Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023
It’s not your normal Tuesday — the Sunday editor is filling in for your regular Soundings writer, so there’s no telling where this will go. We’re headed for the Upside Down. Buckle up.
Where’s Stacey headed?
No matter how you voted in the governor’s race, you’ve got to be a little curious about what’s next for Stacey Abrams. It comes up some in conversation, and you get reminded again as you spot her latest novel in the books aisle at the local big box store. Is she going to run for Georgia’s top seat for the third time or aim for a cabinet post or just keep writing and teaching? It’s hard to tell. The Current’s politics reporter, Craig Nelson, went to hear her speak to the Glynn County Democrats and he reports that Abrams can still pull an engaged crowd and that she hasn’t left her first mission: voter rights. It’s clear she’s looking ahead, not back. But what’s next? That’s a mystery.
Walthourville candidates gather
A community gathering Sunday brought Walthourville city candidates out to meet voters. But, it wasn’t just residents — candidates from Hinesville and county offices not even on the ballot also came to listen. The Current’s Liberty County reporter Robin Kemp was there to hear the stump speeches and see which issues bubbled to the top of the priority lists. People may think Coastal Georgia counties don’t have a lot in common, but these concerns would prove otherwise. On the lists so far: water woes, infrastructure, regional growth.
Candidate forum season continues
Candidate forums for municipal elections throughout Coastal Georgia are still happening. It’s not too late to get info directly from the candidates before early voting starts next week.
Today
- Pembroke: Mayor, 5 council members, 6:30 p.m., J. Dixie Harn Community Center, 91 Lanier St., Pembroke. Hosted by the Bryan County Democratic Committee and Bryan County Republican Party.
- Savannah: Mayor candidates, 6:30 p.m., Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm St. View live online at WJCL.com. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Coastal Georgia.
Thursday, Oct. 12
- Richmond Hill: Candidates for city council posts 3 and 4. 6:30 p.m., Wetlands Center of J.F. Gregory Park, 500 Cedar St, Richmond Hill. Hosted by the Bryan County Democratic Committee and Bryan County Republican Party.
- Brunswick: Candidates for North Ward and South Ward seats, 6:30 p.m., Stembler Theatre at the College of Coastal Georgia, 1 College Dr., Brunswick, sponsored by A Better Glynn and Knitted Souls Foundation.
Tuesday, Oct. 24
- Pooler: Candidates for mayor, city council, 6 p.m. Mitsubishi Power Americas, 1000 Pine Meadow Dr., Pooler. Sponsored by Pooler Chamber of Commerce.
What are they doing?
Georgia’s 40-day legislative session always leaves the uninitiated with this question: What are your elected officials doing when they aren’t legislating? In fairness, the part-time legislature was set up that way to help keep representatives closer to their constituents. Right now, many are fact-finding through committees and town halls so they’ll be armed with information when the session starts Jan. 8, 2024. In past weeks, lawmakers’ committees traveled around the state to hear from citizens and to discuss policy changes on various topics like tax credits, funding for historically Black colleges and universities, dual enrollment for high school students, freshwater fishing and more issues that run a bit closer to our everyday lives. A story this week from The New York Times on Jackson, Ga., and the town’s relationship with the beloved series “Stranger Things” helps make that point. It’s an excellent example of how a national actors’ strike, Georgia’s Right to Work Law, and community economics all join in one conversation about the state’s tax credits for film production.
So where are lawmakers this week? Here’s a list of topics they’ll discuss and where you can see them in a town near you soon or on video.
Early voting is coming
In most areas of Coastal Georgia, municipal elections are Nov. 7, and early voting starts next week, Oct. 16. Check locally to see when and where you can grab an absentee ballot and which days the polls will be open before your city’s election. Here’s a page to refer to, find your county places and times, and check your voter status. You’ll type in your county and it’ll tell you what you need to do.
Stacey Abrams: Unfinished business or new horizons?
Recent speech didn’t address past, left no real clues about what’s next, but her presence with the base was unmistakable.
Walthourville candidates talk water, finances
Following Hinesville’s lead, Walthourville candidates held a forum Sunday at Johnny Frasier Park for voters to meet the candidates. Most of the candidates said they have problems with the city’s water system as well as concerns about city finances, and that it’s time to bring brick-and-mortar businesses to Walthourville.
Manufacturers defend Georgia tax incentives
Opponents say lower tax taxes may be better incentives than credits, hwile others say exemption is necessary for large projects.
State auditor finds Georgia’s education programs for gifted students need improvement
About 199,000 Georgia students were designated as gifted, representing about 12% of the 1.7 million statewide student body.
States that send a mail ballot to every voter really do increase turnout, scholars find
Still, over 20 states have sought to restrict mail voting since 2020. Ohio has shortened the timeframe to apply for mail ballots and imposed new signature requirements.
Plant Vogtle hits another delay; lawsuit settled
The problem in one of the reactor’s four pumps was found during pre-operational testing and startup of the unit, which had been expected to go into service between the fourth quarter of this year and the first quarter of 2024.
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