The Georgia General Assembly meets today to kick off what could be a tense legislative session. Despite the runoff success of Democrats last Tuesday, Republicans still hold both chambers at the Gold Dome. There were some gains for Democrats in the fall, but not enough to push them over the edge.
The new representatives will be facing the continued public health crisis that is Covid-19, the fallout from the November and January election results, and not to mention the day to day business of governing.
After a three month delay of the regular session last year because of the pandemic, protocols in place seem like they may be enough to return to some semblance of at least a normal schedule for the session. A committee has been tasked with reviewing current rules and making any recommendations to keep everyone safe while also ensuring everything is running smoothly.
The biggest news items will almost certainly be changes to voting rules. Secretary of State Raffensperger, despite taking unprecedented slings from members of his own party over claims of election fraud, is asking for changes to be made, such as an end to no-excuse absentee ballots. There will also be a push from many Republicans on new rules for Voter ID for absentee ballots, which currently requires a signature match.
For his part, House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) has said he is skeptical of an end to no-excuse absentee voting, which he notes has been popular with Georgia voters, and he has also floated the idea of having legislators choose the secretary of state rather than voters. That would likely be a big lift that could have trouble drawing enough support. Ralston has responded that he would be interested in something like a “chief elections officer” which would take the elections function out of the secretary of state’s office and he says would not require a constitutional amendment.
The budget will also be a big issue but revenues have recovered a bit more than people expected last year and cuts may not be as deep as was predicted. Revenue through the first few months of the 2021 fiscal year are actually up by approximately $500 million compared to the same period of fiscal year 2020.
With revenue questions in mind and continued pressure from lobbyists, gaming or gambling are expected to get another hearing this year. With sports gambling getting relaxed rules across the country, pressure will mount to allow this but not that, this and that. Does video gambling/gaming fall under the same rules as sports gambling or can horse racing be included? The odds of the long-rumored casino in Savannah or Underground Atlanta appear to still be quite long but advocates for gambling revenue are hopeful the legislature may take baby steps this year.
Finally, another issue that has been lurking for several years is rural broadband. Even before the pandemic, the governor and legislature knew the untapped resource that is high speed internet for rural areas but the pandemic – and the resulting school from home – brought this issue to the fore in a startling way. Buses traveling around with wifi transmitters can’t be a solution. This issue will get a big push.
As nightmarish a prospect as it may be, this is also the last session before campaigns begin for the 2022 elections. Yes there will be the 2022 session but primary campaigns will be well ramped up by then. With potentially widespread skepticism from Republican primary voters about the governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state, will these offices make moves over the next few months to shore up their flanks?
