Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for September 27, 2016

On September 27, 1779, John Jay, who previously served as President of the Continental Congress, was appointed minister to Spain to seek Spanish support for the revolution.

President Franklin Roosevelt made his ninth visit to Warm Springs, Georgia on September 27, 1927.

September 27 is a red-letter day for the Atlanta Braves and pitcher John Smoltz. The team won a record 14th straight Division Championship on this day in 2005. Smoltz set a team record for regular season wins (24) on September 27, 1996 and extended his team record for strikeouts hitting 276. On September 27, 2002, Smoltz set a National League record with 54 saves.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

The Feds approved a restart of the Colonial Pipeline scheduled for Wednesday.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a written approval for restart of the line late Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Reuters reported that the approval was forthcoming, citing an official familiar with the matter.

When Line 1 restarts, it will take several days for the fuel delivery supply chain to return to normal, and some markets served by the pipeline may experience “intermittent service interruptions,” Colonial said.

Retail prices may continue to climb until supply kinks are straightened out.

Dark money groups are responsible for one-third of television ad spending in United States Senate races, according to a study by the Center for Responsive Politics and Wesleyan University’s Media Project.

[A] type of political group that does not have to disclose its donors is responsible for $80 million in ads nationally.

That’s 35.8 percent of all advertising in Senate races, according to the study out this week.

Without knowing who is paying for the ads, voters are robbed of “an important clue” that allows them “to take a claim made in an ad with a grain of salt,” said Travis Ridout, a Washington State University political science professor who works with the Wesleyan University project that analyzes campaign donations.

Robert Maguire, a Center for Responsive Politics investigator, said voters should know the identities of those supporting their elected representatives.

“If you, as a voter, are watching an ad about a certain candidate’s stance on environmental regulations, it makes a difference if that ad is funded by a true grassroots organization or if it’s bankrolled by an energy company that has a financial incentive in certain policy outcomes,” Maguire said.

Six weeks before the November 8 General Election, Secretary of State Brian Kemp agreed to register voters whose information did not match precisely records from state driver’s license and social security databases.

In a letter to U.S. Senior Judge William O’Kelley, Secretary of State Brian Kemp agreed to suspend his practice of canceling registrations unless they were an identical match—in a character for character comparison—to information in the state drivers’ license and Social Security databases—and would-be voters had not corrected mismatches within 40 days. Kemp agreed not to reinstate the practice without specific instructions from the judge.

That concession will restore would-be voters whose registrations were canceled or have not been processed due to a data mismatch to the voter rolls and allow them cast a regular ballot in November as long as they show proper identification at the polls. Kemp also agreed to restore to the rolls every canceled registration due to a mismatch going back to Oct. 1, 2014.

Kemp also agreed that would-be voters whose registrations were suspended or canceled because his office tagged them as noncitizens will be allowed to vote a regular ballot in November as long as they can show poll workers proof of citizenship.

Kemp’s spokeswoman had labeled the suit “an effort by liberal groups to disrupt voter registration just weeks before an important election” and claimed the protocols in place were approved by the U.S. Justice Department.

Under state protocols in place until Friday, Georgia voter registrations were considered incomplete if even one digit or character in a single database field resulted in a mismatch, even when an applicant’s other vital information, including birth date, Social Security number, driver’s license number and date of birth all matched.

Kemp also recognized a massive increase in online voter registration checks due to Facebook.

As of 2:00 p.m. today, Secretary of State Brian Kemp is proud to report 12,787 hits – a 2255% increase compared to hits on this date last year – on Georgia’s Online Voter Registration System after Facebook’s launch of a voter registration reminder in user newsfeeds this morning. Kemp expects the numbers to continue to grow and thanks the social media giant for their efforts.

“I applaud Facebook for joining our efforts to increase voter registration awareness in Georgia, where it has never been easier to register to vote and engage in the electoral process,” stated Secretary Kemp. “I am encouraging all Facebook users to take action now and verify their registration status leading up to this year’s historic election in November.”

Through Monday, September 26, Facebook users who are 18 years of age and older will notice a friendly reminder at the top of their newsfeed directing them to verify their registration status across the country. By clicking the reminder, Georgia users will be directed to www.vote.usa.gov and, after selecting Georgia as their state of residence, will be re-directed to registertovote.sos.ga.gov.

In addition to initiating their own voter registration process, Facebook users can share that they are registered to vote and encourage their friends to do the same.

“Going back to 2008, we’ve been reminding people on Facebook to vote on Election Day and directing them to information on where to vote. This is the natural next step. We want people to have a voice in the process, and getting registered means that there’s one less hurdle for them,” said Samidh Chakrabarti, Facebook’s Product Manager for civic engagement.

The deadline to register to vote or update voter information is October 11, 2016. Georgia citizens can submit an electronic voter registration application using their Georgia driver’s license number or state-issued identification card number on several platforms: Online Voter Registration (OLVR), the free “GA SOS” mobile app for Apple and Android devices, and the recently announced “2VOTE” text messaging pilot project. Individuals can also mail in hard-copy voter registration applications to their county registrar to register to vote by the deadline.

“For the first time in Georgia, voters can register to vote or update their information online, via text, or by using the office’s smartphone app,” said Kemp.

Columbia County has seen 1000 new voter registration applications in August, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

Columbia County has 99,214 registered voters as of Sept. 19, while Richmond County has 98,484, according to elections officials in both counties.

Jenna Reynolds, registration coordinator in Columbia County, said the voter rolls have grown by about 1,000 voters per month since July, and nearly 700 applications came in over the weekend.

[Richmond County] Board of Elections Executive Director Lynn Bailey said the number of registered voters could swell by several thousand in the next two weeks.

“We are getting many, many completed applications in every day from the Secretary of State’s Office,” she said. “You can expect by November to see well over 100,000.”

Richmond County voters have school board races and a school sales tax referendum to decide, and
Columbia County voters will decide a referendum on a general obligation bond.

Coweta County is considering consolidating their Board of Elections and Board of Registrars.

[T]he county wants to institute a combined “board of elections and registration,” with a single elections superintendent.

Because the board of elections, created in 2003, was established by “local legislation” in the Georgia General Assembly, it will take local legislation to dissolve it.

Last week, the Coweta County Board of Commissioners voted to ask the local legislative delegation to create and pass local legislation dissolving the existing boards and creating the new ones, once the general assembly session begins in January.

The proposed new board will have five members – one appointed by each county commissioner. The elections superintendent will not be a member of the board.

Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball has changed its rating of Senator Johnny Isakson’s reelection from “Likely Republican,” to “Safe Republican.”

In Georgia, Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) always looked more secure than McCain, but there was at least some evidence that the incumbent could potentially find himself in a competitive race. But Isakson’s wide lead in the polls points to a comfortable win in November, so we’re shifting the Peach State’s Senate race from Likely Republican to Safe Republican.

The Sabato ratings also upgraded Sen. John McCain’s reelection from “Leans Republican” to “Likely Republican” while moving Rob Portman (R-OH) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to “Safe Republican.”

Georgia State Board of Education member Scott Johnson write about why he supports passage of Amendment 1 for the Opportunity School District.

I am voting “yes” to Question 1 because it is imperative that we take decisive action on behalf of Georgia’s children. Right now, there are currently about 68,000 students languishing in 127 failing schools around the state. These are schools receiving an “F” on standardized tests for three consecutive years. That is roughly the same number of students currently enrolled at the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia College & State University combined.

To those who say that this is about getting state hands on local tax dollars, let me set the record straight — the Opportunity School District takes not one dollar away from students. Rather, it establishes accountability for the adults who have failed those students for years. If you’re worried about budget and taxes, consider this — 70 percent of Georgia prison inmates are high school dropouts and these failing schools are producing them at an astounding rate. Every year.

There is an avenue for addressing failing school systems available to the Governor as this newspaper has pointed out. But it is far more drastic and amounts to removing elected local board members, something the Opportunity School District does not seek to do. And I can attest from having been part of that process as a member of the State Board of Education, it is an arduous and protracted legal process that can span years. Georgia’s kids can’t wait!

Voting “yes” on Question 1 is a vote to ensure that future generations of Georgians will have the best opportunities available. No child in Georgia should be forced by law to attend a failing school. We cannot afford to wait to act, nor can we continue to spend growing sums of taxpayer dollars in schools that are failing to meet obligations to their students.

Cobb County Commissioners are revisiting a controversial proposal to regulate privately-owned parking lots near the new Braves stadium.

Columbus City Council will vote today on whether to perform an internal audit the Sheriff’s Department over the objection of Sheriff John Darr.

A resolution authorizing Internal Auditor John Redmond to perform the audit states that he should begin “at the earliest possible time.”

The resolution would authorize Redmond to “perform a special audit of the finances and operations of the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office. The Internal Auditor is further authorized to engage experts from the external auditor of the Consolidated Government or another entity as needed to complete this special audit. Reports shall be submitted to this Council upon completion of each phase of such special audit.”

At a council meeting in July, Darr agreed to an audit of his office, but he said he would prefer an outside auditor, such as Albright & Fortenberry, which regularly does work for the city.

Last month, after Darr objected publicly to Redmond performing the audit, council voted unanimously to postpone making a decision. Darr specifically mentioned Albright & Fortenberry, a local firm that does work for the city.

Darr said at the time that his objection to Redmond was based on his lack of knowledge of law enforcement.

“John Redmond knows nothing about the operation of a jail or its manpower needs,” Darr said. “What’s his background in law enforcement? He has none. So I would have a concern about that.

Columbus is also considering creating two new Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) in the Midtown Columbus area.

Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis and Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundree will hold a unity walk starting at the Sheriff’s headquarters at 5:30 PM on Thursday.

Wes Smith will take over as City Manager in Rincon.

The mayor of Rincon broke a tie vote and chose William Exley “Wes” Smith as Rincon’s new city manager.

Smith recently took early retirement as assistant city manager for governmental services in Albany.

The other candidate for the job was Wanda Hendrix Simmons, longtime city clerk who has been interim city manager since Wesley Corbitt resigned in February.

At a called meeting Monday night, council members Levi Scott, James Dasher and Ann Daniel voted for a motion calling for Smith to be city manager. Council members Reese Browher, Christi Ricker and Paul Wendelken voted against the motion to make Smith the city manager.

Georgia Legislature

Today at 10 AM, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle will open the kickoff meeting of the Rural Healthcare 180 Taskforce chaired by Senator Dean Burke. Also speaking will be Mike Giles of the Georgia Poultry Federation.

During the 2016 Legislative Session the Georgia General Assembly passed the Rural Hospital Tax Credit, a tax incentive providing up to $180 million over three years from individual and corporate donors to a qualified list of rural hospitals in Georgia who have demonstrated a financial need. The Rural Healthcare 180 Taskforce will raise awareness of the critical financial climate these hospitals are enduring and provide resources and guidance in crafting a sustainable financial model ensuring every Georgian has access to quality healthcare. A work session will follow the opening addresses.

David Pendered of The Saporta Report writes about the tax credit program.

“The Georgia General Assembly is committed to ensuring that all citizens in this great state have access to affordable and quality healthcare,” Sen. Dean Burke (R-Bainbridge) said in a statement. “The Rural Healthcare 180 Taskforce’s goal is to help address the rural hospital’s fiscal stresses that are leading to closure or severe limitation in services provided.”

The program grew out of efforts by lawmakers to bolster the state’s financially beleaguered health care system, without expanding Medicaid.

The original bill was filed in the House and carried an initial amount of $250 million in tax credits. Rep. Geoff Duncan (R-Cumming), the sponsor, agreed to reduce the amount to $100 million a year.

The House passed the measure. The Senate accepted House Bill 919 and proceeded to add its key provisions to Senate Bill 258. Sen. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody), who sponsored SB 258, said his purpose was to protect property owners from tax valuation increases during tax appeals.

“The Rural Healthcare 180 Advisory Committee with our public and private partners, will promote the tax credit throughout Georgia and work with experts and stakeholders to be sure those vital community facilities have access to best practices and support to transition into financially stable facilities,” Dean said. “The health outcome of rural citizens and the viability of many of our rural communities are dependent on our success.”

The Gainesville Times spoke to Senator Gooch about the Rural Broadband Committee.

Poor internet service presents a barrier to economic development in rural parts of Northeast Georgia, according to Gooch.

Gooch said that 20 years ago businesses looking to open would inquire with local governments about sewer and water availability.

These days the No. 1 question is related to the reliable broadband service and capacity.

“It is my hope that this survey truly demonstrates what the broadband experience is like for users in Northeast Georgia. It is one thing to hear promises from the internet service providers, but the truth will lie in the responses of real consumers,” [Congressman Doug] Collins said in a statement to The Times.

“I welcome the state to the fight for rural broadband and look forward to working with them as I continue the effort on behalf of my constituents to get the best service possible. Reliable broadband is critical to growing our economic footprint and the day-to-day functioning of our citizens.”

It’s also something Gooch has heard plenty about.

“One of the biggest problems I have gotten complaints about from my constituents is the internet,” he said.

The only thing preventing new providers from emerging in rural parts of the state is economics.

“I don’t believe a monopoly is the answer,” Gooch said.

As part of the Rural Broadband effort, you can take an online survey if you’re having problems with the availability of broadband in your community.

The Joint High-Speed Broadband Communications Access for All Georgians Study Committee co-chaired by Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) and State Rep. Don Parsons (R-Marietta) will hold its third public session on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 10 AM at the Glennville Garden Club, 203 North Caswell Street, Glennville, Georgia 30427. The committee is tasked with examining the conditions, needs, issues and problems of high-speed broadband internet access. The joint study committee is responsible for submitting a report of findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, by December 1, 2016.

The Joint Study Committee on Industry Incentive for Financial Technologies and Payment Processing meets Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM at Elavon – 2 Concourse Parkway #800; Atlanta, GA 30318. Co-chairs are State Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) and Senator Brandon Beach (R-North Fulton)

The Emergency Cardiac Care Centers Senate Study Committee meets Friday from 10:30 AM to Noon at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Auxiliary Conference Room. After what is sure to be a sumptuous lunch is followed by a meeting of the Opioid Abuse Senate Study Committee at 1 PM.

The House Study Committee on Mental Illness Initiative meets Thursday at 9 AM in Room 606 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building. At 1 PM on Thursday, the House Study Committee on Judicial Qualifications Commission Reform meets in Room 406 of the CLOB. The House Interstate Cooperation Committee meets at 1 PM on Thursday to discuss Craft Beer and Distillery Industries in Room 606. Further Interstate Cooperation meetings will be held Friday in Augusta, October 26th in Columbus, and November 17 in Savannah.

Judicial Qualifications Commission Member Richard Hyde told the House Study Committee that the Commission is an embarrassment.

Hyde told the board the agency hasn’t had a director since mid-August. It doesn’t have an interim director, either. It doesn’t have a full-time investigator. Its board chair resigned last month. The board chair before her resigned in April.

“We’re impotent,” Hyde said. “We’ve had a lack of leadership for various reasons. We’re backlogged.”

Yet, as Hyde testified before a Georgia House Study Committee on JQC Reform, he said some potential changes might not be helpful, either. He said the key is to attract new talent — a new director and a new investigator, in particular. But that can’t happen, he added, what with all this commotion.

Willard said Edward Tolley, an Athens, Ga., lawyer and JQC board member, will testify before the committee next week. He said invitations to the other board members have either been ignored or declined because of illnesses or a scheduling conflict.

“It’s not an inquisition,” Willard said. “This is trying to get information to better understand what’s happening with the commission so that we, the representatives of the public, have better insight about [the JQC]. Everything done by the commission is pretty much closed meeting, closed information.”

The Joint Agriculture Education Advisory Commission meets Friday at 10 AM at the State FFA Camp John Hope, 291 Hope Entrance Road, Fort Valley, GA 31030.