metro-republican-news

Brice Futch’s Questionable Voting Commitment & Campaign Personal Piggy Bank

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 19:13:35 GMT

CANTON, GA – As Cherokee County voters prepare to head to the polls tomorrow in the special election for Georgia State Senate District 21, questions are swirling about Republican candidate Brice Futch's true allegiance to conservative values and his adopted home state. Despite portraying himself as a homegrown Georgian with "deep roots" in the community, research obtained by Metro Republican News reveals that Futch is anything but a lifelong Peach State resident. Originally hailing from Florida, Futch spent years in New York before relocating to Mexico in 2017 and only arriving in Georgia in August 2018 – just in time to potentially make a difference in a pivotal election, but choosing to sit it out instead.

Futch's move to Canton in late 2018 came amid claims of building a life here, including registering his business, Futch Communications, LLC, with the Georgia Secretary of State on August 20 of that year. Yet, despite having ample opportunity to register to vote by the October 9 deadline, Futch failed to do so for the 2018 general election. That year, conservatives across Georgia were locked in a fierce battle to elect Brian Kemp as governor against radical Democrat Stacey Abrams, whose agenda threatened traditional values on everything from election integrity to Second Amendment rights. Futch, however, stayed on the sidelines, leaving America First patriots and Christian conservatives to fight without him.

This pattern of absenteeism isn't new. Records show no voting history for Futch in Florida or New York during his time there, including the critical 2016 presidential election where Donald Trump faced off against Hillary Clinton. When the MAGA movement needed every vote to secure a victory against the Clinton machine, Futch was nowhere to be found in the voter rolls. Fast forward to 2024, and the story repeats: Despite being registered in Georgia, Futch skipped the Republican presidential preference primary, refusing to cast a ballot for President Trump.

Now, as Futch campaigns for the state senate seat, promising to champion conservative causes like opposing gambling expansion and protecting the unborn from abortion extremism, local voters are rightfully skeptical. "If we can't count on him to show up at the ballot box when it mattered most, how can we trust him to stand firm in the legislature?" asked Sarah Jenkins, a longtime Cherokee County resident and homeschooling mother of three. "We've seen too many politicians talk a big game on life and family values, only to fold under pressure. Brice's track record makes me wonder if he'll be there when the chips are down."

Echoing those concerns, local farmer and veteran Tom Harlan expressed shaken confidence in Futch's reliability. "I served my country because I believe in showing up for what's right," Harlan said. "But this guy moved here from up North and didn't bother voting against Abrams. He didn’t even vote for President Trump! Now he wants our vote? It feels like he's just another carpetbagger looking for power, not someone who's earned our trust on issues like stopping the gambling lobby or defending pro-life laws."

Other residents pointed to Futch's anti-Trump rhetoric from 2016-2018, documented in social media posts where he criticized the former president, as further evidence of his opportunism. While his campaign now touts "Trump-aligned" credentials, critics argue it's a convenient flip-flop to appeal to District 21's staunchly conservative base. "When America First needed him, he left us hanging," added Jenkins. "Cherokee County deserves a senator who fights for us every time, not just when it's politically expedient."

Adding fuel to the fire are recent revelations about Futch's campaign spending, which raise serious questions about his stewardship of donor dollars – particularly from Christian supporters who expected their hard-earned contributions to fund a genuine conservative fighter. Campaign disclosures show repeated expenditures on trivia nights at the Canton Cigar Club, where Futch reportedly used supporters' money to sip bourbon and puff cigars with his friends. These outings, billed as "networking" or "community events," smack of personal indulgence rather than strategic campaigning, leaving many to wonder if Futch views the campaign trail as a social club funded by others.

Even more eyebrow-raising is Futch's nearly $1,000 expenditure on a trip to Louisville, Kentucky, over Memorial Day weekend in May 2025. Despite the hefty price tag – covered by campaign funds – no public records or explanations detail any campaign-related activities during the visit. Was it a legitimate effort to advance conservative causes, or just another excursion on his supporters' dime? Voters are asking for transparency, especially when funds could have been directed toward grassroots efforts.

Compounding these concerns are Futch's repeated statements that his primary political objective is to eventually win Rep. Barry Loudermilk's congressional seat, paving the way to Washington, D.C., where he could cash in on a six-figure salary and generous expense account. Sources close to the campaign say Futch has openly discussed this ambition in private gatherings for years, framing his state senate run as a mere stepping stone to federal perks rather than a heartfelt commitment to Georgia's values.

One donor, a church employee who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal on social media, expressed deep disappointment after reviewing Futch's campaign disclosures. "As a church employee, I gave what I could because I thought Brice would be a conservative fighter for us – standing up for life, family, and faith," the donor said. "But seeing how he's spent our money on cigar lounges, bourbon, and unexplained trips? It feels like a betrayal. We entrusted him with our hard-earned money, expecting him to battle the left, not live it up with his buddies."

With election day tomorrow, August 26, 2025, voters in Cherokee County are urged to make their voices heard in this special election for Senate District 21 and the Board of Commissioners District 1. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. To find your assigned polling precinct, visit the Georgia My Voter Page at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov or check the Cherokee County Elections website at https://cherokeegavotes.com/election-day-2/ for more details.

As the race tightens, Futch's supporters are increasingly frustrated by these revelations, viewing him now as an unreliable insider despite his "outsider" claims. Ties to political action groups like Stand for Georgia Values and fellowships with organizations such as Club for Growth only reinforce the narrative that he's more connected to the establishment than he lets on. For conservative voters prioritizing steadfast leadership on gambling, abortion, and election security, tomorrow's choice could define the district's future.

Georgia probe continues into alleged Ponzi scheme targeting conservative Christians

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:07:32 GMT

A scandal involving an alleged massive Ponzi scheme that’s centered around right-wing Georgia businessman Brant Frost IV is threatening to roil Republican Party chapters across the country.

Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, issued subpoenas Monday as part of his investigation into the alleged scheme. In July, the Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that a Ponzi scheme had been run out of an investment firm Frost launched called First Liberty Building & Loan.

SEC investigators allege that approximately 300 investors were bilked out of at least $140 million and that about $17 million went toward personal expenses for Frost and his family, including more than $2.4 million in credit card payments and more than $570,000 in political donations.

Frost apologized last month, saying in a statement: “I take full responsibility for my actions and am resolved to spend the rest of my life trying to repay as much as I can to the many people I misled and let down.”

His actions have sent ripples through the Republican Party.

Frost’s son, Brant Frost V, promoted First Liberty to conservatives on right-wing media — such as Real America’s Voice — and has since stepped down from his post as head of a GOP county chapter in metro Atlanta. And there’s a push underway to determine which conservatives and right-wing causes benefited from First Liberty’s contributions.

Last month, Raffensperger called on politicians who received donations to return them:

Now is the time for every elected official, candidate or political action committee who received financial support from this entity currently under investigation to stand up and help the victims. Ill-gotten gains do not belong in the State Capitol.

A recent investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that the money reached beyond Georgia and into states nationwide. The AJC reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis were among those who received donations, though the newspaper noted that it’s “not clear which contributions were paid with investors’ money.” The Georgia Recorder reported that other high-profile Republicans — such as Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and then-Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida — received contributions from First Liberty in last year’s election cycle. (Johnson, DeSantis, Boebert and Gaetz did not immediately respond to MSNBC’s requests for comment.)

According to the Recorder, some people in Georgia have returned money they received to a court-appointed receiver, including Gov. Brian Kemp, whose donations appear to have come before the alleged scheme began, and Raffensperger.

The receiver, Gregory Hays, basically said the scheme was meant to exploit right-wing Christians’ generosity toward like-minded causes:

“We call these affinity frauds, where you base it on a certain group, and this is very religious Christians and Republicans,” said Gregory Hays of Atlanta-based Hays Financial Consulting, who was appointed by a U.S. district court judge to receive the money from those returning the funds. “So most of all the victims are either in politics or very faith-based investors, and all of them that I talked to were influenced by the charitable giving and the feel-good side of the company.”

Several officials in neighboring Alabama have returned campaign contributions, as well. Given how expansive these donations appear to have been, the list of such politicians seems likely to grow in the coming weeks and months.

Aggressive Door-Knocking Incident Raises Tensions in Georgia State Senate Race

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 15:11:10 GMT

CANTON, Ga. — Door-to-door canvassers supporting Steve West have drawn sharp criticism after allegedly distributing debunked materials and engaging in confrontational tactics while urging residents to vote against rival candidate Jason Dickerson.

The incidents unfolded this week in neighborhoods across Canton, where volunteers handed out copies of a 20-year-old police report that accused Dickerson of a crime. The report, which was reported by Peach Pundit as later being debunked , has been a point of contention in the heated race for the state senate seat.

Residents described the canvassers as persistent and, in some cases, aggressive. In one reported altercation, a young female door-knocker allegedly placed her foot in a homeowner's doorway to prevent it from closing after the resident expressed support for Dickerson and dismissed the claims in the report.

According to the homeowner, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, the canvasser attempted to force the printed document into the home, insisting the resident "read it for himself." The homeowner's wife intervened, pushing the canvasser's foot out of the doorway, allowing the couple to shut and lock the door.

Shortly after, the canvassers fled the scene. Residents say they are now monitoring the area for similar activity, with a focus on identifying the female staffer involved in the Canton altercation.

The episode has left some homeowners rattled. Later that day, the same couple hesitated to answer a knock from a neighbor, fearing it might be the canvassers returning. "It shook us up," the homeowner said. "You don't expect politics to come crashing into your home like that."

The West campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the allegations. Representatives for the American Made Independent Committee, a political action group supporting West, also declined to comment.

Dickerson's campaign condemned the tactics in a statement, calling them "a desperate attempt to smear a dedicated public servant with outdated and discredited lies." Dickerson, a longtime community advocate, has emphasized transparency and positive campaigning in his bid for the senate seat.

As the election approaches, the incident has amplified concerns about the tone of the race. Residents in Canton, a suburb north of Atlanta known for its tight-knit communities, expressed dismay over what they view as escalating dirty politics.

"This kind of aggressive, underhanded stuff is just distasteful," said Ann Donavan, a 73-year-old retired teacher who lives in the affected neighborhood. "We're supposed to be neighbors here. Steve West's team crossing that line has really turned people off—it's like they're willing to bully their way to a win."

Republican activist Sarah Logan, 38, added: "Dirty politics like this erodes trust in the whole process. People are afraid to open their doors now, and that's not how democracy should work. West's aggressive tactics have backfired—even his own supporters are looking for alternatives because of it."

The special election for Senate District 21 is this Tuesday, August 26th. Early voting ends tomorrow.

Former Georgia lieutenant governor — Republican turned Democrat — considering governor’s run

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 03:32:02 GMT

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Geoff Duncan, who recently made national headlines when he switched political parties, has confirmed he is considering making a Georgia gubernatorial run.

“We’re thinking about it,” Duncan said in an exclusive interview with On The Record With Atlanta News First , which airs Sunday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. “We haven’t made any firm decisions.

“There are issues after issues that I’ve got a track record of wanting to work on. I’m going to be honest and authentic and certainly I’m going to be a more moderate individual than probably other folks that are going to run for governor in 2026, if that’s a decision we make.”

If Duncan does enter the race, he would join five other Democrats who are seeking their party’s gubernatorial nomination: former state Labor Commissioner and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond ; state Sen. Jason Esteves ; state Rep. Derrick Jackson ; former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ; and businessman/pastor Olu Brown .

All are minority candidates with strong ties to Atlanta.

Earlier this month, Duncan - who had already been expelled from the Georgia GOP - said he has officially joined the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Duncan’s party switch comes in a state that President Donald Trump lost in 2020 by only a few thousand votes, and one that he handily returned to the GOP column in 2024 on his way to an unprecedented return to the White House.

Duncan was Georgia’s 12th lieutenant governor, serving from 2019-23; he chose not to run for reelection in 2024, which cleared the way for then-state Sen. Burt Jones to ascend to office. Jones is now running for Georgia governor , seeking to succeed the term-limited Brian Kemp in next year’s nationally watched gubernatorial election.

Source: This story is from Atlanta News First's reporting.

Mike Collins officially kicks off senate bid with Butts County rally

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:38:55 GMT

BUTTS COUNTY, Ga. - Rep. Mike Collins officially launched his U.S. Senate campaign with a rally in Butts County on Tuesday night, aiming to unseat Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in next year’s election.

What they're saying:

He did so by emphasizing his allegiance to President Trump and conservative values, while attacking incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff as an out-of-touch liberal.

"Y'all, I am unapologetically pro-God, pro-Trump, pro-Second Amendment," Collins told the crowd of about 150 in a Jackson barn-style event hall. "Jon Ossoff doesn't relate to the average Georgians. I mean, he's a trust fund kid. He's never had a real job," Collins said.

What they're saying:

Collins is hoping to court Trump voters, emphasizing the passage of the Laken Riley Act, which he co-sponsored and was the first bill signed into law by President Donald Trump in his second term.

"There is simply no one else in this race who deserves to be in the U.S. Senate more than Mike Collins. He is someone who says what he means, means what he says, and actually delivers results that matter," the couple said.

Sen. Ossoff was among the 12 Democrats in the senate who voted for the act.

At Collins' rally, Butts County Sheriff Gary Long also spoke in support of Collins, pointing to concerns over immigration enforcement.

"One of my deputies stopped a car on the interstate. It was three illegals. It's not been that long ago. They all three had deportation orders, and they were trafficking in illegal narcotics," Sheriff Gary Long said.

The other side:

A group of Georgia Democrats protested Collins' candidacy outside his district office in Monroe on Monday.

They argue that Collins would take away social services.

"As Mike Collins’ constituents, we’ve seen firsthand how he’s voted to rip away affordable health care, undermine our rural hospitals, gut jobs and jeopardize our economy," said Gareth Finley, a Democratic activist, in a statement emailed by a state party spokesperson. "We’re doing everything possible to let other Georgians know that he cannot be trusted anywhere near the United States Senate."

Meanwhile, Governor Brian Kemp has endorsed Derek Dooley, one of Collins’ Republican competitors.

FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo saw Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones quietly attend Collins’ campaign launch, but he said he was not ready to endorse anyone in the race.

What's next:

Collins joins three other Republicans who hope to defeat Sen. Ossoff next year: Activist Reagan Box, Rep. Buddy Carter, and former football coach Derek Dooley.

Before Collins could face off against Ossoff, he must win the Republican primary in May.

President Trump's endorsement would likely dramatically reshape the course of the race.

Meanwhile, Collins' supporters called on party insiders to rally the base around him.

"I invite you to call it Buddy and this guy named Dooley and say, 'Hey, I see what you're doing, but you'd be better off in our camp because this is a winning camp,'" Trump advisor Bruce Levell said to the crowd.

The Source: This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo who attended the Rally on Tuesday.

Steve West. Typical Corrupt Politician. Bought & paid for by Developers & PACs.

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 04:03:22 GMT

Back in 2015, Tea Party leader Carolyn Cosby filed a formal ethics complaint accusing West of cutting “sweetheart deals” for Cowart Mulch Products, which ended up with a lucrative county contract.

She alleged West failed to report donations tied to the company.

https://patch.com/georgia/canton-ga/steve-west-cosbys-allegations-have-no-merit

Follow the money and you’ll see why Steve West does what he does. His Senate campaign isn’t fueled by grassroots conservatives.

It’s bankrolled by big developers and contractors: Jacklett LLC, Ballantry PMC Belmont LLC, PB&J Contractors, Cowart Mulch Products, HRF LLC, and more. In fact, West is known to have a weekly breakfast with his Developer handlers, of course, outside of his district in Forsyth County. Weirdly enough, Forsyth County, outside of his district, is littered with West campaign signs. Huh?

https://efile.ethics.ga.gov/ReportsOutput/103/105b3ffb-4aef-4479-a648-d396466155de.pdf

Realtors, property investors, and political insiders are maxing out their contributions. Meanwhile, small-dollar grassroots donations are almost nonexistent.

West spent tens of thousands on Endeavor Strategic Advisors for digital ads, polling, and fundraising events.

He dumped over $40,000 into one consultant firm for glossy mailers, yard signs, and banners flooding Cherokee and Forsyth neighborhoods. A developer friendly consulting firm that is known for backing candidates that are pro-growth, and anti-constituent. West’s greed knows no limits.

[Georgia Campaign Finance Reports, 2025](https://efile.ethics.ga.gov/#/expenditures/search)

This isn’t a people’s movement — it’s a corporate-funded, consultant-driven campaign. Funded by Developers, fueled by shady consultants and political operatives, West campaign is a classic pro-special interest machine.

Steve West wants to call himself a conservative. But his record shows he’s a developer’s ally, not a defender of families.

From shady ethics complaints to PAC-funded smear campaigns, West has proven time and again that he’ll serve the interests of big money over the people who trusted him.

Conservative, Christian, and America First voters should reject Steve West — because he’s not one of us. He’s theirs. More revelations to come…

Source: Originally reported by Concerned Citizens for Cherokee

Baptist leaders urge Trump to ban abortion drug

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 03:47:56 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BP) — Thomas Hammond, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board , and the GBMB's public affairs representative, Mike Griffin, were among 40 Southern Baptist state executives, officers, and public policy leaders that signed on to a letter encouraging President Donald Trump to take “immediate action” in stopping the mail-order distribution of the abortifacient mifepristone.

The letter, sent on July 28, points out that over 60 percent of U.S. abortions come about through the use of mifepristone, which can be mailed to those living in pro-life states. In 2017, 39 percent of abortions came from pills. That figure jumped to 53 percent in 2020 as COVID shutdowns pushed the usage of telehealth options. A year after the 2022 Dobbs decision, chemical abortions had risen to 63 percent of all cases.

The letter is also signed by Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council.

“While the number of abortions briefly declined following the Dobbs decision, overall abortion rates have since increased, driven largely by the previous administration’s lax policies on mifepristone and the expansion of mail-order access, which remain in place,” it read. “Shield laws in pro-abortion states now protect providers who illegally ship mifepristone into prolife states, in direct violation of federal law and the spirit of Dobbs.”

The signers said they were “deeply grateful” for the president’s “unwavering defense of the unborn” during his first term. Now, they request three steps:

Restore and strengthen Food and Drug Administration safety protocols for Mifepristone, including ultrasound requirements.

Direct the FDA to reevaluate the drug’s approval.

Instruct the Department of Justice to enforce the Comstock Act to protect the rights of states’ pro-life laws.

The Comstock Act was established in 1873 and bans the mailing of obscene materials as well as “every article or thing designed … for producing abortion[s].”

The administration of President Joe Biden chose to interpret the act as narrowly as possible, allowing the use of abortions through the mail to expand, reported The Washington Stand. The letter itself pointed to “abortionist Margaret Carpenter, who shipped abortion pills to Louisiana and Texas, [and] illustrates this growing threat. Yet governors like New York’s Kathy Hochul refuse extradition and enact new laws to further shield violators.”

Pro-life advocates say the adverse effects of Mifepristone are grossly underreported . A report in April stated that the number of women suffering adverse reactions could be as much as 22 times higher than previously revealed.

Southern Baptists responded to that news, too.

“[W]hat we now know is that the abortion rights movement was using a very small sample of outdated information and was pressing politically on the powers that be, especially after the Dobbs decision, to legalize medication abortion, the abortion pill, out of the declaration that the nation faced an abortion and health care emergency,” said Southern Seminary President Al Mohler on the findings by the Ethics and Public Policy Center, based in Washington, D.C.

Mifepristone was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000.

Source: This story from the Baptist Press was reprinted in the Christian Index.

As First Liberty empire crumbles, new lawsuit seeks class action status

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:38:55 GMT

Weeks before federal regulators accused Brant Frost IV of orchestrating a $140 million Ponzi scheme , he was still recruiting investors with polished pitches promising steep returns.

One of them was Manu Gupta, the principal of a Georgia investment firm, who was introduced to Frost and his politically connected First Liberty Building & Loan firm in early 2024.

According to a lawsuit filed Monday , Gupta and his firm, Butterfly Capital Group of Suwanee, invested $50,000 in May of this year — just weeks before First Liberty collapsed and Frost publicly admitted in a statement earlier this month to defrauding investors.

It was Butterfly’s second investment with Frost and First Liberty, following a $100,000 commitment last year into what Frost touted as a high-yield loan tied to a Middle Georgia medical practice, the lawsuit said.

Now Gupta is leading a legal challenge in Coweta County Superior Court that seeks class action status on behalf of other investors. The complaint adds to the growing web of civil and regulatory scrutiny surrounding Frost, his family and their Newnan-based business.

The firm’s sudden collapse in late June sent shock waves through Georgia’s political establishment . Frost IV and his relatives were prominent conservative activists with deep ties to the Georgia GOP and influential political figures.

On July 10, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil complaint accusing Frost of using investor funds to enrich himself and his family. The agency said Frost funneled more than $5 million to himself and relatives, paid off $2.4 million in credit card debt and spent $335,000 at a rare coin dealer, among other personal expenses.

Frost IV is the only individual named in the SEC complaint.

Regulators also said he directed more than $570,000 in investor funds toward political donations as the Frost family sought to build clout in Georgia’s conservative movement. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution review found the family spent nearly $1.4 million on campaign contributions over two decades.

Frost IV didn’t return multiple requests for comments. But he previously told the AJC in a statement that he takes “full responsibility for my actions and am resolved to spend the rest of my life trying to repay as much as I can to the many people I misled and let down.”

He urged investors to allow the court-appointed receiver , S. Gregory Hays, time to “do his best to repair the damage I created.” Frost’s attorney, Joshua Mayes, said he expects the receiver, whose job is to recoup funds for harmed investors, to temporarily block private lawsuits for now.

The Georgia Secretary of State’s office, the state-level regulator for securities, has also opened an investigation.

Gupta’s complaint includes a May 8 email from Frost promising a 12% return on a $50,000 investment in “First Liberty Notes” — financial instruments that claimed to offer pieces of short-term, high-yield business loans. The firm shut down June 27.

Gupta’s lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, a full accounting of investor funds, and an order barring Frost and his associates from launching similar ventures.

“While Mr. Frost has stated to the media that he takes full responsibility for his actions, his actions have not spoken as loudly as his words,” said Kevin Epps, Gupta’s attorney.

“This lawsuit gives him the opportunity to make every victim whole again financially. With this lawsuit, his victims will know in the coming months if he will finally take responsibility — or if his statement is yet another con.”

Source: This story is from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's reporting

‘Handmaid’s Tale’ in real life? Georgia AG says heartbeat law not to blame

Mon, 19 May 2025 00:38:55 GMT

ATLANTA - Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr’s office has issued a clarification in response to growing national controversy over Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old woman who was declared brain-dead in February but remains on life support due to her pregnancy.

What we know:

In a statement released by Carr’s communications director, the Attorney General’s office said that nothing in Georgia’s LIFE Act—also known as the fetal heartbeat law—requires hospitals to keep a brain-dead woman on life support. The office emphasized that "removing life support is not an action with the purpose to terminate a pregnancy."

Despite the clarification, the legal and ethical questions surrounding Smith’s case continue to stir outrage and political debate, both in Georgia and beyond. Smith, mother of a 7-year-old boy, was declared brain-dead on Feb. 19 after suffering a sudden medical emergency following days of severe headaches. Her family says she was pregnant and in her first trimester at the time, triggering confusion over how state laws apply in such a complex situation.

Calls for Answers and Legislative Action

What they're saying:

State Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes sent a formal letter to Carr requesting clarification on whether Georgia law mandates life support in these circumstances. She also questioned whether his office would support the prosecution of any individual who authorized the removal of life-sustaining measures.

On Monday, three Democratic state lawmakers—Reps. Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), and Sandra Scott (D-Rex)—issued a scathing condemnation of Georgia’s abortion law in light of Smith’s case.

"This is not healthcare. This is sanctioned cruelty," said Rep. Schofield. "Adriana’s family is being forced to endure months of emotional torture. Our state has turned a woman into an incubator against her will and stripped her family of the right to say goodbye. This is barbaric, and it must end. Smith’s case has gained national attention as a grim example of how Georgia’s abortion ban is weaponized to override medical judgment, silence families and disproportionately harm Black women. Healthcare providers have cited fear of criminal penalties as a reason for inaction, despite clear signs that humane, patient-centered care is being blocked."

"Whether you believe in abortion or not, critical healthcare decisions—including life-saving diagnoses and treatment—must be made between medical professionals, patients and their families," said Rep. Davis. "Politics has no place in the exam room. It will never rise to the standard of care or the sacred oath taken by doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals. Georgia’s law has not only undermined medical judgment—it has inflicted trauma on a grieving family. That must change."

"Georgia’s law failed Adriana," said Rep. Scott. "It failed her family. And it will continue to fail others unless we act now. This is not a debate about politics—it’s a matter of life, death and dignity."

"This moment calls for immediate action," Reps. Schofield, Davis and Scott stated jointly. "We stand united in saying that Adriana and her family deserve better. Georgia must do better."

Reps. Schofield, Davis and Scott are calling for legislative action to repeal Georgia’s abortion law, restore medical freedom and prevent other families from experiencing the challenges faced by Adriana’s family.

The Legal Gray Area

Dig deeper:

While many critics have pointed to Georgia’s LIFE Act as the reason Smith remains on life support, others argue that a lesser-known law— Georgia Code 31-32-9 , part of the state’s Advance Directive for Health Care Act—may be the more immediate factor. That statute restricts doctors from withdrawing life support from a pregnant patient unless the fetus is nonviable and the patient had a written directive explicitly requesting such action.

Emory Healthcare released a statement saying:

Emory Healthcare uses consensus from clinical experts, medical literature, and legal guidance to support our providers as they make individualized treatment recommendations in compliance with Georgia’s abortion laws and all other applicable laws. Our top priorities continue to be the safety and wellbeing of the patients we serve. Because of federal privacy rules, we are unable comment on individual patient cases.

Political Defenders Respond

The other side:

State Sen. Ed Setzler, the Republican lawmaker who sponsored Georgia’s 2019 abortion bill, provided the following statement to FOX 5 Atlanta:

"I'm thankful that the hospital recognizes the full value of the small human life living inside of this regrettably dying young mother. Mindful and respectful of the deep pain of this young mother’s family, the wisdom of modern medical science to be able to save the life of her unborn child is something that I am hopeful in future years will lead to great joy, with her child having a chance to grow into the vibrant adulthood. I would be thankful if the Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act played a small part in taking the tragic, unavoidable death of this young mother and allowing at least one of the two lives now hanging in the balance to be saved."

Public Reaction and Cultural Parallels

What they're saying:

Smith’s case has garnered widespread media attention and public outcry, with comparisons drawn to The Handmaid’s Tale, the dystopian series where women are kept alive solely to give birth. In Season 3, a brain-dead character is kept on life support by an authoritarian regime for this reason—an eerie parallel some say now reflects real-life policy.

Still, others note that many women, particularly mothers, might choose to remain on life support if they believed it could save their unborn child. However, Smith’s family has declined interview requests following an initial media appearance, leaving their personal wishes unclear.

What's next:

While Attorney General Carr’s office has offered some clarity, some Georgia lawmakers and others are demanding legislative review. Public hearings, policy debates, and likely court challenges may follow, especially as more details about Smith’s pregnancy, medical condition, and treatment decisions come to light.

In the meantime, Adriana’s family remains in limbo—mourning a daughter and sister while waiting for the outcome of a pregnancy they had no legal control over. Smith's due date is still 3 months away.

A GoFundMe set up by Smith’s mother describes the anguish of the past three months and asks for prayers and community support during what the family calls "a nightmare no one should have to endure."

The Source

Information for this story was provided by AG Chris Carr's office and the offices of state representatives (D-Atlanta), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Sandra Scott (D-Rex); the Associated Press (linked); posts on social media; and previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting. This story has been updated since it was originally published to include a full statement from Sen. Ed Setzler.

Sen. Brandon Beach Formally Resigns from Georgia Senate to Assume Position of United States Treasurer

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:57:59 GMT

ATLANTA (May 6, 2025) — Yesterday, Sen. Brandon Beach (R–Alpharetta) formally announced his resignation from the Georgia State Senate after 13 years of service, following his appointment by President Donald J. Trump to serve as the 46th Treasurer of the United States. Sen. Beach’s resignation will take effect immediately as he transitions into his new national role.

Sen. Beach, who represented the 21st Senate District, becomes the first Georgian in U.S. history to serve as Treasurer of the United States. In this position, he will oversee the U.S. Mint, Fort Knox, and serve as a key liaison to the Federal Reserve. He will also advise the Treasury Secretary on issues impacting community development and economic infrastructure.

“This is a proud moment not just for my family, but the entire state of Georgia,” said Sen. Beach. “Serving in the State Senate has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I’m deeply thankful for the trust and support of my constituents and colleagues. Together, we’ve worked to make Georgia a national model for economic growth and pro-business leadership. I’m ready to take our Georgia values to Washington and deliver for the people of the United States. President Donald J. Trump has given me the opportunity of a lifetime to help rebuild and secure our economic future as U.S. Treasurer. We are witnessing a bold conservative resurgence, and I’m proud to stand with President Trump as we restore American strength, defend taxpayer dollars and put America First. I will bring that same commitment to the Treasury Department and always remember the people and southern values that brought me here.”

For more information on the U.S. Department of the Treasury, you can read here .

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Sen. Brandon Beach served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism. He represented the 21st Senate District, including portions of Cherokee and Fulton County. He can be reached at (404) 463-1378 or by email at brandon.beach@senate.ga.gov .

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov .

Jason Carter rules out 2026 bid for governor as wife battles brain cancer

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 17:46:06 GMT

ATLANTA - Former Georgia state Sen. Jason Carter said he has no plans to seek the 2026 nomination because of his wife’s cancer diagnosis.

"For all intents and purposes, I can’t imagine making a decision to run because it’s the wrong time for my family," Carter, 49, told The Associated Press on Monday.

What we know:

Carter also told The Associated Press that he is "not going to endorse anybody," but that he was "very excited" that Sen. Jason Esteves has announced that he is in the running for governor in 2026.

Katharine "Kate" Lewis Carter has glioblastoma, a highly malignant and aggressive form of brain cancer. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Jason Carter did not reveal any additional details about his wife's condition.

Jason Carter is the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100 on Dec. 29, 2024, and first lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on Nov. 19, 2023, at the age of 96. Carter, who served in the Georgia State Senate from 2010 to 2015, was the Democratic Party nominee for governor in Georgia in 2014. He lost to incumbent Nathan Deal by 7.9%, receiving 44% of the vote.

In November 2015, Jason became Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Carter Center, the nonprofit organization founded in 1982 by his grandparents to fight for human rights and the alleviation of human suffering, prevent and resolve conflicts, improve health care, and enhance freedom and democracy. He had previously served on the board since 2009.

Jason is also a lawyer and has represented clients in high-stakes trial and appellate business litigation, including breach of contract, class actions, business torts, and other complex commercial cases, according to Bondurant Mixson & Elmore. He has received numerous awards for his legal work and community service. He also wrote a book published by National Geographic titled Power Lines, which detailed the racial divides he experienced in South Africa while serving in the Peace Corps.

Kate Carter is a high school teacher and former journalist with the Athens Banner-Herald. She also launched a nutmilk brand, Treehouse Naturals, with a friend in 2016. The couple has two teenage sons.

What they're saying:

Before his announcement about his decision not to run, Jason Carter had been mentioned as a centrist candidate with high name identification who could run as a bridge between the Democrats’ base and voters who might be up for grabs if President Donald Trump’s popularity and the Republican brand take a dip heading into 2026, according to The Associated Press.

Source: Information for the above story came from several sources, including The Associated Press.

Political hardball got Georgia tort damage limits passed. Now comes the collateral damage.

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 03:42:18 GMT

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s big 2025 legislative push to pass lawsuit damage limits is ready for his victory lap, but as the dust settles in the wake of Thursday’s razor-close House vote on Senate Bill 68, some legislators’ nerves are still frayed and one longtime lawmaker lost his job over his vote.

Lawmakers in both parties are beginning to feel the fallout of their votes on the pivotal bill aimed at overhauling Georgia’s civil litigation system as party leaders and powerful business interests take note of who toed the party line and who crossed it. In the House, where the bill passed along razor-thin margins, eight Republicans broke ranks to vote against the legislation and three Democrats joined the majority to secure the bill’s passage. In the final Senate vote, two Democrats crossed party lines to vote in support of the legislation, and one Republican opposed it.

State Rep. Vance Smith, a Pine Mountain Republican, was ousted from his position as CEO of the Harris County Chamber of Commerce during a Friday afternoon Zoom call. He tearfully recounted his dismissal during a speech in the House chamber Tuesday.

Though SB 68 successfully cleared both chambers, Kemp repeatedly twisted arms throughout the session to coerce lawmakers into passing the bill. At the start of the 2025 session, he had pledged to drag lawmakers back to Atlanta for a special session if “meaningful, impactful” changes were not made to the state’s civil justice system by the end of the regular session on April 4. A key lieutenant also threatened the governor would use his substantial campaign warchest to back primary challengers to any Republicans who opposed the bill, and ahead of the final Senate vote,

Republicans briefly paused floor proceedings to assemble for a caucus meeting attended by Kemp.

Republicans in both chambers might have to wait until the 2026 election season to see if Kemp makes good on his promise.

Smith, whose west Georgia district spans parts of Harris, Muscogee and Troup counties, first joined the Georgia Legislature in 1993. He has long been a reliable member of the Republican caucus, making his vote on Thursday somewhat unexpected. In an emotional speech on the House floor Tuesday morning, Smith made veiled references to the fallout from his decision.

“A lot of things have transpired since last week when we left,” he said, thanking his family and members of the house for their support over the past few days. He also tearfully quoted the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11, “‘for I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Though Smith expressed surprise over the Harris County Chamber of Commerce’s abrupt decision to fire him, he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he did not regret his vote. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce and local chambers formed a powerful alliance in the fight to get a bill passed intended to limit jury payouts for medical malpractice and negligent property owners.

House leaders also addressed the strong reactions to Thursday’s vote, with House Majority Caucus Whip James Burchett, a Waycross Republican who sponsored the bill in the House, urging Georgia residents to “hold legislators accountable for their votes under the Gold Dome at the ballot box – not by taking aim at their ability to support their families.”

“Numerous members have suffered threats to their livelihoods and independence because of their votes on Senate Bill 68,” Burchett said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon. “These retaliations undermine the strengths of our citizen legislature, which depends on members voting their conscience after fully weighing the issues and determining what they think is best for their communities and our state.”

Democrats are also grappling with the aftermath of SB 68’s passage, with House minority leaders sharply criticizing the members of their caucus who broke ranks to vote for the legislation.

“We were sent here to make hard decisions, and hard decisions are hard because you have to look people in the eye that you disappoint,” said Rep. Stacey Evans, an Atlanta Democrat, shortly after the bill passed in the House. “Those victims won’t be here every day, but the chamber will be here. Insurance companies will be here, and I think too many of my colleagues were worried about walking down the hall and looking them in the eye and not worried about the people back home.”

Rep. Mack Jackson, a Sandersville Democrat who is Black with a history of splitting from his party on pivotal votes, criticized the House Democratic caucus in a speech on the House floor last Friday, comparing an unnamed Democratic colleague to segregation-era figures like Bull Connor and George Wallace.

“I realized that somewhere in her subconscious mind, she thought that she had bought me and my freedom to choose,” he said, referencing a conversation in which the unnamed colleague brought up her contribution to his most recent re-election campaign. “I gave her her money back because I don’t want anyone to think that they own me and can talk down to me as if I’m a child.”

He also described other conversations with fellow Democrats who expressed disappointment with his vote, and requested that their campaign contributions be refunded.

“I’ll refund everything, because I don’t ever want anybody to think that they own me,” he said.

Rep. Michelle Au, a Johns Creek Democrat and doctor who also voted in favor of the bill, took to social media to explain her decision, posting a two-page statement on the social media site X (formerly Twitter).

“It is by no means a perfect bill,” Au wrote. “There are elements I object to. But on balance I think it protects our fair, equal access for all to our justice system while hopefully addressing the ways our litigation environment has become untenable for many.”

The second part of Kemp’s tort package, Senate Bill 69 that would increase regulations around third-party lawsuit financing, passed the House Rules Subcommittee on Lawsuit Reform Tuesday evening. It is expected to come up for a vote on the House floor later this week.

Source: This story is from Georgia Recorder's reporting.

Residents of the Cherokee County Avery Community Speak Out Against Rezoning Application

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 03:59:57 GMT

THE UPDATE 3/20/25- Another Avery Corner update - Chair Commissioner Harry Johnston introduced the idea of rescinding the decision made to rezone the property since the property is already on the market to be sold. (Thank you Harry).

Steve West was a hard no. He was not willing to revisit this property zoning just because "a few" people did not agree with the zoning. (Yes, we were 4 there today but what about the 1,145 signatures that were submitted ask for the request to rezone as commercial be denied). He actually said that this zoning was important to "protect the other corners" (WHAT???)

Richard Weatherby didn't support rescinding the decision. He didn't think that the property was up for sale. He thought that Mack Development was only looking for investors (I had incorrectly said tenants). Harry pointed out that wasn't what the ad Norton/CJ Harman was running made it sound like.

Corey Ragsdale was not in attendance.

Thank you everyone for our continued vigilance in this matter. The community has spoken and needs to be heard

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Submitted by a concerned citizen of the Avery Community (posted 3/3/25)

The Avery community is a rural area nestled in between Hickory Flat and Macedonia in Cherokee County. It is home to family farms and residential neighborhoods. With one exception, all of the property in the area is zoned either agricultural (AG) or residential (R-40). The single exception is the Union Hill Flea Market, formerly known as the Carmichael Store, which was built in 1946. The people who live in Avery call it their little slice of heaven.

There is an application to rezone the property at the 7658 Union Hill Road to allow for 50,000 sq ft of medical office space bringing a commercial designation to the area. This property is at the intersection of East Cherokee Drive and Union Hill Road and is adjacent to the Avery Elementary School. Rezoning this property as commercial would set a precedent for any rezoning on the other three corners of the intersection. This would, in time, also carry on through the East Cherokee corridor from Hickory Flat to Macedonia.

The current land use plan and the future development plan both have this area designated as Country Estates with a zoning of agricultural. There is a commercial node defined as the Highway 20 East Overlay District within a couple of miles of this property.

Residents initially learned about these plans in July, 2024 when Ethan Underwood of Miles Hansford, LLC attorneys for Mack Development sent out an announcement for an informational meeting. A second meeting was also required because of a clerical error in notifying all interested parties for the first meeting. The community showed up at both informational meetings with concerns of such a large commercial enterprise in the middle of a residential area and next to an elementary school. Concerns included traffic, safety, health, lower home values of surrounding properties, quality of life and non-conformance of the current and future land use plans. Residents attending these meetings thought that our commissioners would never consider approving this proposal.

Letters of opposition were written by members of the community and an opposition petition was circulated. Some members met and discussed opposition strategies to present at the Planning and Zoning public hearing. Plans were made as to who would talk and what they would say so not to repeat the same information.

The Public Hearing on the application was set for November 5, 2024 (yes, election day). There were 3 out of the 5 commissioners present to hear the public input. Missing from the meeting were Commissioner Steve West – District 1 (The property in question is in District 1) and Commissioner Corey Ragsdale – District 4. ( November 5, 2024 Planning Commission Meeting )

The Avery Community showed up to oppose this proposal. A slide show with all the opposition points was presented by members of the Avery Community Neighbors along with a few other speakers from the community voicing their opposition reasons.

The original application included two variances to buffers. The first would have reduced the buffer between this property and the elementary school to a 5-foot buffer. The second variance reduced the buffer between the property and the school bus lane and residences to an 11-foot buffer. The Planning and Zoning members stated that the plans were too large for the property. Mr. Whitaker, the chairman, stated that this was a market issue not a zoning issue. That the property was too expensive. The applicant was asked to resubmit a plan without any requests for variances. A motion was made to table the decision until the next meeting.

The next meeting was held on December 3, 2024. This meeting did not include any public input. But again, the Avery Community showed up. The applicant did submit a plan without the request for variances but still had two 25,000 square foot buildings. In the end, the motion to deny the application passed 5-4. ( December 3, 2024 Planning Commission Meeting )

Prior to the Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner West was quoted as saying that this (the medical facility) was the best we could get. That there had already been interest in the property to put a car wash, a gas station or even a port-a-potty business. The Avery Community knows that it can be better than any of those options. Residential would work. It would provide a reasonable economic use to the property owner and contribute to the character of the area. On a 7 ½ acre lot, at AG zoning there could be 3 homes, at R40 there could be 6-7 homes and at R30 as many as 9 homes. Any of these zonings would be acceptable to the community.

The property has access to sewer which is unusual in this area. This makes it attractive to businesses.

The application was added to the Board of Commissioners January 7, 2025 agenda.

There could be 4 possible outcomes

1. Vote to affirm the Planning Commission’s recommendation of denial.

2. Vote to accept the applicant’s withdrawal of the case, which would avoid the one-year lock-out of new zoning applications for the property that comes with a denial. The applicant would have to agree to withdraw the case and give up the right to sue the county for failure to approve it. This would leave the door open to explore other options for the property that might be more acceptable, and to file a new request relatively soon. That would start the entire process over.

3. Vote to schedule, advertise, and hold a second public hearing before the BOC to consider an outcome other than denial.

4. Vote to postpone any action until a future meeting.

Commissioner West said that he had been sick and had not reviewed the material received from the community. He chose option 3 above and made a motion was to have a public hearing at the February 18, 2025 meeting. Commission Chairman Johnston made a motion to take retail off the table and introduced OI (Office and Institutional) zoning consideration. He did not receive the support of any of the other commissioners. The original motion from Commissioner West passed 4-1 with Commissioner Johnston being the only one to vote against it. ( January 7, 2025 Board of Commissioners Meeting )

Members of the Avery community did their due diligence and discerned fact from speculation. When they were told that houses couldn’t be built by a school, they went to different schools and looked at neighboring houses. One example was the Owens Mill subdivision which is a one road subdivision in line of sight to both Creekland Middle School and Creekview High School. Avery Elementary is a much quieter neighbor than either of those schools. When the statement was made that traffic would divert from Highway 20 onto East Cherokee Drive making it a road that nobody would want to live near, a call was made to the Cherokee County Traffic Engineer who said that the Highway 20 widening would not increase traffic on East Cherokee Drive. The same Traffic Engineer warned against creating a destination within a rural area that it would bring traffic from outside of the area. Wouldn’t 50,000 square feet of office space qualify as a destination? What about safety? Most crime is committed by people from outside of the area. Didn’t we just invite them into the area with this destination.

More letters were written to the commissioners. Another petition was started. A new presentation with the facts was created. Representatives of the Avery Community were able to meet with 3 of the commissioners to express all of the concerns. The Avery Community was prepared. Many of the Avery families with school aged children expressed disappointment that the meeting was scheduled during the CCSD Mid-Winter Break.

Just before the February 18 ^th meeting, the applicant submitted some additional stipulations to limit what they would be allowed to build and what businesses were allowed. The application was modified to ask for Office and Institutional (OI) zoning. The community still believes that residential is the best use for the property. Commercial zoning does not fit the character of the Avery Community. That type of zoning was not planned and is not welcomed into this rural community.

The first opposition speaker presented a narrated slide show from the Avery Community Neighbors. Avery Community Neighbors BoC Presentation (that links to a YouTube of the presentation). The next speaker updated the commissioners on the latest count of Cherokee County residents who signed the online petition. This count was emailed to all of the commissioners prior to the meeting. The count on February 18th was more than 950 and it continues to grow. The final speaker spoke about the inevitability of growth and how that type of growth was not appropriate at that corner but better suited in the commercial districts. There were more in attendance who wanted to speak but time ran out.

Once again, the Avery Community turned out to show their opposition. The main meeting room was filled and the overflow room had an estimated 70 more attendees. Unfortunately, there was an issue with the sound in the overflow room so those in attendance did not get the opportunity to hear everything. The commissioners were not aware that there were so many in attendance. Unfortunately, once again, Commission West made a motion to postpone the decision on this request until the next meeting on March 4 ^th . ( February 18, 2025 Board of Commissioners Meeting )

Four of the five commissioners were in attendance at the meeting on February 18 ^th . Commissioner Ragsdale was not there. He had not been in attendance at the public hearing on November 5 ^th either yet he will be able to vote on this rezoning at the next meeting.

The commissioners are not listening to their constituents. The residents in the area have called, emailed and spoken to all of the commissioners. Residents have gone to the commissioners’ offices and met with Commissioner Johnston, Commissioner Carter and Commissioner Weatherby. Commissioner West met with a few from the community once before the first BoC meeting.

Commissioner Ragsdale responded that he was not able to meet on this subject.

The Avery Community is continuing to reach out to all of the commissioners asking for their support to deny this application. The petition link is still active and continues to grow with more than 1000 signatures from Cherokee County residents. Flyers are being distributed. There are email blasts within different groups asking for community members to go to the Board of Commissioners meeting on March 4 ^th at 6pm. Posts are being made to multiple Facebook groups. Neighbors are talking to neighbors. The information is being spread throughout the community.

To help the Avery Community retain its rural look and feel, you can help by doing the following

· Sign the petition

· Contact the Cherokee County Commissioners - You can send your commissioners an email from their website. https://www.cherokeecountyga.gov/boc/

· Come to the Cherokee Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, March 4 ^th at 6pm at The Cherokee Conference Center 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton, GA 30114

Source: This story was originally reported by CLER Scorecard.

Georgia lawmakers spar over GOP bill to outlaw puberty blockers for transgender minors

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:50:31 GMT

The fate of a Senate bill banning puberty-blocking medications for minors with gender dysphoria is unclear after a rocky House Committee hearing Tuesday.

Savannah Republican Sen. Ben Watson’s Senate Bill 30 was not scheduled to get a vote in the House Public and Community Health Committee but the meeting ended early after the bill faced skepticism from Democrats on the committee as well as Committee Chair Sharon Cooper, a Marietta Republican.

The bill would bar doctors from prescribing puberty blockers to children with gender dysphoria, a feeling of distress that comes from one’s gender identity not matching one’s body.

Dr. Michelle Zeanah, a Statesboro-based pediatrician, joined the committee by Zoom to speak in favor of the bill.

“In Georgia, adolescents under the age of 16 are not able to consent to sexual activity,” she said. “Adolescents under the age of 18 are not able to consent to a tattoo or genital piercing. And most OBGYNs think that young mothers under the age of 25 cannot really give informed consent to having their tubes tied to prevent additional pregnancies. So I really don’t think that we should be allowing children and adolescents the opportunity to make a life-altering decision that affects them forever because they don’t really understand how to give consent, and they don’t understand the decisions that they’re making.”

Children are not allowed to seek treatment for gender dysphoria without parental permission.

Zeanah specializes in treating children with autism, which she said is relevant because children with autism are more likely to be transgender.

But the doctor’s testimony was met with skepticism from Democrats on the committee, including Columbus Rep. Tremaine “Teddy” Reese.

“You feel strongly enough that the parents should lose their rights, per state law, with the child they have raised from birth, waking up in the morning when they were two or three months old to give them milk and change their diapers, the person who knows them better than anybody on this committee, anybody in this state, that they should have the right taken away from them to determine how they decide to proceed with their child’s life,” Reese said.

“I think that children should be protected from making life-altering decisions that could be very harmful,” answered Zeanah.

“Children should be protected from their parents, that’s what you’re saying, by strangers that know nothing about what’s going on in the household,” Reese said.

Watson, who is also a physician, said the bill cleans up another law passed two years ago that outlawed hormone therapy but specifically kept puberty blockers legal. He said new information has come to light indicating that puberty blockers are harmful, and he said parents have confided in him that they wish their children had never been allowed to start them.

“Because though their children suffered from gender dysphoria, the evidence-based treatment is such that they should receive counseling for quite some time, that unfortunately has not been the case, and that puberty blockers were initiated and transitioning was happening,” he said. “If puberty blockers had not been initiated, or are not initiated, then you allow a natural process called puberty that we’ve all been through. And that is a lot of fluctuation of hormones, I think that we all can testify.”

Watson added that his bill would still allow puberty blockers for treatments other than gender dysphoria.

”This does not keep puberty blockers from being used when little girls are starting their menstrual cycle at age 6 or 8 years old,” he said. “That does happen, and puberty blockers are used. It is also used in other situations, in mental health situations, when you’re blocking the estrogen or testosterone, the psychiatrists do that. It doesn’t prevent that, but it does prevent it in a mental health issue with gender dysphoria or gender confusion. And that’s what this does.”

Johns Creek Democratic Rep. Michelle Au, who is also a physician, said the bill limits doctors’ discretion and could bar them from prescribing puberty-blocking medications even for cisgender patients.

Watson pointed to lines in the bill that carve out people “born with a medically verifiable disorder of sex development” as still being eligible for treatment.

Au said there are conditions that do not fall under that category which are commonly treated with medications that could be deemed hormone-blocking drugs. She gave examples including galactorrhea – lactation not associated with pregnancy or breastfeeding – which can afflict men, women and children, and can be caused by a brain tumor.

Au said she fears the bill could cause doctors to risk running afoul of the law simply by offering standard treatments.

“I generally have a problem with legislation that legislates the practice of medicine, as you sometimes do too, like we’ve worked together, right? You get this, but that’s the situation you’re putting doctors in when they’re trying to do their job. It makes it hard for us to do our job.”

Cooper called the meeting short because she and other members of the panel were required to attend a House Rules Committee to vote on lawsuit damage award limit legislation, but before leaving, she told Watson she had problems with his bill, including that it would go back on the state’s protection of puberty blockers from the bill banning hormone therapy two years ago.

“I have a real problem with anything going retroactive,” she said.” Whether it’s changing the tax code, going back and penalizing people like they did in the U.S. Senate years ago, or taking away something, as a state, we said was okay, and let families and children, parents, come together and make a decision. And then we’re saying we should take that away when people are in transition.”

Cooper also said she doesn’t want the bill to specify that parents who feel their children have been improperly treated could seek a civil or criminal trial against doctors.

Cooper said the unintentional fallout could be comparable to that from the state’s abortion law.

“We’re having trouble recruiting OBGYNs because of the criminal part of the law,” she said. “Just regular OBGYNs who just want to deliver healthy babies. Well, when you put something like that in the end that says nothing is to prohibit them being sued criminally or civilly then it scares all of them. And then, will they be too scared to (treat) a child with an early period? Are they going to be scared to use the blockers that they’re going to need?”

Cooper suggested Watson appeared peeved at the questioning.

“I get the feeling you’re a little upset with us for even questioning, I hope that’s not the way it is, it’s just that, it’s different, we haven’t had, and I’ve been listening to my committee members talk to me about this and what was going to happen, and I’m just trying to give them an opportunity to express how they feel about it, to ask the questions they need to ask, and I hope you’ll bear with us, it means some extra time, and perhaps changes that will make the bill better or take care of some of the concerns, or maybe not.”

Before she left the committee, Cooper and Watson could be seen having an animated discussion behind the dais.

Cooper originally said she would reconvene the meeting after the vote on lawsuit reform and allow people to testify. About a dozen people signed up to speak before the meeting.

But when the Rules meeting went late, Cooper returned and officially adjourned the meeting.

“We are not in charge of all the committees that are meeting, and right now Rules rules the roost, and so I think it would just be better if we reconvened at another time,” she said. “I have no idea when that will be because, as I say, we’re at the end of session, and the time is of the essence, and we need to move. But I will be back, thank you very much for coming. I apologize for your travels, and I do intend, and we will have a fair hearing.”

If the bill gets another hearing, it will then need to get a vote and pass the committee. If the committee passes it without changes, it can head to the House for a final vote. If they make modifications, it will need to go back to the Senate in addition to the House. The deadline for either path is April 4.

This story was provided by WABE content partner the Georgia Recorder.

Senate panel to consider bill that hands Georgia lawmakers more say over State Election Board

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:48:12 GMT

A last-minute House election bill that advanced on Crossover Day last week would give new authority to the House speaker and Senate president to remove State Election Board members during the legislative offseason.

If the Legislature approves the current version of House Bill 397, it would give the two chamber leaders powers to remove members from a board that was at the forefront of controversial election rulemaking in 2024.

However, the architect behind the proposal for removing Georgia election board members, Atlanta Democratic Rep. Saira Draper, said she’s not optimistic that the updated clause will remain in the final election bill expected to be crafted before the session ends April 4.

On Feb. 18, Draper filed House Bill 501, which clarified state law by giving the House and Senate chamber leaders the same post-session authority to remove State Election Board members as they have to fill vacancies on the board.

On Thursday, the House voted 159-13 in favor of a substitute passed out of the House Rules Committee that no longer included a provision that would give municipal election officials the choice to opt-out of advance voting for municipal elections on Saturdays.

Draper said she believes the Republicans passed a HB 397 substitute that removed controversial Saturday voting language because the GOP leaders did not want to delay passing an election bill on the Crossover Day deadline for legislation to advance out of one chamber.

Instead, they presented a measure that only included her proposal clarifying state law by giving House and Senate leaders the same ability to remove election board members as they currently have to appoint members while not in session. The provision would allow the House and Senate leaders to remove Georgia election officials that were selected by their respective chambers to fill a vacancy.

“I don’t want to say I know this is going to happen, but my concern is (HB 397) is going to be used as a vehicle now to move whatever kind of election legislation they want to see,” Draper said.

Draper said a number of her Democratic colleagues are in favor of finding other ways to reduce local election costs without cutting off access to Saturday voting.

“Democrats are very sympathetic to the idea that our election offices are struggling and have had over the years, a large number of costs thrust upon them,” she said.

Covington Republican Rep. Tim Fleming’s HB 397 is assigned to the Senate Ethics Committee, which has debated and passed key election bills over the past couple of years, including measures that would ban election officials from adopting an instant runoff system, a 2024 bill replacing the QR code that tabulates votes on paper ballots, and the controversial sweeping 2021 election law overhaul, Senate Bill 202.

On Thursday evening as the clock ran out to advance bills on Crossover Day, Governmental Affairs Chairman Victor Anderson informed the House Rules Committee members about the last-minute changes to legislation that was intended to address critical procedural issues prior to the 2026 election.

Anderson, a Cornelia Republican, said stripping down the bill was necessary to reach a consensus working with the Senate Ethics Committee to pass new election procedures this year so as not to “put us in bind next year.”

Natalie Crawford, executive director and founder of Georgia First, a nonprofit think tank and policy advocacy group, said her organization supports the election board removal procedure and the earlier provision giving municipal election officials the choice to opt-out of a Saturday voting day.

The former Republican Habersham County Commissioner said her organization will continue monitoring proposals that the ethics committee could consider, including potentially new rules on the hand delivery on absentee ballots on and poll watcher access.

“We are great with the language as it is now. Obviously, we will be looking to see if there’s any language that would potentially impede voting access,” Crawford said. “Georgia First is pretty bullish that we do very well in Georgia with our elections.

“Now is probably a good time to kind of hold off on more legislative tinkering,” Crawford said. “Let’s get a good feel for what we have in place and allow confidence to be restored with voters without making any additional unnecessary changes

Voting rights groups and lawmakers will also be watching to see if the final version of House Bill 397 expands the Senate president and House speaker’s authority to remove State Election Board appointees while the Legislature is not in session.

Last year, House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who are both Republicans, appointed two conservative election board members ahead of the November election. In January, the Senate approved Jones’ choice to have former state Sen. Rick Jeffares serve on the board. Following the session, Burns’ appointed former Georgia Republican Party deputy director Janelle King to the election board that investigates county election administration.

The reshaped election board continued a trend of holding marathon board meetings often dominated by pro-Donald Trump activists lodging accusations of voting fraud and other voting irregularities stemming from false claims about widespread fraud costing Trump the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. The board also faced lawsuits contending the three conservative members’ rulemaking leading up to the Nov. 5 election was illegally usurping legislative authority.

Georgia senators want to investigate groups tied to Stacey Abrams

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 03:34:25 GMT

The Republican chairman of a special committee of the Georgia Senate that has been investigating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has introduced legislation that would expand the committee’s scope to include former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.

“I think we ought to get to the bottom of these allegations,” Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, said Friday, explaining why he had introduced Senate Resolution 292 the day before.

Cowsert was referring to a settlement agreement in January between the Georgia Ethics Commission and groups founded by Abrams.

The New Georgia Project and a separate fundraising arm, the New Georgia Action Fund, agreed to pay $300,000 for failing to disclose $4.2 million in contributions and $3.2 million in spending during the 2018 election cycle on behalf of Abrams’ unsuccessful bid for governor.

It was the largest fine ever assessed by the Ethics Commission.

Cowsert’s Special Committee on Investigations was created last year in the wake of Republican anger over Willis’ criminal case against President Donald Trump and others who helped his effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Willis has refused the Cowsert committee’s summons to testify, fighting it in court.

If the Senate passes SR 292, the committee will have the authority to expand its inquiry to the Abrams-related groups and determine if “existing state laws, including those establishing processes related to campaign finance and the operation of nonprofit organizations, are inadequate.”

Cowsert said he plans to call Abrams to testify after the legislative session ends on April 4.

His committee has no punitive powers, but Cowsert said prosecutors would likely be watching its work.

“We need to learn what’s going on out there, what’s permitted, and see if those guardrails are sufficient or not,” he said.

Democrats say it’s just a political stunt.

Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones II, D-Augusta, slammed his fellow Republicans, saying they took no action in the Trump case, which briefly ensnared the Senate’s top Republican.

In 2022, a Fulton County judge disqualified Willis from prosecuting Lt Gov. Burt Jones, then a state senator, because she had hosted a fundraiser for his Democratic opponent in the lieutenant governor’s race. The case was subsequently moved to a special prosecutor, who cleared Jones of wrongdoing last fall.

The GOP senators’ proposed investigation of Abrams is just “mud and dirt,” Harold Jones said. It’s a distraction from “real issues,” such as the housing crisis, he said.

Source: This story is from Capitol Beat's reporting.

Georgia Republican faces town hall backlash over DOGE's 'chainsaw approach' to government cuts

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 03:37:47 GMT

Rep. Rich McCormick faced an angry crowd Thursday during a town hall in his Georgia district, where many constituents lashed out at the Republican lawmaker over his support for massive federal layoffs and budget cuts by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency .

In video of the event taken by Greg Bluestein, a reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and an NBC News contributor, attendees clashed with McCormick, bashing both President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk who is helping lead DOGE's efforts to drastically reduce government spending.

In one instance, an attendee referred to recent cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by asking, “Why is the supposedly conservative party taking such a radical and extremist and sloppy approach to this?”

McCormick responded that “a lot of the work they do is duplicitous with AI.”

Almost 1,300 probationary CDC employees were removed from their posts as the Trump administration makes efforts to terminate all probationary workers — typically employees who are recent hires.

“If we continue to grow the size of government and we can’t afford it, it’s going to have shortfalls in your Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security,” McCormick added at the event in Roswell, about 20 miles from the CDC headquarters.

The attendee shot back that the administration was taking a “chainsaw approach” to dismissing its employees and the layoff effort was being “jammed down the pipe, so rushed and sloppily.”

After McCormick said that a department or agency makes its own decisions about whom to cut from its workforce when given a directive about head count, people in the audience could be heard saying, “No!” with one person saying, “Elon Musk is deciding.”

The town hall was also punctuated by constituents saying, “we’re pissed,” and “don’t bend over,” as well as chants of “shame!”

As McCormick struggled to respond to the interruptions from the crowd and suggested he was offering solutions and people didn’t “want to hear,” one person can be heard shouting, “We want to work with someone better.”

McCormick handily won re-election last year, winning 64.9% of the vote in a state that Trump flipped after narrowly losing the battleground to Joe Biden in 2020.

One person who raised budget concerns Thursday could be heard telling McCormick that he had done a “disservice” and had failed to “stand up for us.”

In another instance, an attendee asked McCormick how he plans to “rein in the megalomaniac in the White House” following Trump’s “LONG LIVE THE KING” post on Truth Social, a question that was met by cheers and some people rising to their feet.

“When you talk about tyranny, when you talk about presidential power, I remember having the same discussion with Republicans when Biden was elected,” McCormick said, to boos from the attendees.

“I don’t want to see any president be too powerful,” McCormick added.

At different points during the town hall, McCormick made attempts to quiet the crowd, saying at one point, “If you’re gonna yell at me, that’s not going to be an effective town hall," and later telling attendees, "Nobody can hear when you’re yelling."

A spokesperson for McCormick did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday night on the town hall.

Source: This story is from NBC News' reporting.