House GOP considers ending voter roll check; Ossoff has questions for DOGE

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Episode: House GOP considers ending voter roll check; Ossoff has questions for DOGE
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting

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1. House GOP Proposes Ending Participation in Voter Roll Check via ERIC

In today's political news, a faction of Georgia House Republicans is contemplating withdrawing the state from the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a bipartisan consortium that assists states in maintaining accurate voter rolls by identifying individuals who have moved, passed away, or are otherwise ineligible to vote. ERIC currently includes 24 states and Washington, D.C., though nine states have departed following encouragement from former President Donald Trump, who alleged—without evidence—that ERIC disproportionately benefits Democrats.

Georgia's Republican Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, has defended ERIC's role in ensuring voter data integrity, stating, "ERIC has been instrumental in maintaining the accuracy of our voter lists" (00:51). If the proposed bill progresses through the House, it is expected to pass the Senate, indicating strong support for the move.

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2. Public Health Workforce Under Strain Due to CDC Funding Cuts

Sophie Gradas reports on significant protests at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, where demonstrators rallied against federal funding cuts that have resulted in the loss of over 1,000 public health employees—approximately 10% of the workforce. Barbara Stanke, a retired state public health official, expressed concern, noting, "The cuts will leave frontline workers without critical guidance" (01:58).

Grant Blankenship adds context, explaining, "The CDC is sponsoring that, you know, they're the ones who coordinate that. It takes a lot... to get from federal to state to local to the people and communities" (02:22). The reduction in CDC staff hampers the agency's ability to provide essential information to combat ongoing infectious and chronic disease surges.

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3. Legislative Support for Timber Producers Affected by Hurricane Helene

The Georgia General Assembly has unanimously passed the Senate bill SB 52 and the House bill HB223, aimed at assisting timber producers devastated by Hurricane Helene. These bills offer temporary tax relief on timber sold or harvested from hurricane-damaged areas and exclude taxes on relief funds received by timber farmers.

Senator Russ Goodman highlighted the severity of the impact, stating, "More than a third of the state's timberland was damaged or destroyed in the storm" (03:09). Grant Blankenship emphasized the economic relief provided, noting that timber producers have already endured a "90% loss in the value of their timber" (03:26), and the legislation helps mitigate additional financial burdens while supporting local county budgets that rely on timber taxes.

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4. Lawsuit Against Fertility Clinic for Embryo Mix-Up

In a personal tragedy, Christina Murray has filed a lawsuit against Coastal Fertility Specialists in Savannah after a mishap during her in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure resulted in the birth of another patient's child. Murray, who gave birth to a baby boy in December 2023, states, "I still want to raise the baby boy I gave birth to" (03:26). However, she relinquished custody after the biological parents requested it, leaving her physically and emotionally distressed. This legal action seeks accountability from the fertility clinic for the error that has profoundly affected her life.

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5. Promise Scholarship Program Finalizes Eligible Public Schools

Grant Blankenship reports on the finalization of the list of public schools eligible for Georgia's new Promise Scholarship program, which offers $6,500 vouchers to students from the state's bottom 25% in academic achievement to attend participating private schools. The Governor's Office of Student Achievement revealed that many qualifying schools are located in metro Atlanta, Bibb, Richmond, and Muskogee counties, with a significant number also in rural areas.

However, about half of the counties do not have a participating private school where students can apply their vouchers, and the program's funds are limited to 1% of total state education spending, approximately 22,000 vouchers. Applications for the Promise Scholarship will open on March 1, providing an opportunity for students who have attended a qualifying school for at least two semesters to pursue better educational outcomes (04:19).

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6. Senator Jon Ossoff Investigates DOGE's Access to Veterans' Health Records

Senator Jon Ossoff has raised concerns regarding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its potential access to veterans' medical records. Ossoff, alongside other senators, has requested information from Doug Collins, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs and former Georgia Congressman, about whether DOGE staffers have accessed personally identifiable information or medical records of veterans or VA personnel (05:08). The Department of Veterans Affairs has yet to respond to these inquiries, prompting ongoing scrutiny into data privacy and security within veteran healthcare services.

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7. Duracell Expands R&D Operations in Atlanta

Battery manufacturer Duracell announced plans to relocate its research and development headquarters to Atlanta, anticipated to create over 100 jobs. The new facility, situated in the Science Square Labs building adjacent to Georgia Tech, will feature state-of-the-art laboratories and collaborative workspaces. Duracell has been a long-standing presence in Georgia, operating a manufacturing plant in LaGrange since 1980 and a distribution center in Fairburn since five years ago. The Atlanta R&D headquarters is slated to open in the summer of next year, marking a significant investment in the local economy and technology sector (05:08).

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8. Addressing the Crisis of Jury Absenteeism in Georgia

A pressing issue within Georgia's judicial system is the alarming increase in jury absenteeism, as detailed by Macon Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Connie Wilford. Addressing the Georgia Today Podcast, Judge Wilford shared her experiences dealing with the lack of juror attendance, which has impeded the progression of critical trials, including a high-profile case involving the tragic death of an infant.

At (06:47), Judge Wilford recounts, "Maybe the perception is out there now that there's no consequence if you don't show up. And that's why I am trying to get the word out that there will be consequences." To combat absenteeism, Judge Wilford has been personally summoning missing jurors to court to understand the underlying causes, emphasizing civic responsibility and the constitutional imperative of jury duty.

Notable responses from jurors include claims of not receiving summonses due to unreliable mail delivery, lack of awareness, and modern communication preferences. Additionally, Judge Wilford highlighted the prevalence of jury scams, where fraudulent warrants and demands for payments are misleading individuals into believing they face legal repercussions for non-attendance, further complicating the issue.

Judge Wilford stressed the importance of public education on the matter and hinted at potential enforcement measures, stating, "If I do [enforce consequences], it will happen in this courtroom. You will stand before me... It's such a critical and necessary part of our civic duty" (10:16).

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9. Intensifying Search for Missing Coach Gary Jones

The search for Gary Jones, head coach of Atlanta Westminster, remains active following his disappearance on February 8 after a boating accident on Lake Oconee, which tragically resulted in the death of his fiancée, Jocelyn Wilson, a Spelman College instructor. New search efforts now include a cadaver dog and assistance from the United Cajun Navy, known for their search and rescue operations.

Key evidence discovered includes Jones' boat, wallet, and shoes, but no trace of him has been found to date. Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills mentioned that Wilson's autopsy has unveiled new questions, though specific details remain undisclosed. The community remains hopeful for Jones' safe return as investigators continue to piece together the events leading to his disappearance.

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10. Georgia Launches 'Teach in the Peach' Recruitment Initiative

In an effort to position Georgia as the premier destination for educators, the Georgia Department of Education has unveiled the "Teach in the Peach" initiative. This statewide campaign underscores the profound impact of teaching and offers comprehensive resources for aspiring educators, including a dedicated website featuring certification pathways, job listings, and career guidance.

A significant component of the initiative is the inaugural Educator Signing Day scheduled for May, to be held at the College Football Hall of Fame. This event aims to celebrate and welcome new teachers into the profession, fostering community engagement and support. Interested individuals can learn more at teachandthepeach.org (13:40).

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Conclusion

The February 19th episode of Georgia Today covered a wide range of topics crucial to the state's political, social, and economic landscape. From legislative actions affecting voter registration and public health to personal stories of legal struggles and civic challenges, the podcast provided comprehensive coverage of issues impacting Georgians. Listeners can stay informed by subscribing to Georgia Today for continued in-depth reporting on matters that shape the Peach State.

For more information on any of these stories, visit gpb.org/news.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

Foreign welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast from GPB News. Today is Wednesday, February 19th. I'm Peter Viello. This podcast has the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. Send feedback or story tips to Georgia todaypb.org on today's episode. Georgia House Republicans consider ending Georgia's participating in a voter roll check that crosses state lines. Senator Jon Ossoff seeks answers from DOGE about its access to veterans health information. And if you get a jury summons and you don't show up, you may have to face a very disappointed Georgia judge.

[Judge Connie Wilford]

Maybe the perception is out there now that there's no consequence if you don't show up. And that's why I am trying to get the word out that there will be consequences.

[Peter Biello]

Check your mailbox. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today. A group of Georgia House Republicans wants Georgia to leave a bipartisan group that helps keep voter rolls accurate. The Electronic Registration Information center, or eric, helps participating states identify and remove from voting rolls people who have died, moved to other states or registered somewhere else. Georgia Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has credited the system for helping him maintain accurate voter data. 24 states and Washington, D.C. are currently members of ERIC. Nine have left the program at the encouragement of President Donald Trump, who has said without proof that ERIC helps Democrats, if the bill makes it out of Georgia's House, it likely will pass the Senate. Demonstrators gathered at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta yesterday in opposition to funding cuts by the federal government resulting in the mass layoffs of public health employees. GPB Sophie Gradis has more.

[Sophie Gradas]

The CDC has lost about 10% of its workforce, over 1,000 people, since termination letters went out across the Department of Health and Human Services last week. In Atlanta, former federal workers and others gathered as current CDC employees started to drive home, sharing them on in support. Barbara Stanke, retired from state public health, says that the cuts will leave frontline workers without critical guidance.

[Grant Blankenship]

The CDC is sponsoring that, you know, they're the ones who coordinate that. It takes a lot. It takes a lot to get from federal to state to local to the people and communities.

[Sophie Gradas]

And those communities need good information, she says, to fight ongoing surges in infectious and chronic diseases. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gradas at the cdc.

[Peter Biello]

Both chambers of the Georgia General assembly passed legislation yesterday intended to help timber producers affected by Hurricane Helene. The Senate passed SB 52 unanimously. The bill would provide temporary tax relief on timber sold or harvested in hurricane damaged areas. Senator Russ Goodman says more than a third of the state's timberland was damaged or destroyed in the storm.

[Grant Blankenship]

They've already lost 90% of the value of their timber. They're not having to pay another tax on top of that after they've already lost 90% as well as it helps the counties, the rural counties like mine that that depend on the timber tax to help fund local school boards and.

[Peter Biello]

County similarly, in the House, HB223 would exclude taxes on relief funds timber farmers receive. A woman is suing the fertility clinic that helped her get pregnant using in vitro fertilization two years ago, saying she gave birth to another patient's child after doctors transferred the wrong embryo to her. Christina Murray says she still wants to raise the baby boy she gave birth to in December 2023. She gave up the child after his biological parents demanded custody last year. Murray filed a suit yesterday in Savannah against Coastal Fertility Specialists, saying its mix up left her physically and emotionally broken. The list of public schools that qualify a student to apply for one of the state's new private school vouchers has been finalized. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more on the Promise Scholarship program.

[Grant Blankenship]

The list of schools in the bottom 25% for achievement statewide was published by the Governor's Office of Student Achievement last week. The list is dense in metro Atlanta. Bibb, Richmond and Muskogee counties are also urban areas with standout numbers. But most of the schools are spread across rural Georgia. Students who have attended one of them for at least two semesters can now apply for a $6,500 voucher to attend a participating private school. But about half of the counties where students could apply for a voucher don't have a Promise Scholarship private school where they could spend it. Voucher funds are capped at 1% of total state education spending, or about 22,000 vouchers. Promise scholarship student applications open March 1. For GPB news, I'm Grant Blankenship. In Macon.

[Peter Biello]

Senator Jon Ossoff is demanding answers about Elon Musk's potential access to veterans medical records. Ossoff and other senators say they want details on visits by Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or doge, to VA facilities. Former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins now serves as the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The senators ask Collins if DOGE staffers accessed personally identifiable information or medical records of veterans or VA personnel. The VA has not yet responded to the inquiry. Battery manufacturer Duracell is moving its research and development headquarters to Atlanta. The new space will feature state of the art labs and collaborative workspaces in the Science Square Labs building adjacent to the Georgia Tech campus. The move is expected to bring more than 100 jobs to the Atlanta job market. Duracell has operated a manufacturing facility in Lagrange since 1980, as well as a distribution plant in Fairburn that began operations five years ago. The opening of the Atlanta RD headquarters is scheduled for summer next year. Judges across Georgia and the nation are reporting a frustrating uptick in jury absenteeism. One Middle Georgia judge is summoning jurors who don't show up for their civic duty to face her in court. Macon Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Connie Wilford calls jury absenteeism a crisis that has stalled more than one trial in Bibb County. For the past few months, she's been sending deputies to haul no show jurors into court to ask them why they failed to appear for duty. She recently spoke with GPB's Orlando Montoya about the problem, what it means for justice in Bibb county and what can be done about it.

[Judge Connie Wilford]

I started judging, got my judgeship during the pandemic in 2020. So I came in at a time where, you know, things were already precarious, but it seems to have gotten worse each trial term. And in November, I had a trial where we almost didn't get to try the case. It was very important case. It had to do with a beating death of an infant and it had gotten a lot of press and it was just a big case for Peach County. And so we summons 250 drawers and it got I needed 36 to pick a jury of 12 with two alternates. And it got down to the wire where I didn't think we were going to have enough. By the time I excused various people for various reasons, but I think we had about 80 of the, you know, 200 that were 200 or 250 that were summons that actually showed up. And by the time I excused people who said, yeah, I've read so much about this case, I don't think I could be a fair and impartial juror. Or, you know, I'm over 70 and I have this medical condition. There's no way I could sit through this, you know, these various things. I didn't think I was going to have enough to pick a jury. And in November when that happened, I had the sheriff go out and summons.

[Grant Blankenship]

Folks to court and they knocked on.

[Judge Connie Wilford]

People'S doors and they actually serve them with a summons, you know, that they have to appear before me to show calls, to explain to me why they did not show up for jury duty.

[Grant Blankenship]

And what do people tell you when you ask them why they didn't show up?

[Judge Connie Wilford]

Well, it was interesting because we're really trying to get to the root cause of the problem right now. I'm doing my own sort of independent research to try to figure out where the problem lies and then try to come up with some solutions to the problem. So right now, I'm really just gathering information, and I didn't hold anybody in contempt. I didn't find anyone. I didn't jail anyone. I just wanted to know, honestly. And I told him up front, you're not going to. You're not going to be fined, you're not going to be jailed. I just want an honest answer so that I can try to come up with a solution to this problem. Some folks told me I. I didn't get the summons. If I would have gotten a summons, I would be here. So I think that more than ever, for whatever reason, our postal service is not reliable. I had several other folks who told me I don't check my mail very often. I might check my mail once a month because all of my bills are set up to be, you know, come out of my account or I pay everything online, and all I ever get is junk mail. I had one man who said to me, look, when I go to the dentist and I have a dentist appointment, I get five text messages reminding me, you have a dentist appointment on this date at this time. Press C to confirm. He said, why don't y'all set up something like that? I said, well, you know, maybe we'll eventually have to talk to the legislator about something like that.

[Grant Blankenship]

And do you feel there's a lack of civic concern? I don't think anybody's going to admit to that. But do you feel that civic responsibility has declined?

[Judge Connie Wilford]

That is certainly a part of it, too, and I think that plays a big role in it. I had one young man who said he was a delivery driver for a pharmacy and he had to work. And I said to him, well, you know, most folks who come and sit on a jury have a job. We don't just seat unemployed folks on our jury, you know, and tried to explain to him the importance of that civic responsibility and how important of a right it is. Our founding fathers thought it was such an important right that they put it in the highest law of the land, the constitution. Maybe the perception is out there now that there's no consequence if you don't show up. And that's why I am trying to get the word out that, you know, there will be consequences.

[Grant Blankenship]

Is there anything else that you think might be going into this problem?

[Judge Connie Wilford]

The way we're selecting folks now, I think that they pull from so many different areas. They pull from voter registration. If you go get a driver's license or a state id, and so many people, I'm finding, do not change their address. So they're registered to vote here, but, you know, they moved to Atlanta, you know, five years ago, and they haven't changed their address. And so it's not reaching the number of people it needs to reach because people are not staying on top of changing their address if they move on their driver's license, on their voter registration and those different areas. So I think that's part of the problem. So we get return mail, we get, you know, return to sender. This person no longer lives at this address. We get that a lot. The other concern I have is really trying to get the word out, is that there is a legitimate jury scam going on. And here in Bibb county, you'll get an actual warrant that has Judge Williford signature on it that says there's a warrant for your arrest for failing to show up at jury duty. It looks very official, especially to someone who's not familiar with warrants. It will say, you know, you can pay $2,500 or you can call this number to get this satisfied, but it's all a scam. And so in trying to educate folks, I'm also cognizant of the fact that there are these criminals out there that are running this jury scam, and it makes it even more difficult for me. You know, there may be a time where I stop being nice, and I do start fining folks or giving them community service or holding them in contempt for not showing up for jury duty. But if I do, it will happen in this courtroom. You will stand before me and I will tell you I am fining you $500 or whatever I decide to do. It will not be something that you receive in the mail or via phone call. You know, it may be an inconvenience, and we understand it may be an inconvenience, but it is such a critical and necessary part of our civic duty.

[Grant Blankenship]

All right, well, thanks for talking with me today about this issue, Judge Williford.

[Judge Connie Wilford]

All right, well, thank you.

[Peter Biello]

That was Macon Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Connie williford speaking with GPB's Orlando Montoya. The search for Atlanta Westminster coach Gary Jones is intensifying, with new reinforcements joining the effort, including a cadaver dog and volunteers from the United Cajun Navy. Jones disappeared on February 8 after a boating incident on Lake Oconee that left his fiance, Spelman instructor Jocelyn Wilson, dead. Investigators have found key clues, including Jones boat, his wallet and his shoes, but no sign of him. Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills says Wilson's autopsy has raised new questions but did not disclose details. Jones and Wilson first met 30 years ago as students at Clark Atlanta University. They were engaged to be married in March. The United Cajun Navy, known for search and rescue efforts, is now assisting law enforcement in the ongoing recovery operation. This final story before we wrap up for the day. Georgia is launching a new statewide teacher recruitment campaign aiming to make the state the nation's top destination for educators. The Teach in the Peach initiative, announced by the Georgia Department of Education, highlights the impact of teaching and provides resources for those entering the profession. It includes a new website with certification pathways, job listings and career guidance. The state is also hosting its first ever Educator Signing Day in May, celebrating future teachers at the College Football hall of Fame. You can find [e-mail] and that is a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, check out our website gpb.org news and we're going to be back in your podcast feed tomorrow. So the best thing to do is to subscribe to this podcast. That way, we'll pop up automatically. And don't forget, I'll be interviewing author and historian David Levering Lewis tomorrow. That's Thursday, February 20th, at the Atlanta History center about his new book, the Stained Glass Window. That conversation begins at 7:00, and you can find more information about [e-mail] I'm Peter Biello. Thank you so much for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.