The Georgia Politics Podcast

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast and Merry Christmas! On today’s episode we are joined by two members of the Georgia House to talk about the upcoming session and what bills they expect to get attention from legislators. Representatives Chuck Martin (R-49) and Scott Hilton (R-48) join Craig in studio to give listeners a sense of what they expect the 2024 session to look like. The Governor has made clear he wants to prioritize a tax cut, but there are other lesser known efforts that both legislators expect to also get traction. Find out what they are, how bills that didn’t get signed into law last session may still be alive, and of course some fun Christmas related questions to cap the show. Thanks for listening to the podcast in 2023. We hope you’ve enjoyed it and learned some things! We look forward to getting back in your feeds in the new year. Connect with Rep. Chuck Martin on Twitter @Martin4GA Connect with Rep. Scott Hilton on Twitter @ScottHiltonGA Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twit

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On this special episode we discuss Homeowners Associations and the similarities they have with today’s politics. Michael Crew, Owner and CEO of Homeowner Management Services, joins Craig in studio to talk about what an HOA is, how they work, and what they can and cannot do. A Homeowners Association (HOA) is a private governing body established within a residential community to enforce and manage certain rules and regulations. Typically, HOAs maintain common areas, such as parks or pools, ensuring they are well-kept and enhancing property values. They administer architectural guidelines to maintain aesthetic standards and regulate property modifications. Additionally, HOAs collect fees from homeowners to fund communal services and amenities. Acting as a mediator, an HOA resolves disputes among residents and facilitates community cohesion. Through these functions, HOAs aim to preserve property values, foster a harmonious living environment, and uphold a sense of communit

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this special episode, we shine a spotlight on the City of Milton, which recently transitioned its local elections from Fulton County to an in-house process this year. Joining Craig in studio to discuss are Steve Krokoff, Milton City Manager, Stacey Inglis, Deputy City Manager, and Judy Burds, who took on the role of Milton’s Poll Manager. Craig and crew discuss the origin for the idea, the many steps it took to get operational over the course of many months, the costs and lastly, how everything fared on election day. Krokoff and Inglis also offer advice for other municipalities who may be considering making a similar change in future elections. Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod Megan Gordon on Twitter @meganlaneg Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3 Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network. #gapol

Welcome to another special episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast! Craig is joined by three guests to discuss how elected officials connect with constituents, voter turnout, and what issues drive engagement. It’s a tale as old as time: voters turn out for the big elections, specifically for President and then for their state’s Governor, but turnout drops off a cliff for local races. In many cases these are the races that touch issues closer to home, so what gives? Craig is joined by Eamon Keegan, President of New Prospect Strategies, Johns Creek City Councilwoman Stacy Skinner, and Lynne Riley, President of the Georgia Student Finance Commission, for a comprehensive discussion on these matters and more. Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod Megan Gordon on Twitter @meganlaneg Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3 Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network. #gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s special episode, we commemorate the 160th anniversary of one of the most profound speeches in American history—the Gettysburg Address. Spoken by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, amidst the hallowed grounds of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, these immortal words resonate through the corridors of time, reminding us of the enduring principles that bind a nation. In the crucible of the Civil War, with the nation torn asunder by conflict, President Lincoln delivered a concise yet powerful address that transcended the immediate battleground. In a mere 272 words, he articulated the essence of democracy, exalting the idea that a government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth. Today, as we reflect upon the significance of the Gettysburg Address, its relevance endures. The call for a "new birth of freedom" and the dedication to a government that serves the common good reverberate

On today’s special episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast, Jason Shepherd joins the show to talk about last Tuesday’s election results and the passing of long time AJC conservative columnist Jim Wooten. On Tuesday, Republicans suffered a set of defeats in Kentucky, Virginia and Ohio and narrowly won the governors race in Mississippi. This, after a lackluster result in 2022 and a series of defeats in special elections and ballot referenda since then. What gives? Are there issues with the candidates? Messages? Or is there something more fundamentally flawed with the Republican platform? Kennesaw State assistant professor and former chair of the Cobb County GOP joins the show to discuss. Also, Jim Wooten, a respected journalist and military veteran, passed away on October 29th. A University of Georgia graduate, he served in the U.S. Army and had a distinguished career at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Beyond his career, Wooten and his wife renovated the historic home of former Georgia governor Eugene Talmadg

Hello loyal listeners! We wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that we are taking a bit of a break from the panel episodes to catch up on some sleep, enjoy the holiday season, and re-tool the show to create a more educational and entertaining experience.  Craig plans to continue his special episodes highlighting moments and people in political history, but the panel show is going on break. We have been in your podcast feeds on regular basis now for over 5 years (!) now and it's time to take a step back and look at lessons learned and how we can do better in the next 5 years. So, we are not going anywhere and we hope you don't either! We'll be back soon and look forward to talking more about all the latest Georgia political shenanigans under the gold dome and in Washington.  Much love, Preston, Megan, Craig & Hans

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s show Craig and Professor Stone discuss the legacy of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein of California. Senator Feinstein, born on June 22, 1933, in San Francisco, California, enjoyed a distinguished career in American politics. After earning her degree in history from Stanford University in 1955, she delved into public service, first at the local level. Feinstein's career began in the early 1960s when she worked in local government, ultimately being appointed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1970. Her advocacy for social justice and gun control quickly gained her recognition. Tragically, in 1978, she discovered the bodies of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk after their assassination, a traumatic event that reinforced her commitment to public service. In 1978, Feinstein became the first female mayor of San Francisco, focusing on housing, education, and economic development during her tenure. She was re-elected in 1983. Her ascent con

Welcome to another episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s show, we discuss Israel and Gaza through the prism of Georgia in addition to updates on the Fulton County elections case against former President Donald Trump. We are not going to attempt to solve middle east peace on today’s show. Instead, we are going to stay in our lane and talk about the political reaction in Georgia, where there are divisions, and what electoral implications exist or could emerge. Next up, Fani Willis has now negotiated plea agreements with 3 of the original 19 defendants in her case against Donald Trump. What does this tell us, and what has been the Republican reaction thus far to the updates in the case? Lastly, we touch on Rep. Austin Scott’s surprise bid to be Speaker of the U.S. House. Could he actually find the votes to make it happen? Who knows? Certainly not us. Underhyped/Overhyped, Play-Along-At-Home and much, much more on today’s episode! Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Welcome to another special episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, we turn our focus to the storied history of the Speakers of the House, a pivotal and often unsung role in the world of politics. Craig and Professor Stone cover the early days of the United States, with the first Speaker of the House, Frederick Muhlenberg, whose gavel-wielding presence in Congress laid the foundation for this prestigious office. We'll delve into the dynamic personalities and pivotal moments that have defined the role throughout history. From Henry Clay's legendary tenure during the "Era of Good Feelings" to Sam Rayburn's unmatched leadership during turbulent times, we'll explore the key figures who have shaped the Speakership and, by extension, the nation itself. But it's not just about politics; the Speakers of the House have been at the forefront of major historical milestones. Discover how Joseph Gurney Cannon, with his iron grip on power, changed the rules of Congress, and how Tip O'Neill's legendary cama

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s show the crew gets into Kevin McCarthy getting voted out, the State Senate investigating Fulton County Jail and Colton Moore getting ousted from the GOP caucus. We all knew it was coming. Some thought it would happen sooner, but we all knew it would happen: Matt Gaetz made a motion to vacate the Speaker’s chair and it them democrats and a handful of disgruntled Republicans made it happen. How did we get here? Where do we go from here? Also, the Republicans in the State Senate have decided to launch an investigation into Fulton County Jail. What should we expect from the committee? Lastly, State Senator Colton Moore has been ejected from the GOP caucus over his theatrics surrounded Fulton County DA Fani Willis and the resulting threats that colleagues of Sen. Moore received as a result. Craig gets the stage for this one. Underhyped/Overhyped, Play-Along-At-Home and much, much more on today’s episode! Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapo

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On the show today it’s all about Cop City. How did we get here? Why did it turn into such a mess? And where do we go from here? Most people in Georgia have probably heard about the proposed public safety training center in Atlanta and all the ways it has made news since its inception under Mayor Bottoms’ administration. They have also probably heard about the ballot referendum that opponents are seeking to get in this November’s election. What they may not know are some of the details of how we got here and why so many people are opposed. We dive into the details and debate what happens next. Underhyped/Overhyped, Play-Along-At-Home and much, much more on today’s episode! Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod Megan Gordon on Twitter @meganlaneg Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3 Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network. #gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On the show today we discuss another recent SCOTUS ruling that will have far reaching implications on environmental regulation, but didn’t get as much publicity as some of the higher profile rulings last term. Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency was a case decided over the summer that dealt with the scope and limitations of the Clean Waters Act. The case was focuses in large part on defining terms like "waters of the United States", “adjacent”, and “wetlands”. While nuanced and seemingly ambiguous to the non-lawyers listening to the show, the definitions are critical in giving guidance on where developers can build, what permits property owners need receive prior to building, and what properties are protected and regulated by the government. Geoff Toy, an environmental lawyer with Trustees for Alaska, joins the show to help us understand some of these nuances and explain why the case may have not gotten as much attention as some of the others, despite its far re

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On the show today we get into the release of the Fulton County special purpose grand jury report and the $2 billion problem that is the need for a new Fulton County jail. Grand Jury Recommendations The Fulton County special purpose grand jury report in the case of the 2020 election was released last week. It included recommendations to charge 39 individuals in connection with the attempt to overturn the election, of which Fani Willis narrowed down to 19. The grand jury recommended charges for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, and former Georgia U.S. Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. Does this show a measured process for the Fulton County DA’s office? What does this mean for the futures of former Senators Perdue and Loeffler? Fulton County Jail 6 inmates have died in 6 weeks at the Fulton County Jail as the county faces a crisis situation. Also, the AJC released a special report this week on juvenile sentencing practices in Georgia. Quoting from the report: “Georgia has se

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On the show today we discuss the rare example of someone roundly despised by both ends of the political spectrum. Henry Kissinger was born in Germany in 1923, and is a prominent figure in the realm of international diplomacy and American politics. Henry Kissinger's early years were marked by adversity. Fleeing Nazi persecution, his family emigrated to the United States in 1938, where they settled in New York City. Despite facing the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language, Kissinger excelled academically. He attended Harvard University, where he pursued a Bachelor's degree in political science and later a Ph.D. in government. His academic prowess foreshadowed the intellectual depth that would become a hallmark of his diplomatic career. In the early 1950s, Kissinger joined the faculty at Harvard and began crafting his influential theories on foreign policy and international relations. His 1957 book, "Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy," established him as a

Welcome to the Georgia Politics Podcast! On the show today we discuss potential fallout for Fani Willis, the GOP debate, trouble brewing on Sapelo Island and local qualifying in metro Atlanta for November elections. Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod Megan Gordon on Twitter @meganlaneg Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3 Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network. #gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Megan is joined by Poy Winichakul, a Senior Staff Attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center, to discuss Alabama’s failed attempt to chip away at the Voting Rights Act and disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of black voters in the state. The Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 was a direct response to decades of racism and Jim Crow in the deep south that created an unequal playing field for non-white voters. Section 2 of the VRA is a provision that prohibits state governments from imposing any rules or regulations around voting that would "result in the denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen to vote on account of race or color". This provision has been used for decades to prevent legislatures from packing and cracking minorities into unfair congressional districts through the redistricting process. Megan and Poy discuss the Allen v. Milligan case that made it all the way to the Supreme Court and, somewhat surprisingly, reinforced the necessity and importance

Welcome to the Georgia Politics Podcast! On the show today, Fani Willis is wrapping up, Copy City protesters are nearing 70,000 signatures and Plant Vogtle is producing electricity. Looming Fulton County Indictment By the time you’re listening to this podcast it’s possible that President Trump has been indicted in Fulton County for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. What could this mean for his electoral prospects next November and can the country handle a televised prosecution of a former President? Cop City Vote Residents of Atlanta are attempting to put the planned Public Safety Training Center on the ballot this year, and they need 70,000 signatures to do it. They have just a few days left and recent reporting suggests that it will be close. If they get the votes and the referenda passes, what will that mean? If they get the votes and it doesn’t, what changes? Plant Vogtle Years late and billions of dollars over budget — the nation’s newest nuclear power plant is now operational and producing elec

Jim Galloway joins the show to help us pay tribute to a man who became an institution in Georgia politics for over 50 years. Bill Shipp made a name for himself in Georgia in 1953 when, as editor of UGA’s student newspaper, he wrote a column calling for the school of law to admit a black student, Horace Ward. It angered the powers that be to such an extent, that the state legislature drafted a bill to have him expelled from school. Instead, he left UGA and joined the Army and was stationed in West Germany. When he returned to the States, he started work at what was then the Atlanta Constitution, where he worked for over 30 years covering politics, the civil rights movement, and breaking news from around the world. He befriended and made enemies of Georgia’s political elite. He was considered both a confidant and a persona non grata by governors and legislators for decades. He was the first to break the news to the country that Jimmy Carter was running for President. Later in life, he was one of the first newsm

Welcome to the Georgia Politics Podcast! On the show today, we get into the defamation lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani and a Cobb County teacher reads a book to her class. Rudy Giuliani Admits to False Statements Facing a defamation lawsuit, Giuliani filed a motion this week saying he was no longer contesting accusations that he made false statements about Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss – two Fulton County workers he wrongly accused of committing voter fraud. Is this part of a larger reckoning with 2020, or is that too hopeful? Back to School Georgia students are heading back to school this week, as a Cobb County teacher will soon defend herself for reading her fifth graders a book that challenges gender norms. It’s a good time to check in with the politics of education in Georgia. Underhyped/Overhyped, Play-Along-At-Home and much, much more on today’s episode! Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod Megan Gordon on Twitter @meganlaneg Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3 Hans Ap