Tuesday on Political Rewind: a pandemic year in review as we looked back at the devastating track of the coronavirus in Georgia. The pandemic dramatically shifted many lives in our state. But can we see the light at the end of the tunnel? Yesterday, eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine appointments were expanded to include a majority of Georgia adults.
Monday on Political Rewind: Around two-thirds of Georgia adults can now receive COVID-19 vaccinations now. Gov. Brian Kemp lowered the age threshold for vaccines to 55 and added people with significant health issues. Also: Georgia’s poorest families will be among the biggest beneficiaries of President Joe Biden’s relief bill.
Thousands of children in low-income families could soon have an easier path to Medicaid in Georgia after “express lane” legislation passed the Georgia State Senate.
Wednesday on Political Rewind: The U.S. House prepares to take a final vote on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. Gov. Brian Kemp continues to criticize the measure as a bailout for Democratic-majority states. Plus, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond says there are parallels between today's controversial election bills at the state Capitol and historical efforts to block Black communities in Georgia from casting ballots.
Tuesday on Political Rewind: New progress was made on major pieces of legislation as state lawmakers worked late on Crossover Day. The legislature faced a self-imposed deadline yesterday to pass bills through either body of the General Assembly. Our panel of insiders discussed the legislation that made the cut, including bills restricting absentee voting and citizen’s arrest reform.
Monday on Political Rewind: Georgia teachers are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Officials hope the move will ensure schools across the state are able to keep their doors open for in-person classes. Also, legislators face an important deadline at the state Capitol. Crossover Day at the General Assembly means any legislation unable to pass out of either legislative chamber today is potentially dead until next year.
Friday on Political Rewind: The coronavirus pandemic has put into sharp focus the painful inequities in our society, and studies show the economic and professional progress women have made is in peril. The pay gap between men and women has widened, and working mothers struggle more than ever to balance family and home responsibilities with their jobs.
Thursday on Political Rewind: The U.S. House passed H.R. 1 yesterday. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, it would have have have sweeping consequences for Georgia election law. The legislation would weaken state-imposed voter ID laws, mandate automatic voter registration and restore voting enfranchisement to people previously incarcerated in prison.
Tuesday on Political Rewind, our focus is the ongoing debate over voting rights. The Georgia House yesterday passed a package of bills that critics say will likely reduce turnout in future elections. Meanwhile in Washington, the U.S. House may vote today on a sweeping measure designed to defend against state efforts to suppress voting, end gerrymandering and more.
Monday on Political Rewind: It’s been more than 150 years since Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, Va., effectively ending the Civil War. But that conflict refuses to rest easily in history. Author Ty Seidule tells the riveting story of coming to terms with U.S. history in a new book, Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause.
House Democrats threatening to pull support for a legislation that would allow online sports betting in Georgia in response to the flurry of election and voting bills proposed by Republicans.
Today on Political Rewind: Democrats and voting rights groups are mounting a furious counterattack to legislation designed to restrict early and absentee voting in Georgia. Also, Georgia teachers will soon be able to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Yesterday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced his plan to expand the circle of Georgians eligible for shots to include educators and school staff starting early in March.
