Daniel Irvin LaCount, age 38 of Cornelia, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.
Born in Gainesville, Georgia on May 20, 1983, he was a son of Jenny Lee Ramey LaCount of Cornelia & the late Ralph Wade LaCount. Daniel was a graduate of Habersham Central High School, Class of 2001 and currently employed with Dollar Tree of Cornelia. In his spare time, he enjoyed hiking trips, landscaping his yard with various plants & flowers, as well as photography. Daniel was always willing to help others in any way that he could. His legacy of caring for others will live on through his family and friends who loved him deeply. He was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Arthur LaCount & Emma Page LaCount Brumbaugh, & aunt, Mary LaCount.
Survivors include his mother, Jenny Lee Ramey LaCount of Cornelia, GA; identical twin brother, David Page LaCount of Cornelia, GA; sister, Carmen Irvin of Greenwood, SC; brothers, Thomas Chandler Scroggs, III of Cornelia, GA; Samuel Lee Scroggs Guest of Mt. Airy, GA; sister, Madelyn LaCount, Makawao, HI; grandmother & friend, Linda Irvin & Donald Lee Wood of Cornelia, GA; grandparents, Rodney Cannon Ramey & Kay Ramey of Atlanta, GA; nephews, Austin Frady, Kaden & Kyle Dayton, & niece Vada Irvin; aunts, Eve Dowis Adams of Cornelia, GA; Ella Deann Ellison of Belton, SC; Wanda Maxwell & Margaret Murray both of Cornelia, GA; uncles, Edward LaCount & James LaCount both of Mt. Airy, GA; Harold LaCount of Griffin, GA; many cousins, other relatives, & friends.
The Biden administration's decision to revoke approval of Georgia's plan to require Medicaid recipients to meet a work requirement was jeered by top Republicans in the state but welcomed by Democrats as an opportunity for a bigger expansion of the health care program. U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said Thursday, Dec. 23, that implementing the work requirement during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic would “only work to hinder the overall well-being of low-income Georgians.” (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
The Biden administration’s decision to revoke approval of Georgia’s plan to require Medicaid recipients to meet a work requirement was jeered by top Republicans in the state but welcomed by Democrats as an opportunity for a bigger expansion of the health care program.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said Thursday that implementing the work requirement during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic would “only work to hinder the overall well-being of low-income Georgians.” The work provision was part of the state’s plan — dubbed “Georgia Pathways” — to make more low-income Georgians eligible for Medicaid.
“Considering the physical, mental, social and economic toll the public health emergency has taken on individuals, CMS believes it is especially important that the low-income individuals who are the intended beneficiaries of the Georgia Pathways to Coverage demonstration be able to access coverage and care without the initial and continued eligibility obstacle of a work requirement that may be unreasonably difficult or impossible for individuals to meet under the circumstances of COVID-19 and its likely aftermath,” she wrote in a letter to Georgia Department of Community Health Commissioner Caylee Noggle.
The work requirement had been approved by the Trump administration. CMS revoked it and Georgia’s plan to charge some Medicaid recipients monthly premiums for their health coverage.
Gov. Brian Kemp’s office in a statement Thursday accused the White House of attempting to “hide behind the holiday” by announcing the revocation two days before Christmas. It said it planned to challenge the decision in court.
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, a fellow Republican, said it is “shameful that President Biden has denied thousands of Georgians health care coverage.”
“Like the Grinch, he has stolen hope away from so many families who need it — right at Christmas,” Ralston said on Twitter.
It is shameful that President Biden has denied thousands of Georgians healthcare coverage. Like the Grinch, he has stolen hope away from so many families who need it — right at Christmas. #gapolhttps://t.co/GkK5JcQOEt
Republicans had presented Georgia’s plan as a financially responsible alternative to a full expansion of Medicaid services under the Affordable Care Act. The plan sought to add an estimated 50,000 poor and uninsured Georgia residents to the Medicaid rolls in its first two years.
Democrats in Georgia said the state should fully expand Medicaid.
“What’s shameful is blaming Biden and others for @GaRepublicans ongoing failure and refusal to expand Medicaid,” Democratic State Rep. Sam Park said on Twitter.
What’s shameful is blaming Biden and others for @GaRepublicans ongoing failure and refusal to expand Medicaid.
For 7+ yrs, the GA GOP has blocked access to healthcare for more than 500,000 Georgians.
Under the Affordable Care Act, states gained the option of expanding Medicaid to low-income adults who make up to 138% of the federal poverty level, with the federal government picking up 90% of the cost. More than 10 million people have gained coverage that way.
But Georgia and some other states rejected that option. Kemp said a full expansion would be too costly in the long run.
The Democratic Party of Georgia called Kemp a “Grinch,” saying a full Medicaid expansion would cover 500,000 people in the state.
“Brian Kemp and Georgia Republicans — who have the power to fully expand Medicaid right now — are entirely responsible for denying health care coverage to thousands of Georgians,” Democratic Party of Georgia spokeswoman Rebecca Galanti said in a statement.
The Biden administration is separately reviewing Georgia’s plan to overhaul how state residents buy health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. That plan — under which Georgia residents would bypass healthcare.gov and shop for federally subsidized health insurance through private agents — was also approved by the Trump administration.
This article appears on Now Habersham through a news partnership with GPB.
Shirley O. Wehunt, age 82 of Lula, entered heaven Sunday, December 26, 2021, at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville.
Shirley was born June 5, 1939, in Young Harris to the late Vester Bryson & Willie McGaha Bryson. She was retired from Longstreet Café and formerly had worked at the L & K Cafeteria. She was a member of Old Union Baptist Church in Young Harris and was preceded in death by her brothers, Wayne Bryson, Larry Bryson & Tim Bryson; sisters, Shelby Ruth Bryson, Linda Bryson & Betsy Sue Bryson.
Survivors include daughter, Teresa Gail Campbell (Eddie); sons, Phillip Ray Adams & Cecil Eugene Adams; grandchildren, Joshawa Adams & Mariah Lanphear; great-grandchild, Lexi Lanphear; brother, Ray Bryson; Sarah Adams, Jan (Royce) Wilson & Carolyn (Gary) Kansky; a number of nieces, nephews & other relatives also survive.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at the Ward’s Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ed Chambers officiating. Burial will follow in Whitehall Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at the funeral home.
Please share online condolences with the family at www.wardsfh.com. Ward’s Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Shirley O. Wehunt.
Frances Elizabeth Wilson, age 88, of Jefferson, Georgia formerly of The Batesville Community, Clarkesville, Georgia passed away on Monday, December 27, 2021.
Mrs. Wilson was born on February 3, 1933, in Hiawassee, Georgia to the late Claude and Lola Shook Cowart. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Quinton Dwight Wilson; daughter, Pamela; son, Joey; brother, JC Cowart.
Mrs. Wilson married Quinton in 1954 and spent the early years of their marriage as an Air Force Wife in Biloxi, Mississippi, and then moved back to the Batesville Community where they spent over 50 years together.
Mrs. Wilson was retired from Scovill Manufacturing Company with 33 years of faithful employment. She enjoyed her years of retirement, fulfilling her dream of visiting of all 50 states. She enjoyed traveling, crafting, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends, but most of all her seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren who knew her lovingly as “Maw-Maw”.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Robin and Martha Wilson, of Jefferson; grandchildren, Brock Wilson, Drew Wilson, Parker Wilson, Carley Wilson, Meridee Rilen, Jarad Wilson, and Nathan Wilson; great-grandchildren, Makenzie, Wyatt, Dulaney, Ridley, Collins, Burch, Boone, Asher, Avric, Adley, Colin and Emma; brother and sister-in-law, Grady and Carolyn Cowart and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel. Interment will follow in the Old Nacoochee Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at the funeral home prior to the service.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-1700.
Bernice Margaret Smith Caudell, age 94 of Mt. Airy, called Granny or Mom by most, passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2021.
She was born in Batesville, Georgia on October 13, 1927, a daughter of the late Thad Smith and Dora Barron Smith. Mrs. Caudell was the 3rd of 11 children born to her parents. Bernice married Ponda Caudell in December of 1948 and had 5 daughters. Bernice babysat children throughout some years, worked at Fieldale and then retired from The Northeast Georgian at the age of 81 where she made lifelong friends and her co-workers were her extended family. For the last 10 years, she has resided with her daughter and son-in-law, Martha and Ralph in Powder Springs where she has spread her wisdom and so much love with all she’s met.
The last few years there have been many doctor appointments and lab visits where all those she saw loved her and always looked forward to seeing her. They would have pictures made with her and were considered her extended family as well. Her favorite place to go was to go to Classic Hair Salon where Pat, Tracy and everyone spoiled “Mama Bernice” immensely. She even celebrated her 91st birthday with them.
Some days, she would go to work with Martha at Woodland Ridge Assisted Living where Richard, one of the chefs would always make sure “Mama” ate well. Many of the staff would take time to talk and visit with her. She loved seeing the therapy dogs, Bailey (who passed in 2019), Gunnar, Cooper and Bella. Kathryn, the activity director, would try to get her to go do activities but she preferred staying up front and “working”.
Working was a huge part of her life and she loved being with people. In fact, even days before her passing, she was talking about getting up and going to do the dishes or whatever “they” needed. She had a big heart that was welcoming and loving to anyone and everyone. She was a member of Hillside Baptist Church and to her children, those were the best days from their childhood.
In her spare time, Mrs. Bernice enjoyed cooking, gardening and going on vacation.
Her family was blessed to fulfill her 94th birthday wish of coming to North Georgia and seeing family and friends. They are so grateful to the wonderful staff of Hampton Inn of Cornelia, especially Kendra McCoy, for assisting in making this happen. To Sugartopia for all the goodies. To the family and friends that were able to come celebrate with us, a special thanks to her great-great-granddaughter, Reagan for sharing the birthday day and crown; her great-great-grandson, Branson who shares the same birthday as Granny; and to her granddaughter, Donna, her grandson, Kevin, and great-great-grandson, Nolan, thank you for decorating the “Party Room”.
In addition to her husband, Ponda Caudell who passed away in 1985, she was preceded in death by brothers, Ray Smith, E.L. Smith, J.C. Smith and Bruce Smith; sisters, Joyce Smith, Manerva Smith, Patricia Mott and Sara Campbell.
Surviving are her daughter, Margaret Fowler (Tony); daughter, Ann Pate; daughter, Gaynell Gunn; daughter, Eva Mae Paulson (Wayne); daughter, Martha Mesa (Ralph); numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Russell Smith (Joann) and James Smith; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, all of who loved her dearly.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 pm, Friday, December 31, 2021, in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin and Stewart with Rev. Billy Burrell officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the service hour on Friday at the funeral home.
Those in attendance are asked to please adhere to the public health and social distancing guidelines regarding COVID-19.
Flowers are accepted or donations may be made in Mrs. Bernice Smith Caudell’s memory to the Woodland Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care, 4005 South Cobb Drive, Smyrna, GA 30080.
In true Bernice Smith Caudell fashion, she leaves this message for everyone; be kind, love each other, share positivity and do good.
While so many homeless animals had the chance to find their forever homes this month, for several animals at the Habersham County Animal Shelter, their Christmas wishes of getting adopted didn’t come true.
Meet Beba and Grado, two sweet, adoptable animals who hope next Christmas is one to remember in their fur-ever homes.
Meet Beba
(Habersham County Animal Care and Control/Facebook)
Meet Beba, a sweet female tabby at the Habersham County Animal Shelter.
After spending December at the shelter, Beba says her 2022 goal is to get adopted and live the life she’s always wanted.
“My new year’s resolution is to finally start living my dream life, and that starts with a place to call home,” she says. “Once I find the stability I need, I know I can thrive and be my best self.”
Beba says December has been tough, watching the other shelter animals get adopted or transported to new homes in time for the holidays. Spending Christmas at the shelter without a person to love was hard.
“The holidays were lonely, and I felt empty and unwanted,” Beba says. “But I’m putting that sadness towards hope for a better year ahead. This is going to be the year I find happiness.”
Meet Grado
Meet Grado, a sweet and gentle adult male terrier mix. He’s spent December much like Beba, watching other animals go home.
Grado spent this Christmas wondering when his adoption day would come.
“Spending the most wonderful time of the year alone was hard,” he says. “I wish I had a place, or a person, to call home.”
Grado is a quiet, gentle adult male terrier mix with the sweetest face a dog could have. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
While Grado doesn’t have a lot to say in terms of barking, his laid-back demeanor and kind eyes say more than words might.
“I really want to spend next Christmas with someone who loves me,” he says. “I want to be home for the holidays.”
If you’re interested in adopting Beba, Grado or any of the other animals at the Habersham County Animal Shelter, please call the shelter at (706) 839-0195 to set up an appointment. You may also visit them in person Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to Noon & 1-5 p.m. or on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
Kemp signs Senate Bill 106 ‘waiver’ bill into law in 2019.
The timing of the waiver decision, right before Christmas, drew a quick, angry response from state Republican leaders.
Gov. Brian Kemp’s spokeswoman noted that the federal health officials’ announced rejection of the state’s proposed work requirements for its Medicaid waiver came two days before Christmas. “They attempted to hide behind the holiday,’’ said Katie Byrd.
Kemp
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston said President Biden acted “like the Grinch’’ in taking away the chance of thousands to gain Medicaid coverage through the waiver.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) actually accepted the waiver concept of increasing Medicaid enrollment, but denied the state’s request to impose eligibility requirements on recipients, such as 80 hours of work, training or volunteer hours each month to retain their coverage.
Regardless of timing, the decision by the Democratic presidential administration was not a surprise. The White House had already rejected other states’ efforts to base Medicaid eligibility on working a minimum amount of time.
“We are disappointed the Biden administration chose to turn its back on a bipartisan group in the Georgia General Assembly that came together to help create a fair and balanced health care framework that increases options and lowers costs,’’ Byrd said in a Christmas Eve statement. “We plan to challenge their misguided — likely political — decision in a court of law.”
The Kemp response could include pursuing such a court challenge, or just letting the waiver idea die.
If the plan went forward under the feds’ outline, it would add an estimated 237,000 more Georgians to Medicaid than the 50,000 the Kemp plan had projected, the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute said.
That price tag would be much higher than for standard Medicaid expansion, which would cover more people, said Laura Colbert of the consumer advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future. Georgia is one of 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid under provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
According to the Budget and Policy Institute, the cost per person for fully expanding Medicaid is five times lower than Georgia’s approved partial expansions, as the federal government would pay 90 percent rather than 67 percent for partial expansion.
Democratic state Rep. Sam Park of Lawrenceville said on Twitter of GOP criticism of the CMS action: “What’s shameful is blaming Biden and others for @GaRepublicans ongoing failure and refusal to expand Medicaid.”
But Kemp, facing a Republican primary challenge from former U.S. Sen. David Perdue, isn’t expected to move toward expansion, especially before the nomination vote.
A wild card in the Medicaid expansion debate is the health insurance provisions in the Build Back Better bill being considered in Congress. As currently written, it would provide a work-around for the federal government to provide coverage in the health insurance exchange to all poor adults in the states that have not expanded Medicaid.
Passage of that federal bill is far from certain, but if it were law it could take some political steam out of the Medicaid expansion issue during Georgia’s election season.
Brooks-LaSure
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, in her letter to the head of the Georgia Department of Community Health, cited the Covid-19 pandemic’s devastating impact.
“Considering the physical, mental, social and economic toll the public health emergency has taken on individuals, CMS believes it is especially important that the low-income individuals who are the intended beneficiaries of the Georgia Pathways to Coverage demonstration be able to access coverage and care, without the initial and continued eligibility obstacle of a work requirement that may be unreasonably difficult or impossible for individuals to meet under the circumstances of COVID-19 and its likely aftermath,’’ she wrote.
Paul Ray Maney, age 48, of Alto, Georgia passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2021.
Memorial Services will be announced at a later date.
The family has established a GoFundMe account: https://gofund.me/f467014e
Arrangements are entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Home and Crematory, North Chapel, 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Phone number: 706-778-1700.
Kenneth Steve Yarber, 67, Homer, passed away peacefully at home on December 24, 2021, following an extended illness.
Mr. Yarber was born to the late Roy and Mary Ruth Yarber, In addition to his parents he was preceded by his sister, Rachel Justice. Kenneth was the owner of Yarber’s Small Engine Repair where he worked with his son, Richard. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, racing go-carts, gardening, and spending time with his family.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 49 Years, Patricia Yarber; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Todd Martin; son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Glenda Yarber; grandchildren, Britni Pilcher, Cori DeAngelis, Hannah Yarber, Ally Martin, and Zackary Loudermilk; as well as several great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Bethany Christian Church. Rev. Swayne Cochran and Rev. Johnny Segers will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel at 1370 Industrial Boulevard, Baldwin, Georgia 30511. Telephone: 706-778-7123
Lucille Shirley Carter, age 93 of New Holland, entered heaven on Saturday, December 25, 2021, to join her loving husband, Ralph.
Lucille was born in Gainesville on November 17, 1928, to Flem Shirley & Sally Wright Shirley. She retired from Belk as a buyer and was a very active member of New Holland Baptist Church. She taught Sunday school for over 55 years and enjoyed singing in the choir. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Ralph Carter.
Left to cherish her memory, son, Joe (Sharon) Carter; daughters, Janice (Ken) Russell & Joy (Charles) Sims; brother, Jimmy (Peggy) Shirley; grandchildren, Rick Russell, Chris Russell, Brittney Maney, Jeff (Kristi) Sims, Corey Carter, Dustin (Ashley) Carter, Nolan (Carly) Carter; great-grandchildren, Madelyn Russell, Addison Maney, Kennedy Maney, Marley Carter, Miles Carter, Collins Carter, Nora Carter, Caris Carter, Easton Sims & McCoy Sims. A number of nieces & nephews also survive.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Memorial Park Cemetery with Rev. Mark Russell officiating. The family will receive friends briefly after the service. For everyone’s safety, please practice social distancing.
The family would like to say a special thanks to the staff of The Landings & Homestead Hospice for the amazing love and care they gave to Lucille.
Please share online memories and condolences with the family at www.wardsfh.com. Ward’s Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Lucille Carter.
John Mark Stephens, age 61, of Lavonia, passed away on Friday, December 24, 2021.
Mr. Stephens was born on November 9, 1960, in Texas.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mable Hefner Stephens; son, John William Stephens; maternal grandparents, Dick Hefner and Emma Lou Hefner Jones; and paternal grandparents, Ferman and Della Stephens.
Survivors include his daughter and husband, Bridget Stephens and Carl Sutton; father, John Ross Stephens; grandchildren: Darcie Ramonalyn Schultz, Carson Wayne Sutton, Lily Anne Sutton, William Gage Wayne Conner, Gavin Lee Conner, and Joseph William Carl Sutton; sisters and brother-in-law: Angela and David Loudermilk, Lavelle Stephens, and Lou Jean Stephens Brady; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
It was a busy 2021 for Gov. Brian Kemp, who played a major factor in some of the year’s most noteworthy news, including battles over federal vaccine mandates, a major economic development announcement and signing Georgia’s controversial new voting law. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
(GA Recorder) — The COVID-19 pandemic pitted parents against school boards. A high-profile murder trial played out in coastal Georgia, roiling racial tensions. And embittered fights over an overhaul of the state’s voting law were spurred by baseless claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Before we turn the calendar to 2022 when election-year shenanigans are sure to take flight, here is a recap of milestones from 2021 that will long be etched in the memories of millions.
COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine mandates stir outrage
The COVID-19 virus often dictated the news in 2021, touching Georgians in many ways. Expanded vaccine availability and testing in the spring hinted at a return to normal only for that illusion to be yanked away by the delta and omicron variants.
Critical Care Registered Nurse Amanda Earley, who cares for patients in the intensive care unit, was the first WellStar Health System employee to receive the COVID-19 vaccine last December. Photo courtesy WellStar Health System.
In the first months of the year, all adults were eligible to receive the miraculous new vaccines and more people returned to their normal routines. The vaccines drastically lowered the likelihood of the virus spreading and the chances of becoming seriously ill if infected.
Even so, with many Georgians either refusing the vaccines or hesitant to get a shot, hospitals became overcrowded with unvaccinated patients taking up beds as new coronavirus variations spread.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s colleges and universities and many public school systems grappled with mask policies, employee vaccination requirements, and setting standards for students’ and staff’s vaccination status.
Georgia’s Republican governor and attorney general have also taken legal action to fight the Biden administration’s vaccine mandates for federal contractors and health care workers.
Ahmaud Arbery’s killers found guilty
A nearly all-white Glynn County jury in November issued a guilty verdict against the three white men on trial for the February 2020 shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, who was Black, as he jogged through their Brunswick-area neighborhood.
Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, is hugged by a supporter after the jury convicted Travis McMichael in the trial of McMichael, his father, Greg McMichael, and neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, at Glynn County Courthouse. AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton, Pool
Gregory and Travis McMichael, along with their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan, are expected to find out on Jan. 7 whether the mandatory life sentences they’re about to serve for the murder of the 25-year-old will come with consideration of parole.
The convictions mark the culmination of 18 months of Arbery family pressure to deliver justice. Arbery’s killers were spared arrest for weeks after police responded to the bloody street shooting in the Satilla Shores neighborhood.
The racial makeup of the jury and the law enforcement background of one of the defendants raised questions about whether the three white men could be convicted in the deep South.
Months before the trial began, Georgia lawmakers mostly repealed the citizen’s arrest law that local prosecutors initially used to justify Arbery’s death. His murder also galvanized support for a state hate crimes law in 2020.
Democrats Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock became Georgia’s newest U.S. senators and flipped control of the federal government in historic Jan. 5 runoffs against incumbent GOP Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.
The high-stakes battles broke congressional election records with more than $700 million in total campaign spending. The races captured the nation’s attention while then-President Donald Trump and his most ardent supporters pushed unfounded narratives of a stolen presidential election, likely driving away GOP voters from the polls in January.
Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff wave to the crowd from a joint campaign event ahead of the Jan. 5 runoff. Photo courtesy of Jon Ossoff for Senate
Georgia’s new senators arrived in Washington D.C. as the Senate prepared to begin the second round of impeachment hearings over charges that Trump incited a deadly U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6.
The Ossoff and Warnock victories gave Democrats a narrow voting edge in the Senate and helped President Joe Biden score a win with a large-scale infrastructure package.
Warnock is back on the campaign trail with a November election a year after he filled the unexpired term of Sen. Johnny Isakson, who stepped down in 2019 due to health complications. Isakson died in December.
Georgia’s controversial election law
When Georgia Republicans ushered through the controversial voting overhaul Senate Bill 202 in March, it triggered a wave of lawsuits, including from the U.S. Department of Justice alleging the law disenfranchises Black people and other marginalized groups.
Republicans have been criticized by more than two dozen voting rights groups for adding provisions that limit the number of absentee drop boxes, shorten the period for requesting absentee ballots, add new absentee ID requirements, allow the state to take over local election boards, and other restrictions.
Top Republican Georgia legislators joined Gov. Brian Kemp at the signing of Georgia’s controversial voting bill. Photo from Office of Gov. Brian Kemp
Democrats and voting rights advocates railed against the law as an unreasonable response to unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election after Trump’s embarrassing presidential election loss and Democrats seized two seats in the U.S. Senate.
The Black vote became a key factor in determining election outcomes after a record 5 million Georgians voted in the Nov. 3 general election, including 1.3 million via absentee ballots.
The new law had its first test run with municipal elections in November before a busy election cycle in 2022 headlined by races for governor, secretary of state and U.S. Senate.
Even though the Heritage Foundation gave Georgia’s new voting law its stamp of approval, the fallout among GOP members continues to factor in the upcoming primaries with former U.S. Sen. David Perdue, at Trump’s urging, taking on Gov. Brian Kemp in the Republican primary.
And waiting in the wings for the winner of what’s sure to be a brutal GOP fight is Democrat Stacey Abrams, who as expected announced she will carry her party’s standard after narrowly losing to Kemp in 2018.
Rivian’s $5 billion electric vehicle manufacturing investment
At the risk of recency bias, one of the biggest economic development announcements ever in Georgia is a late entry to 2021’s most notable milestones.
Gov. Brian Kemp steps out of a Rivian truck Thursday at a press event announcing the the electric vehicle maker will build a factory in Georgia. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder
East Georgia is set to become home to an electric vehicle plant that is part of a $5 billion investment projected to create 7,500 jobs over several years after its projected ribbon-cutting in about two years.
The governor and other state officials call Rivian’s car manufacturing facility one of the largest single private investments in the state’s history. The plant will be built on 2,000 acres straddling Morgan and Walton counties and is expected to produce 400,000 clean-energy vehicles a year.
Georgia’s yet-to-be-disclosed tax incentive package was attractive enough to score a win over Fort Worth, Texas, which offered $440 million in tax breaks to the start-up company.
In a year marred by COVID spikes, hyper-partisan sniping and fights over basic tenets of democracy, December’s news about a new car plant put a needed bow on an unprecedented year.
