Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025
Good morning! We begin this week with an appeal: Let us know your “wish list” for the upcoming session of the Georgia General Assembly, which convenes Monday. We then look at a speech by the newly reelected chairman of the Chatham County Commission. Finally, we look at a not-so-empty 2025 election calendar and note some stories you may have missed. Questions, comments, or story ideas? You can reach me at craig.thecurrent@gmail.com
SURVEY: GOVERNING
Your legislative priorities
The Georgia General Assembly is set to convene a new session on Monday. For weeks, school officials and school boards, business groups and other civic organizations across Coastal Georgia have been meeting with their local lawmakers to Atlanta to discuss their “wish lists.” The lawmakers, in turn, have discussed theirs.
This is your chance to tell us and the representatives you’ve hired what you care about. Our survey has a list of priorities mentioned in conjunction with this year’s session. You can also add your own. And, as always, we’ll report back with how your representatives are listening (or not) to you and what’s next.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY
NEWS:POLITICS
Revenue crunch?
During his first term as chairman of the Chatham County Commission, Chester Ellis prided himself in brokering hefty amounts of state and federal funds to benefit Georgia’s fifth most populous county.
In an address on Thursday at Johnny Mercer Theater marking his swearing-in for a second four-year term as commission chair, Ellis reminded the audience of some 600 people of that track record for fundraising and new county construction projects and vowed more of the same.
But Ellis, a Democrat, gave no indication how the massive budget slashing promised by President-elect Donald Trump might soon test those fundraising skills and could spur a fierce contest for revenue among state and local governments, The Current’s Craig Nelson writes.
NEWS: ELECTIONS
Think again
For those readers who thought 2025 would provide a complete respite from last year’s presidential election and next year’s statewide elections, think again.
The secretary of state’s recently issued election calendar for 2025 sets aside eight dates for voters to decide on matters ranging from public service commissioner to county-level sales taxes that fund educational and capital improvement projects. The dates stretch from March 18 to Dec. 2.
Chatham County, for instance, will hold a referendum on a proposed Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) on March 18. If passed, the expected revenue of $705 million would go towards renovations and new construction for schools in the county, especially in its western reaches. Liberty County also plans a vote.
Elections for seats on the city councils of Tybee Island, Garden City and Port Wentworth will be held on Nov. 4.
Ballot issues and candidates are far from determined. The Chatham County Commission still has time to get a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) on a ballot in 2025. Commission members say such a tax has been under consideration for months.
The dates set aside for elections don’t necessarily ensure the most efficiently run election or the best turnout. Chatham’s ESPLOST vote will occur a day after the county’s largest city, Savannah, marks St. Patrick’s Day with its legendary parade and partying.
NEWS: UPDATES
ICYMI
- “‘Raise your glass to President Carter’: Savannah bar made famous by Jimmy Carter pays tribute” (GPB, Dec. 31, 2024) “Jimmy the Baptist: Carter redefined ‘evangelical,’ from campaigns to race and women’s rights” (Asssociated Press, Jan. 1, 2025) “Trump complains that US flags will be half-staff on his inauguration day” (Reuters, Jan. 3, 2025)
- “SCAD president receives Presidential Citizens Medal” (Capitol Beat, Jan. 3, 2025) “‘A lifelong educator and trailblazer of the arts, Paula Wallace dreamt of a school that would transform how we think about professional education,’ according to a White House news release. ‘By establishing the esteemed Savannah College of Art and Design and serving as its president, she has guided thousands of students into creative industries.’”
- “Jan 6. inmates from Georgia await pardon, release from jail: ‘We’re going home, boys!’” (Savannah Morning News, Dec. 31, 2024) “‘A pardon to me, would be vindication of all that I have endured over the last four years,’ Dominic Box, a 34-year-old inmate housed at the D.C. jail, told USA TODAY. ‘It’s proof that President Trump has our back just like we had his back on Jan. 6 and every day since he came down that golden escalator.’ Box, a former car salesman from Savannah, is one of 35 people with Georgia ties who have been criminally charged in a Jan. 6 case.”
- “Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge expansion gains final approval” (Capitol Beat, Jan. 3, 2025) “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will move forward with a plan to expand the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge the swamp’s supporters hope will help sink a proposed titanium mine, the federal agency announced Friday.”
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With possible revenue crunch looming, Ellis forges ahead
Ellis, a Democrat, gave no indication how the massive budget slashing promised by President-elect Donald Trump might soon test those fundraising skills and could spur a fierce contest for revenue among state and local governments.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge expansion gains final approval
Scientific studies have concluded the proposed mine would significantly damage the largest blackwater swamp in North America by drawing down its water level and increasing the risk of drought and fires.
Ossoff, Warnock pick up new Senate committee assignments
Ossoff joins Senate Appropriations while Warnock moves to Senate Finance Committee.
SCAD president receives Presidential Citizens Medal
Paula Wallace was given the Presidential Citizens Medal, awarded to U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.
Trans Georgians, allies brace for another year of culture wars in state legislature
A Georgia Senate committee approved recommendations for legislation that would ban transgender girls from girls’ sports and locker rooms and potentially open up public and private schools to lawsuits or defunding if they do not comply.
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