Month: June 2020

“Georgia is a state too great to hate;” Governor Signs Hate Crimes Law, Completing Legislative Cycle

With the stroke of a pen, Governor Brian Kemp removed Georgia from a discouraging list of states lacking a hate crime bill. For years now, Georgia has been one of only four states without a law to adequately punish against crimes targeting a person because of bias against a “race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender… Read More “Georgia is a state too great to hate;” Governor Signs Hate Crimes Law, Completing Legislative Cycle

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Hate Crime Bill Continues To Turn As End of Session Looms

Last Thursday, after being inactive for over a year, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a long anticipated hearing on HB 426, which is the latest attempt to pass a hate crime bill. The committee was dually tasked with considering Rep. Chuck Efstration’s (R-Dacula) bill that passed the House last year, but also with Lt. Gov.… Read More Hate Crime Bill Continues To Turn As End of Session Looms

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A Weekend Update on Georgia’s Hate Crime Bill

06/18/2020—Since last writing, the long awaited hate crimes bill finally had a hearing last Thursday. The hearing can be streamed here. The majority of the testimony supported passing HB 426, but one person voiced opposition citing “thought crimes.” The supporters included a collective of Interfaith, Jewish, Racial and Gender Equality organizations. Former Attorney General Sam… Read More A Weekend Update on Georgia’s Hate Crime Bill

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Hate Crimes Bill Stalled For Now, But Tomorrow Promises Movement in Day 32

With legislative day 31 in the books, another day passed without movement on the Georgia General Assembly’s latest effort to pass a hate crime bill. Last year, HB 426 passed the House 96-64 and made its way to the Senate where to date, has been stuck in committee. Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee cancelled a… Read More Hate Crimes Bill Stalled For Now, But Tomorrow Promises Movement in Day 32

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With Day 30 Completed, No Movement on a Hate Crimes Bill

Yesterday, the Georgia General Assembly reconvened to complete the remaining 11 days of this year’s legislative session, after a 3 month coronavirus delay. As “sine die” approaches, a budget resolution has to be passed.  Also of significant attention here and nationally, is HB 426, which is Georgia’s latest attempt to pass legislation increasing punishment for… Read More With Day 30 Completed, No Movement on a Hate Crimes Bill

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Election Night in Georgia: Here are the contests I’m watching.

8:30 pm EST— Tonight, I’m watching several election results closely. They are: *U.S. Senate Democratic Primaries, since both of Georgia’s Senate seats are up for election. *Georgia 7th Congressional District seat, which was a contest that drew significant attention in the 2018 midterms. There is a crowded field of both Republicans and Democrats. –As results… Read More Election Night in Georgia: Here are the contests I’m watching.

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