The Panel:
James Salzer – Assistant senior editor of state government and politics, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Leo Smith – GOP consultant and president, Engaged Futures
Rep. Teri Anulewicz – State representative (D-Smyrna)
The Breakdown:
1. Lawmakers return to the capitol to tackle the proposed $30.2 billion dollar budget.
- Gov. Brian Kemp unveiled his budget proposal earlier this month. Among its provisions:
- The Georgia Budget & Policy Institute said the budget is 11% bigger than last year, an increase of around $3 billion.
- Unprecedented federal COVID relief helped the state maintain a surplus heading into this fiscal year.
2. Future of Medicaid in Georgia is up in the air.
3. Buckhead cityhood and East Cobb cityhood take different paths in legislative session.
- Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens addressed lawmakers this morning at the invitation of state House Speaker David Ralston. Dickens opposes the Buckhead cityhood movement.
- Earlier this month, the bill creating a referendum on Buckhead cityhood, SB 324, was moved to an all Democrat-led committee where it is likely to fail.
Tomorrow on Political Rewind:
One of the highest-ranking Republicans in state politics, Speaker David Ralston, joins us to talk about what to expect from the 2022 General Assembly session.
