WABE's Week In Review: Kemp takes aim at unions as he plans to spend state's surplus on tax cuts, safety measures

January 13th, 2024

Gov. Brian Kemp, flanked by House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, stands while lawmakers applaud during a joint session of the General Assembly for Kemp to deliver the State of the State address on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

In his sixth State of the State address on Thursday, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp addressed this year’s elections, the economy, health care, “Cop City” and more. WABE reporters and editors have annotated Kemp’s address with context and fact checks.https://t.co/2TRn8Q10OV
— WABE News (@wabenews) January 11, 2024

Gold Dome Scramble is back!

Stay in the know about this year’s legislative session in Georgia with WABE's Under The Gold Dome page. The latest news, the biggest bills, the balance of power, the latest Gold Dome Scramble episode, how to contact your local lawmakers and more. #gapol https://t.co/QrdNpsIVxq
— WABE News (@wabenews) January 8, 2024

Trial delayed…

#ICYMI WABE’s criminal justice reporter @xchamian joined “All Things Considered” to recap what has taken place in the highly anticipated RICO trial of a 19-year-old protestor who opposes the construction of the so-called “Cop City.” https://t.co/BdKhywQyoS
— WABE News (@wabenews) January 11, 2024

A new era for APS…

Five members of the Atlanta Board of Education — sworn in this week — were joined downtown at the Atlanta Public Schools district office by a crowd of family members, community members and local and state officials.https://t.co/gF9cN4j6SZ
— WABE News (@wabenews) January 10, 2024

Blood shortage…

The American Red Cross announced that it is experiencing the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years, in what the organization says is an emergency shortage.https://t.co/AeJ5oxtAJ3
— WABE News (@wabenews) January 10, 2024

Also in this episode…

–Rahul Bali reports on Gov. Brian Kemp tempering expectations on lawsuit reforms in Georgia.

–Christopher Alston has more on how the state of Georgia did not opt-in to a $2.5 billion federal program that provides food benefits to children of low-income families.

–Marisa Mecke reports on Atlanta’s City Council approving a rebate plan for e-bikes.

–Marlon Hyde has more on the Biden administration has announced nearly $1 billion in federal funding to help school districts replace old diesel buses.

–The Atlanta Falcons fire head coach Arthur Smith.