The Georgia General Assembly’s next legislative session is set to begin on Jan. 9. Some of its highest ranking Black lawmakers, all of whom are Democrats, recently spoke with Capital B Atlanta to explain their policy agenda for next year and how it will impact Black voters. House Minority Leader James Beverly said Democrats’ overall […]
State Politics
Posted inState Politics
Meet the New Chairman of Georgia’s Legislative Black Caucus
State Rep. Carl Gilliard has a simple message for Black folks as he prepares to take on a critical new leadership role in the Georgia General Assembly. “It’s movement time,” Gilliard said. “We are going to have to be more unified than ever. We need an agenda. We just can’t be reactive.” On Dec. 15, […]
Posted inState Politics
These Black Republicans Are Still Backing Herschel Walker After Abortion Scandal
Nina Blackwelder wasn’t surprised when she read news about the latest Herschel Walker scandal for the first time, but she was “disappointed.” “I think it’s just messy,” Blackwelder told Capital B Atlanta. “It’s just another messy thing in an election that’s really important. There’s already been some character aspersions cast, and now this is just […]
Posted inState Politics
‘It’s Going to Be a Travesty’: Why Georgia’s New Gun Law Is Troubling for Black Residents
Georgia Second Amendment advocates have been celebrating for the past week. On April 12, Gov. Brian Kemp signed SB 319 — dubbed by supporters as the Constitutional Carry Act — into law. The measure, which took effect immediately, makes it legal for a “lawful weapons carrier” to carry concealed handguns without a permit anywhere that […]
Posted inState Politics
Black Voters Should Know About These Bills GA Legislators Passed in Their Last Votes of 2022
Georgia lawmakers worked through midnight early Tuesday to get a set of bills passed on Sine Die, the last day of the state’s 40-day legislative session. Several of the General Assembly’s most contentious proposed laws – including a measure giving the Georgia Bureau of Investigation greater authority to oversee elections – were passed by both […]
Posted inNews Roundup, State Politics
Georgia House Approves Constitutional Carry Bill
Top of the morning! Here is Your AM Rundown, with news updates in 400 words or less. Get caught up on headlines and other developments you might’ve missed. Here’s what to know for today: Residents may soon be able to carry firearms in public without a permit. The Georgia House approved HB 1358 and the […]
Posted inState Politics
Georgia Senate Passes Bill on Limiting How Race is Taught in K-12 Schools
Black Georgia state senators and their allies made a last-ditch effort on Friday to stop passage of a bill that would limit discussion about systemic racism in the state’s K-12 classrooms. The Senate ultimately voted 32-20 in favor of Senate Bill 377 early Friday afternoon. Senators including Sonya Halpern (D-39th), Harold Jones II (D-22nd), and […]
Posted inNews Roundup, State Politics
GOP Targeting ‘Divisive Concepts’ in Schools
Top of the morning! TGIF! Here is Your AM Rundown with news updates in 400 words or less. Get caught up on headlines and other developments you might’ve missed. Here’s what to know for today: ICYMI: Day 1 of our launch event, The Power of Black Stories, is in the books! Today, there’s more programming. […]
Posted inHealth, State Politics
Georgia’s General Assembly Is Talking Health. Here’s What’s at Stake for Black Residents.
The Georgia General Assembly is taking up a number of bills that would have a significant impact on residents’ mental, physical and reproductive health. One seeks to reform the state’s mental health care system by making it more affordable. Republican lawmakers are also trying to curb access to abortion pills in direct response to the […]
