Last week Gov. Brian Kemp unveiled HB 534, his attempt to curb the recent rash of street racing that has plagued Atlanta’s roads over the past year. Notably absent from the presser was Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has been pilloried for her (lack of) efforts to stamp out the ongoing issue. Unlike the relationship between former Gov. Nathan Deal and former Mayor Kasim Reed, which was downright jovial at times and led to a great deal of success for both city and state, Kemp and Bottoms have often found themselves at odds. From COVID-related shutdown policies to the handling of last summer’s protests-turned-riots, and now street racing, their relationship continues to SINK…
House passes elections reform bill
The Georgia House of Representatives Monday passed the hotly contested elections reform bill that would require ID for absentee voting and regulate drop boxes, among other changes. The 97-72 vote fell along party lines following intense debate, with Democrats strongly opposing what they deemed an attempt at “voter suppression” and Republicans, including bill sponsor Rep. Barry Fleming (R-Harlem), saying it is needed to “restore confidence in our voting system.” The bill now heads to the Senate well ahead of Crossover Day, where debate will surely continue, (the Senate is also pondering several elections bills of its own). A long way to go yet in the session, but for Republicans pushing for elections reform this legislation passing the House has their hopes RISING…
