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Political Rewind: Previewing mental health reform bill; DOJ investigates fake slate of electors

Caption

Lawmakers announced sweeping mental health reform during the 2022 General Assembly session on Jan. 26, 2022 inside the state Capitol. Credit: Riley Bunch, GPB News

The Panel:

Dr. Amy Steigerwalt — Professor of political science, Georgia State University

Ellen Eldridge — Health reporter, Georgia Public Broadcasting

Greg Bluestein — Politics reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Leroy Chapman — Managing editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Breakdown:

1. The U.S. Department of Justice announces investigation into fraudulent slate of electors in Georgia's 2020 presidential election.

  •  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that, back in December 2020, Georgia Republicans gathered in secret in the state Capitol, assigning their own shadow slate of GOP electors in case Joe Biden's victory was overturned.
    • There is a parallel DOJ investigation of Donald Trump and his allies into attempts to overturn the election.
    • Joe Biden won the state of Georgia by approximately 12,000 votes.
  • There are seven states where the DOJ is investigating the fake documents. 
    • The investigation of Georgia's slate of electors is unique because mainstream figures in the state GOP head are involved.

Listen Listening...  

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Greg Bluestein said the officials behind the fraudulent documentation are not fringe political figures, but prominent members of GOP state leadership.

2. A top Republican leader in the state's legislature reflects on the ongoing General Session, contentious primaries.

  • An election year and contested primaries are driving state lawmakers toward wedge issues that appeal to their base.
  • While he did not endorse Gov. Brian Kemp, Speaker Ralston continued his effusive praise of the sitting governor.
  • He also questioned the rationale behind former Sen. David Perdue's decision to enter the gubernatorial race.

Listen Listening...  

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Speaker Ralston comments on unity within the party during a tough GOP primary.

3. Sweeping bipartisan omnibus bill on mental health announced today.

Listen Listening...  

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GPB's Ellen Eldridge reports the bill would allow Georgians to pay for mental health care in the same way that they pay for physical health care. 

 

Tomorrow on Political Rewind:

State Rep. David Wilkerson joins us to discuss mental health bills at the Capitol. 

Copyright 2022 Georgia Public Broadcasting

Bill Nigut has been a program host and producer at Georgia Public Broadcasting since November, 2013. He currently hosts “Two Way Street,” a show that features long-form conversations with authors, artists, chefs, scientists and other creative people who have fascinating stories to tell. He is host and producer of “Political Rewind,” a twice-weekly political roundtable show featuring some of Georgia’s best-informed insiders weighing in on the big state and national political stories.
Sam joined the Political Rewind team in 2019. He graduated American University in 2015 with a degree in journalism and spent time in North Carolina as a reporter at WCHL in Chapel Hill.
Natalie Mendenhall