Greetings, Georgia.

It's Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

See below for our coverage of Gov. Brian Kemp's State of the State address and the Democratic response from state Sen. Elena Parent, chairperson for the Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus.

A Georgia researcher says inflation is causing businesses to automate jobs done by people. Watch what he told GPB's Peter Biello on All Things Considered.

Also, more states are moving to specialized managed-care contracts to handle medical and behavioral services for foster kids. But child advocates and some state officials say the contracts shortchange kids’ health needs.

This is Georgia Today.

TOP STORIES

✭ Kemp ushers in 'a new era' for Georgia in State of the State address; Democrats respond

On Jan. 26, 2023, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (left) delivers the State of the State address; state Sen. Elena Parent (right) delivers the Democratic response.

Gov. Brian Kemp used his annual state of the state address to tout Georgia's economic growth and to call for investments in priorities like education, housing and boosting pay for teachers and state employees — a "new era" in state government.

In his roughly 30-minute speech Wednesday, the governor said the state of the state has "never been stronger and more resilient" since first taking office in 2019.

• "Over the last four years, our greatest achievements were accomplished when both chambers worked hand-in-hand with my office to put the people of our state first — ahead of the status quo," he said. "Our future as a state relies on that partnership: to do the right thing for our citizens, even when it may not be easy." 

Kemp's address painted this year's legislative session as one of great consequence, as lawmakers begin work on his $32.5 billion budget plan that would partially return a multi-billion dollar surplus to taxpayers through refunds and a one-time additional homestead exemption.

Sen. Elena Parent (D-Decatur), delivering the official response to the governor's message, said her party agreed with him that Georgia's best days are ahead, but it is not a foregone conclusion without changes to the budget.

Parent echoed Kemp's concern about a shortage of health care workers and staff in government agencies, and argued that Georgia needed to pass living wage legislation and significantly boost pay for those who work for the state.

• "Democrats propose a $10,000 increase for teachers and law enforcement, plus the establishment of regular increases moving forward," she said.

✭ Lawmakers: Democrats file legislation to expand abortion on Day 6

Supporters of SB 15 stand on the steps at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 24. (Phil Proctor)

Georgia Democrats filed a new bill that would expand abortion access in Georgia.   

Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Sally Harrell (D - Atlanta), would repeal Georgia’s abortion ban and further expand abortion access. 

The abortion ban, House Bill 481, was passed in 2019. The law bars nearly all abortions when “fetal cardiac activity” is detected — usually around six weeks of pregnancy. When the ban took effect in July after Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion care providers scrambled to accommodate patients and had to turn many away. 

• The proposed law, named the "Reproductive Freedom Act," outlines abortion access as a "fundamental right." It explicitly bans law enforcement agencies from arresting an individual for getting or performing an abortion, as long as the procedure otherwise follows medical law.

GPB NEWS HEADLINES

• Georgia’s long-delayed medical marijuana program is about to take off, despite a spate of unresolved lawsuits from companies that lost out in the bidding for licenses.
   
• While an Alabama-based company’s controversial mining proposal moves through the permitting process, a South Georgia Republican lawmaker is again attempting to head off any future attempt to mine an important site near the Okefenokee Swamp.
   
• In the University of Georgia's most extensive comments on the wreck that killed football player Devin Willock and a recruiting staff member, athletic director Josh Brooks said Tuesday the two were not on department business at the time of the incident, which occurred after the Bulldogs celebrated their second straight national title.

WHO KNEW?

✭ Lonnie Holley's new song features R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe

Atlanta-based visual artist, musician and performer Lonnie Holley has a new album on the way and NPR recently premiered the track “Oh Me, Oh My” featuring R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe.

Reporter Joshua Minsoo Kim said the song’s “graceful piano chords and atmospheric synth pads channel a spiritual aura” are “a call to be patient with others — something that's symbolized by how [Stipe] intertwines his voice with Holley's.”

Holley is also featured in Unreformed: The Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children, a new investigative podcast which chronicles the troubling history of Mt. Meigs, an institution to which Holley, 72, was sent at age 11. Today, Holley’s art is displayed in Atlanta’s High Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and others.

Tune into GPB Radio and GPB.org at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. for Political Rewind.

Today's guests: State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, Amy Steigerwalt, Leo Smith and Kevin Riley.

Tomorrow: a special show on antisemitism in Georgia with state Rep. Esther Panitch.

Check out our Political Rewind podcast:
 

• Special grand jury's findings remain sealed; Dems call to overturn abortion ban