WABE's Week In Review: A busy week at the state Capitol sees Buckead Cityhood effort fail (for now)

February 12th, 2022

Supporters had hoped Buckhead voters will be able to decide whether to leave Atlanta in a referendum in November 2022. But that effort was killed for this legislative session on Feb. 11, 2022. (Wikimedia Commons)

Wikimedia Commons

Some in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood wanted to pull out of Atlanta — mostly blaming Atlanta’s crime numbers.

Critics of the plan said the effort from the majority white neighborhood was largely driven by race, and the effort did not include key details like how to run schools and a police department.

On Friday, Republican State House Speaker David Ralston said legislation would not move forward this year, but he did not rule it out in the future.

“The problem of how we got here is not solved,” said Ralston. “That being the crime problem. I’m hopeful [Atlanta] Mayor [Andre] Dickens recognizes the importance of the problem. I am inclined to believe that he does. We’ll back next year if things have not changed a lot.”

Dickens heralded the move to not call the legislation, saying it gave his administration, which took office in January, a chance to address the city’s issues.

The Buckhead City Committee did not return requests for comment.

Worried over vaccine legislation…

Dr. Kathleen Toomey, head of the Georgia Department of Public Health, told mayors from all over the state that many people — especially white people in rural Georgia — see efforts from elected officials to encourage vaccination as “government overreach.” (AP Photo)

Georgia’s chief public health official says she is worried state lawmakers could do away with all vaccine requirements for children.

Dr. Kathleen Toomey warned the State Board of Public Health this week that the current COVID-19 controversies around schools have spilled over into childhood immunizations.

State Senate Bill 345 would prohibit schools from requiring any vaccinations.

The sponsor of the bill, Republican state Sen. Jeff Mullis, says he only intended to address COVID-19 vaccines, but, his proposal in its current form is not that narrow.

Banning Congress from trading stocks…

Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., speaks at a joint hearing on Capitol Hill, Washington, in February. Ossoff joined “Morning Edition” host Lisa Rayam to discuss his proposed bill that would ban legislators from trading stocks. (AP Photo)

A recent analysis of financial documents by Capitol Trades and reporting by MarketWatch revealed that congressional lawmakers traded more than $350 million worth of stocks in 2021.

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia told WABE’s Lisa Rayam about his legislation introduced earlier this year that would ban legislators from trading stocks in public companies so that they would not profit from insider knowledge they’re privy to on Capitol Hill.

Saving right whales…

Also in this episode…

–Sam Gringlas looks at the bill moving through the state Capitol that would prohibit transgender kids from playing on the sports team that matches their gender identity.

–Molly Samuel reviewed the impact of employee turnover at the Environmental Protection Division as scientists and engineers leave for better paying jobs.

–Emil Moffatt reported on the city of Atlanta’s effort to help small businesses still struggling from the pandemic economy.