomplished a multitude of great things together.
“During these 22 years,” Mullis said, “we have defended faith by passing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, defended life by passing the Heartbeat Bill, protected the 2nd Amendment with Constitutional Carry and Campus Carry, cut taxes so that people keep more of what they earn, and seen Georgia solidify itself as the best state in the Country to do business.
“Specifically for the 53rd District, we have successfully brought home hundreds of millions of dollars in grants and direct investment in public infrastructure that helps our region thrive. While these are only a few of the accomplishments, they are some of the ones that make me the proudest.
The Chickamauga Republican said the combination of recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, watching his children become adults and spending time away from his family all contributed to his decision to exit the Legislature
Mullis said he wanted to leave office on his own terms.
“I’ve had an incredible journey,” Mullis said. “I’ve enjoyed my 22 years representing people in northwest Georgia, representing their values and then working with people down here to accomplish things for our state and my district.”
Mullis, who works in economic development, was first elected in 2000 and represents portions of Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia.
As chairman of the Rules Committee since 2013, Mullis has been among the most powerful members of the Senate, helping determine which pieces of legislation receive a vote on the chamber’s floor.
Senator Mullis is the last remaining member of the Georgia Senate to have served in a Republican minority in that chamber. Bonus points if you can tell me who is the last remaining member of the General Assembly to have served as a Republican in the state senate as a member of the minority party.
A Georgia man who used more than $57k in fraudulent PPP loans to buy a Pokemon card has surrendered the card as part of his guilty plea, according to the Associated Press via WSAV.
Acting U.S. Attorney David Estes said Monday that Vinath Oudomsine of Dublin, Georgia, agreed to forfeit the collectible trading card as part of his sentence.
The 31-year-old man pleaded guilty in October to a single count of wire fraud.
Prosecutors said Oudomsine submitted false information to the U.S. Small Business Administration last year in applying for a COVID-19 relief loan.
They say he received $85,000 and spent more than half on the Pokemon trading card.
Acting U.S. Attorney David Estes said Monday that Vinath Oudomsine of Dublin, Georgia, agreed to forfeit the collectable “Charizard” trading card as part of his sentence.
Oudomsine was also fined $10,000, ordered to pay restitution of $85,000, and ordered to serve three years of supervised release after completion of his three-year prison term.
Under the Gold Dome Today – Legislative Day 25
TBD Senate Rules Committee upon Adjournment 450 CAP
8:00 AM HOUSE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE 406 CLOB HYBRID
8:00 AM HOUSE Natural Resources and Environment Resource Management Subcommittee 415 CLOB
8:00 AM HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 506 CLOB HYBRID
8:00 AM HOUSE MOTOR VEHICLES COMMITTEE 606 CLOB HYBRID
8:00 AM HOUSE Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Solar Consumer Subcommittee 341 CAP HYBRID
8:00 AM Senate Finance Committee 450 CAP
8:00 AM Senate Insurance and Labor Committee Mezz 1
8:30 AM HOUSE Georgia Farmers’ Market and Produce Terminal Development Authority 515 CLOB
9:00 AM HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE 341 CAP
9:00 AM Senate Education and Youth Committee 307 CLOB
10:00 AM HOUSE FLOOR SESSION (LD 25) House Chamber
10:00 AM Senate Floor Session LD 25 Senate Chamber
12:30 PM HOUSE PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE 406 CLOB HYBRID
1:00 PM Senate Higher Education Committee 450 CAP
1:00 PM Senate Insurance and Labor Committee Mezz 1
1:30 PM HOUSE Ways & Means Subcommittee 403 CAP HYBRID
2:00 PM HOUSE HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING COMMITTEE 415 CLOB
2:00 PM HOUSE JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMITTEE 341 CAP
2:00 PM HOUSE HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE 606 CLOB HYBRID
2:00 PM HOUSE CANCELED RETIREMENT COMMITTEE 406 CLOB HYBRID
2:00 PM HOUSE REGULATED INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE 506 CLOB HYBRID
2:00 PM Senate Health and Human Services Committee 450 CAP
2:00 PM Senate Public Safety Committee Mezz 1
3:00 PM HOUSE ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE 403 CAP HYBRID
3:00 PM Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee 450 CAP
4:00 PM HOUSE AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 406 CLOB HYBRID
4:00 PM Senate Judiciary Committee 307 CLOB
4:00 PM Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee 310 CLOB
5:00 PM Senate Government Oversight Committee 310 CLOB
NOTICE OF MOTION TO RECONSIDER:SB 345 State Government; state and local governments from mandating vaccine passports; prohibit(Substitute)(H&HS – 53rd)
SB 474 Property Tax Exemptions; statewide exemption; ad valorem taxes for aircraft used for the aerial application of fertilizers or other agricultural products; provide(Substitute)(FIN-13th)
FOR FINAL PASSAGE:
SB 379 State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; establish a program to promote the creation and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs in the state; provide (Substitute) (ED&T-17th)
SB 381 (JUDY-29th)
SB 393 ‘Common Carrier Non Discrimination Act’; enact (Substitute) (RI&U-27th)
SB 441 Courts; reestablishment of the Criminal Case Data Exchange Board as an advisory board to The Council of Superior Court Clerks of Georgia; provide (Substitute) (JUDY-50th)
HB 342 Professions and businesses; certain advertisements related to plumbing;(Substitute)ED&T-14th) Washburn-141st
Pursuant to Rule 33.3, debate shall be limited to no longer than one hour. Time to be allocated at the discretion of the Speaker.
Modified Structured Rule
HB 1013 Mental Health Parity Act; enact (Substitute)(H&HS-Ralston-7th)
HB 1040 Social services; community action agencies to submit audit reports and IRS forms before any contracts are made with DHS; require (Substitute)(B&FAO-Bentley-139th)
HB 1042 OneGeorgia Authority Act; grant program to establish primary care medical facilities in health professional shortage areas; provide (H&HS-Jasperse-11th)
HB 1304 Georgia Caregivers Act; create (Substitute)(H&HS-Hawkins-27th)
HB 1319 Georgia Student Finance Authority; provide for Georgia LEO Scholarship grant (Substitute)(HEd-Werkheiser-157th)
HB 1344 Public officers and employees; updated language regarding spouses of armed forces service members; provide (D&VA-Clark-147th)
Structured Rule
HB 1039 Income tax; expenditures on maintenance for Class III railroads; extend tax credit (Substitute)(W&M-Jackson-128th)
The House Ways and Means Income Tax Subcommittee recommended passage of House Bill 1437, to cut state income tax rates, according to the AJC.
A key Georgia House panel quickly gave approval Monday to a proposal chamber leaders made last week to lower the state’s income tax rate and raise the standard exemption, estimating the moves would save taxpayers about $1 billion a year.
House Bill 1437, pushed by House Ways and Means Chairman Shaw Blackmon, a Republican from Bonaire, was announced last week and passed his panel’s subcommittee and committee without opposition.
Blackmon said the bill “helps Georgians who need it the most, especially in the lower- and middle-income levels.”
“It is simple and fair and allows Georgians to keep more of their money,” he told his income tax subcommittee.
The Senate Ethics Committee recommended passage of Senate Bill 580, to stop in-Session fundraising by Leadership Committees, according to the Associated Press via WSAV.
The Senate Ethics Committee on Monday voted unanimously for Senate Bill 580. It would prohibit leadership committees that are affiliated with or coordinate with members of the General Assembly from taking contributions while lawmakers are in session.
Lawmakers created new leadership committees last year that can take unlimited amounts even when the General Assembly is meeting.
Gov. Brian Kemp’s leadership committee has been ordered not to spend money right now after a lawsuit from Republican gubernatorial challenger David Perdue.
Senate Bill 421 would allow Georgia Power to finance nuclear construction costs through bond issuance, passed out of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Albany Herald.
Senate Bill 421 would authorize Georgia Power to pursue securitized bond financing to recover some of the costs of the Vogtle project as well as what the Atlanta-based utility is spending to retire its fleet of coal-burning power plants and clean up the ash ponds surrounding those plants.
The Georgia bill Includes a provision prohibiting the PSC from approving bond financing if it wouldn’t provide “quantifiable and verifiable” savings to customers, he said.
Going with securitized bonds would be voluntary on Georgia Power’s part, Hufstetler said.
“If you don’t need it, don’t use it,” he said. “The goal is to save the ratepayers money … by getting lower financing costs.”
But PSC Chairman Tricia Pridemore told committee members practical considerations would make it impossible for the commission to use securitized bond financing. For one thing, the PSC staff lacks expertise in securitization, she said.
The legislation now moves to the Senate Rules Committee to schedule a floor vote.
The leading candidates for United States Senate qualified, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Gwinnett Daily Post.
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and the Republican frontrunner challenging the incumbent Democrat were among the first candidates Monday to qualify officially for this year’s elections, as the weeklong qualifying period began.
Warnock is not expected the face opposition in the May 24 Democratic primary. On the Republican side, both University of Georgia football icon Herschel Walker and Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black signed qualifying papers on Monday.
“Washington Democrats plan to spend millions of dollars to protect Senator Warnock and his 95% Biden voting record,” Walker said. “We will spend every day between now and November reminding Georgians that soaring gas prices, skyrocketing inflation and record levels of crime fall squarely on the shoulders of Joe Biden and Raphael Warnock.”
From the Associated Press via AccessWDUN:
Qualifying runs through noon Friday. Still to file papers are Democrat Stacey Abrams, who has no announced opposition for governor, Republican incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp and top GOP gubernatorial challenger David Perdue.
Also on the ballot are seven other statewide offices, two Public Service Commission posts, 14 congressional seats, 56 state Senate seats and 180 state House seats.
Black, Lt. Gov Geoff Duncan and Labor Commissioner Mark Butler are not seeking reelection to their posts. More than three dozen House members and at least nine senators are also not expected to seek reelection, although many of those officials plan to run for other offices.
The Seventh Congressional District will host a spirited Democratic Primary pitting two incumbent members of Congress against each other, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.
By midway through the first day of qualifying, two members of Congress, U.S. Reps. Carolyn Bourdeaux and Lucy McBath, filed paperwork for the Democratic Party primary along with state Rep. Donna McLeod, according to the Secretary of State’s website. Mark Gonsalves has filed paperwork to run for the seat as a Republican.
Bourdeaux is the current 7th District representative while McBath is the current 6th District representative. McBath opted to run for the 7th District seat after redistricting resulted in her seat becoming far more Republican-leaning while the 7th District became far more Democrat-leaning.
The 7th District is now made up of the southern half of Gwinnett County as well as parts of Johns Creek, Roswell and Alpharetta.
Although the two sitting congresswomen are not the only candidates running for the seat, the race between them is expected to be a major battle that will dominate the race ahead of the May 24 primary election.
I am reminded that I am old of the 2002 Republican Primary for the Seventh District, in which incumbent Congressman Bob Barr ran against incumbent Congressman John Linder. From Wikipedia:
Georgia gained two seats after the 2000 census, but the Georgia state legislature produced a map intended to produce a congressional delegation of seven Democrats and six Republicans. Linder and fellow Republican Bob Barr were drawn into a heavily Republican district that, while retaining Barr’s district number (the 7th), contained more of the territory Linder had represented for a decade. Linder handily defeated Barr in the 2002 Republican primary, all but assuring him of a sixth term. Linder ran unopposed in 2004. In 2006, he was re-elected with 70.9% of the vote.
2002 was also the second election cycle in which Public Service Commission members were required to live in geographic districts while still running statewide. That year, Republicans took over the PSC majority. A scheme designed to promote Democratic dominance of the PSC led to the majority becoming Republican. Nowhere does the law of unintended consequences operate more ruthlessly than redistricting.
The Gwinnett Daily Post covers candidate qualifying for loca State House and Senate seats.
Columbus is holding candidate qualifying for Mayor, some Council seats, Muscogee County Board of Education and other eleted positions. WTVM will host a Mayoral Debate on March 15th.
Dougherty County Commission Chair Chris Cohilas will be challenged by former county commissioner Harry James, according to the Albany Herald.
The Dalton Daily Citizen News covers local qualifying.
The Statesboro Herald looks at the first day of qualifying for local offices.
The Brunswick News covers qualifying for local elections.
The Gainesville Times discusses local candidates qualifying.
Augusta will elect a new Mayor and a number of Commission members this year, according to WRDW.
WJBF has Monday qualifiers for local offices.
Bryan County experienced an increase in overdoses during the pandemic, according to WTOC.
The numbers show a rise in county opioid and fentanyl overdose deaths in 2020. Prior to the pandemic, county drug overdose deaths were on the decline. But as COVID cases rose, so did the number of overdose deaths.
Officials from Bryan Prevention and Recovery say these numbers aren’t unique to Bryan County, saying they’re similar to statewide trends.
However, one thing that is unique to Bryan County is prescription drug misuse among Bryan County students remains above the state average.
“I think we need to remind the community that opioids, substance use, substance abuse is still a huge issue in our community. We still need to focus there, we still need to put some energy,” Fuller said.
The report recommends expanded youth prevention programs, community education and awareness, additional funding for support and recovery services and continued Narcan distribution – a drug that can help save someone who is experiencing an overdose.
Savannah‘s local tourism market is recovering form the pandemic, according to the Savannah Morning News.
The local labor market surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with tourism and hospitality employment numbers recovering faster than industry experts forecasted, according to Georgia Southern University’s Economic Monitor.
“We have outperformed the state of Georgia in terms of economic recovery from the pandemic,” said Michael Toma, the Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong campus, who writes the quarterly report.
Wages are also catching up to inflation levels, meaning the strain on workers’ paychecks is easing. “The pace of the rebound is slowing, as one might expect, now that we are above and beyond the employment base… that was experienced prior to the pandemic,” Toma said.
But, the rapid rebound means higher costs across the board. Inflation is at about 7 percent, a 40-year high for consumers .
Former Atlanta City Council Member Kwanza Hall announced he will run for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Albany Herald.
Hall was elected to the city council in 2005 and served three terms before launching an unsuccessful bid for mayor of Atlanta in 2017.
Hall was elected to Congress late in 2020 to complete the unexpired term of the late U.S. Rep. and civil rights leader John Lewis, D-Atlanta. However, he served in the position only one month before giving way to current Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Atlanta, who won a full two-year term that began in January of last year.
“We have to move on from the 2020 election and focus on what Georgians need — better jobs throughout the state, academic freedom for our teachers and university staff, transportation and infrastructure improvements, and to give every Georgian, no matter where they live in the state, the ability to earn a living wage and access to a hospital,” Hall said Monday in a prepared statement.
GOP candidates in the race include Georgia Senate Pro Tempore Butch Miller of Gainesville, state Sen. Burt Jones of Jackson and Savannah activist Jeanne Seaver.
Joining Hall in the Democratic field are state Reps. Erick Allen of Smyrna, Derrick Jackson of Tyrone and Renitta Shannon of Decatur.
The Floyd County Board of Elections recommended hiring Euharlee City Manager James Stephens as the new Elections Supervisor, according to the Rome News Tribune.
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