GA Crossover Day Explained: The Bills, the Battles & the Political Races| Where The Party At? Ep. 98

Welcome back to another episode of your favorite political podcast. I'm your host Sabal Long >> and I am Eldidge Washington and welcome to Where the Party at? >> Hey. All right. Well, let's we ready to jump right in? >> Yeah. Yeah. Let's get in. >> Okay. So, it's This is going to come out Tuesday. We're recording on Monday. I want to talk about something that Happened on Friday which is a big thing called crossover day. So the state legislature in session is in session that means the state house the state senate they're in session for

40 days going over legislation that's happening in both chambers. So March 6 is the halfway point and that halfway point is called crossover day. And so that means a bill has to pass from one chamber and make it over >> to the other from the house to the Senate or vice versa or senate to the house. But education let's go. >> Yeah. But sometimes now so usually if it doesn't if it didn't cross over that means the bill is dead. But every now and then in those last couple of days before siny die, sometimes old

legislation gets added to something that already passed and it becomes what's called a zombie bill where they basically try to pack things that they didn't get before crossover day into a Bill that did cross. >> Got you. >> So we'll see what happens there. But for now there are a couple bills that I want to highlight. Um so the first one so if I say HB that means it's a House bill. If I say SB that means it's Senate bill. >> Boom. So, HB 1009, this is one that I think is relevant if you have

kids. Um, or if you're a young person listening to the podcast, this is one that would impact you. >> Random question. Um, what does the numbers come from? >> Um, it's just the I don't know. It's just the way that the >> I didn't know if it was like connected to a >> Yeah. Like could the numbers be regular like random as hell? >> Yeah. >> Okay, keep going. >> So, HB 1009. This is called um it basically prohibits belltobell access of Cell phones in schools. So from K through 8 um it will go into

effect July of 2026 and then that will extend to high school. So grades 9 through 12 starting in 2027. So this is only for public schools. Um and the goal here is to have what they're calling a distractionfree education. And that's an interesting one because I mean I'm trying to think I I did have a a phone in high school. So like cell Phones were like just becoming >> I was about to say no shade. >> I did I had a I think I I think my first phone cell phone was like 8th grade. >>

Yeah. But which one which phone was it? >> Oh, it was the Nokia. >> That's what I'm saying. I'm like >> it was the block. >> I thought you about to kind of compare like you definitely didn't have what these kids >> No, definitely not. But you know what? Sometimes I'm like, man, I actually want to go back to a dumb phone. Like, I I like it because it's a distraction. >> Only thing I want about a dumb phone is the battery life. That's it. >> I like the we're we're just on our devices too

much. And I like the idea of it. It would having that phone would force me to like >> do what >> to do other things. Like I'm not going in I'm not having a multi- minute text Thread back and forth with you because it takes too long to text on a dumb phone or right >> I'm not going to be on Twitter or on Instagram. >> I'm going to be you know much more productive. >> What do you think inspired this other than cuz you know there's been a lot of things you seen the girl

get into a whole altercation with her teacher over the phone. >> No, but I'm not surprised. Like literally, she got to fighting with a teacher for her phone. It was it was it pretty intense. >> Yikes. >> It was pretty intense. Matter of fact, let me see if I can find that real quick. Like, can I show that? >> Yeah. But I think what I mean, part of what inspires it, I think, is this feeling that kids are not they're so distracted by their devices that they Don't have the attention span to learn. >> Ridgeway

High School because of a cell phone in the classroom. And that alleged tussle was caught on camera. Fox 13's Roslin Freeman explains why kids are not supposed to have their cell phones in the classroom. Teachers are also not supposed to forcefully take them away. >> This video shared with Only Fox 13. You will see a ninth grader and her algebra teacher in a tussle. It was the first school year under Tennessee's new cell Phone ban. And while the law is supposed to limit distraction in the classroom, this incident has left one 14-year-old and her mother

demanding answers. It started as a normal Thursday. Then this happened. >> Where is this? Tennessee. >> Damn. >> Police later described what you see in this video as a tussle. A teacher and a student entangled over a cell phone. And when I seen the teacher on my daughter, It was like my heart dropped, you know, and I was worried. I was concerned. I was too busy worried about my child. >> Oh, they got to come. >> Tennessee banned cell phones in classroom statewide. MCS recently updated its policy to follow the law. It says phones can

be confiscated, but teachers are not encouraged to physically retrieve them. only request a surrender or call an administrator. >> Overly too far. Yes, ma'am. Cuz if I would have did that just as a parent, CPS, they'll say that's wrong and be held accountable for your action. >> Fox 13 reached out to the district. MSCS tells us the teacher is not sharing because she has not been charged with the crime. So, as you can see, um, can't be a controversial bill cuz these kids don't play about their phones, >> right? >> And let's have a real

conversation. So, we talk about, you know, phones being distraction. Yes, they are. But we also have a lot of situations where there are school shootings and who have been calling a 911 in these situations? >> It's often been kids. It's been often been kids and those phones have often been used as evidence in the situation in the cases or if when I've been finding videos on Twitter. So, I think, You know, I get it, but I also think that's a conversation to have with um educators, right? U shout out to Kenan Walker. He's a APS

educator and he has a whole system that he's built in his classroom for screen time and he leverages that. But I think that's the difference between having an educator and a teacher. >> That's real. >> I think an educator is understands how to leverage and take advantage of Different situations. And a teacher is just to the point. But >> to the point of this bill, >> y'all be careful that y'all seen whatever they did in Tennessee. >> Yeah. And I imagine some parents are probably going to say something about this as well, cuz I could

see parents, some parents saying, "Well, I want to be able to reach my kid at any time, and I don't want to have to go to the school to get in contact with my kid. I want to Call or text my kid directly." >> Cuz what are they saying, ladies? You got to put it in their lockers. >> Yeah, I think they'll probably like have, you know, pouches for them. Kind of like when you go into a concert. >> Okay. >> Or put in your locker. It'll It'll be like in the designated places. >> Yeah.

It's not going to >> I'm here or there on it. For me, >> I don't have a necessarily a I got a Whole entire bigger issue with schools that the cell phone being in the classroom is like the least of my worries right now. But shout out to the bill that they trying to get passed. But >> yeah, we'll see. So that it crossed over and so now it's in the Senate. Um so we'll see what happens to it over the next few weeks. >> Gotcha. Um, let's mention this one just because it's education related

and then I'm going to go to something that's very Different. Um, so this one is House Bill 432. This is a bill to bring back cursive >> for what? >> Maybe so that a kid can like >> useless >> write their signature. >> Useless. Like in the world of AI, in a world where we're not spending enough money on educating our kids on technology and trades, bring back um trade school where Kids are learning how to sew like >> they are. >> Yeah, give me that. But cursive. >> Yeah, brings back cursive. So any school

that receives any state funding, >> you know why I'm just be a private school or just a just public school. >> You know why I'm mad at that bill? Cuz my >> You can't You can't write in cursive. When my nephew come to me and be like, "Uncle man." And I got to I got to Remember like, "Ain't that the be that the lowercase B?" >> It is. I mean, it's Yeah. I >> Do you know how to write fully in cursive steel? >> I think so. More or less. Yeah. >> I know. >> But

my signature is not real. It's just, you know, >> you got a fake. Now, my signature is halfway real. I got a couple of like my signature is like >> by writing like, you know, bilingual like it's some cursive and then it's some >> Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think this is a base of a bill. >> It passed. >> It did. >> Yeah. I I don't know. I mean, granted, maybe it's just like mostly older folks down there and they're like, "Cursive is important." >> I think it's nostalgic. It's like give Me something that

feels like I used to have, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying? Like, give me something that feels like what education used to be. >> So, they passed it. But honestly, >> why? That's what I'mma say is why just it's one of them thing like you know how you school you be like am I ever going to use this in life? I know a lot of people not using cursive. >> Well yes that's true. >> Yes. I'm like I'm all about let's give our kids something that that's going to help them on this journey

of life. But shout out to that that I hope it was a uh that was a uh bipartisan bill. >> I'm sure some Democrats voted for it. Yeah. I don't know. I' I've got to imagine that a Republican put that forward. >> I'm just glad we can agree on something. >> Um, another bill that was interesting, There's been a lot of conversation about it, is House Bill 1013, and this would make the lemon pepper wing the official wing flavor of Georgia. So, yes, it was passed. >> Shout out Shout out to Eric Bell. >> Yeah,

it was pushed by Eric Bell. Who's >> Is he the youngest person up there? No, he's not the youngest. The youngest one is like 21. I think Eric is in his like he may be like 25, 26. >> Okay. So, he's >> But he's old compared to >> So, like probably second, third youngest person down there. >> Yeah, somewhere around there. Yeah. >> Shout out to Eric. I like Gar. Eric. Um, young. I like when any young people decides to jump in the arena of politics. Let me just start out by saying that. But this

bill reflects his age. I will say that's the I'm pretty sure that's the first time I've ever seen Magic City written into state legislation. >> What did he say? >> Because so in the legislation it it talks about like places in Atlanta that are known for their wings and it mentions Jr. Cricut, >> American Deli, Magic City. And I was like, well, I don't think I' I've ever seen Magic City written in any legislation. >> Now, here's the thing. I can get it Right. It's kind of like uh what's the place is known for uh

um Milwaukee? Ain't they known for like cheese curds? >> Yeah, I think so. >> So, I guess it's like our like the national bird. You get the national food. >> Yeah. I think the peach is what we are known for. >> You said what? >> Peach. The peach and pecans. >> You know what I'm saying? So, >> from that standpoint, I think it's a urban national recognition. I give I give them I take back what I said. >> I want It didn't cross over. It actually never got a vote in the house >> because it

sounds a little silly, but I think if you would have approached it like how I just said, this is just another >> He did. Yeah. It just I don't know. >> I just don't know if I would have seen >> I think it land it landed on social media. >> I did see it on social media and >> and I was a little annoyed when I seen it on social media just cuz I just feel like we got a lot to be writing on down there. And >> I hear you. >> Yeah. But but again

based off >> he is >> and I know that I know that cuz he had a he had a whole package of different Things >> but like also I just feel like I wish I would have seen this from somebody else >> because of his age because people going to always try to discredit you >> your your age you knew uh this what you bringing up. I just wish this would have been >> So what if like Bert Jones asked one of the Republicans to push this? >> Yeah. I would have been talking like, you

know, I I I would have talked stuff. I apologize. I would have been talking uh trash about it, but at the same time, I think it would have been looked at differently, right? >> Yeah. >> But that's the whole dynamic of being a young person in a very older person arena. You're just going to be >> And then also, I don't want it to damage my credibility of like, can I get things done, >> right? >> So, the fact that I put something that is super non-controversial. >> It is a very popular thing in this

state and it didn't even get a vote. >> That kind of puts a stain on your reach, >> right? >> That's that's the only thing I didn't like. >> Yeah, I get that. >> Yeah. So, but shout out to Arabel again. I do like Eric and he is doing more things. Let's just >> Yeah, we'll see. We'll see what what happens to it. >> It's never dead until the very end. So, how can he pass this? >> It would have to be attached to something else that passed in the house because this was a house

bill. >> So, I would literally go to one of the people that So, you got to go to the person that authored the passing bill, >> right? And you say, "Hey, can you attach this?" >> Oh, yeah. So, I would literally go to everybody with a uh passing bill with a 10piece lemon pepper wet and I'm going to say, "Hey, attach this in. Taste this. Right. >> Tell me this doesn't deserve to be the official wing flavor. >> So, hey, >> it might just be too black. >> I don't know. It might just be too

black. >> Take Magic City. Well, you know, Magic City been getting a lot of hype. You seen the whole Hulk thing. >> If one more person asked me about this this game like >> Yeah, the Hulk. >> I No one asked me anything about the Hawks or just like we'll have like little light conversations, but everyone is like, "Are you going? Did you get the the the uh sweatshirt sweatshirt? >> You know, >> I'm like, man, >> it's funny like Magic City get a lot of hype, but it's not our best strip club, honestly. >>

Okay. Well, let me let me ask you this. Is it if you if Well, two things. One I know Killer Mike said something because like Al Horford and somebody else, >> he said, "We don't even like you." like don't even >> So he's like it doesn't like represent the we shouldn't have this be like the representation of Atlanta right >> right >> if you're the mayor of Atlanta do you care about this like does this feel like b like going into freaknick territory >> well not you got to realize this is just where we are

at Atlanta is a very unique place where our sports politics and business are all in a very intimate relationship ship. >> So if you are higher enough in politics, in those relationships, you're going to cross over into people in the business. You're going to cross over to people in the business world. And a lot of that, there's different reasons for that, but one of the main reason the the the type of politics change with the different mayors you have, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying? So like if you think about somebody like a

Bill Campbell for instance when he was the mayor of Atlanta heavy on the community guys were winning. You know what I'm Saying? Like and I think every mayor has an era of who's winning and under Cassim Atlanta politics became very hip-hop. >> Yeah. >> It became very hip-hop. >> Makes sense. He was an entertainment lawyer. >> Exactly. So therefore every mayor that has followed him since then has had a remnant of that. nobody has completely disrupted that. And I thought when uh Mayor Dickens came in, I thought the Tech guys were going to just take

off and they didn't. They're it's here, but cuz he is innovating in different ways, but as far as they're still a remnant of the hip hop politics. So I think under this administration, you don't care because it it reflects it. I mean, if you go to all the events, like I always imagine how shocked people are about to be when there is a white mayor in Atlanta, what the mayor's ball look like. You know What I'm saying? Who's the main performers? The inauguration. Same thing if there's a black governor. Think about how much it's going

to change of all of this. So, it's it's really on the administration. >> I went to Kemp's inauguration. It was a very different vibe. >> It's country. You know what I'm saying? It's it's it's it's your party. So, whoever you are as a person is going to reflect that. So, saying that to say Under >> this administration, no, I don't care. Throw it up there. It's it's Magic City. >> Magic City. It is what it is. >> It is what it is. >> Like, I don't I don't think nobody >> I will say the Hawks

have I don't know how much money they are making off of this, but it's got to be a ton. >> Oh, yeah. >> And I hope that the Magic City ownership is getting something. All right. Another Uh piece of legislation that is worth uh paying attention to and particularly because of the timing of this one um and it wasn't intentional but it just so happened. Um so this is Senate Bill 443 which is being uh dubbed an anti-protest bill. It would increase the charge for obstructing a roadway from a misdemeanor and it would make it

a high and aggravated misdemeanor. So instead of a $1,000 fine, it would be a $5,000 fine. You can also be held civil uh personally Liable for any property damage. Um so this that's a big one. And so during the debate on this bill on the Senate floor, there was a question raised by a Democrat and that person asked if the March on Selma were to take place and it would be the anniversary of the March on Selma just passed. >> Yeah. Bloody Sunday, >> right? Um so this per this uh repres their Senate um let

me redo that. This Democratic lawmaker asked if the March on Selma were to take place here and this bill were law would it have been illegal? Would it be illegal? And the Republican lawmaker responded and said, "Well, as long as they have a permit, it's not illegal." So, I'll say this. Everybody knows or those that do know me know how civically engaged I am and how much I do support and believe in protest. And I've seen plenty of the shut down the highway protest things. Um, Slippery slope. You know, this to me, this is in

the same line of when we said you can't feed homeless people when the city of Atlanta tried to pass the Well, they did pass the you can't feed homeless people uh on the street bill. Whenever you start encroaching on people's right to protest and speak out, I think it's slippery slope. I wouldn't support it. I understand why people have, you know, the the protest that block off the street disrupts a lot of Regular people, right? That's the whole point. And it and that's the thing. That's what I'm saying. So, it's like >> slippery slope for

me. Once you pass this, you now let's let's add a little bit something else on. And this sets precedence that we can begin to shut it down. It's almost like I hate when people do protest in Liberty Liberty Plaza, >> right? Cuz it's literally telling you where to protest. Like, I hate it. Like, I like whenever I see >> Here's where it goes. So, I can make sure I know I can ignore you. Whenever I see people do a protest over there, I'm like, that was the point and I hate it. Like, so yeah, for

me, I'm all the way against something like this. But again, I can imagine >> it's a it's a Republican bill, so I don't think there's um much if any uh Democratic support for it. >> So, this did it cross or >> Yes, it crossed. >> So, it ain't passed. It just passed from the Senate. So, now it got to pass in the House, right? >> Gotcha. >> Yeah. But it probably will because Republicans the majority, >> right? They hel they hold both chambers. >> Um, another one, and we're winding down on our legislation here. Um,

this one's super relevant because we've been talking about campaign finance. Um, so This is Senate Bill 423. And this legislation is really aimed at Democrats. Um, and it says half of all funds that you raise as a candidate must come from within the state. So if more than half of your donations come from outside the state, you have to return that money in 45 days. >> Yeah. See, that is because one, I can I don't even know who did this, but I'm sure it's a Republican bill. >> It's a Republican bill. And that's Because on

the other side, the blue side, a lot of their money is made through campaigns of like national movement campaigns. And it's easy to get someone a liberal in LA, New York, who has the uh discretional funds and who's politically and civically engaged to donate to a campaign. It's hell. It's why a um mayor candidate here in Atlanta would fly all the way to LA, Miami, all over because >> we just get a lot of support on the blue Side nationally. So, I can see why that's >> Yeah. And it passed too. >> Yeah. Yep. That

one passed too. >> Uh and then the last one I want to mention is C. >> How do you stop that? >> How do you stop that? other than like >> you I mean this is you know to be cliche this is why elections matter. >> Yeah. >> When if a party holds the majority in The house, the majority in the Senate and the governor's office and the lieutenant governor's office, there's not a lot of leeway for the opposition to really do anything. >> Yeah. Good. >> And on its on its face, that sounds like

a reasonable that sounds like a bill that anyone should want to support. Well, yeah. I would want I want to make sure that the money that you're getting is local and you're not the people Outside are not influencing the election. So, on the face, it sounds quite reasonable until you perhaps understand a little bit more of the politics. >> I guess basic I understand where money is coming from. That's why I'm like, nah, you putting handcuffs on these people. But okay, >> you know, remember last week's episode was about the leadership committees and right >>

so it's not we don't you know money and politics is not going away anytime soon. >> Gotcha. >> Um this last one I want to mention because um it impacts the public service commission. So this is Senate Bill 410 and it would repeal the sales and use tax exemption for data center equipment. And this only applies to new data centers. And we know across the state of Georgia, there's a lot of conversation about data centers and use of AI and the Use of water and how it's impacting folks power bills, right? >> Um, so this

does include some consumer protection language, but it's not anything new. So it basically codifies what the public service commission already does. There aren't any new protections. Now, there was another bill, Senate Bill 34, that really is the one that had the real teeth behind it. >> Yeah. >> But it died. >> Okay. >> Because of really good lobbying from the utilities. Um >> I can imagine. >> Yeah. So, this was really Republicans their attempt to kind of get ahead of this conversation about data centers and affordability ahead of the public service commission election, which is

there are two seats on the ballot in November. So if and we talked about this last Week, I think, but if Democrats win those two seats, then they would if they win another seat, then they would flip the commission. >> They could flip it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And what's so again, going back to what I was saying about messaging and just telling the story, those seats flipped so fast. You know why the me the messaging was simple? >> Your uh power bill your power bill high and they're the reason why. >> Yeah. They matter of

fact those seats got called faster than any we were together tonight. Yeah. Like those seats got called faster than any other seat because the messaging is clear. >> It's a clear conversation. >> But yeah. Yeah. All right. DNC where my boy uh Bailey Bailey come on the podcast. >> We want to hear this. >> We're gonna we're gonna get to him. So, you know, if you are a longtime Listener, you know, we do something called who runs Georgia. And I want to bring up some more conversation about what's happening in this election cycle. Uh because

last week was the end of qualifying. So, now we know who for sure is on the ballot, >> right? >> So, across the entire state, more than 2,000 people are running for elected office. So that's city council, that's judges, that's county commission, all Types of folks. Um, just to give you a little bit of a flavor, there's a state trooper who's running for a county commission seat in Tiff County. There's a paramedic who's running for school board in Marian County. You got a truck driver that's running for a county commission seat. So, it's all types

of folks. And I say that to remind you that if you've ever thought about >> getting into office, >> getting into office, >> this your time. it. You don't have to be a lawyer. You don't have to have, you know, multiple advanced degrees. And think about the position that makes sense for you in your community, right? It doesn't have to be, oh, I'm going to run for Congress. It's thinking about what's the local seat that might make sense in my community. >> Who had who changed that politics? Who changed that? I think AOC honestly um

in New York because she was a bartender. Um >> you think I was about to say uh Donald Trump. >> Uh we've had business people run for president before. Ross Perau. >> Well, I wouldn't qualify him as business person. Although he is. I was just saying more >> well entertain. Yeah, you would qualify me as more as entertaining. >> It was like Yeah, like very entertaining. I was about to say Arnold Schwarzenegger. Like it was just like that was just weird. You know what I'm saying? It was just a lot of non tra. When I

used to think about politics, I used to think about suit and tie. Right. >> Very business. Very, you know, like >> the reason why I said AOC is because of those that we just named. She was a regular person. >> Gotcha. >> Right. She wasn't someone who came from wealth or who was already a household Name. >> Gotcha. So this is the time if you want to run for politics. this. And I like it when I see regular people run. Especially >> I like when I see teachers run for school board, like stuff like that,

>> but >> I know what you're thinking and I'm not going to say it. >> Oh my goodness. Like, >> oh, that was such a layup. But I'm I'm Going to keep moving. >> Let's go. Let's go. Next up. >> Um, so the primaries are going to be quite competitive. So, I want you all to see this press release from the Democratic Party of Georgia. We were just talking about Charlie Bailey, who's the head of DPG, and in this release, they are highlighting that this is the highest number of candidates and the highest number of

contested seats that they have um pushed for um in at least Three decades. So, DPG feels like they have some momentum. >> And for those that don't know, DPG, >> Democratic Party of Georgia. Okay. Just making sure. >> So, this is where uh Charlie Bailey, >> right? >> This is essentially his >> press release. >> I ain't not going to lie, he has a lot of fans. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I said something about him online >> and um cuz because I'm on here now, I'm just kind of like >> tweeting more about politics and

a lot of it is questions. It's not even statements. And I was like, yo, what is the Democratic party doing? You know, Charlie Betty was brought in based off of his predecessor lack of work, >> right? >> So, what's the work? I haven't heard or seen a plan. >> So, what's the plan? So, like >> he's Yeah. I mean, this is that press release is his way of saying we've been putting in the work. We've got qualified candidates running >> and that's what I'm saying. There was a few people that jumped on that post like,

"No, this is the best we ever been." And look, you know who came to his defense? We don't say her name twice in the podcast. Shelley Windsor. Yeah, >> Shel I was surprised like I didn't I Didn't know Shelly knew Democrats but >> oh Shelly is incredibly Yeah. >> Shel came to his defense heavy. Then it was this other sister who I like. >> I like Hey, I hear all that but here's the issue. Y'all are in the know. >> Normal people don't know the plan. What's the plan? >> Normal people aren't even paying attention.

Like I just went we're going to talk about the governor's race. I just went to an event for Jason Estz. >> That's the problem. >> And I I talked to a woman there and I said, "Oh, what brought you out?" And she's like, "Oh, a friend of mine who is a big fan of Jason asked me to come." And I said, "Have you decided where, you know, where you staying on the race?" And she says, "Honestly, I haven't paid a lot of attention to the politics. I know everything's crazy. I know there's an election this

year, but I don't know who all is running, and I still need to Do my research. >> That's like, but here here's the issue. Here's this this is why, and again, I'm very critical on the Democratic side. One, I typically lean to vote over there. But two, on the Republican side, the common person doesn't care about the no. They just know what to do. You know what I'm saying? and they they just know we're voting for whoever the guy is there. It's it's just a level of we're we're voting for the platform. >> Yeah. Well,

the messaging is much more simple. >> Yeah. So, if your messaging is not as simple, your story is not as clear >> and your candidates are not sure like there has to be a plan and saying that we got a lot of people running. >> A lot of people running. So, on the on the Democratic side, >> go back to that press release. Is there anything else on that? No. >> Okay, cool. >> So, on the Democratic side for governor, we were talking about last week if some folks might decide to not qualify, not to

pay the qualifying fee, but everyone paid the qualifying fee. Derek Jackson and Olu Brown did. And I was like, "Oh, okay. >> Don't count me out." >> I know. And then the Republican side, Clark Dean um paid the qualifying qualifying fee. I was like, "All right." But on the Republican side, I mean, the Real tussle I would say right now is between Bert Jones and Rick Jackson. Uh Rick Jackson filed a defamation lawsuit against Bert Jones. Um we talked about the state legislator. There was a piece of legislation that uh Bert Jones, his allies were

pushing as House Bill 1362, which is effectively a stop Rick Jackson bill. And that legislation, which did not pass, but it would have said that anyone who's doing business with the state, and Rick Jackson has a healthc Care company that does business with the state, they would not be eligible to run essentially like if they did not divest of their business. >> He was playing dirty. >> So there Yeah, it's it's a real race. Um I do want to We talked about how much money Rick Jackson's putting in the race. I want you to all

to watch this clip and we can talk about it. This came in the mail yesterday. >> What a publication. Unbelievable. He spent a lot of money and the paper quality is impressive. >> See, he is definitely not mailing to me. I ain't get one of that. That's the back page of a four page. Look at how big it is. It's huge. >> Um, so for folks who were listening and couldn't watch it, what she was showing was essentially a kind of like a newspaper style mailer. >> Super Miller, >> right? Which was very large and

she her hand only covered half of it. >> Yeah, it was it was 8 and 1 half by 11. It was a real it was a real newspaper, >> right? And it was, you know, multiple pages and is like these little articles about Rick Jackson and about his his story essentially that that costs a lot of money to a lot of money. >> Well, first of all, if you've done campaigns, you'll know mailers and signs are not cheap, right? >> So, and then when most people do mailers, they're not doing they're doing front one page,

right? you know, it's very when you start seeing any type of mailer with a fold in it or a page in it, just know this campaign got some bread to spin. >> Yeah. And he is doing that. Um, and so is Bert Jones. Um, he put up a website that I thought was hilarious. Um, I call it the Slick Rick website. >> Let me pull it up. Let me pull it up. >> So, it's uh it's called the the URL is slickjackson.com. >> That's what he called it. >> Let's take a look. Yep. Meet the

real Rick Jackson. >> First of all, the cartoon is genius. The real Rick Jackson. >> Now, here's the thing. If you're paying attention on the DNC side, you got to be looking at all of this stuff. >> Oh, they are saying all this for sure. >> Being prepared to leverage all of this. >> So, >> yeah. Absolutely. So, one of the things they're hitting him on is that, and I I haven't looked into into this to see if this is actually true or not, but that his medical uh practice is because he has a healthcare

company that they were providing transgender treatments to um inmates at the state prison. I don't I don't know if that's true or not. Um but that's one of the things that >> Bert Jones is attacking him on. >> That's going to help him once he get out the primaries. Yeah. So, I guess I'll be like, "See, I am woke. >> I am. I'm for both sides. This >> um Yeah, but it's it's quite the website." And for folks who might be a little bit new to politics, this is all normal, right? Like in a primary

in particular, what you have to do, >> what you got to do, >> you have to define yourself and you have to define your opponent. >> Define and defame. And that's why he filed a lawsuit. This is exactly why Rick Jackson filed a lawsuit. >> I would too. But I ain't gonna lie, the graphics on this are pretty impressive. >> Yeah, the graphics are good. Yeah, it's quite clever. Um, and we talked about this last week, but that level of attack Is not happening at all on the Democratic side. Everyone's still playing nice with each

other. We'll see what might change once April comes around. And honestly, there's not enough allegiances over there to really feel, you know, to be that playing that nice of a ball. Like, well, at least with with one of the candidates, I know for sure one of the candidates, I'm I'm easily throwing if Yeah, I'm I'm going against Duncan on Everything I got. But, you know, we'll see. Um, so Jason Estz officially is the first Democratic candidate up on TV. >> Okay. >> And it's interesting. Last week we said we talked about the kind of race

he was running and that he wasn't talking about Trump and he was talking more in the issues. >> Yeah. >> Uh, let's watch this clip. >> Donald Trump is driving up our costs and rigging the system for billionaires while you pay the price. I'm Jason Estz. And as governor, I'll tackle Trump's chaos head on. I'll use every tool that we have, take Trump to court, and I'll pass legislation to protect our families. I'll end the billions in tax giveaways to AI data centers, and instead put more money in your pockets. I'll invest in universal child

care, and we're going to expand Medicaid. Georgia, It's time to fight back. >> That's his first ad. The thing is, well, when I see those ads, first thing I say, I'm like, man, who got this job? That's that's the first thing I see. Um, but like what I liked about him, he went away from like I guess his people told him I guess he listening to polls and polls are saying these people are leading and these people are leading because they're talking about >> Trump. >> Trump. So, I get it. Trump is an easy target.

is something we should talk about. But for him, I just felt like he had a different lane that he was working. And yeah, the pose might not reflect that he's winning, but the money is >> like he's raising. If he wasn't raising money, I would probably say, "Hey, you need to switch what you're talking about." But the fact that you're raising money at the same rate as every other Candidate, if not more, cuz he's not putting his own money in the race. So because he's not putting his own money in the race, I'm saying stick

to what your message is and give people something to vote for, not vote against, right? >> But you know, it looked good. But >> yeah, what I thought was interesting, I mean, granted, he does he if for folks who are just listening, so you wouldn't have seen this, he does have like little On the lower thirds, he says what his titles were, right? I'm a previous state senator. Like so he does do a little bit of an introduction. >> Yeah. >> But if I'm not if I'm completely new, >> I don't fully know who he

is after watching that. >> No, no, no. He didn't introduce it. It wasn't an introduction at all. >> Right. >> It wasn't an opportunity to say who I Am. >> Right. It was just straight to Now, he did get in that 30 secondond ad, he did go through a number of policy issues, so he did hit them quick, right? Um, so I'm curious to see how, you know, how how does this move the needle, if it moves the needle? Um, if I were his team, I imagine they're already doing this. But for for folks who

are not on the inside of campaigns, you would typically um do some type of poll before >> you do a big ad buy like this and then you do another one after. >> I would love to see what to say, >> right? and see, you know, what um to to what extent it boosted his name recognition. Does it make me more likely to consider um Jason over another candidate that I might even been been looking at? And then just the last thing I would say on social, I mean, he's he's doing better on fundraising, at

least so far that we can see. And on social There, if you just like search him, there are a lot of folks who are like, I find him interesting. I just don't know if he can break through. >> And that is why he did this ad, right? To try to break through. >> I can see. You know what I would like to see? Um, at one time you were doing these POVs um with ACC >> where you're just kind of bringing people in. I would love to see >> talking to voters. >> I would just

love to see a voter on where they at on this Democratic I mean on this just governor race period, >> right? I would like to see one of those just to hear the everyday >> person and I would even show them this. Does this ad make you like I would sell some data to the campaigns like I did a poll right >> like a real poll like and this is what they're saying because again >> I like Jason the fact that he raising money is a really big deal. Like you knew he doesn't have a

lot of stains on his name. like you almost can throw a stain on every candidate's name based off of something they've did or didn't do. >> He doesn't really have that essentially, at least publicly. >> And this is his opportunity, you know, to to leverage that and just get bold out there saying I'm that guy and not Necessarily following the lead of everybody else talking against Trump. So >> yeah, >> good ad though. It looked good. >> Yeah, we'll see. Um, and just one last thing of that was interesting to me, uh, Mike Thurman, um,

who's a Democrat running for governor, he did a telet town hall. So, one, last week during qualifying week, you would find the candidates would all do something, right, leading up to it. And so Jason, For example, who we just spoke uh, talked about, he had a big rally. So, he had supporters like lining the steps as he was going to qualify and, you know, did a big harrah. What Mike Thurman did was different. So, not a social media hit at all, but perhaps more impactful. So, he did a telet town hall with 21,000 voters across

the state. >> Okay, hold on. So, he was on the phone like they like old school called in. >> Dang, that's a lot of numbers. >> Yeah. And he thought they the he the campaign said what we thought would have been good was a thousand and they actually got 21,000. >> That's that's solid. >> That's quite impressive. >> Yeah, that is >> that is cuz I want to know the technology even do that because I know it wasn't a real conference call line. >> No, I've done it before. Um I think I can't remember if

it was for a campaign. I've I've definitely done it before. It might have been a campaign. I can't recall. It's been a few quite a few years. This was before the pandemic and I think what we had I can't recall exactly what we had people do either they signed up beforehand and then it called them at the time. >> I can't remember what it was but the technology exists and >> that's dope. Shout out to basically like imagine you're on a Zoom but there's no It's just audio. >> Yeah, I get it. But I'm just

saying shout out to Thurman. That's dope. It speaks to what we already said that he is a formidable opponent. He's gonna be hard to beat. And it's just showing his team is doing more things that's on the ground because social media >> can be sexy all the time. >> Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Social media can be sexy, but it also can be elusive. What does >> 15 million impressions really mean, right? Like cuz if I look at it for two seconds and keep strolling, that was technically an impression. >> Yeah. I mean, a

prime example of that, right before we started recording, someone asked me, "Why did Jasmine Crockett lose in Texas, >> right?" >> And I said, "She had a huge social media presence, but she wasn't on the ground. Her campaign was not on the ground in The way that Talerico's was." >> Yeah. And it and that's just the reality. 21,000 people holding their phone to their ear are real voters, real people, and real committed. The fact that I'm sitting here on even if I'm got the phone on speaker phone, I'm doing stuff, >> right? >> That's a

real thing. >> I'm still I'm paying attention. >> Yeah. So, >> yeah. >> Looking forward to this. >> Yeah. I want to highlight just one other race that we talked about and I'm mentioning this person because they're an Atlanta person. Don't laugh. Um, >> no, I'm laughing. I'm laughing and I'm >> so All right, let me get it out. So, insurance commissioner, this is another statewide race um where Republicans and Democrats will be going at it. The incumbent Republican is going to is Quite a formidable um opponent. Um but Kesha Weights, a former Atlanta City

Council um member, should post three. Um and she also ran for clerk, if I'm not mistaken, in Fton County, and then she ran for public service commission. She put her name in the hat to run for insurance commissioner. >> Here's my issue with this. Kesha has done so much in politics in the sense of running, right? >> She's run a lot. >> She has ran a lot and she finally >> she's committed to running. >> Like she finally got a seat. >> I know. >> She was in she was in city council and she was

there. You can go to city council. It is a very powerful seat. You're one of how many on city council? >> 15. >> One of 15 that vote on >> She was one of three at post of the atlarge post position. >> Yeah. Like so you had an atlarge seat. You could have stayed there forever. >> It was Andre's old seat. >> You could have stayed there forever, but she got greedy. Let's just call it what it is. Nobody leaves clerk dad to go to the clerk until you find out what the clerk makes. >>

Clerk makes a lot of money. >> Until you find out what the clerk makes. The clerk makes a lot of money. And she left her seat that she just won to go Run for clerk. And she ran against Shay Alexander. Shout out to Shay. Shay won. That was a whole messy race because Shay's predecessor >> uh yeah, whole messy race. We got to get into it. But just to see her throw a name in the race, I'm going be real. If you putting money behind Kesha and you supporting Kesha in this, you really got to

ask her and have a real conversation like sis, is this really what you want to do? Like >> she would say yes. >> Like and why? Like because you just left me on this other seat. But there's another person doing that. I feel the same way about Mo Ivory leaving her seat. she just won a commissioner and going straight to the to me to me it's it's almost like a slap in the face to the voters like I'm like yo I supported you I believe in you and I need you in this position you're my

person for this position and then you get there and you Don't even get you don't even get >> well you could say that about Jason Estz right he went from APS to state senator and then he resigned from state senate to run for governor Well, I don't know the time. I didn't know the time lengths of when he did all of these. I just know these these races I was paying attention. If if it's the same thing, it's the same thing. Like again, I don't even I even said it. I don't know if it Was

on this pie, but I even said if I was Jason, I wouldn't run for governor. But that was before I started seeing how much money he could raise, >> you know? Then I'm like, "All right, well, shoot your shot." >> But as far as this whole >> Kesha, man, come on, man. you just don't want a reputation of being a runner. Like he's just a campaign runner. So, >> well, we'll see. >> I think once Nabila Islam decided to Jump out of that seat because she was the >> certainly dem the Democrat that folks expected

to take that. >> Yeah. >> Um in the primary, she decided to jump instead to the lieutenant governor's race at the last minute. And so I guess Kesha Wait said, "Hey, I'm not going to let a good opportunity get away from me." And yeah, that's what happened. >> Shout Hey, shout out to Weights. If you get in, baby, I'm I'm proud of you. But babe, you got to start running. >> She's run. Hey, she's like, I've run statewide, right? Which she did when she ran for public service commission, >> right? So, hey, I mean, the

fact that she keep finding money for people to donate to, that's impressive. It's just impressive to me. I'm sorry. >> Well, the PSC race when she ran for PSSE, it was I don't know if she got to 15,000 raise or 20,000. It was very low for a statewide race, which is >> I'm just saying the fact that I just want to know what the calls sound like. >> You going to go do call time? What? >> Hey, it's me again. This time. >> This time I found this the race. >> Right. >> That wasn't for

me. This the race. >> I'm just saying it's at some point it's Laughable. I'm sorry. >> I hear you. I hear you. >> Slow it down. Slow it down. If she get in, I'm I'm proud of it. >> Let's see. I mean, that would be quite the upset to beat John King, uh, who's the incumbent. Um, I just want to briefly mention this cuz this episode comes out on Tuesday and there are two special elections. um one is to replace Marjorie Taylor Green um for Congress. So that will definitely go to a runoff Because there's

so many people running. >> I want to say it's north of 14 people >> running. >> Um and then there's another um election uh state house district 94 which is in the Stone Mountain area and that is to replace Karen Bennett who got caught up in the whole PPP fraud which I was so shocked. There were like two Democrats that got caught up in that. >> That PPP fraud, that thing is like >> that's such a delayed hit. Like like It's almost like when your mama say you going to get a whooping when you get

home but she let you take a shower and go to bed. Like >> forgot about it. >> You don't forgot about it. Like yo, >> you want to move to Party Starters and Party Poopers? >> Yeah, I want to hear yours. >> I don't know if I have a Party Starter yet. Maybe something will come to me in the next 30 seconds or or so, but I do Want to do the party pooper. >> All right. So, we still ain't figured out what that visually is yet. Yeah. >> On this thing, but you can just

introduce it. Start with the pooper first. >> Okay. So, my pooper is the Justice Department, the US Department of Justice, because they just settled this massive antirust lawsuit with Live Nation. Uh, this case started under the Biden administration. And so it was the Department of Justice and 40 states were suing Live Nation, which is um they also own Ticket Master if that is more of a familiar name for folks. Um so the settlement was $200 million that's going to these states. Um but a couple of other states I think are going to try to pursue

the litigation further >> uh because the settlement came as a big surprise to folks. Um, so it would force them to stop some exclusive uh booking agreements um and then to cap service Fees at 15% of the ticket price. Um the every expectation is that if this had gone all the way through to trial that the consumers would have gotten a much big better deal >> better deal like less ticket fees, >> right? And all this stuff. I mean, I I literally just last week was going to book a show and I saw how much

it was with the ticket fees and I was like, I just I just don't feel like doing that. >> And they can just make it whatever they Want to make it. >> Yeah. >> Um, so I always try to find stuff that like impacts everyday folks, >> right? >> And anyone who likes to go to any kind of concert, any kind of show, like this directly impacts you. So there, so they were suing, they were the case was against uh >> Live Nation. >> It was against Live Nation. Gotcha. Okay. Well, party pooper on them.

Speaking of party starters or common people, do you got anything for the party starter? >> I don't think so. >> I got one. >> Okay. >> And you know, it come across my desk when I saw it. And this is not even somebody that I necessarily uh always talk about, but I would like to make the party started this week. Mo Ivory. >> Didn't you just say >> exactly? >> Okay. >> But I'm fair. I'm fair. Mo Ivory. >> Oh, is this because of the bond? Okay, I got >> you. At the at the end

of the day, let's have a real conversation. >> Well, tell folks what she did. So Movory um because of a law that was passed, you can only bail out three people. >> This was actually an anti-stop cop city Law, by the way. >> What? >> This law that you're talking about >> that uh you >> can only bail out three people. >> Three people at a time. >> So it So hold on. Anti-stop city like meaning the people >> because they were they were doing they were getting arrested in mass. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. So

that's what I'm saying. So I got you. I got you. So, so Which is anti-stop. I'm about to say hold on now. Why would they? >> That just threw me off. But yes, so yeah, I remember exactly when the law passed. So essentially, >> cop city protesters were going hard. They were on the front lines getting arrested because they were standing for something they believed in. And to make it harder for those people to get bailed out, they made it where these they there's a lot of cash bond funds where These people raise money and

they just cash bond out people that get arrested. So to stop them, there was a bill passed where you could only bond out three people a year, >> right? >> Three people a year. So um Mo Ivory, was this last week? Last week she goes to the jail and asks for the lowest bonds on there. There were three people in jail at like $50 bonds or something. >> 85. It was like $85. Three $80. It was Three people in jail for $80 bun. Literally stuck in jail for $80 bun. It cost taxpayers like $125 >>

to keep them in jail. >> To keep them in jail, but essentially they can't let them go. They could, but they can't let them go. So she just went and bailed out three people out of jail and encouraged other people to do it as well. Uh I think that's a party started especially if you understand how the cash bond has really been dangerous and Hurtful in our community. U a big story Khalif Browder is one of the biggest cash bond stories ever in New York Riker uh prisoners. >> Riker's Island. And how much was his

bond? Like >> it was it was minimal. >> It was super small. But this young boy was in Riker's Island, one of the worst jails you can be in in New York. and he got completely terrorized and when he finally did get out off of a case that Wasn't he didn't even do like after he got home he killed himself and it was just that bad because he didn't have a minimum cash bond to get out so Mo I she went she use it some people say it's political some people however you want to say

it's for it's one of those situations when people do trends online but the trend is actually a good trend whether >> she's like Mr. Beats, but the black version. >> Yeah. So, so, so I'm like, hey, whatever. >> Political version of Mr. Beats. >> I'm with it. I'm with it. So, she >> That's kind of clever. >> She went and bailed Ashel. She That's clever. That's clever, right? >> Hey, that's good. >> So, shout out to Mo. You >> Mo needs to be uh given these guminatorial candidates some words, >> some advice. What? Her her

brand is Amazing. And I seen one of her cars riding around wrapped beautifully in Summer Hill. Uh I mean, she's just doing it. You know what I'm saying? She's another person I'm kind of mad she jumped, but again, uh she's making it hard for Rob and um >> Marvin Marvin Arrington like definitely. >> So that's the Fulton County chairs race for folks who may not be familiar that election is >> so she's my party starter. Now the Caveat I told you party start caveat. >> Okay. The issue is it speaks to a lot of things

because a lot of those people that are locked up for one is nonviolent offensive crime. So it's not like she letting out domestic violence or any people like that. A lot of these people that are locked up for bonds let low are typically homeless, mental illness, uh a lot of things like that. So, it just speaks to a greater need of services that we got to do in our city to address How do we help those who are having u mental health attacks in our city. It you can't lock them up >> and those are

misdemeanors, right? I mean, if you're if you're getting locked up on an $80 bond, you did not do anything egregious there. There it was nonviolent. Nobody was stabbed or hurt or anything like that. And if you're on a $90 bun and you can't get out, you don't have any family >> or friends >> or friends. So again, it speaks to me. It's like, yo, this person probably homeless. This person probably have mental ill, but they have nowhere to go. >> Yeah. Or your family and friends are also in financial strains. >> That part, >> right?

They can't constraints like they can't help you. >> So, she's my party starter. >> Okay. >> I give it I give it a I give her I I Make her my party starter this week. Shout out to you, Mo, for doing that and encouraging other people. I've seen a lot of people under the video when it went viral, right? >> Saying that they're going to go up there and they're going they're actually about to start a bailout party where they're people just going to pull up, >> okay, >> and get three at a time and

just bail people out. I think that's cool. >> We're doing an event um in next month in April, like late April for the Fulton County races. >> Okay, I'll be there. >> Yeah, I'll keep you posted. That's going to be interesting. We're doing an event for the election party. >> That's right. >> May 19th. >> Yes. >> An invitation to go out soon. >> Yeah. The Fulton election's going to be Pretty hot. >> It's going to be fun. >> Yeah. >> It's going to be really fun. Um I'm encouraged and I'm excited about it. Uh

for those that are just listening, again, this is a very condensed version of a lot of things that are happening in this state, this city, this county. But we just encourage you to tap in and get involved because all of these things affect you. You don't have to do a Politics for politics to do you. >> Right. >> So, and I would just remind folks if you are new to the state of Georgia, if you just got married and you changed your name, if you haven't voted in a while, even if you voted in the

last election, go check your voter registration status. >> Y >> because a number of folks have been purged from the roles. And don't assume that that's not you. So just go to Mvp.sos.ga.gov and check your voter registration status >> and go vote. We need you. >> Yeah. So we'll we'll keep you posted on when early voting starts. Um obviously there's two um special elections today, Tuesday, March 10th. Um so if you're in those districts, definitely go vote in either one of those districts. Um, but early voting starts at the end of April for these big

elections. So, for governor, for county commissioner, for All these big things. And then we don't know yet when the special election will take place to replace Mo. >> Gotcha. >> So, that is to be determined. Um, but that will also be a very big one. >> Yeah, I heard um >> Yeah, I heard that one, too. So, >> we'll talk about that later. If you're like, "Wait, who who was it?" >> You got keep tuning in. >> We got to bring them on. >> All right, y'all. Thank you for tuning in for another episode of

your favorite political podcast. I'm your host, Saba Long. >> And I'm Eldidge Washington, and this is Where the Party at. Thank you.