Political Rewind: Abrams on Fulton probe; Mexicans trafficked to Georgia; CFP returns to ATL

Caption

Candidates for governor Stacey Abrams (left) and Gov. Brian Kemp separately address educators in June 2022 at the Georgia School Boards Association conference in Savannah. The two released different plans for a state surplus.

Credit: Chris Triplett and GSBA

The panel

Audrey Haynes, professor of political science, University of Georgia

Chuck Kuck, @ckuck, immigration attorney

Jim Galloway, @JimJournalist, former political columnist, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tia Mitchell, @ajconwashington, Washington reporter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The breakdown

1. Stacey Abrams appeared on CNN to criticize Gov. Brian Kemp's platform and refusal to testify before the Fulton County special grand jury.

• Abrams undermined Kemp's image as a moderate Republican, citing his stance against gay marriage and frequent support for Donald Trump. She said his refusal to testify is a play to secure Trump's support ahead of November.

• This comes afterBrian Kemp's attorney and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sparred publicly. In Thursday's show, Buddy Darden said it was "political theater" and would likely resolve.

2. With a large state surplus, Kemp and Abrams differ on where the money should go.

• Kemp suggested tax returns to Georgians, which could total close to $500 per family. Stacey Abrams wants reinvestment in social programs like Medicare expansion. 
  • Charles Kuck notes that this money comes from federal funding and is only a one-time benefit.
• Abrams recently revealed her economic platform should she be elected governor. Plans include legalized gambling to support an expansion of the HOPE scholarship, as well as other needs-based scholarships.

3. Shortly after Music Midtown was canceled, the College Football Playoff announced the 2025 National Championship game would take place in Atlanta.

• Democrats claimed that Music Midtown's cancellation would be the beginning of the end in the state's entertainment economy — a message that seems to be undermined by the announcement.

4. Democrats have largely moved away from President Biden in their campaigns. Stacey Abrams and Sen. Raphael Warnock have not.

• Amid recent wins in legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, Sen. Jon Ossoff and Warnock toured the state to host town halls and answer questions on policy.

5. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that several Mexican engineers were brought to the U.S. on a visa and given factory jobs instead of engineering jobs they were promised.

• A Newnan company, Allswell, claims the move is completely legal. Detractors have accused the company of labor trafficking.
• In Texas, immigrants are being bused to New York. Charles Kuck notes that these are people who have a legal right and have properly traveled to the U.S. and the Biden administration has not given an explanation, allowing for misrepresentation.

Next week on Political Rewind: The AJC's Patricia Murphy joins our Monday panel.