Latest news with #GeorgiaLegislature
Gulf Today
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
The only socialist in the Georgia House beat expectations
When state Rep. Gabriel Sanchez defeated seven-year Democratic incumbent Teri Anulewicz in the primary election for a Cobb County seat in the Georgia Legislature last November, there were whispers and some sneers about how he, a Democratic Socialist, would operate. And if you watched the voting board in the state House, you would often see a red 'X' by his name indicating a no vote. Indeed, only members of the ultraconservative House Freedom caucus voted no on more bills on the House floor than Sanchez. But colleagues say Sanchez is more than an automatic no vote and is focused on issues he sees as affecting working class Georgians in his Smyrna district, including housing costs and workers' pay. And by some measures, he was successful. 'Far-right people say he's a scary socialist, but he's just fighting for housing, free (school) lunch, public safety and extended library services,' said state Rep. Eric Bell, a Democrat from Jonesboro. 'They try to paint him as some radical. But if free lunch is radical, I'm radical. If free health care is radical, I'm radical. If guaranteed housing is radical, I'm radical.' During his first term in the Gold Dome, Sanchez said he has learned how to develop relationships with members of all ideologies while not betraying his progressive values. 'There's a good balance where you need to be able to fight when it's time for you to fight and stand up for people, and there are other times where you need to work with people to get things done,' he said. 'I think I've been able to learn about what that balance really is over the course of the session.' Sometimes that put him on the same page with the most conservative members of the House. One bill he and Freedom caucus members voted against would give tax breaks for manufacturing equipment, industrial materials, packing supplies and energy. 'If a corporation wants to do well, they can do it on their own. They don't need taxpayers to help,' he said. 'Sometimes there's alignment, even with people who may seem like they're on a completely opposite side of you.' He also voted against the 2026 budget, which he said failed to address health care and education while beefing up funding for state prisons. 'A budget is a document of where your morals lie and your values align. And I don't think that this budget is anywhere near what Georgians need,' he said. It has historically been considered taboo to vote against the budget. Typically, by the time the budget reaches the floor, most Democrats vote for it because they believe they have secured enough wins — whether through line items in the budget, like funding for historically Black colleges and universities, or by getting their bills heard and voted on. There's also an element of Southern charm that is part of the culture of the Legislature, which Sanchez said he understands. 'I'm a polite person. That's how I was raised to be. I am that way with my colleagues in a lot of ways, but I'm also not going to sit back and let things happen without a fight, to be frank,' he said. 'It's just about the balance between not being obsessed with decorum.' It's difficult for any first-year lawmaker to get significant legislation passed. Never mind if they're a self-described socialist. But Sanchez was able to get one of his bills in front of the House Judiciary Committee. The legislation would prevent landlords from colluding to set rental prices. While the committee meeting was just a hearing, meaning there was no vote to advance the bill, hearings can be a step for legislation to get discussed and allow for action next year. Republican state Rep. Matt Reeves, the committee vice chairman who presided over the hearing, said there is bipartisan support to improve housing prices and enable more people to own homes. 'Whether you're a socialist or whether you're a free enterprise guy, like me, if you're trying to solve housing or other problems, you've got a seat at the table. And if you've got good ideas and solutions, I think that'll win out,' Reeves said. Essence Johnson, who chairs the Cobb Democratic Committee, was impressed with Sanchez and said he 'definitely exceeded as a freshman.' His election also showed that progressives can be elected in the suburbs, not just Atlanta. Although he ran as a Democrat, Sanchez's run for office was backed by the Democratic Socialists of America. Matthew Nursey, co-chair of the Atlanta chapter, said Sanchez's actions during the legislative session are exactly what they want to see. 'Our standard for elected officials is that they're not just running for themselves to pursue a political career. It's about building a movement that goes beyond the campaign, beyond just the walls of the Gold Dome,' he said.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Library workers deserve protection, not prosecution
Guest commentator says Senate Bill 74's practical effect would be to criminalize library workers for simply doing their job. Getty Images Georgians have access to a public library in every county in the state, adding up to more than 400 public library branches. In 2024, Georgia's library cardholders borrowed more than 11.7 million items from their local public libraries, an increase of 407,500 items borrowed compared to the year before. This is made possible by library workers who ensure materials are accessible, maintain various collections, assist patrons, and handle the behind-the-scenes work to keep the checkout systems running smoothly. Despite this, these crucial professionals now face unwarranted threat of criminal prosecution because of what's happening at the Georgia Legislature. Senate Bill 74 would strip library workers at all public libraries (i.e., county, university, K-12, and community libraries) of protection from criminal prosecution if they 'knowingly' distribute material that is deemed 'harmful to minors.' This phrase is defined in Georgia Code § 16-12-102 based loosely on the U.S. Supreme Court's 'obscenity' definition. The legislation's practical effect would be to criminalize library workers for simply doing their job. For example, for library workers to avoid prosecution under SB 74, they would have to be familiar with the complete content of the hundreds of thousands of titles contained in their library collections and make a good faith effort to keep media containing any portion that could be deemed 'harmful' out of the hands of any person under 18. It is not feasible for library workers to maintain such encyclopedic knowledge of their collections, nor for them to determine what is 'harmful' for each minor library patron they encounter. As any parent can tell you, what is 'harmful' for a kindergartener may be entirely suitable for a high school junior, yet SB 74 takes no account of these age distinctions. Moreover, with the availability of library reading rooms and the advent of self-checkout machines, library workers are not going to be privy to the materials that each person under the age of 18 is browsing or checking out. In the words of one career librarian in the state, 'Making an assurance that minors would never have any contact with objectionable material would be nearly impossible without keeping anyone under the age of 18 away from all library resources.' This would have a chilling effect on what materials libraries carry in their collections and result in unanticipated restrictions on young people using libraries. Georgia's library workers already give a great deal of thought to age-appropriate content. There are existing selection processes that require that materials added to library collections meet certain criteria for quality, relevance, and value. Whether a book is scientific, literary, historical, or religious, it goes through a vetting process by professional library workers, who consider factors like author credibility, readership interest, and educational merit. Even if a book is considered controversial, its presence in a library suggests it has been determined by library professionals to merit inclusion in the collection for public access, discussion, or preservation. Criminalizing library workers for enabling patrons to check out books disregards the professional judgement exercised by trained library workers in assembling their collections and thwarts the fundamental role libraries play in people's access to information. The legislation echoes the past. Georgia has a long history of attempting to use state power to restrict access to information under the pretense of protecting the public. In December 1829, Georgia passed anti-literacy laws, criminalizing teachers for educating enslaved Black people. Later, segregated libraries limited access to information for Black and White readers. The legislation is a modern-day restriction of access to knowledge based on a government-imposed definition of 'harmful' materials influenced by the government's disfavor of certain topics or viewpoints. Other states that have passed bills similar to SB 74 have faced and lost costly legal battles. In Arkansas, for instance, in July 2023 a federal judge temporarily blocked provisions that could imprison library workers for providing 'harmful' materials to minors. Then, in December 2024, a federal judge ruled those provisions unconstitutional, permanently blocking the implementation of certain provisions. If SB 74 passes, Georgia taxpayers could end up footing the bill for inevitable legal challenges — court battles the state is likely to lose. Managing which materials young people access from their public libraries is best and most appropriately handled by parents and their kids making their own family- and age-specific decisions, not the government. With more than 11 million checkouts in 2024—a surge compared to 2023—Georgians have made it clear: Public libraries are a needed resource for diverse and valuable information. By making it possible to criminally prosecute library workers, SB 74 threatens to chill access by reducing both the variety of materials on the shelves and the ability of young people to access it. Library workers need your support. Call or email your local legislator and demand they oppose SB 74. Donate, volunteer, or simply visit your local library—because library workers deserve protection, not prosecution. 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Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kemp keeps Republicans on edge as he mulls Georgia Senate bid
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) is at the center of intense speculation as Republicans wait to see whether the popular two-term governor will run against Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) next year. Republicans believe Kemp would clear the field and be the party's most formidable candidate against Ossoff, a first-term senator who beat a Trump-backed Republican in one of the biggest upsets of the 2020 election cycle. 'It's kind of the parlor game in Georgia right now,' quipped prominent conservative commentator Erick Erickson of the 'will-he-or-won't-he' decision Kemp has to make. 'Everybody hopes he runs in '26, but he's not really given an indication right now as to what he does.' During an interview this week with Martha Zoller, a conservative radio host who once worked for Kemp, the GOP governor — who's been busy trying to pass tort reform before the end of the Georgia Legislature's session in April — offered no indication about his future moves. At the same time, he didn't waste the opportunity to remind listeners about his role in Georgia's elections last cycle. 'I tell people, Martha, my focus right now is on my day job. I got two responsibilities outside my family and my business, and that is, number one is I'm the governor of the great state of Georgia,' he said. 'And we made a commitment during this last campaign cycle, when I was helping House candidates, helping President Trump win Georgia and lot of other good people on the ballot, that we would deliver on the things that we were promising. And that's what I'm focused on doing the next two and a half months during the legislative session.' Kemp is under some pressure to challenge Ossoff. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), chair of the Senate Republicans' campaign arm, told Semafor last month that 'we are looking for a way to make our No. 1 recruit a senator,' adding that Kemp 'would be the best candidate in Georgia we've had for a very long time.' The conservative Club for Growth released polling last month offering hypothetical match-ups between Ossoff and a handful of Republican candidates. Kemp was the only Republican who beat Ossoff in a head-to-head match-up scenario. 'I think any conversation about a challenger to Jon Ossoff starts with Brian Kemp,' said Stephen Lawson, a Republican strategist who worked on former Sen. Kelly Loeffler's (R-Ga.) 2020 campaign. 'He would be, hands down, the best candidate to take on and, I believe, defeat Jon Ossoff.' If Kemp decides against the challenge, several contenders are waiting in the wings. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and state Insurance Commissioner John King have both expressed interest in the race, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is leaving the door open to run for the Senate or governor. Ryan Mahoney, a senior political adviser to Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), confirmed to The Hill that the congressman was mulling a bid. 'Jon Ossoff partnered with Joe Biden to enact a radical agenda that spurred crippling inflation and historic illegal immigration,' Mahoney said in a statement. 'Of course Dr. McCormick is considering a run for Senate. Georgians deserve a champion for their families, our values, and America's future.' Another name that has been floated is Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), a two-term congressman from Jackson, Ga., who's gained attention for sponsoring the Laken Riley Act, which President Trump signed into law last month. 'I support the Draft Kemp movement,' Collins told The Hill in a statement. 'Our governor can win that seat. But if he takes a pass, I'll talk with President Trump and see who he needs us to support to make sure he has another vote in the Senate.' Joanna Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Senate Republicans' campaign arm, said that while Kemp would be the strongest GOP candidate on paper, a number of Republicans could keep the race competitive. 'We do feel like we have a very deep bench in Georgia of talent. It is a very solidly red state, and so while Brian Kemp would be the most formidable candidate, absolutely, it is still a very competitive race, regardless of who our nominee ends up being,' she said. If Kemp doesn't run, Republicans expressed confidence but expect a close race. 'Somebody that doesn't carry the name ID and reputation and financing of Brian Kemp is going to be in a dogfight against Jon Ossoff, but folks know that he's beatable. Georgia is a center-right state,' said Cole Muzio, a Kemp ally who is the president of Frontline Policy Council and Frontline Policy Action. Erickson predicted it would be a 'messy primary' if Kemp doesn't run. Democrats, for their part, see Ossoff as a formidable candidate. 'Sen. Ossoff has quickly established himself as a workhorse in the Senate, and no matter who Republicans nominate, they're going to find that they face a difficult road ahead in this campaign, because of the strength of Sen. Ossoff's record on behalf of his state, as well as the fact that he is a proven and formidable campaigner who knows how to win tough races,' David Bergstein, a spokesperson for the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, told The Hill. One looming variable is what role Trump might play, if any, in the GOP primary. Trump and Kemp haven't always seen eye to eye after the governor and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) rejected efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Trump's favor. Kemp received Trump's endorsement in his first bid for governor in 2018, but the president backed former Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) in the GOP primary against Kemp during the governor's 2022 reelection bid. Kemp went on to handily defeat Perdue by more than 50 points in the primary. The rift bubbled up again last year when Trump railed against Kemp on Truth Social, noting Kemp's wife's remarks that she would write in her husband's name in the presidential race. The GOP governor pushed back at Trump on social platform X, saying 'leave my family out of it.' The two have since worked to patch up their relationship, sharing kind remarks about each other while touring storm damage following Hurricane Helene months later. The two were also seen together at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last month ahead of Inauguration Day. 'Everything's been positive,' a Georgia GOP operative who requested anonymity to speak candidly said of the relationship between the two men, adding 'there's been no indication that the, you know, relationship would sour or anything like that.' Republicans don't want to lose an opportunity to defeat Ossoff because of their candidate. The GOP felt it had a plum opportunity to beat Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) during the 2022 cycle. Trump endorsed former football star Herschel Walker, who won the GOP primary but whose personal controversies dogged him in the general election. Jay Morgan, a lobbyist and former executive director for the state GOP, noted many positions, including Senate, governor and lieutenant governor, would be on the ballot in the state next year. 'You go right down the line, so it's going to have to be a team effort, and nobody wants a statewide candidate who's the weak link,' he said. 'We've gone down that road.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
08-02-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Kemp keeps Republicans on edge as he mulls Georgia Senate bid
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) is at the center of intense speculation as Republicans wait to see whether the popular two-term governor will run against Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) next year. Republicans believe Kemp would clear the field and be the party's most formidable candidate against Ossoff, a first-term senator who beat a Trump-backed Republican in one of the biggest upsets of the 2020 election cycle. 'It's kind of the parlor game in Georgia right now,' quipped prominent conservative commentator Erick Erickson of the 'will-he-or-won't-he' decision Kemp has to make. 'Everybody hopes he runs in '26, but he's not really given an indication right now as to what he does.' During an interview this week with Martha Zoller, a conservative radio host who once worked for Kemp, the GOP governor — who's been busy trying to pass tort reform before the end of the Georgia Legislature's session in April — offered no indication about his future moves. At the same time, he didn't waste the opportunity to remind listeners about his role in Georgia's elections last cycle. 'I tell people, Martha, my focus right now is on my day job. I got two responsibilities outside my family and my business, and that is, number one is I'm the governor of the great state of Georgia,' he said. 'And we made a commitment during this last campaign cycle, when I was helping House candidates, helping President Trump win Georgia and lot of other good people on the ballot, that we would deliver on the things that we were promising. And that's what I'm focused on doing the next two and a half months during the legislative session.' Kemp is under some pressure to challenge Ossoff. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), chair of the Senate Republicans' campaign arm, told Semafor last month that 'we are looking for a way to make our No. 1 recruit a senator,' adding that Kemp 'would be the best candidate in Georgia we've had for a very long time.' The conservative Club for Growth released polling last month offering hypothetical match-ups between Ossoff and a handful of Republican candidates. Kemp was the only Republican who beat Ossoff in a head-to-head match-up scenario. 'I think any conversation about a challenger to Jon Ossoff starts with Brian Kemp,' said Stephen Lawson, a Republican strategist who worked on former Sen. Kelly Loeffler's (R-Ga.) 2020 campaign. 'He would be, hands down, the best candidate to take on and, I believe, defeat Jon Ossoff.' If Kemp decides against the challenge, several contenders are waiting in the wings. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and state Insurance Commissioner John King have both expressed interest in the race, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is leaving the door open to run for the Senate or governor. Ryan Mahoney, a senior political adviser to Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), confirmed to The Hill that the congressman was mulling a bid. 'Jon Ossoff partnered with Joe Biden to enact a radical agenda that spurred crippling inflation and historic illegal immigration,' Mahoney said in a statement. 'Of course Dr. McCormick is considering a run for Senate. Georgians deserve a champion for their families, our values, and America's future.' Another name that has been floated is Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), a two-term congressman from Jackson, Ga., who's gained attention for sponsoring the Laken Riley Act, which President Trump signed into law last month. 'I support the Draft Kemp movement,' Collins told The Hill in a statement. 'Our governor can win that seat. But if he takes a pass, I'll talk with President Trump and see who he needs us to support to make sure he has another vote in the Senate.' Joanna Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Senate Republicans' campaign arm, said that while Kemp would be the strongest GOP candidate on paper, a number of Republicans could keep the race competitive. 'We do feel like we have a very deep bench in Georgia of talent. It is a very solidly red state, and so while Brian Kemp would be the most formidable candidate, absolutely, it is still a very competitive race, regardless of who our nominee ends up being,' she said. If Kemp doesn't run, Republicans expressed confidence but expect a close race. 'Somebody that doesn't carry the name ID and reputation and financing of Brian Kemp is going to be in a dogfight against Jon Ossoff, but folks know that he's beatable. Georgia is a center-right state,' said Cole Muzio, a Kemp ally who is the president of Frontline Policy Council and Frontline Policy Action. Erickson predicted it would be a 'messy primary' if Kemp doesn't run. Democrats, for their part, see Ossoff as a formidable candidate. 'Sen. Ossoff has quickly established himself as a workhorse in the Senate, and no matter who Republicans nominate, they're going to find that they face a difficult road ahead in this campaign, because of the strength of Sen. Ossoff's record on behalf of his state, as well as the fact that he is a proven and formidable campaigner who knows how to win tough races,' David Bergstein, a spokesperson for the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, told The Hill. One looming variable is what role Trump might play, if any, in the GOP primary. Trump and Kemp haven't always seen eye to eye after the governor and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) rejected efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Trump's favor. Kemp received Trump's endorsement in his first bid for governor in 2018, but the president backed former Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) in the GOP primary against Kemp during the governor's 2022 reelection bid. Kemp went on to handily defeat Perdue by more than 50 points in the primary. The rift bubbled up again last year when Trump railed against Kemp on Truth Social, noting Kemp's wife's remarks that she would write in her husband's name in the presidential race. The GOP governor pushed back at Trump on social platform X, saying 'leave my family out of it.' The two have since worked to patch up their relationship, sharing kind remarks about each other while touring storm damage following Hurricane Helene months later. The two were also seen together at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last month ahead of Inauguration Day. 'Everything's been positive,' a Georgia GOP operative who requested anonymity to speak candidly said of the relationship between the two men, adding 'there's been no indication that the, you know, relationship would sour or anything like that.' Republicans don't want to lose an opportunity to defeat Ossoff because of their candidate. The GOP felt it had a plum opportunity to beat Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) during the 2022 cycle. Trump endorsed former football star Herschel Walker, who won the GOP primary but whose personal controversies dogged him in the general election. Jay Morgan, a lobbyist and former executive director for the state GOP, noted many positions, including Senate, governor and lieutenant governor, would be on the ballot in the state next year. 'You go right down the line, so it's going to have to be a team effort, and nobody wants a statewide candidate who's the weak link,' he said. 'We've gone down that road.'
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cobb County to hold special election for empty commission seat after judge's order
There is a special election hitting the ballots in Cobb County, with two seats on the Cobb County Board of Commissioners in play. However, early voting is almost over, ending Friday. The full special primary election will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The two primaries will be set up for District 2 and District 4, both of which were made vacant after a Cobb County judge ordered electoral maps drawn by the commission to be unlawful and put the maps drawn by the Georgia Legislature back in place. Going forward, if either primary ends in a runoff election, there will be another election date for March 11. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Speaking with Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell, Cobb County Director of Elections Tate Fall said voter turnout has been low. 'I think it's a little understandable being a special election, especially after last year where we had a lot of elections,' Fall said. 'There's a little bit of people wanting a rest from that, and there's also a lot going on in the news as well, so it's not always at the top of everyone's feed on social media.' Fall said they were working to get information out as much as they could on social media and have started distributing new precinct cards for Cobb County voters, which is helping inform people of the special election. RELATED STORIES: Cobb Commissoner's seat officially vacant after judge's ruling Cobb Commission seat 'deemed vacant' after electoral map changes ousts current commissioner Cobb commissioners will use state-drawn electoral maps after lengthy court fight Cobb judge says county's electoral maps unconstitutional, elections to be redone in 2 districts Cobb judge repeats July ruling, orders new county election maps Once the primary process is complete, a full special election for the final commissioner choices will be held on April 29 for both districts. So, here's who is running for the District 2 commission seat: Democratic Primary candidates: Erick Allen Jaha V. Howard Tracy Stevenson Taniesha C. Whorton Republican Primary candidates: Alicia Adams Here's who is running for the District 4 commission seat: Democratic Primary candidates: Yashica Marshall Monique Sheffield Republican Primary candidates: Julien Grhas Matthew Hardwick [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
