Political Breakfast from WABE

Latest Episodes:

Sports betting and gun safety bills and a statue to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

State legislators are working on a measure to legalize sports betting -- including horse racing. With bipartisan support in the Georgia House and Senate, it might not be much of a gamble.

On this week's Political Breakfast, host Lisa Rayam, Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson weigh into conflict over a proposed gun safety bill in wake of yet another mass shooting, this time at Michigan State University.

Plus, the Georgia Senate has passed a bill to place a monument of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at Georgia’s Capitol.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold Dome Scramble: Buckhead cityhood movement revived as lawmakers discuss crime and how the legislature is shaping environmental policy Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Crime was a big focus of lawmakers at the legislature this week. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas look at the possible resurrection of Buckhead cityhood as well as bills aimed to reduce crime. Then, WABE and Grist reporter Emily Jones goes over all things environmental, from mining near Okefenokee Swamp to electric vehicles and solar panels.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anti-Semitic flyers, Georgia's Hate Crimes Law, Georgia early presidential primary Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

This week on Political Breakfast, Georgia lawmakers condemn anti-Semitic flyers found scattered in several heavily-Jewish neighborhoods. Now Georgia's only Jewish state lawmaker has filed a bill that would define anti-Semitism in state law and enhance penalties for anti-Jewish attacks.

Also host Lisa Rayam and strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson weigh in on Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger considering Georgia for an early presidential GOP primary in 2028.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold Dome Scramble: The budget makes it to the floor and the practice of “hoteling” kids in Georgia’s foster care system Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

As the legislative session hits its stride hundreds of bills are being filed and the budget got a vote on the floor. WABE politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali talk about bail reform, crime and where the budget is headed. Plus, AP reporter Jeff Amy joins for a discussion about “hoteling” kids in Georgia’s foster care system and what the legislature might do to address the issue.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DeKalb CEO talks ‘Cop City’ and new poll shows more voter confidence in Georgia Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

This week on Political Breakfast, DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond shares the perspective of those residents who have mixed feelings about the proposed police training facility in their neighborhood. Thurmond tells host Lisa Rayam and strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson, the Atlanta Police Foundation did not initially consult with his office on the future site of the $90 million facility. He sees it as a political misstep.

And a new Atlanta Journal Constitution poll shows voters have trust in Georgia’s elections. That's two years after alleged widespread voter fraud was never proven.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's political climate remains mixed and Kemp's Medicaid with work requirements plan takes shape Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

The Atlanta Journal Constitution released polling numbers this week around popularity of politicians and issues of interest to Georgians. Our politics team of Rahul Bali, Sam Gringlas and Susanna Capelouto talk about the results. They are also joined by WABE health reporter Jess Mador who takes a look at Governor Kemp's Pathway program, which would extend Medicaid to the poor if they work or volunteer 80 hours a week.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Cop City’ is now a national story, Georgians have runoff election fatigue Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, Republican Strategist Brian Robinson and Atlanta Civic Circle Executive Director Saba Long weigh in on the violence at the proposed police training facility in South Dekalb County, and how we can push forward a productive conversation about the future of the facility without violence.

Plus, a new Atlanta Journal Constitution poll suggests Georgia should do away with runoff elections. But what is the alternative to the status quo?

All this as legislators continue their session under the Gold Dome.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold Dome Scramble: Governor Kemp sells Georgia in Davos and teachers want respect from lawmakers Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

This week Governor Brian Kemp faced criticism for attending the World Economic Forum in Davos. The WABE politics team of Rahul Bali, Sam Gringlas an Susanna Capelouto talk about the fallout. They also discuss budget week at the state capitol and are joined by WABE education reporter Martha Dalton to look at what teachers want out of this year's legislative session.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rev. Bernice King says leaders often only quote her father when it's convenient, and a fraud investigation into a popular state program Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

This week on Political Breakfast, host Lisa Rayam, Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson touch on the frustrations of the Rev. Bernice King.

King is frustrated that state and local leaders aren't doing enough to ensure her father's mission to eradicate poverty and racism comes to fruition.

Plus, talks about how the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the state Attorney General continue to probe potential fraud in Governor Brian Kemp's low-income cash assistance program.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold Dome Scramble: Governor Kemp's rising star and budget week ahead Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

This first week of the Georgia legislature included Governor Kemp's inauguration and big budget announcements. Our politics team of Susanna Capelouto, Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas talk about it and welcome AJC reporter James Salzer to the podcast. He's been covering the state budget for the AJC for almost 30 years and give his insights into the wonky Georgia budget process.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.