Politically Georgia

The hosts talk to lawmakers from both sides of the aisle about the bills they’re watching most closely as the session comes down to the final two days. Republican state Rep. Marcus Wiedower of Watkinsville starts the conversation by discussing the sports betting bill that he’s working to pass before the session ends.   Wiedower also comments on immigration legislation introduced following the killing of Laken Riley in his home district.   On the other side of the aisle, Democratic state Rep. Stacey Evans of Atlanta talks with the hosts about her priorities for the final days. She says the Democratic minority's big job is to block what it see as bad bills rather than pass their own legislation.   Then the hosts move from the Legislature to the courtroom, to discuss the extended interview that AJC reporters Bill Rankin and Tamar Hallerman conducted with defense lawyer Ashleigh Merchant, who filed the motion to dismiss Fani Willis from the Trump election conspiracy case.   LINK TO TOPICS   Sports betting: revenue for state vs. potential addiction Lawmakers advance bills targeting immigrant friendly policies Sheriffs worry about new burdens from proposed immigration bills Attorney who filed motion to dismiss Willis says she had to act   Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Micah Middleton Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to remove Mike Johnson as speaker of the U.S. House. But she says it’s a warning that he needs to embrace issues of importance to her far-right colleagues.   But first, Andy Miller of Georgia Health News joins the podcast to discuss what’s behind the GOP-controlled Legislature’s ongoing rejection of a full Medicaid expansion.   Then, in the state Senate, pressure is ramping up to pass culture war issues in the final days of the legislative session.    And the hosts talk about responses to Geoff Duncan’s extended interview on "Politically Georgia." Now that he won’t run as the No Labels candidate for president, what does his political future look like?   LINK TO TOPICS   Georgia Senate is launchpad for culture war issues Greene threatens to oust Speaker Mike Johnson Geoff Duncan on why he isn't running for president Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Micah Middleton Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan is not launching a bid for the White House. Duncan discusses why he won’t be the candidate for president on the No Labels ticket. He also describes his vision for a future for the Republican Party without Donald Trump.   Judith Delus Montgomery, an Atlanta-based lawyer, discusses what’s behind the outbreak of violence in her native Haiti, where gangs have killed at least 24 people, released thousands from prisons, burned police stations, and forced businesses and schools to close.   Then, over at the Legislature, a last-minute effort by Democrats to pass a bill expanding Medicaid fails. The hosts look at what happened.   The hosts answer your questions from the "Politically Georgia" listener mailbag and give their choices for who’s up and who’s down this week.   LINK TO TOPICS Geoff Duncan won't run as No Labels presidential candidate Why is Haiti in turmoil? Surprise bill to expand Medicaid narrowly fails  Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Sawyer Vanderwerff Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fani Willis faces more challenges in her hope to begin the trial of former President Donald Trump. AJC reporter Dave Wickert joins to discuss the latest in the election interference case. But first up, Kendra Cotton, CEO of the New Georgia Project, joins the podcast to discuss the organization’s effort to energize a liberal coalition of voters for the 2024 election.  She also answers questions about the financial and legal troubles plaguing Fair Fight Action, the organization that was given credit for helping elect Georgia Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock to the U.S. Senate in 2021 and delivering the state for Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Plus, Republican legislators are pushing for a resolution to put a statue of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on the grounds of the state Capitol. But Democrats are fighting it fiercely.  LINK TO TOPICS Can Democrats win in Georgia without Fair Fight Action? Judge allows Trump lawyers to appeal his decision allowing Fani Willis to remain as prosecutor of election conspiracy case Legislators clash over Clarence Thomas statue   Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Sawyer Vanderwerff Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final days of the legislative session, new election bills could be fast-tracked. Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Mark Niesse joined the podcast to discuss the GOP-backed bills. But first, University of Georgia Israel Institute Teaching Fellow Eli Sperling discusses the war between Israel and Hamas. The hosts look at the hornet’s nest of controversy U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer stirred up in a speech on the Senate floor calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “an obstacle to peace” and urging him to allow more humanitarian aid to reach the civilians in the Gaza Strip.  But months earlier Jon Ossoff, Georgia’s first Jewish U.S. senator, gave a floor speech in which he was sharply critical of the toll the Israeli forces fighting Hamas were taking on Palestinians. More recently, Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock called for “an immediate cease-fire” to give aid to the Palestinians caught in the fighting. Then, Gov. Brian Kemp has been a big supporter of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s push to give Texas state and local authorities the power to arrest and prosecute those who are suspected of being in the country illegally. But on Tuesday, a rapid-fire ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court led to confusion over whether the law can take effect.   LINKS TO TOPICS Warnock explains call for cease-fire  Ossoff expresses fear about humanitarian crisis Jewish lawmakers condemn mounting Palestinian death toll Bill aims to make challenges to voter registration easier to file GOP senators call for fewer voting machines in many precincts Kemp backs Texas governor on immigration plan Confusion over Texas law on detaining immigrants   Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Micah Middleton Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laken Riley’s father sits down for an interview with NBC about his daughter’s tragic killing. He is angry that her tragic death is being politicized. But first, lawmakers are still looking for answers after electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian paused construction indefinitely on a $5 billion plant planned for Georgia.  Rep. Tim Fleming, (R) Covington joins the ‘Politically Georgia’ podcast to discuss his disappointment over the news. He says that he’s looking for more transparency as the plant was being built in his district.  On the other side of the aisle, State Senator Derek Mallow, (D) Savannah, talks with the co-hosts about how Democratic legislators are playing hardball to force Republicans to back a measure for a full expansion of Medicaid.   LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS    Rivian suspends plans to build Georgia plant Some legislators frustrated by Rivian announcement Kemp, Rivian insist plant will be built Democrats playing hardball to get Medicaid expansion Laken Riley's father says he's angry his daughter's death is being politicized  Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With just a handful of working days left, time is running out for bills to pass in the Legislature. The stakes are even higher as the biennial session wraps up.  Atlanta Journal-Constitution legislative reporters Maya T. Prabhu and James Salzer join the podcast to look at some of the major bills that are still being debated as the session winds down to a finish.  Emory University law professor Fred Smith discusses what is likely to happen next in the Fulton County election interference case against former President Donald Trump now that Judge Scott Mcfee has ruled District Attorney Fani Willis can remain on the case. McAfee’s condition for her continuing was that Nathan Wade no longer be on the prosecution’s team. He resigned from the case Friday.  Tia Mitchell shares insights from Capitol Hill as a government shutdown looms again.   And U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock is becoming a top surrogate for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.  LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS    Georgia house and senate head into the homestretch What's next in Trump election case How the Fani Willis fight played out Congress scramble to avert shutdown  Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just an hour before “Politically Georgia” aired, Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could continue prosecuting the election interference case against former President Donald Trump. But only if she drops her special prosecutor and former love interest Nathan Wade from the case.   Atlanta Journal-Constitution editor Shannon McCaffrey and Georgia State law professor Anthony Michael Kreis discuss the decision.    Then a pivot to Capitol Hill, where independent journalist Michael Jones, who is author of the ‘Once Upon A Hill’ newsletter, talks about what’s involved in the congressional effort that could ban TikTok.   And every Friday, the hosts respond to your questions, comments and even complaints from the listener mailbag. Then the duo offers their choices for who’s up and who’s down this week.   LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS    Judge Ellis to Willis: Dump Wade or lose case What's next in Trump election case House passes bill that could lead to ban on TikTok  Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's new momentum building around a bill to provide school vouchers to Georgia families. Gov. Brian Kemp helped turn up the heat, posting on X: "When it comes to getting school choice done in Georgia, there are no more next years." The state House had a scheduled vote on the matter an hour after "Politically Georgia" aired.  But first, state House Minority Leader James Beverly joins the podcast to discuss why he's decided to retire from the Legislature after 13 years in the House and four years as the Democratic leader. He says it's time to return to Macon and find a different way to be of value to his community.   And, on the other side of the aisle, Josh McKoon tells the hosts that he has two goals as the new chair of the state GOP: to elect Donald Trump president and to continue using party funds to help pay the legal expenses of Georgia defendants in Fulton County's election interference case.   LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS    Democratic House leader to step down Josh McKoon is new GOP state chair Speaker Burns working to pass voucher bill  Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Georgia gave President Biden the votes to make him the Democratic nominee, and the state joined three others that voted Tuesday to put former president Trump over the top. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell give a complete presidential primary night recap.    Then: AJC reporter Zach Hansen joins the podcast to discuss the consequences of the stunning announcement that Rivian is suspending indefinitely the construction of its $5 billion auto assembly plant in Georgia.  Plus: The hosts react to news that broke as the live radio show was on the air: Judge Scott McAfee has dismissed six of the charges Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has brought against former President Donald Trump and the remaining defendants in the Georgia election conspiracy case.  A state legislative committee will renew the debate over whether Georgia should issue vouchers to help families send their children to private schools.    LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   BREAKING: Fulton judge kills six counts in Trump indictment Biden and Trump win Georgia primaries and clinch nominations Before pausing Georgia factory, Rivian struggled to meet expectations Georgia legislative committee to review school voucher bill Wednesday  Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices