Sunday Solutions — March 10, 2024
🍀When you know it’s spring on the coast: Everything’s green. Fountains, beer, your car…from pollen and/or St. Patrick’s Day prep. With all of that comes the Georgia Presidential Primary on Tuesday, the final lists for qualified candidates for the 2024 primary ballots, more legislative shenanigans and more legal questions. And, oh yeah, did you set your clocks up this morning? ⏰
Legislature to constituents: Eat your sausage
Remember last year’s legislative sleight of hand when language legalizing sports betting took over an innocent soapbox derby bill? It didn’t pass, but the race in Lyons had to try again this year to become the state’s official derby. Well, the post-Crossover Day antics have returned. The Current’s Maggie Lee details how a bill to set fines for traffic offenses related to funeral processions and school zones turned into a controversial bill that would allow anyone to sue any state or city they feel is offering “sanctuary” to undocumented migrants. Her experienced eye gives us all a look at why the lawmaking process requires watching. Some may say legislating is like making sausage – not appetizing to watch but yields a tasty result. But let’s get serious: Trustworthy lawmaking — like good food — requires quality ingredients and shouldn’t be scary to watch. As for the soapbox derby? A new attempt to pass that awaits attention in the Senate.
Elections, primary and priority
So, if the above story doesn’t make you want to have a word with your elected representatives, there will be chances to vote soon enough. Let’s start with Tuesday – no matter how small the ballot, it’s a chance to test that voting system and show how you you feel about a few things. Polls open at 7 a.m. for the partisan presidential primary. You get another chance on May 21 for the longest ballot of the year: the Georgia nonpartisan slate (judges and other nonpartisan posts) along with the partisan primary contenders vying to face off on Nov. 5. The Current’s Craig Nelson has an early report on the lineups for Chatham County voters to consider. While there can be some potential change for key races like Chatham County Commission chair and district attorney, Nelson notes the lack of opposition for many seats.
We’ve compiled a list of contested and noncontested races for each Coastal Georgia county for you to peruse. And here’s an early disclaimer: Some counties still haven’t posted full local lists where citizens can find them, so it’s a living document to be updated as we can verify more.
Lots of news – test your skill
How was your reading this week? There was plenty to take in. Take this week’s quiz to find out.
Leaderboard 3/3/24:
First Place (10/10): Kiki
Second Place (8/10): Sandy B.
Third Place (7/10): Peaches, SG Mark
Overall Leaderboard:
First Place – Peaches
Second Place – SG Mark
Third Place – Sandy B
We have a new leader for the week: Kiki. Peaches fell to third, but still leads the overall pace. It’s not too late to climb that leaderboard. Test your news knowledge with a few short questions related to stories we published earlier in the week. Leave a first name or nickname so we can keep track of your score.
A newsy week, if you missed it
- Rivian pauses construction of Georgia EV plant: Announced first but lagging behind the construction of the Hyundai Metaplant, Rivian has decided to put its much heralded expansion on hold.
- Nearly 300 attend public hearing on plan to mine near Okefenokee: There were close to a 100 speakers, and not one spoke in favor of the plan to mine near the cherished blackwater swamp. Next up: the written comment period.
- Energy regulator elections still on hold amid voting discrimination lawsuit: While the state awaits a long-overdue court order, two PSC commissioners won’t face the voters even through their terms have expired. One, who is appointed, has never been on the ballot.
- Proposed orders filed for Sapelo zoning case: The island residents’ lawsuit against the county plods on as attorneys argue a point over who could sue whom.
Your second cup: New legal questions for couples
When an Alabama court allowed a wrongful death suit to go forward recently, it clouded in vitro fertilization and wrongful death law. The Alabama legislature moved quickly to protect doctors and IVF treatments, but legal scholars say it’s not enough. Here are two pieces that help explain the considerations, the process and legal questions for the future. In the meantime, couples who are trying to become parents are left with more considerations than ever. The first is a Q&A, from The 19th, with information about the process and legislative considerations. The second, from a scholar at the University of South Florida, discusses the new questions regarding wrongful death laws.
We want to meet your friends! If you like this newsletter be sure to share it.
The Current GA is part of The Trust Project.
Read our policies.
Support independent, solutions-based investigative journalism without bias, fear or favor on issues affecting Savannah and Coastal Georgia.
You must be logged in to post a comment.