The overall mood, animosity after Georgia's Legislative Session? Plus, lawmakers could be summoned back for a special session

·23 min·2 clips

Why did the Georgia legislative session end with unprecedented animosity between the House and Senate?

The episode opens with a brief discussion of Tiger Woods' absence from the Masters before pivoting to Georgia politics. Host Lisa Rayam sets the stage by noting a 'weird vibe' from the legislative session. Republican strategist Brian Robinson explains that animosity between the House and Senate was heightened in this election year, with all constitutional offices up for grabs. He mentions Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones using leverage to influence bills based on candidate support. Democrat strategist Theron Johnson details how the Senate prioritized the Lieutenant Governor's agenda, including sales tax modifications, while other senators like Bill Couser and Brian Strickland pushed their own bills. Johnson highlights HB 369, a bill passed to make local races nonpartisan in five metro Atlanta counties: Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Gwinnett, and Cobb. He argues this targets Democratic strongholds and Black women district attorneys, prompting grassroots pushback. Robinson, a DeKalb Republican, defends the bill as giving minority-party voters a voice in local elections but acknowledges it singles out specific counties. The conversation shifts to how Rick Jackson's gubernatorial campaign affected the session, with reports of legislators threatened for supporting him and bills killed as a result. Robinson, a consultant for Jackson, notes that House members are now endorsing Jackson post-session. The hosts then explore potential for a special session, focusing on unresolved voting logistics related to QR codes that must be addressed by July 1st and a property tax relief bill facing constitutional challenges. They conclude that Republicans need messaging wins ahead of a tough November election, with a special session possible in May or June.

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