Amid pandemic, Georgia Home shortly backs extra college, well being spending

House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, said, “It’s a precarious situation we are in.

“Last year we had to suspend the session, and we resolved early on (this year) that we needed to get the amended budget done so if we have that situation again, the state can function at least through the end of the fiscal year.

“We did emphasize full speed ahead.”

But Ralston also said COVID remains constantly on the minds of lawmakers as they try to keep the session “moving forward.”

“In the last 24 hours, I have lost two friends,” he said. “Everybody is losing friends, family members. We have to keep that on the front burner.”

The midyear budget — which increases spending by $654 million — now heads to the Senate for its consideration.

The largest increase is in education, where the House is going along with Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposal to backfill 60% of the spending reductions lawmakers approved last year, when they cut 10% because of fears that state revenue would plummet due to the pandemic. That didn’t happen.

The state would also pay for 500 new school buses. About one-third of the 15,000 in service statewide have exceeded their recommended life span, England said.

The spending plan puts millions into adding high-speed internet in rural areas, provides 10% raises for corrections and juvenile justice guards, and supports nursing homes hit hard by COVID.

Kemp and lawmakers have faced criticism in recent weeks for not boosting state funding for the Department of Public Health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demands on local health agencies, and on Georgia’s public health system in general, have increased in recent years. Public health advocates have long complained about inadequate funding for AIDS/HIV prevention, controlling chronic illnesses and other needs.

The state has collected a little more than $1 billion in additional federal funding, which has paid for such virus-related expenses as private laboratory testing, operation of the state’s labs, temporary “surge” staffing, personal protective equipment and an isolation unit for people who contracted the coronavirus. The federal money also covered expenses by the state’s 159 county health departments, which normally depend on state appropriations.

House budget writers added money for a chief medical officer, deputy commissioner and a chief data officer. They also added $18 million to quickly modernize the computer system that tracks immunizations statewide, which health officials say wasn’t designed to deal with a pandemic and which has been heavily criticized.

England said the Senate could add more funding to the public health department as well.

n”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/JasmineForHD108/status/1354117398257938432?s=20″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611771387233},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”4KRG5YDGQVGV7I4AO57OPXZZ6M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611684866899},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Gov. Brian Kemp said he supports the legislative testing rules. The executive branch has its own testing program that calls for testing once per week. Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp both tested negative Monday.”},{“_id”:”FJGPLTARZRD4NOPAST6BXYNGW4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611684866900},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“I think it’s incumbent, whether you’re a legislator, whether you’re working in the executive branch, a member of the media, a member of the public, we all need to follow the guidance and best practices to keep you safe but also keep others safe,” the governor said.”},{“_id”:”HWNLDFYQSZA4HHRR64PLU3KQ64″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611684866901},”type”:”text”,”content”:”It’s not Clark’s first run-in with Ralston. Last year he ran an unsuccessful campaign to oust the speaker.”},{“_id”:”5OJNSL3GZNCNNMPZRU5NH7HPKQ”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”ERYGJMPPNJHFJAQX4UQYMKVAUM”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/buford-republican-plans-challenge-to-georgias-house-speaker/QAKBPVJIXNE23IOK7TWUBLA75M/”,”content”:”Buford Republican plans challenge to Georgia’s House speaker”},{“_id”:”CFEJK34T7VBNFCJ4GGX4JMCAZY”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”GPRJEABN6JCEBB3WL6SVPWA6IU”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/ralston-strips-critic-key-committee-post/P5NjPeqn2EhetoMH55jyYO/”,”content”:”Ralston strips key critic of House committee post”},{“_id”:”HSAWKWX7KFGXXIIV2VKBQROCOQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611684866904},”type”:”text”,”content”:”On Tuesday, Clark promised more confrontation. He said he would not get tested, but he planned to return to the House chamber Wednesday.”},{“_id”:”WDYQ2I3W6NEORAJSAOQ4KHPHZU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611684866905},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“You can’t tell me I can’t go in my seat,” he said. “I’m not going to do it. The speaker is becoming a dictator. Where does it stop?””},{“_id”:”NTRYG6XCLZFCLNJFLGLW7D37KY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611692999062},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Later, on his Facebook page, Clark sounded less confrontational but still determined not to get tested.”},{“_id”:”P66QUFBCZNDPZLIFHVIUR7ZZRM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611692999063},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“When I arrived this morning, I came prepared to follow the required protocols by wearing a mask in chamber, having my temperature checked upon entry, and social distancing,” Clark wrote. “What I will not do is be forced to have a COVID test, or any unnecessary medical test, done without a basis for doing so.””},{“subtype”:”facebook-post”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611771387243}},”provider”:”https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post/oembed.json/?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://www.facebook.com/votedavidclark/posts/3133828236718939″,”type”:”facebook-post”},”_id”:”WX64MURAPVAAVF6NVIL7GGYRKQ”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”David Clark”,”author_url”:”https://www.facebook.com/525454840889638″,”width”:552,”html”:”n

I want to address the event that happened today at the Capitol. When I arrived this morning, I came prepared to follow…

Posted by David Clark on Tuesday, January 26, 2021″,”provider_url”:”https://www.facebook.com”,”_id”:”https://www.facebook.com/votedavidclark/posts/3133828236718939″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611771387243},”provider_name”:”Facebook”,”type”:”facebook-post”,”version”:”1.0″},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”44QU3GP3UFE4XPLQQIPRUZDQJU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611685920280},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Clark is the son-in-law of Georgia Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, who came to session in March obviously ill after getting a COVID test. The test later turned out to be positive.”},{“_id”:”TTS6HPTU3ZHSDGWR6L47ZBO6Z4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611694927874},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Several members of the Senate caught COVID-19 during its first few weeks in Georgia.”},{“_id”:”J7DSUNNVKBFLBLUBHPKDGFNDPA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611685920281},”type”:”text”,”content”:”McMichen said Clark is the only House member to refuse to be tested at all since the session began. He said the speaker’s office had contacted him numerous times to get tested, but he refused.”},{“_id”:”DEHJ3Z5W35GIZOLZRJPSABODZY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611684866907},”type”:”text”,”content”:”McMichen was livid after Clark was escorted out. He said a member had not been escorted out of the chamber for any reason in his seven years working in the House.”},{“_id”:”KX2HAQH3Q5ADFGDSZL3AZSF73A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611684866908},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“All we are trying to do is keep people from dying,” McMichen said, his voice trembling.”},{“_id”:”HOYL3TQHTJAF3PSCFYQJLDGGII”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611684866909},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Staff writers Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and James Salzer contributed to this article.”}],”display_date”:”2021-01-26T21:05:30.893Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Georgia lawmaker booted from chamber for failing to get COVID-19 test”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-26T16:18:26.524Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”legislature”},{“text”:”georgia news”},{“text”:”coronavirus”},{“text”:”georgia-news.ajc”},{“text”:”ga-government.ajc”},{“text”:”government and politics”},{“text”:”brian kemp”},{“text”:”no_politics”}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-27T18:16:39.403Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/georgia-lawmaker-booted-from-chamber-for-failing-to-get-covid-19-test/UA2BRME7TVEQHOKKFVIQNRWJ4E/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“promo_image”:{“url”:”https://d1fegwn2wjh0cs.cloudfront.net/01-26-2021/t_f8ecd8bbad4c42598f4316ef124421bf_name_t_c5e2b942cbc440e4a6d01e32f96cf8f6_name_speaker__scaled.jpg”},”credits”:{},”headlines”:{“basic”:”Georgia lawmaker booted from chamber for failing to get COVID-19 test”},”type”:”video”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“width”:1920,”caption”:”speaker”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://d1fegwn2wjh0cs.cloudfront.net/01-26-2021/t_f8ecd8bbad4c42598f4316ef124421bf_name_t_c5e2b942cbc440e4a6d01e32f96cf8f6_name_speaker__scaled.jpg”,”height”:1080}}}},”_id”:”UA2BRME7TVEQHOKKFVIQNRWJ4E”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”Y27P7Z3QX5E7ZOMGW7NCTHWXEU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1598277115600},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Longtime Georgia State President Mark Becker is ending his tenure in June, but he’ll leave on a high note in terms of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s regular review of state pay records.”},{“_id”:”QM33Q5DLDFBPVDSFXAJAPE5KY4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393808},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Becker, who for more than a decade led a school that saw its enrollment grow to became the largest for any university in the state, was paid $2.8 million in fiscal 2020, according to the state’s Open Georgia salary website.”},{“_id”:”Q4FCZ6DE3BH5VJYVTUUW4AGSTU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393809},”type”:”text”,”content”:”He was one of three university staffers to be paid more than $1 million in fiscal 2020, which ended June 30, just after state lawmakers cut state spending 10% in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.”},{“_id”:”GFWL2IINZ5C4LCK657V7HZI4PA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393810},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Becker’s income was boosted by a University System of Georgia deferred compensation plan payment, money he received well before the pandemic. The system gives presidents such as Becker the payments for agreeing to remain in their jobs for a certain period of time.”},{“_id”:”YCZSRM35UFA4VDFILKVNGRFG3U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393811},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Others who made just over $1 million were Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera and Fernando Vale Diaz, the neurosurgery chairman at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, according to the state site.”},{“_id”:”J7V4SGRJIBB33IFR7LNRQAJ7LA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393812},”type”:”text”,”content”:”University of Georgia President Jere Morehead came in at $911,779, and Augusta University President Brooks Keel took in $899,000.”},{“_id”:”RDZFQ5WS7VBPTJVYKZL4BU5XBY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393813},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The highest paid non-university state employee was Charles Cary, chief investment officer of the Teachers Retirement System, at $980,883. Cary is traditionally at or near the top of the state pay list. The next two on the list are also TRS investment executives.”},{“_id”:”24GI4D3BBZBDHPJP6YGLWILEJY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393814},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The top non-TRS staffer on the list was Griffith Lynch, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority, at $828,887.”},{“_id”:”PYZI3RI2SVC43FPOEYT4OYG3NI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393815},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The only person on the top 10 list for state agencies who didn’t work for the TRS or the Ports Authority was University System Chancellor Steve Wrigley, who was paid $523,949 in fiscal 2020. Like Becker, Wrigley has announced he’s leaving his post this year, retiring July 1.”},{“_id”:”PVETVWHCQNAVHBMJZ3PSYNLOZE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393816},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The list of top paid local school superintendents also didn’t change much, at least not at the top.”},{“_id”:”AEWHCJ54BVF4ZOLQEDBO66KEXU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393817},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Longtime Gwinnett County Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks, who runs the biggest district in the state, was paid $621,036 in fiscal 2020, according to Open Georgia. Since-departed Atlanta City Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen was second, at $477,125, and Clayton County Superintendent Morcease Beasley placed third, at $436,655.”},{“_id”:”K6ZWZFEJTVFJHHIZQVBXYRZG7I”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”DFYPZF7K4JE3JFBMREAODWNOHU”},”type”:”divider”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”A5ACEZXURJFP7NNTXMA2VRAFRY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393819},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Million-dollar salaries”},{“_id”:”R4U7SWCXJFDNDIHHB5JKTZGPXY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611709244819},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The state’s Open Georgia website reports that three people working in government received more than $1 million in pay during fiscal 2020, which ended June 30. All three are employees of the University System of Georgia.”},{“list_type”:”unordered”,”_id”:”VMAR5U3LRZHMFH4QTPY7ZPHXKA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393808},”type”:”list”,”items”:[{“_id”:”QM33Q5DLDFBPVDSFXAJAPE5KY4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393808},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Mark Becker, president of Georgia State University, $2,806,507″},{“_id”:”KHV5Y5VK5VALXP5VJHDFNXG6QI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393822},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Angel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech, $1,027,546″},{“_id”:”E6MBGYBONVFKTCKVPSDBU64F7Q”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393823},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Fernando Vale Diaz, professor and chairman, department of neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, $1,012,500″}]},{“level”:1,”_id”:”XPBO3MXXRRAYRNIPIWLV3VTVP4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611709244821},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Tops in pay”},{“_id”:”SGHDO4CFGNBCFCSQR7H7T67SYU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611664367598},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The top 10 pay recipients in the University System of Georgia, state government and school districts in fiscal 2020, and the positions they held at the time:”},{“_id”:”UMGDGKL3H5H63FJE3JXKC3XKPE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393820},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Universities”},{“list_type”:”unordered”,”_id”:”VMAR5U3LRZHMFH4QTPY7ZPHXKA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393821},”type”:”list”,”items”:[{“_id”:”I475FTNM4NENLAYQ237YGVCQYY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393821},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Mark Becker, president of Georgia State University, $2,806,507″},{“_id”:”KHV5Y5VK5VALXP5VJHDFNXG6QI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393822},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Angel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech, $1,027,546″},{“_id”:”E6MBGYBONVFKTCKVPSDBU64F7Q”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393823},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Fernando Vale Diaz, professor and chairman, department of neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, $1,012,500″},{“_id”:”BZT7FLJ3QRH5ZOW4THSWK2RE7Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393824},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Richard Lee, professor and chief of the section of cardiothoracic surgery in the department of surgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, $967,500″},{“_id”:”P7CKNUNXIZAZRFHN6WBYHXHYIA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393825},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Jere Morehead, president of the University of Georgia, $911,779″},{“_id”:”ZW6SZMLF4RBJFCFU4BOYGY3E3M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393826},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Brooks Keel, president of Augusta University, $899,325″},{“_id”:”OCZMFEU7KRAKFJOFDPGRGSUXLQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393827},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Anastasios Polimenakos, chief of pediatric and congenital cardiothoracic surgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, $796,040″},{“_id”:”L4UB374MGBBDPFQSHUBBDWGOPY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393828},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Scott Rahimi, professor and director of cerebrovascular and endovascular services, department of neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, $742,525″},{“_id”:”PTJSVHVB6REVHEOSNBGBFRZ7K4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393829},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Daniel Albo, professor and director of surgical oncology service, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, $740,505″},{“_id”:”V2DYPPNWMRGK7JJKNYNQD2OYTE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393830},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”D. Monte Hunter, professor and chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, $731,203″}]},{“_id”:”QUKOFSO7UVBSXCIC246D7ELCUE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611599224986},”type”:”text”,”content”:”State agencies”},{“list_type”:”unordered”,”_id”:”F6UDSK6WJBGINFE5DBR76RSSPY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393833},”type”:”list”,”items”:[{“_id”:”YDALG7XLH5HOTEIJGRUUZIYVLI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393833},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Charles Cary, chief investment officer, Teachers Retirement System, $980,883″},{“_id”:”6FIHD6YECNEN5JAL7TAIQEVKSA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393834},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Michael Majure, co-chief investment officer, Teachers Retirement System, $830,566″},{“_id”:”JGIZNTN4QFHBZJMWSHXMOQMGJ4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393835},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Thomas Horkan, co-chief investment officer, Teachers Retirement System, $830,566″},{“_id”:”SAS4RAMYWZAW7FDOTXZO6Q725E”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393836},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Griffith Lynch, executive director, Georgia Ports Authority, $828,887″},{“_id”:”4WM6ULEMGJFR7ELFMJNSKN3DPI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393837},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Clifford Pyron, chief commercial officer, Georgia Ports Authority, $707,994″},{“_id”:”H26QHRL3QVBADEG62A7XR2ZO2A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393838},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Edward McCarthy, chief operating officer, Georgia Ports Authority, $689,828″},{“_id”:”AVPQ6V7Y3VA2NJEP4V6P4JJAPY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393839},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Jimmie Russell Mincey, chief financial officer, Georgia Ports Authority, $622,725″},{“_id”:”MFYSQE6C4RFIXBHXPT5NZW2D7E”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393840},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”James McCurry, chief administrative officer, Georgia Ports Authority, $570,921″},{“_id”:”LHY77XB6IZFNZLSUSNNFBGQIWQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393841},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Steve Wrigley, chancellor, University System of Georgia, $523,949″},{“_id”:”NBZYXLEMPJAYLHDBNMWTYYUMC4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393842},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Lise Altman, chief human resources officer, Georgia Ports Authority, $450,568″}]},{“_id”:”WYQZZARC5RBE3GEGAZX6NGI364″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393843},”type”:”text”,”content”:”School districts”},{“list_type”:”unordered”,”_id”:”ISS3MRVX7ZBSJIKWMQK5HKAIS4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393845},”type”:”list”,”items”:[{“_id”:”LN7OSJ7KHRF3TA3YRUEK74MIMQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393845},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Alvin Wilbanks, Gwinnett County superintendent, $621,036″},{“_id”:”KFINBXPPDFD2THUWVQHGQRVX44″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393846},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Meria Carstarphen, Atlanta superintendent, $477,125″},{“_id”:”PJ3Q5LWIKFAIFEPBAPGUD7UAKE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611586393847},”type”:”text”,”block_properties”:{},”content”:”Morcease Beasley, Clayton County superintendent, 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“}],”display_date”:”2021-01-26T12:30:00Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Georgia State President Becker heads pay list at $2.8M in 2020″},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-26T12:30:00Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional 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They said the cancellations of 534,000 Georgia voter registrations in 2017 and 287,000 registrations in 2019 were done separately from Crosscheck.”},{“_id”:”3DQGZJM3JFFEVNQ3EFYKJEWIMY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611593253071},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The settlement was obtained Friday by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution through the Georgia Open Records Act.”},{“_id”:”7B5VPYPJJZCK3MCW65ZRXTUGSY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611593253072},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The Crosscheck program, which ended in 2019, collected voter registration lists from Georgia and other states to identify potentially invalid and duplicative registrations. Voting rights groups have criticized Crosscheck for inaccuracies that erroneously flagged legitimate voters.”},{“_id”:”YVOL2422LVCWLPDCLI5AIHTJHQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611593253073},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Greg Palast, a journalist who filed the lawsuit against Kemp, said it verified that Georgia participated in the effort to remove voters in dozens of states. Crosscheck was led by then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, and Georgia enrolled in the program from 2013 to 2017.”},{“_id”:”WWRXG7USF5CLTM3SR4I2KTCTQE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611593253074},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“They can’t deny they were part of the Crosscheck program,” Palast said. “The Georgia list, we know for 100% certain, was used to purge voters in other states.””},{“_id”:”JSJLRLLEJFEIZJQXLOHT32QCIQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611593253075},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Attorneys for the secretary of state’s office said they submitted voter registration data to Kansas but never targeted Georgia voters.”},{“_id”:”RGRMUZKN4NDHTNI4EFYHVGWQQE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611593253076},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“In other words, Georgia agreed only to provide information and not to use the information,” according to a court filing by the state.”},{“_id”:”W4AJMJXPPZAENJGWOJ6IJNCSMU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611593253077},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Georgia election officials canceled registrations if voters changed their addresses, mail was undeliverable or they didn’t vote for several years.”},{“_id”:”37BK43BIX5ESRPNIRUMUINRZ2M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611593253078},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The settlement in September also required Georgia to disclose, if possible, voter registration records provided to the state through the Crosscheck program.”},{“_id”:”WFK237TBCFCWPJIDJCYRULTSHE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611593253079},”type”:”text”,”content”:”But neither Georgia nor Kansas’ secretary of state’s office still had a copy of the 2016 and 2017 Crosscheck lists sought by the lawsuit. The lists were destroyed in accordance with a memorandum of understanding between the states, Kansas’ elections director wrote in an email to attorneys for the Georgia secretary of state’s office.”},{“_id”:”GXW63QH6L5BRHCJAM2RYNWHFOM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611593253080},”type”:”text”,”content”:”A new lawsuit over how Georgia cancels voter registrations is pending.”},{“_id”:”TVLFNPLVVVA5ZDBUSLODI3GYM4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611593253081},”type”:”text”,”content”:”That lawsuit alleges the state’s cancellation practices are inaccurate, canceling thousands of voters who never moved. But election officials say state law requires removal of lapsed voters after at least eight years under the state’s “use it or lose it” law.”}],”display_date”:”2021-01-25T15:07:02.143Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Lawsuit over Georgia’s participation in Crosscheck purge program settled”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-25T15:07:02.143Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”legislature”},{“text”:”elections”},{“text”:”elections-voting”},{“text”:”georgia news”},{“text”:”georgia-news.ajc”},{“text”:”ga-government.ajc”},{“text”:”government and politics”}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-25T21:14:44.814Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/lawsuit-over-georgias-participation-in-crosscheck-purge-program-settled/MVC26T6QIFDCDH2PC6WX7ZYXO4/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“credits”:{“affiliation”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com”,”type”:”author”}],”by”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”EARLY VOTE”,”width”:5472,”caption”:”12/16/2020 — Atlanta, Georgia — Fulton County elections workers work with voters during early voting at Chastain Park Gymnasium in Atlanta’s Chastain Park neighborhood, Wednesday, December 16, 2020. 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Georgia is the only state in the Deep South that Biden carried, and its voters are solely responsible for the U.S. Senate flip that makes it possible for him to carry out a more aggressive legislative agenda.”},{“_id”:”BBPRZDGXBJAFBP46QAS6NAMEGM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611284890433},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams and former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams have a direct line to the White House that they can use to request resources or shape policies. Georgia U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock may play an outsized role despite their rookie status, given the impact of their upset victories.”},{“_id”:”Z2J6V6JUBRHLXON4NBEAOVSA7Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611450025316},”type”:”text”,”content”:”And Biden’s White House communications director, Kate Bedingfield, is a Georgia native and Riverwood High School graduate.”},{“_id”:”WW5GJL47W5DPROVVYOLC3ZHPYY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611330986271},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Still, it’s a less direct kind of power than Georgia Republicans enjoyed during President Donald Trump’s four years in office.”},{“_id”:”A5ZV5PW2PFDSTF5MQYQ6ABUAAI”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”QQEFPD3SZRDYXFFLGKOJ2DTRZQ”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/how-bidens-first-100-days-will-affect-georgia/X4YSE54ESBCSLBX7XPD57MPR4M/”,”content”:”How Biden’s first 100 days will affect Georgia”},{“_id”:”CCZ55WEZD5GGJCHROIT2NCKJDI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611330986272},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Former Gov. Sonny Perdue, Trump’s agriculture secretary, was one of few Cabinet secretaries and top aides who remained in their jobs throughout the Republican’s tenure. Former U.S. Rep. Tom Price was Trump’s first pick for health secretary before resigning in disgrace, and top aides such as Nick Ayers and Brian Jack helped shape his policy and political decisions.”},{“_id”:”45QNWWFSJRA5DJTEPKCVVZ4USM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611340792361},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Republican officials credited that sway for helping the state push priorities, such as the deepening of Savannah’s port. In other instances, though, there was little to show for the influence. After Hurricane Michael ravaged South Georgia in 2018, Gov. Brian Kemp and other state officials pleaded with Washington for the better part of a year for swifter financial help for farmers and others devastated by the storm.”},{“_id”:”QIKDLVADMVCLPGJZIMBIMPVUNI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611330986273},”type”:”text”,”content”:”One of the highest-profile Georgians in Washington is actually a holdover from the Trump administration: FBI Director Chris Wray, an Atlanta attorney who was tapped to head the bureau in 2017 after Trump fired his predecessor, James Comey. Biden’s administration said he has “confidence” in Wray’s ability and hinted that the president would keep him on for his full 10-year term.”},{“_id”:”TKDCTKMP5JCJNHU2VNWVNLWRE4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611337785440},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Clayton State University political science professor Joshua Meddaugh said Biden will look to Georgia Democrats not only for help passing his legislative agenda but also for duplicating his successes across other parts of the South.”},{“_id”:”B6G7U4CT3VHC3GR57RLK34HVOY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611337785441},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“It’s mutually beneficial to both sides — to the state and to the president — to work together and potentially make gains in other areas where there is a high African American population,” Meddaugh said.”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”ZS65VMFDTFCENIHOI3426ZOWMI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:”WLKL6FOH4ZA7RKSESWUGUTPGNA”},”type”:”header”,”content”:”New era”},{“_id”:”UX2GYUL4AREOBHBBZSPQIETZ7A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611330986275},”type”:”text”,”content”:”One of the key players from Georgia in Biden world is Bottoms, an important early campaign supporter who was recently awarded a vice chairmanship slot with the Democratic National Committee. In that role, she’ll continue to be a surrogate for Biden while also overseeing key outreach initiatives.”},{“_id”:”RTGTPARQ4ZAIPCJROAALVHZCFI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611284890437},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“I think that this really speaks to the value seen of Atlanta on the national stage, that I have been invited to serve in this role,” Bottoms told reporters on Thursday.”},{“_id”:”U4LNORB6Z5C45OAPO5HJ6ESSNA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611330986277},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Already, she is advocating for a more robust role for the Atlanta-based U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which she said needs to be reinvigorated after being sidelined and politicized during Trump’s tenure. And she noted that the rising crime rates experienced by Atlanta and other cities last year could be better addressed by coordinating with federal agencies.”},{“_id”:”H5OZVYYG6ZBCVIDXLSM4GM6X7Q”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611284890440},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“We know the CDC, at least at the top level, has had some challenges under the Trump administration, but I’m confident with the Biden administration that we’ll get the support that we need in this area,” Bottoms said, adding that she also hoped the Justice Department would “provide us resources and guidance as it relates to crime-fighting.””},{“_id”:”P3XAOEJBPBEZRDCU3PSRTX54KQ”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”J2COCBRXRNBHDJPLN64A2BPG24″},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/a-new-era-ossoff-warnock-sworn-into-office-giving-democrats-control-of-senate/G4VMKL3ZGFH3TONBEPDF5LPMHI/”,”content”:”‘A new era’: Ossoff, Warnock sworn into office, giving Democrats control of U.S. Senate”},{“_id”:”7T2MFHIQORDALDN7EIP64NLS6M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611284890441},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Abrams had already built a national profile when she narrowly lost the governor’s race in 2018, but it grew during the 2020 campaign as it became clear her “playbook” for Georgia was a winning formula. Biden has praised her as a singular force in national politics.”},{“_id”:”V4T7ILVHNRHH5PFO4DF7LQQHZU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611337785447},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Although she has no formal role with his administration or the state or national Democratic Party, she is widely regarded as a barrier-breaking organizer who will have a voice in Washington. She is expected to use her influence on topics such as coronavirus recovery, climate change and voting rights.”},{“_id”:”VLLIAOAFVRDUDEQ3VGKQNOC6DA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611337785448},”type”:”text”,”content”:”For years, Republicans have focused on consolidating power at the state and local levels in Georgia. And if Abrams mounts a 2022 bid for governor and wins, Meddaugh said, Biden would gain a partner in a Southern battleground state to help further his proposals.”},{“_id”:”ZJGUA5OLBRGUNJTX77FH6XUXCA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611337785450},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The members of Georgia’s U.S. House Democratic delegation are working to assert themselves in the Biden administration, too. U.S. Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux was the only Democrat nationwide to flip a U.S. House seat from red to blue during the general election, and this week she joined the House Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of 28 Democrats and 28 Republicans seeking middle ground in Congress.”},{“_id”:”ISMPX6VUDVE3ZJSJJFK5W7YARM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611330986282},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“When we strip away the rhetoric, there is a lot that we actually agree on. We all want a good future for our children,” Bourdeaux, who lives in Suwanee, said of her decision. “We all want a strong democracy and a strong economy.””},{“_id”:”MWPRNIEOSZC7HEZ7SG7O4PSKBU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611330986283},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Williams won the Atlanta congressional seat that was previously held by civil rights hero John Lewis; that fact alone has raised her profile in the House. She also continues to pull double duty as chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Georgia.”},{“_id”:”3GQ7GV3T5JBZ3GS5BJ42XPQHJU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611337785453},”type”:”text”,”content”:”She was optimistic about the state’s role in Washington affairs in the moments before Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn in. It isn’t lost on her that Black voters in Georgia helped Biden carry the state and sweep the two U.S. Senate races.”},{“_id”:”FICVT2Q4W5GVLMUWJWGJEO7Z7A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611337785454},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“It’s not just about the symbolism, it’s about the work that I know that we’re going to be able to get done on behalf of people in this country who for far too long needed someone standing up for us,” Williams said.”},{“_id”:”7F7YI7HESZCLLJHKOIWZYZQMZA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611284890447},”type”:”text”,”content”:”More senior members of the delegation hold important chairmanships that ensure they will have the ear of the White House. U.S. Rep. David Scott is the first Black chairman of the Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop chairs the Appropriations subcommittee that funds agriculture, rural developments and the Food and Drug Administration.”},{“_id”:”XF3473RKLBB2TGZ33WU3VHGSBQ”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”UURXQ4U3IRGONGVMR7ZFTZXTXE”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/inside-the-runoff-flips-how-ossoff-and-warnock-pulled-off-epic-victories/HMGWMOCWSRBFFN25UBBIZMNEAY/”,”content”:”Inside the runoff flips: How Ossoff and Warnock pulled off epic victories”},{“_id”:”SRATJJTXIZGDVD3O27V6FHDLIQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611344842344},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Bishop also serves on the committee that determines the budget for military bases and installations, and another that decides funding for the financial services industry, a sector that Atlanta has come to depend upon.”},{“_id”:”W7N6FBCWIBAPBJIMZMEWHGIN5A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611344842345},”type”:”text”,”content”:”He said Georgia delivered for Biden in November and January, and now he will be working to make sure the White House delivers for Georgia.”},{“_id”:”C27KPXNPZJG53C5ZRAU6V6KOYY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611344842346},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Once the election is done and we go to governing, we are very, very focused on trying to get the tools of government ramped up so that we will be able to deliver in all areas of need for people of the state of Georgia,” he said. “I think there will will be a much more cooperative relationship because we have the same agenda.””},{“_id”:”YRAJ5JCTM5BNPLPDVRK2OFZG4E”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611344842347},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Staff writer J.D. Capelouto contributed to this article.”},{“_id”:”A45EK3B7TZBAPJ25XMKHN4JBQM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1600443365850},”type”:”text”,”content”:”
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Raphael Warnock, left, and Jon Ossoff, right, could have outsized roles now that Joe Biden is president because of the significance of their election wins earlier this month. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/C3GFHUYQEX4AKZ73YO3JTB76TM.jpg”,”height”:2000}},”_id”:”JOCQI6G5LFHD5CLFBMESNMIWZY”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”NKQ4FDWAF5G3ROXCHMTJWXHGJY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1598277115600},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The leader of the Georgia Senate’s tax committee said Friday that he wants the state to do a two-year modernization review of its tax structure in hopes of both possibly raising revenue and getting rid of some special-interest tax breaks.”},{“_id”:”5T33E3EH7VCLJJ4JBV6NIHY2X4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839349},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, said the state provides about $9.5 billion a year in tax breaks for various businesses, nonprofits and industries.”},{“_id”:”6LC6U6VYK5DOHGUD6BEF6MJT7M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839350},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Some have helped create or retain jobs, others haven’t done much to help the state, he said.”},{“_id”:”AAQ3CSI4E5BYBPFEO722FLUVWM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839351},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“There has been a lot of political pressure to keep them,” Hufstetler said during a policy conference put on by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, an Atlanta think tank.”},{“_id”:”QEIF5PGLBBD6LCO6HRDTWH2ZMU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839352},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The state has done limited reviews of tax breaks, and a panel called the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians did a lengthy study aimed at modernizing the tax structure during the Great Recession.”},{“_id”:”YXBT5WSVORHUPLSDZVPDY4VUXE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839353},”type”:”text”,”content”:”However, the General Assembly only approved some of the group’s recommendations, often those sought by industries such as manufacturers and mining. They led to new tax breaks and changes in how Georgians pay some taxes, such as the gradual elimination of property taxes on cars.”},{“_id”:”S4FEKKTYGVCLTOGKEA5KOCLIGY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839354},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Hufstetler said issues debated at the time included taxing internet sales and raising Georgia’s historically low cigarette taxes to pay for health care, two things that have been debated for more than a decade.”},{“_id”:”F2CBRDBF4FE5LA2JIWLPKV2DOQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839355},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The General Assembly approved legislation last year to increase sales tax collections from customers of internet- and app-based businesses. Hufstetler said that will bring the state $600 million to $700 million a year in revenue that was owed but not always paid.”},{“_id”:”NX3SBI3IPRG2HD226TRU6RVFPY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839356},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Hufstetler, some other Republicans and many Democrats in the Legislature have also backed an increase in the state’s cigarette taxes from 37 cents per pack to $1.35-$1.80 per pack. They said the state spends about $650 million a year to treat patients who are on taxpayer-funded health programs for tobacco-related illnesses. House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, has strongly opposed such an increase.”},{“_id”:”XK2FUELGERA6JN7UMMNSTVSNPA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611345358601},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“As a lifelong Republican, Speaker Ralston opposes raising taxes on Georgians,” his spokesman, Kaleb McMichen, said.”},{“_id”:”VQMDXT3VRBCLVKGAFPXDCZ4XOQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839357},”type”:”text”,”content”:”House Minority Leader James Beverly, D-Macon, another panelist at the conference Friday, said the state needs the money as school and health care costs — which account for most of the budget — continue to rise.”},{“_id”:”ZKIUBTVYTFAHLPQF62JHGBUDR4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839358},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Let’s get it done because Georgians are hurting right now,” Beverly said.”},{“_id”:”2YV74356DJHLXFDFPYE6NYSLXE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839359},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Both areas took spending cuts last year because lawmakers feared the COVID-19 recession would dramatically reduce state revenue collections. That hasn’t happened, but Democrats are pushing to fully restore, if not increase, spending in those areas in 2021.”},{“_id”:”PQ2ICZ4KHNHZHNZ4SGXBIBSLQ4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839360},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Sen. Jen Jordan, D-Atlanta, another panelist, noted that spending on the Department of Public Health — the agency on the front lines of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic — has seen little to no increase in state funding in recent years.”},{“_id”:”LGVGJG2KHJASHOWGBE6U6WZ76M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839361},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Gov. Brian Kemp’s budget proposal for fiscal 2022 — which begins July 1 — continues that trend, although his staff notes the agency has received more than $1 billion in federal funding during the pandemic.”},{“_id”:”CCRKHEYSWFE63LLEMUBY46KHPM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839362},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Still, Jordan said the state has a tendency to go from crisis to crisis without having a long-range plan for funding its priorities.”},{“_id”:”SIKVFQSRPBEO7JKBKNLIBE6TCU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839363},”type”:”text”,”content”:”She backed Hufstetler’s proposal to review the tax structure and get rid of special-interest tax breaks that don’t help the state’s economy.”},{“_id”:”QBIWLVGIPNAVFKWT5FDXYE3JMQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839364},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“At the end of the day, we kind of need to clean our house,” Jordan said. “I am not against tax credits … but it has to make sense.””},{“_id”:”NRABQ4TUINGO7NKUNTN2X55KS4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611336839365},”type”:”text”,”content”:”
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(ALYSSA POINTER / ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/AI2UZPKULIRC2V76EATO7UQQQQ.jpg”,”height”:3648}},”_id”:”EIUMWWTAYRHSPCORYTQFNVKNPE”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”AS456WLA7BFOLHN4VMXVUGOEHA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1598277115600},”type”:”text”,”content”:”When Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King presented his agency’s midyear budget proposal to lawmakers last week, one of his biggest spending increases stood out like a sore thumb.”},{“_id”:”EMOX7CLSFBH6JLKNOSJXMCI5CI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266650703},”type”:”text”,”content”:”It stated $194,899 “to provide one-time funds for one filled executive position.””},{“_id”:”PP75WJYGWJCBZJDNLZARESESUA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266650704},”type”:”text”,”content”:”That, King noted, is what the state is spending in salary and benefits for his predecessor, Jim Beck, who was indicted a few months after taking office in 2019 on charges alleging that he swindled his former employer out of $2 million, in part to fund his campaign for office.”},{“_id”:”KWXVHJ4FGVF7HCIPL5AL4TDEGU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611269521283},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Lawmakers included the same amount in last year’s midyear budget to pay Beck.”},{“_id”:”S5XR7BJSONA3RORGDGQ2TXM6DI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266650705},”type”:”text”,”content”:”His trial is scheduled to take place later this year, but in the meantime, the state will have spent about $400,000 paying his salary and benefits while he has been fighting the charges.”},{“_id”:”67HUS6KZZRFKLJNBM2STTIJHZU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266650706},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Gov. Brian Kemp suspended Beck from office a few days after the May 2019 indictment, and Beck promised to defend himself vigorously.”},{“_id”:”52IS74AYBVBBNMAH4BIVBQE3VY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611269521286},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“I am, in fact, innocent of these charges,” Beck wrote Kemp at the time. “In these circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to resign as commissioner of insurance.””},{“_id”:”QXGGSC2AWFCVVHVEULIHGCMY5I”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611269521287},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Since he didn’t resign but was suspended, the state is paying two insurance commissioners: Beck and Kemp’s choice to replace him, King.”},{“_id”:”OJPC3VP6RJAMHGW22VYGXBGADE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611269521288},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Then-House Minority Leader Robert Trammell, D-Luthersville, filed legislation in 2019 to do away with pay for indicted officials, but his bill went nowhere during the 2020 session.”},{“_id”:”TBIBNZFMR5H7BE4FK73ZYIIGRQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611267686559},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Beck, a Republican, worked for several state agencies, including the Department of Insurance, before running to head the office that regulates the insurance and small loan industry and investigates suspected arson cases.”},{“_id”:”ETUL67TZXBDK7MURBFW6KIPWXE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611267686560},”type”:”text”,”content”:”He won election in November 2018 and took office the next January.”},{“_id”:”6YVCMSTQTBBETILBLRZUWSBBJA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611267686561},”type”:”text”,”content”:”By that May, then-U.S. Attorney BJay Pak was announcing the indictment of Beck, a former leader of the Georgia Christian Coalition, alleging that he stole money to pay personal credit card bills and taxes, and pump money into his 2018 campaign for insurance commissioner.”},{“_id”:”WGLTMJMR4FHJRMWKF4SBX4KQSE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611267686562},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Pak said the evidence showed Beck lied to close friends and a family member to get them to create companies to send invoices to his then-employer. The invoices were often for work that wasn’t actually done, and Beck funneled the money back to himself, according to the indictment.”},{“_id”:”S4JSYQWJZVCKJES4FIFEMH72RY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611267686563},”type”:”text”,”content”:”In an effort to conceal a $2 million embezzlement scheme, federal prosecutors allege, Beck amplified business expenses to reduce his net business income. By inflating his business expenses by more than $1 million, Beck evaded income taxes due on the embezzled funds he received, the indictment says.”},{“_id”:”KXVWSD7C6RAULF3KZ4BTVNZQVY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611267686564},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Three former Department of Insurance employees later sued the state and Beck, saying they were ousted as retaliation because he thought they provided information about him to state and federal officials and the media.”},{“_id”:”PZPKX5ID3ZEW7PTKVF6UID7YRQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611267686565},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The insurance commissioner’s job will be back on the ballot in 2022. If Beck beats the charges, he is entitled to take back the post and stand for reelection. In the meantime, the state will continue paying two commissioners.”},{“_id”:”LONSOXGLSFEEXLBHFDW2UYAE6M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266650707},”type”:”text”,”content”:”
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“}],”display_date”:”2021-01-22T13:00:00Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Georgia taxpayers spend nearly $200K a year on indicted insurance commissioner”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-22T13:00:00Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”},”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”legislature”},{“text”:”ga-government.ajc”},{“text”:”georgia news”},{“text”:”georgia-news.ajc”},{“text”:”government and politics”}]},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-24T19:51:02.948Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/georgia-taxpayers-spend-nearly-200k-a-year-on-indicted-insurance-commissioner/KSKE3RVGZZFKRONNERSQ7APNYA/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“credits”:{},”subtitle”:”Lawsuit alleges retaliation by Georgia’s indicted insurance chief”,”width”:3636,”caption”:”Jim Beck, who has been suspended as Georgia’s insurance commissioner since May 2019, still receives nearly $200,000 a year in state pay and benefits while he awaits his trial. EMILY HANEY / emily.haney@ajc.com”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/VI5RXQVEFAGF2OTMBW4FMNQ2LY.jpg”,”height”:3284}},”_id”:”KSKE3RVGZZFKRONNERSQ7APNYA”},{“content_elements”:[{“level”:1,”_id”:”L7OQLFNHRFBS7FTMN6PWFKJPNI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611076225797},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Prosperity linked to vaccinations”},{“_id”:”MYPU35ISK5FKTOTWMQVZ4PS25Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559705},”type”:”text”,”content”:”What will it take to get Georgia’s economy to make healthy gains? A shot in many arms.”},{“_id”:”H2NBFHUW6VDKHFZKGIQTHY5MXI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559706},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Jeffrey Dorfman, the state’s fiscal economist, told lawmakers this past week that Georgia’s economy is prepared for takeoff once the coronavirus pandemic is under control.”},{“_id”:”7ROUZ5BSFZEWHOCY2HWHAQAB6A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559707},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The conditions are right for a strong recovery from the COVID-19 recession because many consumers have watched their wallets grow fatter.”},{“_id”:”KAFOWDOHMFBINAHRS7CZPECQHY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559708},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Savings rates have climbed since the pandemic set in, rising from about 7% or 8% to 12% or 13%. Credit scores have also ascended while credit card debt has declined, said Dorfman, an economist at the University of Georgia.”},{“_id”:”OFXSADVKZZDC3FCXP57SDPB3B4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559709},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“We have never had a recession before when people had more money to spend,” Dorfman told lawmakers who were beginning their review of Gov. Brian Kemp’s $27.2 billion budget proposal.”},{“_id”:”VDA4JBMXANFNBHYDWJHQN2DCOY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559710},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Georgia has held up well, so far. States across the country had expected massive shortfalls because of the recession, but Georgia has seen its tax collections rise, rather than fall, in large part because of massive federal spending on the unemployed and businesses.”},{“_id”:”XTY4IMGPQJDAXAC5DSWLN7HDHM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559711},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The job market has suffered, though.”},{“_id”:”FJSJ3UYU4RGCDMDGFRAVIBTZ2E”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559712},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The state had 123,000 fewer jobs in November than it did the same month a year before, Dorfman said.”},{“_id”:”MJNSNTSWBNG65PWZMOMVME5MOQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559713},”type”:”text”,”content”:”But even that wasn’t quite as bad as it first sounds. Many of those lost jobs, Dorfman said, were part-time positions held by students or parents, including some who had to spend more time at home with their children because of the pandemic.”},{“_id”:”E6DEIN2I6ZDGHI453CPNBEWCZ4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559714},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Really, our labor market is about as fully recovered as it can be until the pandemic is over,” he said.”},{“_id”:”3B44M5NQHVFR5EIPUC3AM35FTU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559715},”type”:”text”,”content”:”But prosperity will only come once vaccinations hit a critical level, and Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey said that — at the current rate of vaccine distribution to the state — is “going to take many, many months.””},{“_id”:”NQQ2INA7IBELJATUKWQOORA4P4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733024},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The state currently receives about 80,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine per week, Toomey said, well short of the millions needed to achieve herd immunity. Worse, yet, is the uncertainty about the shipments, she said, although she’s hoping that might improve with a change in administrations in Washington.”},{“_id”:”WFN2SDSOUVHXDKQNV7HXWLPSH4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559717},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“We literally don’t know week to week what our allocation will be,” she said Tuesday, the day before President Joe Biden took office. “There’s some disconnect between what we were told was coming and what actually is available.””},{“level”:1,”_id”:”FNGTOG37YNCRDKKFJN6WRDJIHA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733026},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Absentee-ballot foe to head voting panel”},{“_id”:”GNAE2FGCJFG6NDCM3LRJH5FZ2Q”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733027},”type”:”text”,”content”:”When Georgia House Speaker David Ralston announced that he would appoint a special committee to look into election issues, he also came down firmly on the side of allowing no-excuse absentee voting to continue as is.”},{“_id”:”XK3AEBYBDNAL5G3Y3YE7VKGKTI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733028},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Somebody’s going to have to make a real strong case to convince me” that change is necessary, he said.”},{“_id”:”DZUPI7EUXNEUNJTKG2Y4RZHWVA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733029},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Now, Ralston is giving somebody a good opportunity to make that case.”},{“_id”:”KMTCGNRRWJBKXKRTYPQQ2DAYYE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733030},”type”:”text”,”content”:”He picked state Rep. Barry Fleming, R-Harlem, to head that committee, and Fleming has made it clear he holds absentee ballots in low regard.”},{“_id”:”IODIH466K5BTBG2TWM3TFFAY4A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733031},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“If elections were like coastal cities, absentee balloting would be the shady part of town down near the docks you do not want to wander into because the chance of being shanghaied is significant,” Fleming wrote in December in an op-ed for The Augusta Chronicle. “Expect the Georgia Legislature to address that in our next session in January.””},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”workflow”:{“status_code”:4},”caption”:”Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, a Republican from Blue Ridge, has named Democratic state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver of Decatur to lead the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview Committee. That makes her the only Democrat to hold any of the House’s 41 chairmanships. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com”,”source”:{“system”:”Methode”,”source_type”:”other”,”source_id”:”91bd2af0-6486-11ea-a5df-47250cb6d086″,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”8aec2b8c-455c-4816-903d-79fc8fdf8019″},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/XYNSMM5YURQA3DPRURZRN5O3II.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”display_date”:”2020-03-12T17:26:12Z”,”credits”:{},”subtitle”:”Clock ticking on DeKalb County ethics legislation”,”width”:1997,”first_publish_date”:”2020-03-12T17:26:12Z”,”_id”:”XYNSMM5YURQA3DPRURZRN5O3II”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/4d2Bc9Yv8Un2p8Syr3J2xO2fGAU=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/XYNSMM5YURQA3DPRURZRN5O3II.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/4d2Bc9Yv8Un2p8Syr3J2xO2fGAU=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/XYNSMM5YURQA3DPRURZRN5O3II.jpg”,”takenOn”:”2020-03-12T17:26:12Z”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/XYNSMM5YURQA3DPRURZRN5O3II.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/4d2Bc9Yv8Un2p8Syr3J2xO2fGAU=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/XYNSMM5YURQA3DPRURZRN5O3II.jpg”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/VdXZLnq7IP9XOWRIa3mG8ab1ReI=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/XYNSMM5YURQA3DPRURZRN5O3II.jpg”,”version”:0,”originalName”:”https://www.ajc.com//rw/Pub/p11/AJC/2020/03/12/Images/newsEngin.25437611_022020-Leg-Photos-ba08.jpg”,”mime_type”:”image/jpeg”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”X5K2GBEWIVB2NK7DUQG4CRJKMA”},”created_date”:”2020-06-29T22:18:53Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2020-06-29T22:18:53Z”,”publish_date”:”2020-03-12T17:26:12Z”,”height”:1536},{“level”:1,”_id”:”JQ5RTZJEA5ASNIEZQGMW4R5UB4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733032},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Bipartisanship creeps into House chair lineup”},{“_id”:”DWGPTNKSSRFWTIQYG2L3LNUTNM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733033},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The Democratic sweep in this month’s U.S. Senate runoffs introduced more blue in Georgia’s political palette, but Republican red is still the dominant color at the Statehouse.”},{“_id”:”TH565KKFGFGIXBRKOOQ26NE3E4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733034},”type”:”text”,”content”:”And, yet, a Democrat now possesses one of the 41 chairmanships in the Georgia House.”},{“_id”:”36XTR7EBIBGETELPN62VLHY3MU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733035},”type”:”text”,”content”:”State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver of Decatur is the new leader of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview Committee, a special House-Senate panel that does not handle legislation but is charged with oversight of MARTA.”},{“_id”:”WUNIALZX2ZHEPDF2C3B2VEQ3YE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733036},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The appointment is a realization of House Speaker David Ralston’s recent utterings about bipartisanship.”},{“_id”:”2R5WQT54FRC6XDZEGULY2TVBOE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733037},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Oliver was a likely choice for the role for a number of reasons. First, she and the speaker have a healthy respect for each other’s abilities despite their differences in ideology.”},{“_id”:”UKN7EJ4AFRA2ZGLS7QP24WTA7Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733038},”type”:”text”,”content”:”But it’s also a matter of location, location, location.”},{“_id”:”TBQJNNWFABB3JO6JZ2BBTS2T6U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733039},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Oliver lives in MARTA territory, something that can no longer be said for many Republicans in the House, given the GOP’s recent slips in Atlanta’s suburbs.”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”LX6PNJJYZFHM7J6QIKGYMIPHAQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177332996},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Ban sought on outside funding to run elections”},{“_id”:”J2FLVYJN2BB5NCTIJAHS55BSLY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177332997},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg gave millions of dollars to Georgia counties last year to help them run elections.”},{“_id”:”SC32ZRSESVAEBBIEIOMRMWBUPU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177332999},”type”:”text”,”content”:”That won’t happen again if House Bill 62 gains passage.”},{“_id”:”HZLAKPFCIJA6XOW7FZX52HHB6I”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177333001},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Joseph Gullett, a Republican from Dallas, said the money — given through the Center for Tech and Civic Life, which is funded by Zuckerberg and his wife, philanthropist Priscilla Chan — was helpful to the counties but also problematic.”},{“_id”:”EDF2ESJ3FRBIDC2FRI3XJ4ZMDA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611184129314},”type”:”text”,”content”:””One role of government is to run elections, and I don’t think it’s appropriate to allow outside organizations to do it,” said Gullett, a former member of Paulding County’s elections board. “We want as little influence on elections as possible.””},{“_id”:”5QQFS43EIRHDZJKOVDZD7UTAYU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177333003},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The money in question went toward election staffing, hazard pay, absentee ballot postage costs, equipment, voter outreach and personal protective gear.”},{“_id”:”RRIK2HFWW5E4XHT7OAX4TA33X4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177333006},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Much of it was spent in metro Atlanta.”},{“_id”:”CM5VZN3NHVCSHEIDH3V7KVCF4U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611184129317},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The organization gave $9.4 million to DeKalb County, $6 million to Fulton County, $4.2 million to Gwinnett County, nearly $1.7 million to Douglas County and $765,000 to Cherokee County.”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”2XLTJD5O7RFKLHBJ45E76VT7H4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953914},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Dems seek restoration of voting rights for convicted felons”},{“_id”:”ZAT77AJCYFGMLE4PANKZVR2CU4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953915},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Georgians who have been convicted of a felony would see the restoration of their voting rights under a Democratic plan.”},{“_id”:”UT2XCDCQHJEQZIMED2IK5YBMNE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953916},”type”:”text”,”content”:”State Rep. Josh McLaurin of Atlanta said the current law is rooted in racism.”},{“_id”:”F7HCV6AW2BA3DPKSXPZKRKQSZU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953917},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Over 200,000 of our fellow citizens in Georgia are denied (voting rights) because of a racist policy that was enacted nearly 150 years ago,” McLaurin said. “After the Civil War, Georgia adopted a policy of disenfranchising people convicted of felonies as a strategy to exclude Black people from participating in democracy.””},{“_id”:”W3HAG3LD6BAGFDTLL5CJVW6U3U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953918},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Under the Georgia Constitution, those who have been convicted of a “felony involving moral turpitude” can’t be registered to vote until their sentences are completed — including the completion of any probation, parole and payment of any fines.”},{“_id”:”57ANEYBVR5HVXNSRY4FE7AEOAQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733053},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The problem is, it never defined “moral turpitude.” That left it to be interpreted by election officials, who have ruled that any felony conviction is appropriate for limiting voting rights.”},{“_id”:”VEYA7C2WSNATBGY7BX75D3HQ6A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953919},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Shortly before November’s election, the secretary of state’s office clarified its position, saying that those who have completed their sentences but still owe fees, court costs and restitution are eligible to vote.”},{“_id”:”IHSMN3VR2VDMNHPU42LR3PICJU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953920},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The proposal faces long odds of passing this year. A bipartisan Senate panel in 2019 studied the possibility of reinstating the voting rights of some convicted felons — those who had not committed violent crimes — but Republican members chose not to pursue it.”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”HH3LMSYJYFAKDAUJ5M3BMXNZBU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559718},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Jones calls loss of chairmanship ‘petty politics’”},{“_id”:”FKGFYZQAHFH2RAP2AAJHRVQDBE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177333011},”type”:”text”,”content”:”State Sen. Burt Jones, who in the first days of the legislative session was stripped of his chairmanship of the chamber’s Insurance and Labor Committee, says what he lost is not as important as why it was taken away from him.”},{“_id”:”3RDFPPNU2JDIVN2YRPH23XRZ3M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177333012},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The lawmaker from Jackson was one of three Republican senators — the other two were Brandon Beach of Alpharetta and Matt Brass of Newnan — who lost key committee chairmanships after they aggressively promoted President Donald Trump’s false claims of widespread election fraud and pushed for overturning Joe Biden’s victory in the state.”},{“_id”:”43FAPCSGS5EL5KAPVT7I5SK5SQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559722},”type”:”text”,”content”:”In an interview with Oconee Radio Group’s Rahul Bali, Jackson called Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan cowardly in the way he demoted them.”},{“_id”:”R4Z2WD2SBBE23MWSUG4KV4HTNQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559723},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Instead of getting behind closed doors and talking through whatever issues he might have had with us,” Jones said, “(Duncan) just decided to get his ‘yes men’ on the committee, handpicked people on the committee, and to strip us of our chairmanships, I guess trying to publicly embarrass us maybe. I don’t know. But anyway, that’s a cowardly way and kind of petty politics. But that’s fine. That’s politics. I get it.””},{“_id”:”K47EE77DWFFZFICULP2NJYR5ZE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174559724},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Jones, who also said he really didn’t care that much about running the Insurance Committee, then suggested that a backlash could follow.”},{“_id”:”HIQTXP7J4FHCTMYURADY2ZLEAU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177333016},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“What comes around goes around in this building,” he said.”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”6436BRKVLZF2DMTRYB26H7JYXI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953928},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Gwinnett Dems pressure election official to quit”},{“_id”:”2QAYDO6IBNGALM3AWQNAODD4IE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953929},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Fifteen Democratic state legislators are calling on Gwinnett County Board of Elections Chair Alice O’Lenick to resign after she backed alterations to Georgia’s voting laws, including restricting no-excuse absentee voting and banning ballot drop boxes.”},{“_id”:”4JZZ4K35INFXVHXVW7GP6D4JLA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733065},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“They don’t have to change all of them, but they’ve got to change the major parts of them so that we at least have a shot at winning,” O’Lenick said at a Republican Party meeting.”},{“_id”:”2VPBDLG46FDI3JWB7LKUMSF36I”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953932},”type”:”text”,”content”:”In a letter, the county’s legislative delegation accused O’Lenick, a Republican appointee, of causing “irreparable harm” to her impartial duties of administering elections. They added that they could try to force her decision if she refuses.”},{“_id”:”C6Q3KKYSVNDVJB746PCD3QPUQE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953933},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Please be advised that the Gwinnett state House and Senate delegations will take all actions necessary through local legislation to protect the right to vote of every citizen in Gwinnett County,” the lawmakers wrote.”},{“_id”:”GRKQ5VLVCFDLLG62MULOB3AZA4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953934},”type”:”text”,”content”:”O’Lenick, according to The Gwinnett Daily Post, said at the GOP meeting that only the “elderly and the infirm” should be allowed to vote by mail without giving a reason for the request.”},{“_id”:”WWH2MH4RYNE4XNCIGZ3YATWMGA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611188953935},”type”:”text”,”content”:”She then repeated false claims of abuse of the voting system before saying that “ballot drop boxes have to go.””},{“_id”:”X3J4ROF6QNCOZIGGXZWHYEX22E”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611248733070},”type”:”text”,”content”:”O’Lenick has indicated that she is going nowhere.”},{“owner”:{“sponsored”:false,”id”:”ajc”},”address”:{},”syndication”:{},”caption”:”Georgia’s Department of Juvenile Justice and the state’s Department of Corrections both report that low pay has contributed to high turnover rates among their guards. 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Brian Kemp’s budget proposes a 10% pay increase for guards from both departments.”},{“_id”:”I3YDMRJHMBESTPMBOTDM2TT4QQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611187130439},”type”:”text”,”content”:”If the General Assembly approves the plan, an entry-level corrections officer at an adult or juvenile detention center will see his or her pay jump from $27,936 to $30,730. The raises would take effect April 1.”},{“_id”:”SZJVHHNLDJDTFIC3QI4QY5AWDM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611187130440},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Both departments would pay for the raises by not filling vacant positions.”},{“_id”:”THHQ7HVUBND7PML6YB7C522RDE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611187130442},”type”:”text”,”content”:”
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Nath)”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/SZOJQVE6S3VC47JLGZIQB6QJ4Q.jpg”,”height”:3104}},”_id”:”UQ4F5TSF2VAB7EALZRJAKP3PUQ”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”JOAKOPSWHNB55HTRSVBH3HDDAA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1594677256806},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The day of Joe Biden’s inauguration, Nick Toney was sitting in the booth of a rural Banks County café, still wearing a cherished hat with the words “Trump 2020…No more (expletive).””},{“_id”:”QDJQDZEWKNBBPCQEHEYE3Q2KXU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338474},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“I’m not going to take it off,” said the 61-year-old heating and air conditioning contractor. “And I’ve got two more for when this one wears out.””},{“_id”:”NQEVIVURJNEBJMAVAU2GEUMJEI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338475},”type”:”text”,”content”:”In one of Georgia’s most solidly Republican and Donald Trump-loving counties — he won nearly 90% of the vote this time around and last — there is more than just frustration over an election that didn’t go as many locals had hoped.”},{“_id”:”CZZRZJ4ZBFFJTBIO636SAGDWXM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338476},”type”:”text”,”content”:”There is anxiety about what Biden and Democrats might do. But also concern about what the angriest Trump supporters might stoop to. And, for some, disenchantment with the nation’s two main political parties, including Republicans who have won handily here for decades.”},{“_id”:”RELBARHKNFGSVJVNDVLSJZBXFQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338477},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Of more than a dozen people interviewed in the northeast Georgia community, most hadn’t seen Biden’s inaugural address with its call for unity or Trump’s departing speech wishing “the new administration great luck and great success.””},{“_id”:”KZ5RR3FTYVGD5KHEPMMHBTPTNY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338478},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Instead, a few said they fear more unrest.”},{“owner”:{“sponsored”:false,”id”:”ajc”},”address”:{“locality”:”Homer”},”caption”:”A historical marker is displayed in downtown Homer in Banks County. Donald Trump won nearly nine out of 10 voters in the rural northeast Georgia county. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)”,”source”:{“system”:”AJC Freelancer”,”name”:”AJC Freelancer”,”edit_url”:”https://ajc.arcpublishing.com/photo/7C5RI7FF6XIADLQZR3GH5E63RQ”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/Freelancer/AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY_AP3.JPG”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”taxonomy”:{“associated_tasks”:[“6007510ce14abe785df5bd56″],”seo_keywords”:[“AJC Freelancer”]},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”custom”,”name”:”AJC Freelancer”,”category”:”wires”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/7C5RI7FF6XIADLQZR3GH5E63RQ.JPG”,”geo”:{},”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“affiliation”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com”,”type”:”author”}],”by”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtype”:”Wires”,”subtitle”:”BANKS COUNTY INAUGURATION”,”width”:5472,”_id”:”7C5RI7FF6XIADLQZR3GH5E63RQ”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/ckZVxrIKfdnHjob_OJRY5oPUZlg=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/7C5RI7FF6XIADLQZR3GH5E63RQ.JPG”,”comments”:[],”iptc_job_identifier”:”6007510ce14abe785df5bd56″,”keywords”:[“AJC Freelancer”],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/ckZVxrIKfdnHjob_OJRY5oPUZlg=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/7C5RI7FF6XIADLQZR3GH5E63RQ.JPG”,”takenOn”:”2021-01-20T17:21:19Z”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/7C5RI7FF6XIADLQZR3GH5E63RQ.JPG”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/ckZVxrIKfdnHjob_OJRY5oPUZlg=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/7C5RI7FF6XIADLQZR3GH5E63RQ.JPG”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/rYBBZT6okxUBaAbUXmdBxMXmEvY=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/7C5RI7FF6XIADLQZR3GH5E63RQ.JPG”,”version”:2,”usage_instructions”:”AJC STAFF”,”originalName”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/Freelancer/AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY_AP3.JPG”,”mime_type”:”image/jpeg”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”QXQDNUCJBFD45C5PH2TZM2Q25Y”,”iptc_title”:”Visual Journalist”},”created_date”:”2021-01-21T14:34:21Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T23:35:38Z”,”slug”:”AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY”,”height”:3648,”image_type”:”photograph”},{“_id”:”FADDLYOIRVCI7GAKYU2NBTO27Q”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338482},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Ashley Knight, a 32-year-old certified nursing assistant, said she is convinced a “civil war” is brewing because so many Trump supporters believe the election was rigged and because riots and lootings spun out of Black Lives Matters protests. She said she worries that socialism and COVID-19 will hurt her children’s future.”},{“_id”:”VSGO35TY75FLNEYQQUHHEDTZV4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338483},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Trump, she said, never was given a fair shot as a president. As for Biden, “I’ll pray for him as our president, but I don’t think I’ll have too much support for him.””},{“_id”:”HBH52LIQIRELJAPR5JGZTW7LPY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611270227443},”type”:”text”,”content”:”A woman who works in a health products store said the combination of politics and the pandemic has her anxious and smoking more cigarettes.”},{“_id”:”V53P4PCAQBEP3LO2YGJOAU5VOQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611270227444},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“You feel like you are sitting on a warhead,” said the woman, who didn’t want to give her name because, she said, you never know how people will react to things these days.”},{“_id”:”TFBCCFITPNGYLP4F43XL4B3H4Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338481},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Nobody knows what is ahead,” she said. And “you don’t know who to trust anymore.””},{“_id”:”GRM6K52TGJBITFRKQV5OSSGTCU”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”XS2OOWLG2FEJJIRP2Q6Y224PBM”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/biden-harris-inauguration-sends-message-that-were-going-to-be-ok-for-some-americans/AE3AV4LM6RBDTBMCTKLI4T6KU4/”,”content”:”For some, Biden inauguration sends message that ‘we’re going to be OK'”},{“owner”:{“sponsored”:false,”id”:”ajc”},”address”:{“locality”:”Commerce”},”caption”:” Homer, Georgia — Roger Cosby talks about his political views outside a cafe near Commerce, on Inauguration Day. Cosby voted for Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential election. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)”,”source”:{“system”:”AJC Freelancer”,”name”:”AJC Freelancer”,”edit_url”:”https://ajc.arcpublishing.com/photo/ICUENHQC6IAEP52HPVEQBDTUCU”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/Freelancer/AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY_AP2.JPG”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”taxonomy”:{“associated_tasks”:[“6007510ce14abe785df5bd56″],”seo_keywords”:[“AJC Freelancer”]},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”custom”,”name”:”AJC Freelancer”,”category”:”wires”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/ICUENHQC6IAEP52HPVEQBDTUCU.JPG”,”geo”:{},”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“affiliation”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com”,”type”:”author”}],”by”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtype”:”Wires”,”subtitle”:”BANKS COUNTY INAUGURATION”,”width”:4813,”_id”:”ICUENHQC6IAEP52HPVEQBDTUCU”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/_0lVQXma_fdHVcmaAbQQG3zvswY=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/ICUENHQC6IAEP52HPVEQBDTUCU.JPG”,”comments”:[],”iptc_job_identifier”:”6007510ce14abe785df5bd56″,”keywords”:[“AJC Freelancer”],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/_0lVQXma_fdHVcmaAbQQG3zvswY=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/ICUENHQC6IAEP52HPVEQBDTUCU.JPG”,”takenOn”:”2021-01-20T20:27:01Z”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/ICUENHQC6IAEP52HPVEQBDTUCU.JPG”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/_0lVQXma_fdHVcmaAbQQG3zvswY=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/ICUENHQC6IAEP52HPVEQBDTUCU.JPG”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/zvqUkn1BxpSA6SKmBUhbq9kwJCk=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/ICUENHQC6IAEP52HPVEQBDTUCU.JPG”,”version”:2,”usage_instructions”:”AJC STAFF”,”originalName”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/Freelancer/AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY_AP2.JPG”,”mime_type”:”image/jpeg”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”UAQSRE265NH3LEDXBUDSWU3RII”,”iptc_title”:”Visual Journalist”},”created_date”:”2021-01-21T14:34:17Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T23:36:06Z”,”slug”:”AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY”,”height”:3209,”image_type”:”photograph”},{“_id”:”RPLZ6QT7B5BWPLGMDRYC2Z7QF4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338485},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Roger Cosby, who works for a nearby construction rental equipment company, said he’d like to stay positive: “I’m willing to give the man a chance.” But, “I hope like hell they don’t kill the construction industry.””},{“_id”:”HXKU34GB7RDWHJDREWRE6RSZ5M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338486},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Still, he said, he talks to people from all walks of life, and he said he suspects an uprising is coming from the right.”},{“_id”:”GEHUOUC525HO3IPJYHBU75EZKY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338487},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Hopefully it can be defused,” he said, adding later, “I don’t want to live through that.””},{“_id”:”6ZJPVSY3LZEBJLPVYO6WU4SXUY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611339438744},”type”:”text”,”content”:”People in Banks say they worry about what Democrats in the White House and Congress could do. Among concerns: higher taxes, bigger government, more abortions, higher illegal immigration, fresh limits on guns and an expanded U.S. Supreme Court to give it a liberal lean.”},{“_id”:”IPYK6KJ6OBGQHLWOUI7F564ZDY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338488},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Most — but not all — told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution their support for Trump wasn’t diminished by his efforts to have votes thrown out over claims of fraud or by Trump supporters storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. None expressed support for the attack.”},{“owner”:{“sponsored”:false,”id”:”ajc”},”address”:{“locality”:”Commerce”},”caption”:”Homer, Georgia — Paul Murphy talks about his political views in the parking lot of a cafe near Commerce, (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)”,”source”:{“system”:”AJC Freelancer”,”name”:”AJC Freelancer”,”edit_url”:”https://ajc.arcpublishing.com/photo/BLIU7KX5LHN724V5V66CXEP5SA”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/Freelancer/AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY_AP1.JPG”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”taxonomy”:{“associated_tasks”:[“6007510ce14abe785df5bd56″],”seo_keywords”:[“AJC Freelancer”]},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”custom”,”name”:”AJC Freelancer”,”category”:”wires”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/BLIU7KX5LHN724V5V66CXEP5SA.JPG”,”geo”:{},”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“affiliation”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com”,”type”:”author”}],”by”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtype”:”Wires”,”subtitle”:”BANKS COUNTY INAUGURATION”,”width”:5472,”_id”:”BLIU7KX5LHN724V5V66CXEP5SA”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/Eor0T941LgANni7tqWM14s3wwuE=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/BLIU7KX5LHN724V5V66CXEP5SA.JPG”,”comments”:[],”iptc_job_identifier”:”6007510ce14abe785df5bd56″,”keywords”:[“AJC Freelancer”],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/Eor0T941LgANni7tqWM14s3wwuE=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/BLIU7KX5LHN724V5V66CXEP5SA.JPG”,”takenOn”:”2021-01-20T19:59:02Z”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/BLIU7KX5LHN724V5V66CXEP5SA.JPG”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/Eor0T941LgANni7tqWM14s3wwuE=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/BLIU7KX5LHN724V5V66CXEP5SA.JPG”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/LjDalT2vS53rHc9tLwtUShdH8Lg=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/BLIU7KX5LHN724V5V66CXEP5SA.JPG”,”version”:3,”usage_instructions”:”AJC STAFF”,”originalName”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/Freelancer/AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY_AP1.JPG”,”mime_type”:”image/jpeg”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”USBHXN4AGBFB7E2BK6RRO4RAAM”,”iptc_title”:”Visual Journalist”},”created_date”:”2021-01-21T14:34:22Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T23:35:10Z”,”slug”:”AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY”,”height”:3648,”image_type”:”photograph”},{“_id”:”Y6GJG3HOLJE67JRHHTGYEY3FL4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338489},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Paul Murphy, a 66-year-old farmer and manager at a poultry company, said he supported enough of Trump’s policies to be willing to put up with the former president’s name calling and weakness in fostering unity. But he didn’t buy into contentions that there was so much voter fraud that it changed who won the election. And what he considers Trump’s failure to quickly and forcefully speak out about the attack on Congress made him regret voting for him.”},{“_id”:”KCV5CO4LO5C4JCMGIKFBBUUH5I”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338490},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“That deal in Washington when they stormed the Capitol, I was ashamed to be a Republican,” he said.”},{“_id”:”3DQBIQCPLZFLZLI4VHH5Y6J3UE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338491},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Democrats are too liberal for him, though. “I’ve always been a Republican. I’ve gotten to the point now that if there was a third party, I’d probably vote for them.””},{“_id”:”UZVZLVRYPRDCBAE2FT7POFTWVQ”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”VFYXQBQAFVCL7MDAZZRBVGNKJQ”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/atlantans-quietly-celebrate-bidens-inauguration/DGDT7QBABFALBE3QXLOW2JYNNM/”,”content”:”Atlanta quietly celebrates inauguration of Joe Biden”},{“_id”:”M6DDN6LLRVG6ZFCYD5YA36QS6M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338492},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Others interviewed also volunteered openness to voting for some party other than Democrats or Republicans.”},{“_id”:”FP2FDZADIBHC3K72HYPM7RJX2I”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338493},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Banks County Republican Party Chairman Jerry Boling, a 77-year-old local farmer and businessman, predicts “only a very small group of people” would make such a move locally. “Some of those people are never happy with anything.””},{“_id”:”B7VJX65GMFCC5OCVDTU2JGUJQE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338494},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Republicans will regroup and come out the same in Banks, he said. More broadly, “the election is over, and Biden won. It is time to move on. There’s no point in looking back.” He is hopeful, though, that state legislators will tighten rules on absentee ballots.”},{“_id”:”7WLKBYXN6NBCTKGIK6K733KN2Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338495},”type”:”text”,”content”:”It’s not unusual for people to get uneasy when their party loses power.”},{“_id”:”7BHKNFXHHJDZZLOTHCM7TUQI7U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338496},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Financial planner Michael Housworth witnessed that when clients who are Democrats saw Trump win the presidency. They called wanting assurances about their investments. Now, Republicans are doing the same. “At the end of the day, half the country is going to be excited, and half the country is going be nervous.””},{“owner”:{“sponsored”:false,”id”:”ajc”},”address”:{“locality”:”Homer”},”caption”:”01/20/2021 — Homer, Georgia —Banks County Rotary Club President Vicki Boling conducts a meeting at the Chimney Oaks Clubhouse in Homer, Wednesday January 20, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)”,”source”:{“system”:”AJC Freelancer”,”name”:”AJC Freelancer”,”edit_url”:”https://ajc.arcpublishing.com/photo/3CDTYVUQG4DNVPOKS333SRWACE”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/Freelancer/AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY_AP8.JPG”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”taxonomy”:{“associated_tasks”:[“6007510ce14abe785df5bd56″],”seo_keywords”:[“AJC Freelancer”]},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”custom”,”name”:”AJC Freelancer”,”category”:”wires”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/3CDTYVUQG4DNVPOKS333SRWACE.JPG”,”geo”:{},”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“affiliation”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@”,”type”:”author”}],”by”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtype”:”Wires”,”subtitle”:”BANKS COUNTY INAUGURATION”,”width”:5472,”_id”:”3CDTYVUQG4DNVPOKS333SRWACE”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/YBuSVhAkJfXqMlgspUtoIRCQ7t4=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/3CDTYVUQG4DNVPOKS333SRWACE.JPG”,”comments”:[],”iptc_job_identifier”:”6007510ce14abe785df5bd56″,”keywords”:[“AJC Freelancer”],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/YBuSVhAkJfXqMlgspUtoIRCQ7t4=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/3CDTYVUQG4DNVPOKS333SRWACE.JPG”,”takenOn”:”2021-01-20T18:11:42Z”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/3CDTYVUQG4DNVPOKS333SRWACE.JPG”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/YBuSVhAkJfXqMlgspUtoIRCQ7t4=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/3CDTYVUQG4DNVPOKS333SRWACE.JPG”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/ezOuOjbaiWdshCT1fC6gwDADCiU=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/3CDTYVUQG4DNVPOKS333SRWACE.JPG”,”version”:2,”usage_instructions”:”AJC STAFF”,”originalName”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/Freelancer/AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY_AP8.JPG”,”mime_type”:”image/jpeg”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”37ROJ4OSVRCA7LBB5CYAWU2KKY”,”iptc_title”:”Visual Journalist”},”created_date”:”2021-01-21T14:34:37Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T23:34:34Z”,”slug”:”AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY”,”height”:3648,”image_type”:”photograph”},{“_id”:”R3TYUA7OSZCPVEWNTB6VFWZF6Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338497},”type”:”text”,”content”:”He chatted before the start of a weekly gathering of the Banks County Rotary at a local golf club. The meeting started minutes after Biden was sworn in. TVs in the golf club’s neighboring grill were tuned to sports channels, not the events in Washington D.C.”},{“_id”:”H3FFFKW24RDZ7HKIMVVXC6W5EA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338498},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Rotarians were reminded that political talk wasn’t on the meeting agenda. At the end of the gathering, they recited Rotary’s “four-way test,” a guide for what Rotarians are supposed to strive for in what they think, say or do. “Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?””},{“_id”:”EMDTVFEMLBEKJO4KX2CB67VBII”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”NS63L4MLYRD4XOREVQJSAJGTQQ”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/inside-the-runoff-flips-how-ossoff-and-warnock-pulled-off-epic-victories/HMGWMOCWSRBFFN25UBBIZMNEAY/”,”content”:”Georgia Senate runoff: How Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock pulled off epic victories”},{“owner”:{“sponsored”:false,”id”:”ajc”},”address”:{“locality”:”Homer”},”caption”:”Homer, Georgia — Pastor Richard Billingslea, a member of Banks County Rotary, said some members of his congregation at Hebron Presbyterian Church have wrestled with a lot of anxiety in the wake of the U.S. presidential elections. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)”,”source”:{“system”:”AJC Freelancer”,”name”:”AJC Freelancer”,”edit_url”:”https://ajc.arcpublishing.com/photo/LBALN4GLAXBHYEVECTE7BD7EDQ”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/Freelancer/AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY_AP10.JPG”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”taxonomy”:{“associated_tasks”:[“6007510ce14abe785df5bd56″],”seo_keywords”:[“AJC Freelancer”]},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”custom”,”name”:”AJC Freelancer”,”category”:”wires”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/LBALN4GLAXBHYEVECTE7BD7EDQ.JPG”,”geo”:{},”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“affiliation”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com”,”type”:”author”}],”by”:[{“name”:”Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtype”:”Wires”,”subtitle”:”BANKS COUNTY INAUGURATION”,”width”:5472,”_id”:”LBALN4GLAXBHYEVECTE7BD7EDQ”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/Sq0L55XtAUGqAE3D2P3t876KYEA=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/LBALN4GLAXBHYEVECTE7BD7EDQ.JPG”,”comments”:[],”iptc_job_identifier”:”6007510ce14abe785df5bd56″,”keywords”:[“AJC Freelancer”],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/Sq0L55XtAUGqAE3D2P3t876KYEA=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/LBALN4GLAXBHYEVECTE7BD7EDQ.JPG”,”takenOn”:”2021-01-20T19:03:40Z”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/LBALN4GLAXBHYEVECTE7BD7EDQ.JPG”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/Sq0L55XtAUGqAE3D2P3t876KYEA=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/LBALN4GLAXBHYEVECTE7BD7EDQ.JPG”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/sUBoMXdqR0U-BDaIr_sqa6N3XBE=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/LBALN4GLAXBHYEVECTE7BD7EDQ.JPG”,”version”:3,”usage_instructions”:”AJC STAFF”,”originalName”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/Freelancer/AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY_AP10.JPG”,”mime_type”:”image/jpeg”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”W53MEYXCTNANHCNFTLB2ULWSFI”,”iptc_title”:”Visual Journalist”},”created_date”:”2021-01-21T14:34:45Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T23:33:52Z”,”slug”:”AAJC 012321 ELX BANKS COUNTY”,”height”:3648,”image_type”:”photograph”},{“_id”:”KFMY4LFUYRDTLBYOHKTIPUJDSE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338499},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Rotary member Rick Billingslea, a former local chamber of commerce leader who is now pastor at the 225-year-old Hebron Presbyterian Church, confided later that he has long been frustrated by politicians from both major parties. In speeches, “they say, ‘blah, blah, blah and nasty, nasty, nasty.’ Then they turn around the next day and they talk about unity.””},{“_id”:”Y2WJ76RJ75ED3JNQEISSRXHTXY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338500},”type”:”text”,”content”:”There’s a lot of anxiety among some in his flock and happiness among others, depending on their political persuasions.”},{“_id”:”3ZIHOIY3PRDDDL4JICVJOHRDUE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338501},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“There’s more of a sense of urgency for us to find common ground instead of just getting our way,” the pastor said.”},{“_id”:”I2TIOYQ5DRHFTPOF5MIBGUU5FM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338502},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“The problem is we have paid people on both sides that are instigators. Some people thrive on chaos.””},{“_id”:”QCY62GQO5RHJREXWYYVRS4S3IE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338503},”type”:”text”,”content”:”He shared advice: “Stop. Take a breath.””},{“_id”:”TZH7KZFS35CETG5NEE6PRRGO6Q”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”2WU4C5P5PJCDTEVBMODWEU7NPU”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/inauguration-day-news-2021/”,”content”:”Inauguration of Joe Biden: Full coverage from the AJC”},{“_id”:”C276CKXJFFH77FQGSDPIBKQTKA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611266338504},”type”:”text”,”content”:”
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Bartow audit report

rn“}],”display_date”:”2021-01-21T22:42:26.091Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Review of Senate votes finds similar results in test of Georgia system”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-21T22:42:26.091Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”legislature”},{“text”:”elections”},{“text”:”elections-voting”},{“text”:”elections-senate”},{“text”:”bartow county”},{“text”:”georgia news”},{“text”:”georgia-news.ajc”},{“text”:”ga-government.ajc”},{“text”:”government and politics”}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-22T03:04:37.062Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/review-of-senate-votes-finds-similar-results-in-test-of-georgia-system/2T4ICXV335BGXAVGWZ2X63FXWQ/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“credits”:{“affiliation”:[{“name”:”Stephen B. 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Morton)”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/ZSQWNUO4WDPWBL7MUEE5WARU7U.jpg”,”height”:2709}},”_id”:”2T4ICXV335BGXAVGWZ2X63FXWQ”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”X6UJEPREFRGQ7NFQH53LCH4VC4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1598277352412},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Months after the General Assembly passed sweeping legislation to improve staffing, training and accountability in Georgia’s senior care homes, agencies are seeking to beef up the ranks of those tasked with making sure the state’s elderly are safe.”},{“_id”:”HPXT7TRCD5FABPR7YX3HKA3WVE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611258692845},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The state Department of Community Health has asked the state to allocate nearly $4.9 million more in its annual budget to pay contractors who inspect the state’s nursing homes.”},{“_id”:”BXQB2ULBX5HIJNBTVHWC5JALL4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611265711478},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Georgia often lags in completing standard inspections of nursing homes on time, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found last year, an issue that arose as COVID-19 has ripped through the facilities and killed thousands. DCH officials said then that they would hire contractors to help with the backlog of inspections.”},{“_id”:”4GB52XY35ZDFFFC7BBUQIXHBFM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611265711479},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The Department of Human Services is requesting almost $1 million to hire 13 additional Adult Protective Services caseworkers. There are currently 173 caseworkers on staff, DHS officials said.”},{“_id”:”VZS5AZGRWBB3HCRCHWDQNQEJSM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611260851031},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Last year, lawmakers passed legislation to address problems exposed in a 2019 investigative series published by the AJC. The series found nearly 700 cases where residents suffered from neglect or abuse in assisted living communities and large personal care homes across the state.”},{“_id”:”2AAIES5WPJC6NNK4ENFYMT2K6Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611265711481},”type”:”text”,”content”:”And a 2020 state audit found that Adult Protective Services investigators were taking too long to respond to urgent cases, such as when the elderly were going hungry or were sexually abused.”},{“_id”:”FZMCSNLLQ5BD7HFFUBNI6RQWYY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611265711482},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“These Adult Protective Services positions are critical to keep caseloads manageable for our staff who are going out to see clients in their homes to investigate increasingly difficult and complex cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation,” said Abby Cox, assistant deputy commissioner of aging services with the DHS. “Georgia’s population of older adults is 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care homes raise questions about conditions, oversight during pandemic”,”width”:4364,”caption”:”A photo of Sandy Springs Place Senior Complex on Sunday, December 20, 2020.”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/MCVEWR5QBBBA4TQSLKD3IFVFUE.jpg”,”height”:2728}},”_id”:”ML36KZZYC5AI7BQHHHJT4PEA6E”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”FHL3BSLPABB63DACIRWRDRYYQI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1605294372602},”type”:”text”,”content”:”In a day of pageantry infused by history and change, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States. Hours laters, Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock became Georgia’s two United States senators.”},{“_id”:”7GI5I4SXDNGABEUSQ5ZYLRR6GU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611152076504},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Watch Wednesday’s Inauguration Day events in the nation’s capital:”},{“_id”:”F2PBX6AVDRBBRBCJIPZDVAFX5U”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”EBMU7PKWVNAZLNBMRKTLD4S3HM”},”type”:”raw_html”,”content”:”

“},{“_id”:”MBXZD7QVZNDOVJMHBN3OY7J6WU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611151526316},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Throughout the day, we shared news from our team in Washington, D.C., as well as updates on the roles Georgians played in the transition of power, and how Georgians reacted across the state.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”Fireworks explode over the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, as seen from Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)”,”source”:{“system”:”arc i/o”,”name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”3a075b0ab14e479cbf956eb1ee669d23″,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”425c44eb-5b03-4ce5-89fa-69e74b50003b”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/4M6NLVBS2GFYGK7EBJIFAAEKQA.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Cliff Owen”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration”,”width”:5161,”_id”:”4M6NLVBS2GFYGK7EBJIFAAEKQA”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/-bUQQhZqAr2E9poJ4vdW2yNrQbw=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/4M6NLVBS2GFYGK7EBJIFAAEKQA.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/-bUQQhZqAr2E9poJ4vdW2yNrQbw=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/4M6NLVBS2GFYGK7EBJIFAAEKQA.jpg”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/4M6NLVBS2GFYGK7EBJIFAAEKQA.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/-bUQQhZqAr2E9poJ4vdW2yNrQbw=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/4M6NLVBS2GFYGK7EBJIFAAEKQA.jpg”,”expiration_date”:”2021-02-20T03:36:07Z”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/HVAQ6q8zK81q4Vj5p5M9NJMUj4o=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/4M6NLVBS2GFYGK7EBJIFAAEKQA.jpg”,”version”:0,”originalName”:”3a075b0ab14e479cbf956eb1ee669d23″,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”GXGRFLLPXFFXRKAESMIH6IIAWY”},”created_date”:”2021-01-21T03:36:08Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T03:36:08Z”,”height”:3441},{“_id”:”TQQHFSWNXBESLIIYA3BQKXCSX4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611183638654},”type”:”text”,”content”:”6:25 pm – Shortly after taking the oath of office, Sen. Jon Ossoff shows off the book of Hebrew scripture he used for his swearing in and chats with U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas.”},{“_id”:”WG7EA346RNBL5IXQXBB55PLPRU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611187522764},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Iris Weinshall, wife of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, stopped to say hello to newly sworn in Sen. Raphael Warnock.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033380}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/ajconwashington/status/1352032660802121728″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”CANDY2374JEIZHDZWMAXDBRMYE”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Tia Mitchell, AJC’s Washington Correspondent”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/ajconwashington/status/1352032660802121728″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/ajconwashington”,”width”:550,”html”:”

And now the first pics of Sen @ReverendWarnock after his swearing in. Iris Weinshall, @SenSchumer’s wife, stopped to say hello. pic.twitter.com/izGGhwBa0Z

— Tia Mitchell, AJC’s Washington Correspondent (@ajconwashington) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/ajconwashington/status/1352032660802121728″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033380},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”WS6KJZTG4VDI3HZLOSKSKYHCKQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611185351202},”type”:”text”,”content”:”5:35 pm – Sen. Raphael Warnock gave his first statement moments after he was sworn into the U.S. Senate – on what would have been his late father’s 104th birthday. It reads, in part:”},{“_id”:”ELCXNVVJ7ZCRTFCJ2I5WXE3OFQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611183638655},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Today, our country’s first Black, woman Vice President swore in (my father’s) son, Georgia’s first Black United States Senator. That this is even possible is a testament to the promise of our democracy and the covenant we share with one another as Americans. At the same time, our nation faces multiple crises brought into sharper focus by a once in a century pandemic. Congress must get to work immediately to overcome the challenges impacting the lives and livelihoods of Georgians, and people across the country.””},{“_id”:”7OBB4AYJOFFIPPMP3WVFY4F7JY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611183638656},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Warnock also posted a message much like that of President Biden earlier in the day, promising to work for all Georgians, no matter how they voted in the election.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033384}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/ReverendWarnock/status/1351994155833184262″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”6LYSNYEWQFAUPDHKPPPHM63Z7E”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/ReverendWarnock/status/1351994155833184262″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/ReverendWarnock”,”width”:550,”html”:”

As I’m sworn in today, know that I will be a senator for all Georgians. Whether or not you voted for me, I’ll carry your hopes and concerns to Washington. pic.twitter.com/t0yxodr9ll

— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/ReverendWarnock/status/1351994155833184262″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033384},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”3PIVJQ4LGRDTDIBW6BK6JXDESY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611183638658},”type”:”text”,”content”:”5:30 pm – As the day wound down, Georgia’s Jason Zgonc, a 12-year-old trumpet player from Decatur, represented the state as a “community hero” in the Parade Across America. 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Here was her message today:”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033388}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/staceyabrams/status/1351946857212162054″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”M3MTGGOEZJF7BJ2NHSQSVYYAVE”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Stacey Abrams”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/staceyabrams/status/1351946857212162054″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/staceyabrams”,”width”:550,”html”:”

Congratulations, President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris. Democracy has indeed prevailed, the voices of the people have been heard and we march forward working toward progress for our nation. #InaugurationDay

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/staceyabrams/status/1351946857212162054″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033388},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”6UO3U5QBMJEPJPPMVM7ATHAWPQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611181036676},”type”:”text”,”content”:”4:55 pm – The senior Republican of Georgia’s congressional delegation, U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, released a statement reacting to the day’s events. He thanked the National Guard for their work protecting the Capitol and offered a note of unity to the new administration:”},{“_id”:”W6YJKI42EFCCJN5VW5Q62LAPBQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611181036677},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“This morning, I attended the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol to bear witness to the American tradition of a peaceful transfer of power, and I’d like to extend formal congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.”},{“_id”:”CQOIPXZM7ZEJDNTZHZEI463V5Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611181036678},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“President Biden has vowed to work for all Americans, and if he holds to that promise, America will prosper. More unites us than divides us as Americans, and I will continue to fight for policies that make our state and country a better place for everyone.””},{“_id”:”K5DXPDIOWJA2REBFTV5FWKODWQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611181036679},”type”:”text”,”content”:”4:50 pm – Vice President Kamala Harris swears in Jon Ossoff, the Rev. Raphael Warnock, and California’s Alex Padilla at the same time. All three are now U.S. senators.”},{“owner”:{“sponsored”:false,”id”:”ajc”},”address”:{},”syndication”:{},”caption”:”Georgia’s Rev. Raphael Warnock, left, and Jon Ossoff, right, are sworn into the Senate along with Alex Padilla of California on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. 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Raphael Warnock, and California’s Alex Padilla will be sworn in as the chamber’s newest members and give Democrats a 50-50 majority, since Vice President Harris is now the tie-breaking vote.”},{“_id”:”IXC32HYLHZDJFJBIP7TVTBZLEE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611181036683},”type”:”text”,”content”:”4:10 pm – Moments before he is sworn in as Georgia’s senior U.S. senator, Jon Ossoff spoke with Greg Bluestein told the AJC’s Greg Bluestein about what he sees as his task ahead.”},{“_id”:”R2RY4HDM5RGWDO33OIZXG6MNZI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611181036684},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“I really had to step back and reflect on what an extraordinary opportunity this is to do good — and the obligation I have to make the most of it. That’s exactly what I was feeling up there. I can’t waste a minute that’s available to do good.””},{“_id”:”67WRXITARJFVBBNCIZ4LJUKYEM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611181036685},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Ossoff attended the inauguration with his wife, Dr. Alisha Kramer, who is an OB-GYN resident in Atlanta.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033399}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/ossoff/status/1351967951746985988″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”KL3Y3OPMMFDYPIR32MFC64CR7I”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Jon Ossoff”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/ossoff/status/1351967951746985988″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/ossoff”,”width”:550,”html”:”

pic.twitter.com/qOqvnbwzvx

— Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/ossoff/status/1351967951746985988″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033399},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”XDILC7NANFEUXDGNNV2S52UBHU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611181036687},”type”:”text”,”content”:”3:51 pm – President Joe Biden arrives at the White House for the first time as president (below). Waiting for Biden when he gets to the Oval Office will be a number of executive orders for his signature. The orders address a range of issues and dealing with everything from combatting COVID-19 to climate change and reestablishing America’s traditional diplomatic role in the world.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hug as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)”,”source”:{“system”:”arc i/o”,”name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”098e2413881343d6af3ab24e05388c90″,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”425c44eb-5b03-4ce5-89fa-69e74b50003b”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/W64DKZVHNOXPB6XX24BTXWY32Q.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Alex Brandon”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration”,”width”:3881,”_id”:”W64DKZVHNOXPB6XX24BTXWY32Q”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/ljxv_sjHl6zCWYeT8T8RixpUNS0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/W64DKZVHNOXPB6XX24BTXWY32Q.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/ljxv_sjHl6zCWYeT8T8RixpUNS0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/W64DKZVHNOXPB6XX24BTXWY32Q.jpg”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/W64DKZVHNOXPB6XX24BTXWY32Q.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/ljxv_sjHl6zCWYeT8T8RixpUNS0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/W64DKZVHNOXPB6XX24BTXWY32Q.jpg”,”expiration_date”:”2021-02-19T21:01:05Z”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/AqQmylTuC6wd1chZqo9rWll0Nag=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/W64DKZVHNOXPB6XX24BTXWY32Q.jpg”,”version”:0,”originalName”:”098e2413881343d6af3ab24e05388c90″,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”PSGYVT77WJERVPPWOA4MLXTNII”},”created_date”:”2021-01-20T21:01:06Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T21:01:06Z”,”height”:2587},{“_id”:”ADMBNSYOMRFEZNADIARHH6R5DY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502903},”type”:”text”,”content”:”3:30 pm – The traditional inaugural parade, with a virtual twist, is underway, with performers from all 50 states, including 12 year-old Decatur trumpeter Jason Zgonc. The Parade Across America will honor “community heroes” from across the country.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”Vice President Kamala Harris, and her husband Doug Emhoff, ride during the Inauguration Day Parade Route in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, after being sworn in as the 46th vice president of the United States. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)”,”source”:{“system”:”arc i/o”,”name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”daaf2a82ff5349cebbc0cc67f3702356″,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”425c44eb-5b03-4ce5-89fa-69e74b50003b”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/I2NIKL5Y3FKEZCN43535W6TVOY.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Jacquelyn Martin”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration Harris”,”width”:6000,”_id”:”I2NIKL5Y3FKEZCN43535W6TVOY”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/V-P8Kzntf0uPmaHFOIMtMzRKdYo=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/I2NIKL5Y3FKEZCN43535W6TVOY.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/V-P8Kzntf0uPmaHFOIMtMzRKdYo=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/I2NIKL5Y3FKEZCN43535W6TVOY.jpg”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/I2NIKL5Y3FKEZCN43535W6TVOY.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/V-P8Kzntf0uPmaHFOIMtMzRKdYo=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/I2NIKL5Y3FKEZCN43535W6TVOY.jpg”,”expiration_date”:”2021-02-19T20:46:05Z”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/JmHrUzEZEagldvfn-0bUSLlIXnk=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/I2NIKL5Y3FKEZCN43535W6TVOY.jpg”,”version”:0,”originalName”:”daaf2a82ff5349cebbc0cc67f3702356″,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”5FJZD5SNQJGBHI7FOEPB4GZHTQ”},”created_date”:”2021-01-20T20:46:07Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T20:46:07Z”,”height”:4000},{“_id”:”VAEEKAI6SFG3TGQBWTI7DYJONA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502904},”type”:”text”,”content”:”We featured Zgonc last spring, when he took his trumpet each evening to serenade the health care workers at Emory Decatur Hospital as they changed shifts caring for COVID patients.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”President Joe Biden, second from left, and first lady Jill Biden, left, join Vice President Kamala Harris, second from right and and her husband Douglas Emhoff, right, after they were sworn into office during the inauguration, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Rod Lamkey/Pool Photo via AP)”,”source”:{“system”:”arc i/o”,”name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”4a585284c49c44358512b9474ffbd6b5″,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”425c44eb-5b03-4ce5-89fa-69e74b50003b”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/UEIV23Z53FTSEQ37X5HF5D3J6Y.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Rod Lamkey”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration”,”width”:4000,”_id”:”UEIV23Z53FTSEQ37X5HF5D3J6Y”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/ecFsAPekwXCvZCstPgvaGJFlGmk=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/UEIV23Z53FTSEQ37X5HF5D3J6Y.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/ecFsAPekwXCvZCstPgvaGJFlGmk=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/UEIV23Z53FTSEQ37X5HF5D3J6Y.jpg”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/UEIV23Z53FTSEQ37X5HF5D3J6Y.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/ecFsAPekwXCvZCstPgvaGJFlGmk=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/UEIV23Z53FTSEQ37X5HF5D3J6Y.jpg”,”expiration_date”:”2021-02-19T20:21:02Z”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/VwhtU16sSl13qmRO0LWs64bN16U=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/UEIV23Z53FTSEQ37X5HF5D3J6Y.jpg”,”version”:0,”originalName”:”4a585284c49c44358512b9474ffbd6b5″,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”G5XUCLZZUFGVFIAUFQJLRZTMJI”},”created_date”:”2021-01-20T20:21:04Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T20:21:04Z”,”height”:2667},{“_id”:”33H7N7WFBNFQBF4QJGGS7GCDJA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153394415},”type”:”text”,”content”:”3:05 pm – U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter echoes a portion of Biden’s message from earlier today. “Now more than ever, America needs unity to address the challenges we face,” Carter tweeted.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033407}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/RepBuddyCarter/status/1351977799565914117″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”HLTDMXMKCVAHLAFVW5O5YKWY6E”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Buddy Carter”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/RepBuddyCarter/status/1351977799565914117″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/RepBuddyCarter”,”width”:550,”html”:”

pic.twitter.com/8P6jKDHA1m

— Buddy Carter (@RepBuddyCarter) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/RepBuddyCarter/status/1351977799565914117″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033407},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”FMKMWCFDCJHPTF7Q7BJNVOJGKU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502908},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The outlier from the many messages of unity today is U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who did not attend the inauguration and who has called for Biden’s impeachment, even when he held no government office.”},{“_id”:”Q3T4Y5ULBBH4VCO4JWJVIIGC7M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502909},”type”:”text”,”content”:”2:50 pm – As President Biden and Vice President Harris visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (pictured above), a reader reminds us that another Georgian, Carlyn Reichel, will be senior director for speechwriting and strategic initiatives for the Biden administration’s National Security Council.”},{“_id”:”EFNMBGPEV5H7FCFSIQ3PH3FLXA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502910},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Reichel was director of speechwriting and foreign policy director on Biden’s presidential campaign. And way back in 2001, she was the Rome High School Class valedictorian.”},{“_id”:”W4YMMHGX3ZEYJKWNH3CJRICHBU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502911},”type”:”text”,”content”:”2:35 pm – U.S. Rep. Jody Hice posts this message about President Biden today:”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033412}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/CongressmanHice/status/1351957028269416449″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”X2GI35G2TJA4BDZE7ZNFJ4DPSU”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Rep. Jody Hice”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/CongressmanHice/status/1351957028269416449″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/CongressmanHice”,”width”:550,”html”:”

Despite all that divides us, we are still the UNITED States of America.

I pray to God that @POTUS Joe Biden will keep his word to protect the rights of ALL Americans, no matter their political ideologies.

May God bless America and all who love and serve her!

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

— Rep. Jody Hice (@CongressmanHice) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/CongressmanHice/status/1351957028269416449″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033412},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”UIIGRC2FHZGSTM7PV4WC5BKXCI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502913},”type”:”text”,”content”:”2:20 pm – The new staff of the Biden administration has now been allowed into the West Wing to unpack their boxes and get to work.”},{“_id”:”N7RBMZI5IRGGNNPBRUIYA6K3CI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502914},”type”:”text”,”content”:”One top staffer will be White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield. The Atlanta native attended Sandy Springs Middle School and Riverwood High School and now oversees the White House’s first all-female communications team.”},{“_id”:”HIYZVLXNOBCK3CCJHCCK4VJ57E”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502915},”type”:”text”,”content”:”White House press secretary is expected to hold her first on-camera press briefing from the White House briefing room later today.”},{“_id”:”77DWIARCFVBX7J3ZZJRAYC2VFI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502916},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Bedingfield posted a message to Twitter earlier Wednesday about the work ahead.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033417}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/KBeds/status/1351869720140640256″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”DTX5A4W3G5HZRBYL6TPALQSU3M”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Kate Bedingfield”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/KBeds/status/1351869720140640256″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/KBeds”,”width”:550,”html”:”

Good morning. With hope and courage in our hearts, we embark on a journey today to turn the page and reclaim the soul of our nation. It will be hard and there will be setbacks — but it’s a new day. I’m grateful this morning for every single American on this journey with us.

— Kate Bedingfield (@KBeds) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/KBeds/status/1351869720140640256″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033417},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”OFBK5OVHHNDEZOGYTVQAUEZEMQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502918},”type”:”text”,”content”:”2:15 pm – President Biden has now taken over the @POTUS Twitter account. Here is his first official tweet:”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033419}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1351946842838347776″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”NOWFJA2U7VHHVM525YKOGU5N6U”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”President Biden”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1351946842838347776″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/POTUS”,”width”:550,”html”:”

There is no time to waste when it comes to tackling the crises we face. That’s why today, I am heading to the Oval Office to get right to work delivering bold action and immediate relief for American families.

— President Biden (@POTUS) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1351946842838347776″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033419},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”ICOGX6UY7BDDLLMNOFLKTK4ZTM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502920},”type”:”text”,”content”:”2:10 pm – Members of Georgia’s delegation from both parties attended Biden’s swearing in today. A snap from Rep. David Scott earlier.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033421}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/repdavidscott/status/1351913023137591296″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”KWCH2LZFTJDMTFADKDVMSFZE3E”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”David Scott”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/repdavidscott/status/1351913023137591296″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/repdavidscott”,”width”:550,”html”:”

Excited to witness the historic inauguration of President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris here in Washington today. Together we’ll work to build a better future for the American people. pic.twitter.com/yFeSVD9oD1

— David Scott (@repdavidscott) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/repdavidscott/status/1351913023137591296″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033421},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”ENECQOLCBVGY5IXM54RZ5EEJ3E”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611174502922},”type”:”text”,”content”:”
“},{“_id”:”KPQYWT5TVNCQNO26Y7WB3YJCQU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611169770741},”type”:”text”,”content”:”2:00 pm – The main event is over for most Americans, but Georgia still has two new U.S. senators to be sworn in later today – about two and a half hours from now.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033424}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/ossoff/status/1351967310505005057″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”CFQQ2PLTMZFMJEHGZJLCOHIMGQ”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Jon Ossoff”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/ossoff/status/1351967310505005057″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/ossoff”,”width”:550,”html”:”

Now representing Georgia 💪 pic.twitter.com/M1r6Gq2c4P

— Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/ossoff/status/1351967310505005057″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033424},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”RAQ5NHXVDVEC5HNRJO3M7PRXHA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611169770743},”type”:”text”,”content”:”1:50 pm – From Rep. Calvin Smyre, the longest serving member of the Georgia House and a voice of leadership in the chamber for both parties, about today’s events:”},{“_id”:”NOSNRHG4NBBJPHU6E73E6OOFTQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611169770744},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Inaugurations in America are longtime majestic traditions and a necessary core of our democracy. The peaceful transfer of power in these United States. The words “We the people” remain a sacred honor of our constitution in seeking a more perfect Union.”},{“_id”:”FSQAHJTYNJBNBPR6Y7MBPIRPJM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611169770745},”type”:”text”,”content”:”In the strong words of President Joe Biden, “Inaugurations should not be a celebration of a campaign but a celebration of a cause.” During these perilous times America is bruised, the significant cause on today should be bringing America back together. America needs a healing process.”},{“_id”:”BCMSCCTEH5F5DDN555RUUQNUOQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611169770746},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“We the people” can play the leading role in that process. History tells me that America has met its many challenges through the years and we can overcome challenges facing us today. We must put Unite back into United States. In my mind it starts today for the world is watching us.””},{“_id”:”65S6X4BD4JBURF2CEBDSIH6K64″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611169770747},”type”:”text”,”content”:”1:45 pm – Reactions to the inauguration are coming in, including from Republican lawmakers from Georgia. U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk thanked former president Donald Trump, but also offered a word of congratulations to President Joe Biden.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033430}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/RepLoudermilk/status/1351958917291642880″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”ZTRTW47R45BJLF2JFCD6ESXU4Y”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Rep. Barry Loudermilk”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/RepLoudermilk/status/1351958917291642880″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/RepLoudermilk”,”width”:550,”html”:”

[3/3] I congratulate Joe Biden, the 46th President, and encourage him and his Administration to work with me and my colleagues in Congress to ensure the rights of all Americans are equally protected.

— Rep. Barry Loudermilk (@RepLoudermilk) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/RepLoudermilk/status/1351958917291642880″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033430},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”C5JCW4GT7RC3PJHG5H4BIG6YBA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275657},”type”:”text”,”content”:”12:30 pm – As the events unfold in Washington, Georgians are celebrating the inauguration with backyard viewings and DIY inaugural balls.”},{“_id”:”NN4VCKDPPNHJZACYHHPETOD33U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275658},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Wearing inauguration t-shirts, pearls and Chuck Taylor Converse shoes, a group of five women, friends for 15 years, planned to raise Bahama Mamas and beer to toast to Vice President Kamala Harris.”},{“_id”:”NN4VCKDPPNHJZACYHHPETOD33U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275659},”type”:”text”,”content”:””We had hoped four years ago to do this celebration and we did not get to. So this has been four years in the making. We are beyond excited to have a woman as our first vice-president,” said Amy Bryant, 46, who set up a red, white and blue-themed spread of apple pie and ice cream, chicken salad and fruit and veggie platters.”},{“_id”:”NN4VCKDPPNHJZACYHHPETOD33U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275660},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“We are super excited to watch that history and excited to watch Biden,” she said.”},{“_id”:”P6BMJ3BKAND2JGRJNFWHEQ7CGM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275661},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Bryant knows some of her fellow Americans are not celebrating as she is, including members of her own family, but she believes Biden has the experience and understanding to make a difference.”},{“_id”:”RANKGJCSORHXND46HOAVCPJWPI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275662},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“I do believe in unity and I think the division in this country in the last couple of years has been very hard,” she said. “I think (Biden) will come in today and try to bring everyone together.””},{“_id”:”ZN6KHV5IWBDKRGB5TZOXMI63CA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611169770755},”type”:”text”,”content”:”- by Nedra Rhone”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”President Joe Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool)”,”source”:{“system”:”arc i/o”,”name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”12c02eaed724492aab0c436e493cc5b9″,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”425c44eb-5b03-4ce5-89fa-69e74b50003b”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/WXOL6PBMKVDY6LKWUQQMANTILY.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Patrick Semansky”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration”,”width”:5451,”_id”:”WXOL6PBMKVDY6LKWUQQMANTILY”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/JI-FT_kbjnJ0CJFdHwOgxm0-Eg0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/WXOL6PBMKVDY6LKWUQQMANTILY.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/JI-FT_kbjnJ0CJFdHwOgxm0-Eg0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/WXOL6PBMKVDY6LKWUQQMANTILY.jpg”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/WXOL6PBMKVDY6LKWUQQMANTILY.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/JI-FT_kbjnJ0CJFdHwOgxm0-Eg0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/WXOL6PBMKVDY6LKWUQQMANTILY.jpg”,”expiration_date”:”2021-02-19T17:16:00Z”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/ulGqGZzXXbZNjY8zYvrClVTUhOc=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/WXOL6PBMKVDY6LKWUQQMANTILY.jpg”,”version”:0,”originalName”:”12c02eaed724492aab0c436e493cc5b9″,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”DYKHUGRU4BDZDCRTA5YPOPJBQE”},”created_date”:”2021-01-20T17:16:01Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T17:16:01Z”,”height”:3634},{“_id”:”DP5NFZWCEZE5JJTFDQLLE5LNAY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275664},”type”:”text”,”content”:”12:21 pm -With what is sure to be an iconic moment in American inaugural history, poet Amanda Gorman, 22, electrifies the audience with her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” which reads in part:”},{“_id”:”OCLRTSU26BHONA47GZJIBJLJZM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275665},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it,”},{“_id”:”4647ZZEWX5BXNDHB4MWO7A2YHY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275666},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.”},{“_id”:”D44ASFXAS5BHZJPW2ETRBZ3YSQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275667},”type”:”text”,”content”:”And this effort very nearly succeeded.”},{“_id”:”TLDMIIJSJJC5RHHELSADKBZNPQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275668},”type”:”text”,”content”:”But while democracy can be periodically delayed,”},{“_id”:”JO6HCMHWNJHDTP4DUAVC3ISUMY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275669},”type”:”text”,”content”:”It can never be permanently defeated.”},{“_id”:”HDWWDIOUN5DFBCPWTKBLHE7AEY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275670},”type”:”text”,”content”:”In this truth, in this faith, we trust.””},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”American poet Amanda Gorman reads a poem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool)”,”source”:{“system”:”arc i/o”,”name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”0700e0ab0e4546628efad5e948505805″,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”425c44eb-5b03-4ce5-89fa-69e74b50003b”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/PDHA6JSYWRDQDBF63EOIUBO5EY.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Patrick Semansky”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration”,”width”:4664,”_id”:”PDHA6JSYWRDQDBF63EOIUBO5EY”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/3p8IuzK7zRjzDlleoXaootfyoMA=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/PDHA6JSYWRDQDBF63EOIUBO5EY.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/3p8IuzK7zRjzDlleoXaootfyoMA=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/PDHA6JSYWRDQDBF63EOIUBO5EY.jpg”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/PDHA6JSYWRDQDBF63EOIUBO5EY.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/3p8IuzK7zRjzDlleoXaootfyoMA=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/PDHA6JSYWRDQDBF63EOIUBO5EY.jpg”,”expiration_date”:”2021-02-19T17:46:01Z”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/SrAglF69jUKv5zw-J9boMjmNGuU=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/PDHA6JSYWRDQDBF63EOIUBO5EY.jpg”,”version”:1,”originalName”:”0700e0ab0e4546628efad5e948505805″,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”OINU2NQLHJCIHLLJRGRKINDDAI”},”created_date”:”2021-01-20T17:46:02Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T17:52:07Z”,”height”:3109},{“_id”:”WCBNJLAVL5D7LIAXHAX2Z6LNFI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275672},”type”:”text”,”content”:”As Tim Darnell reported, with her reading, Gorman is continuing a tradition of Democratic presidents including poetry readings in their inaugural ceremony. President John F. Kennedy featured Robert Frost, while Maya Angelou spoke at the inauguration of Bill Clinton. Gorman is the youngest ever to have the honor.”},{“_id”:”6OVBDO7QBVCVNJWBRQEQSRHYKI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275673},”type”:”text”,”content”:”12:10 – In his inaugural address, President Joe Biden avoided the typical bucket list of plans, policies and priorities that so many new presidents rattle off heading into their four years ahead.”},{“_id”:”NZVIS26IHBDQ7HDIUWTKUF56YY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275674},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Instead, Biden called on the American people to rise to the singular challenge of uniting to work together to meet the nation’s unique and historic challenges of COVID-19 and extremism.”},{“_id”:”2FFUBIMFF5B2BPLG43VEBZYKCA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275675},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“To overcome the challenges to restore the soul and secure the future America requires so much more than words,” Biden said. “It requires the most elusive all things in a democracy. Unity. Unity.””},{“_id”:”NVJJCP4MHZG2XBNO2XTRZVPSIQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275676},”type”:”text”,”content”:”12:05 – While official Washington gathered to swear-in the new president, former president Donald Trump landed at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida to start their new lives away from the White House.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Greg Lovett/The Palm Beach Post via AP)”,”source”:{“system”:”arc i/o”,”name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”25e10951a6014d46a9a64d029254b994″,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”425c44eb-5b03-4ce5-89fa-69e74b50003b”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/CEFNIY6ISR6KKK3GPL4HSVNBBU.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Greg Lovett”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Trump”,”width”:4680,”_id”:”CEFNIY6ISR6KKK3GPL4HSVNBBU”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/AodboeHfhklk58tUG5DjoY5T3Q4=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/CEFNIY6ISR6KKK3GPL4HSVNBBU.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/AodboeHfhklk58tUG5DjoY5T3Q4=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/CEFNIY6ISR6KKK3GPL4HSVNBBU.jpg”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/CEFNIY6ISR6KKK3GPL4HSVNBBU.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/AodboeHfhklk58tUG5DjoY5T3Q4=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/CEFNIY6ISR6KKK3GPL4HSVNBBU.jpg”,”expiration_date”:”2021-02-19T17:20:59Z”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/Q7yGwYdJuMjdNhsa-khP_0dpVJ0=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/CEFNIY6ISR6KKK3GPL4HSVNBBU.jpg”,”version”:0,”originalName”:”25e10951a6014d46a9a64d029254b994″,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”DCMFRPIVEZCCBHRWKGLLV3UXQI”},”created_date”:”2021-01-20T17:21:00Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T17:21:00Z”,”height”:2986},{“_id”:”WE27CJKGJFB77DNOYBTXQKXYLU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275678},”type”:”text”,”content”:”12:00 pm – The new administration isn’t welcome news for all Georgians, especially the ones who supported former President Trump.”},{“_id”:”7GJFKMK4BZE7DAOISBP3JEM7OM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275679},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Since November, Meredith Davidenko has been in tears off and on. On Wednesday, she turned on the television at 8 a.m. at home in Cumming to watch President Trump board Air Force One as he left the White House. She had planned to be there in person. “I had no doubt in my mind I would be going for Trump’s inauguration,” said Davidenko, 49 of Cumming, who attended the presidential inauguration in 2016.”},{“_id”:”CKOGV2FAUBAQLPI2FS4F5IEFJU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275680},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“I canceled (hotel reservations) the day of the rally at the Capitol. That is when I realized this was over and I need to accept that he is not going to be our president.””},{“_id”:”UDU3CDPL4NCETMRPCGEBLWLYHI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275681},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Trump brought people together, Davidenko said, but the country has since become too divided because of the election. She feels Biden has his work cut out for him.”},{“_id”:”MA2V6G62CVHUBJJJU7A2TITDWU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275682},”type”:”text”,”content”:””I think everybody just wants the same thing which is the best for our country. I don’t know how you make that happen,” Davidenko said.”},{“_id”:”6UR6M4CSKJA7VDVGDK33PFT2YA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275683},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“I pray for him and his administration that he is doing the best thing for America always.” But for her, today is a somber day. “I will be tears in the beers,” she said.”},{“_id”:”B53ZSUEHJJFSBEP6OFEPETVPZ4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275684},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden said in his address WEdnesday, “I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as I will for those who did.””},{“_id”:”PYRRMK3CKJDWJMLPKGZ7QEYQLY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611169770778},”type”:”text”,”content”:”-by Nedra Rhone”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”address”:{},”imageId”:”OPXTGEN6TSDOOLI6EKA264F3Y4″,”tooltip”:{“displayDate”:”2021-01-20″,”locality”:null,”photographer”:”Patrick Semansky”,”distributor_name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”title”:”Biden Inauguration”,”usage_instructions”:null},”caption”:”President Joe Biden speaks during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool)”,”source”:{“system”:”photo center”,”edit_url”:”https://ajc.arcpublishing.com/photo/GYSAWNDNHVESPPNZV7EDJHCICQ”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/GYSAWNDNHVESPPNZV7EDJHCICQ”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Patrick Semansky”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration”,”ingestImageToAnglerfish”:true,”width”:1920,”_id”:”GYSAWNDNHVESPPNZV7EDJHCICQ”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/PFyuM9q-rUeOsV9fauYHQtOpWVI=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/GYSAWNDNHVESPPNZV7EDJHCICQ”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/PFyuM9q-rUeOsV9fauYHQtOpWVI=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/GYSAWNDNHVESPPNZV7EDJHCICQ”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/GYSAWNDNHVESPPNZV7EDJHCICQ”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/PFyuM9q-rUeOsV9fauYHQtOpWVI=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/GYSAWNDNHVESPPNZV7EDJHCICQ”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/DmWpEzkiUDgsnI-IkHI5gMa53jM=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/GYSAWNDNHVESPPNZV7EDJHCICQ”,”version”:0,”originalName”:”63c869fb29da4a099f50b537acdf5021″,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”E5J5MIDF5ZH65MGSXI54GOPIKY”},”created_date”:”2021-01-20T18:37:10Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T18:37:10Z”,”height”:1080},{“_id”:”QY3MKAOGLVAEBCNMHWU2WPNYYA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275685},”type”:”text”,”content”:”11:51 am – “Today, we celebrate the triumph, not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of Democracy,” Biden says as he begins his inaugural address. “The people, the will of the people, has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, democracy has prevailed.””},{“_id”:”ATJKQYCDZFFXRGY4SDOE757X4A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611166038865},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden also thanks the former presidents who attended “for their presence here today. I thank them from the bottom of my heart,” Biden says, “and I know the resilience of our Constitution and strength of our nation, as does President Carter, who I spoke with last night, who cannot be here with us today, but whom we salute for his lifetime of service.””},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”copyright”:”2021 Los Angeles Times”,”address”:{“street_address”:”U.S. Capitol”,”locality”:”Washington “,”country_name”:”USA”,”region”:”DC”},”caption”:”President Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/TNS)”,”source”:{“system”:”McClatchy Tribune”,”name”:”McClatchy Tribune”,”edit_url”:”https://ajc.arcpublishing.com/photo/VYWSRZZX47WTUZJG2WAH652RG4″,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/MCT/US-NEWS-BIDEN-CORONAVIRUS-LA.jpg”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”taxonomy”:{“associated_tasks”:[],”tags”:[{“description”:”McClatchy Tribune”,”text”:”McClatchy Tribune”,”slug”:”McClatchy-Tribune”}]},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”custom”,”name”:”McClatchy Tribune”,”category”:”wires”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/VYWSRZZX47WTUZJG2WAH652RG4.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“affiliation”:[{“name”:”TNS”,”type”:”author”}],”by”:[{“name”:”Kent Nishimura”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtype”:”Wires”,”subtitle”:”US-NEWS-BIDEN-CORONAVIRUS-LA”,”width”:5071,”_id”:”VYWSRZZX47WTUZJG2WAH652RG4″,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/LmFXnM7Bs8KTBcSBr3TG7iXP1cw=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/VYWSRZZX47WTUZJG2WAH652RG4.jpg”,”iptc_source”:”Los Angeles Times”,”comments”:[],”iptc_job_identifier”:”6504872W”,”keywords”:[“inauguration”,”politics”,”politicts”,”president”,”protest”,”McClatchy Tribune”,”USA”,”United States”,”U.S. Capitol”,”Joe Biden”,”Washington”,”DC”],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/LmFXnM7Bs8KTBcSBr3TG7iXP1cw=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/VYWSRZZX47WTUZJG2WAH652RG4.jpg”,”takenOn”:”2021-01-18T01:49:18Z”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/VYWSRZZX47WTUZJG2WAH652RG4.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/LmFXnM7Bs8KTBcSBr3TG7iXP1cw=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/VYWSRZZX47WTUZJG2WAH652RG4.jpg”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/8OyncPsLFwdqYCkEnTiuf23yRzk=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/VYWSRZZX47WTUZJG2WAH652RG4.jpg”,”version”:1,”countryId”:227,”usage_instructions”:”ORANGE COUNTY OUT NO MAGAZINE SALES”,”originalName”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/MCT/US-NEWS-BIDEN-CORONAVIRUS-LA.jpg”,”mime_type”:”image/jpeg”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”XQJPQWL6EVFKHIWULUNQGIDGJQ”,”iptc_title”:”Staff Photographer”},”created_date”:”2021-01-21T01:01:03Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T01:01:04Z”,”slug”:”US-NEWS-BIDEN-CORONAVIRUS-LA”,”height”:3381},{“_id”:”3Z7UJIRNCFGGRGXYTANL7BHW7A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275687},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden said he spoke to the former president on Tuesday night and saluted “his lifetime of service.” Carter, now 96, announced in early January that he would be unable to attend the inauguration.”},{“_id”:”5SEXDU3CWFGX5BMDC4HT5EOEN4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611224850915},”type”:”text”,”content”:”On Wednesday, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library reacted to photos of Carter’s inauguration 44 years ago today.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033467}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/CarterLibrary/status/1351992989866979335″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”NNRU56J2ZJB7JBSFOR3C2WRPDI”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Jimmy Carter Presidential Library”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/CarterLibrary/status/1351992989866979335″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/CarterLibrary”,”width”:550,”html”:”

Neat! https://t.co/1oAHtUYV3U

— Jimmy Carter Presidential Library (@CarterLibrary) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/CarterLibrary/status/1351992989866979335″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033467},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”IXVEGFRBFREYBC3IZEV653O6WA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275688},”type”:”text”,”content”:”11:51 am – Joe Biden has become the 46th president of the United States. In east Atlanta, pots and pans could be heard clanging to celebrate the moment on front porches and in driveways.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”copyright”:”2021 Los Angeles Times”,”address”:{“street_address”:”U.S. Capitol”,”locality”:”Washington “,”country_name”:”USA”,”region”:”DC”},”caption”:”President Joe Biden takes the oath of office from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts as his wife, first lady Jill Biden, stands next to him during the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/TNS)”,”source”:{“system”:”McClatchy Tribune”,”name”:”McClatchy Tribune”,”edit_url”:”https://ajc.arcpublishing.com/photo/V5SSMAL5QJBVV7XXCOVSNCHF3U”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/MCT/BIZ-STUDENT-LOANS-BIDEN-LA.jpg”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”taxonomy”:{“associated_tasks”:[],”tags”:[{“description”:”McClatchy Tribune”,”text”:”McClatchy Tribune”,”slug”:”McClatchy-Tribune”}]},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”custom”,”name”:”McClatchy Tribune”,”category”:”wires”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/V5SSMAL5QJBVV7XXCOVSNCHF3U.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“affiliation”:[{“name”:”TNS”,”type”:”author”}],”by”:[{“name”:”Kent Nishimura”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtype”:”Wires”,”subtitle”:”BIZ-STUDENT-LOANS-BIDEN-LA”,”width”:6000,”_id”:”V5SSMAL5QJBVV7XXCOVSNCHF3U”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/ecdOumDwnIR0lb1hU7a1QqAi0nM=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/V5SSMAL5QJBVV7XXCOVSNCHF3U.jpg”,”iptc_source”:”Los Angeles Times”,”comments”:[],”iptc_job_identifier”:”6515091W”,”keywords”:[“inauguration”,”politics”,”politicts”,”president”,”protest”,”McClatchy Tribune”,”USA”,”United States”,”Joe Biden”,”Harris”,”Washington”,”U.S. Capitol”,”Kamala”,”DC”],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/ecdOumDwnIR0lb1hU7a1QqAi0nM=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/V5SSMAL5QJBVV7XXCOVSNCHF3U.jpg”,”takenOn”:”2021-01-18T01:49:18Z”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/V5SSMAL5QJBVV7XXCOVSNCHF3U.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/ecdOumDwnIR0lb1hU7a1QqAi0nM=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/V5SSMAL5QJBVV7XXCOVSNCHF3U.jpg”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/DnyMe-FWY-s3z9DVS4QHikU4FRY=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/V5SSMAL5QJBVV7XXCOVSNCHF3U.jpg”,”version”:1,”countryId”:227,”usage_instructions”:”ORANGE COUNTY OUT NO MAGAZINE SALES”,”originalName”:”s3://ajc-arc-photo-integration/MCT/BIZ-STUDENT-LOANS-BIDEN-LA.jpg”,”mime_type”:”image/jpeg”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”XTXOZ5LKAZFS3PIKB4WC3CHY6I”,”iptc_title”:”Staff Photographer”},”created_date”:”2021-01-21T03:51:59Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T03:52:00Z”,”slug”:”BIZ-STUDENT-LOANS-BIDEN-LA”,”height”:4000},{“_id”:”HAL24LG7ZVAPDNDANHIUNH5L64″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275689},”type”:”text”,”content”:”11:43 am- Kamala Harris becomes the first woman and first person of color to become vice president of the United States. Harris was sworn in by Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina on the Supreme Court.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as her husband Doug Emhoff holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)”,”source”:{“system”:”arc i/o”,”name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”9e44c2092dc14e99a036649c063c915a”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”425c44eb-5b03-4ce5-89fa-69e74b50003b”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/INGZXRFH5UQCJQXA757ZDLEPXE.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Andrew Harnik”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration”,”width”:6000,”_id”:”INGZXRFH5UQCJQXA757ZDLEPXE”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/WrHMlEBt44B8zEIQyeVUQWT3vb0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/INGZXRFH5UQCJQXA757ZDLEPXE.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/WrHMlEBt44B8zEIQyeVUQWT3vb0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/INGZXRFH5UQCJQXA757ZDLEPXE.jpg”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/INGZXRFH5UQCJQXA757ZDLEPXE.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/WrHMlEBt44B8zEIQyeVUQWT3vb0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/INGZXRFH5UQCJQXA757ZDLEPXE.jpg”,”expiration_date”:”2021-02-19T18:36:06Z”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/oBr8_bG-U8kyV0Oy_md-gWk_J1g=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/INGZXRFH5UQCJQXA757ZDLEPXE.jpg”,”version”:0,”originalName”:”9e44c2092dc14e99a036649c063c915a”,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”HOGPVPI5HRCDZICZE5JJXZ6JNU”},”created_date”:”2021-01-20T18:36:07Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T18:36:07Z”,”height”:4000},{“_id”:”5TGU7ZA2CNEYPPCNX77KRIQBTE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275690},”type”:”text”,”content”:”11:41 am- Leading the Pledge of Allegiance was Atlanta’s Andrea Hall, the city of South Fulton fire captain who was the first Black woman promoted to her leadership rank. She was also the first woman in the history of Albany’s fire department to successfully make it through the recruitment process.”},{“_id”:”FTY72R2OQVCZJCMPKXRKZ27J6Q”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275691},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Hall, 47, is also the president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 3920. The national organization became an early supporter of Biden, endorsing the former Vice President just days after he announced his intention to run in April 2019.”},{“_id”:”ZFEROLHFONCLNG7Z74G5U2H6PU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275692},”type”:”text”,”content”:”11: 35 am – Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is celebrating the inauguration in Atlanta today. The mayor was one of Biden’s key early backers in Georgia during in the 2020 Democratic primary.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033475}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/KeishaBottoms/status/1351922507331338241″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”TBMRCULVFVGTROAXLXFXLX5XFY”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Keisha Lance Bottoms”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/KeishaBottoms/status/1351922507331338241″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/KeishaBottoms”,”width”:550,”html”:”

#Inauguration2021 ….and the people of God said AMEN! 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/SwxMCruBsq

— Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/KeishaBottoms/status/1351922507331338241″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033475},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”JEOMTRDGR5FS5AB6LKCTHT2QRM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275694},”type”:”text”,”content”:”11:30 am – The pageantry and symbolism of the day was captured when the Bidens and Harris-Emhoffs arrived at the Capitol and put American fashion designers on display.”},{“_id”:”BRH2CXOFBRCRVHFWYTPX3PZCG4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275695},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The president-elect is wearing a suit by Ralph Lauren, while Tribune News reports Dr. Jill Biden, wore an ocean blue wool tweed coat and dress from emerging designer Alexandra O’Neill, who founded her own luxury womenswear label, Markarian, in 2017.”},{“_id”:”B5SYYM4245HLDCDTOXIU2RYOWQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275696},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Vice President-elect Kamala Harris chose two up-and-coming artists for her look of regal purple: Baton Rouge native Christopher John Rogers and South Carolina’s Sergio Hudson, both Black designers.”},{“_id”:”G6STGGA55FFTDNBHGPUMINN32M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275697},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff also wore Ralph Lauren.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”President-elect Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff arrive at the steps of the U.S. Capitol for the start of the official inauguration ceremonies, in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)”,”source”:{“system”:”arc i/o”,”name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”2a65191ee6c2429f9626a6f4148af7da”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”425c44eb-5b03-4ce5-89fa-69e74b50003b”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/HDU54WF7ZWTTONSHJELS2W6EXI.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”J. Scott Applewhite”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration”,”width”:3353,”_id”:”HDU54WF7ZWTTONSHJELS2W6EXI”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/-SxvEiEfKTYAiUkHJEe1roSbI60=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/HDU54WF7ZWTTONSHJELS2W6EXI.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/-SxvEiEfKTYAiUkHJEe1roSbI60=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/HDU54WF7ZWTTONSHJELS2W6EXI.jpg”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/HDU54WF7ZWTTONSHJELS2W6EXI.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/-SxvEiEfKTYAiUkHJEe1roSbI60=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/HDU54WF7ZWTTONSHJELS2W6EXI.jpg”,”expiration_date”:”2021-02-19T15:56:05Z”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/jkfzVVqo5znAfK6Qwtcza794_hM=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/HDU54WF7ZWTTONSHJELS2W6EXI.jpg”,”version”:1,”originalName”:”2a65191ee6c2429f9626a6f4148af7da”,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”U6S2UVDGVJCENJJTQYENJDNJTM”},”created_date”:”2021-01-20T15:56:06Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T17:29:40Z”,”height”:2235},{“_id”:”SH3RWG3A2NA6DECNSKMXRPW4AQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275701},”type”:”text”,”content”:”11:15 am – Vice President Mike Pence and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have both arrived onto the Capitol dais. Pence’s attendance comes just two weeks after the Capitol siege when he had to seek shelter inside from the angry mob chanting “Hang Mike Pence!””},{“_id”:”56TX2IDAWVBDPGQXSIVOXYPS2U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611169770796},”type”:”text”,”content”:”His presence is an important nod to the legitimacy of Biden’s victory and the important tradition of a voluntary transfer of power.”},{“_id”:”BWWGTIQFCNDQJEQKV223QU5V4U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275702},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Also attending as an honored guest is Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer who led the mob away from Pence inside the Capitol as they searched for the vice president.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, arrive for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. 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“},{“_id”:”OWTHOEPE2FCEJAHZ7L4DJL7U5M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611169770800},”type”:”text”,”content”:”11:00 am – When Joe Biden takes the oath of office shortly, he will use a 100 year-old family Bible. As the AJC’s Tim Darnell wrote, Biden has used the Bible in all seven of his swearing-in ceremonies as a U.S. senator and twice for the oaths of office he took as President Barack Obama’s vice president. It was last used in 2013 (pictured below), when Biden took his second vice presidential oath of office from Justice Sonia Sotomayor.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”FILE – In this Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 file photo, Vice President-elect Joe Biden takes the oath of office from Justice John Paul Stevens as his wife, Jill Biden, holds the Bible at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. While many presidents have used Bibles for their inaugurations, the Constitution does not require the use of a specific text and specifies only the wording of president’s oath. That wording also doesn’t include the phrase “so help me God,” but every modern president has appended it to their oaths and most have chosen symbolically resonant Bibles for their inaugurations. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)”,”source”:{“system”:”arc i/o”,”name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”40ab746147604d60b97a6a9d68816eaf”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”425c44eb-5b03-4ce5-89fa-69e74b50003b”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/4HJDCL5WOLLCUBHY3AHLUARWBY.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Elise Amendola”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Religion Oath Taking Texts”,”width”:3300,”_id”:”4HJDCL5WOLLCUBHY3AHLUARWBY”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/ugEsLBoWoH5aCu2jKmwiosKtFM4=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/4HJDCL5WOLLCUBHY3AHLUARWBY.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/ugEsLBoWoH5aCu2jKmwiosKtFM4=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/4HJDCL5WOLLCUBHY3AHLUARWBY.jpg”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/4HJDCL5WOLLCUBHY3AHLUARWBY.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/ugEsLBoWoH5aCu2jKmwiosKtFM4=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/4HJDCL5WOLLCUBHY3AHLUARWBY.jpg”,”expiration_date”:”2021-02-18T23:06:10Z”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/cA-S_ICOhje2ULTtcfdyItEk7iE=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/4HJDCL5WOLLCUBHY3AHLUARWBY.jpg”,”version”:0,”originalName”:”40ab746147604d60b97a6a9d68816eaf”,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”Q6WKSCF4ARACPBJHP3RTK2LBQA”},”created_date”:”2021-01-19T23:06:11Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-19T23:06:11Z”,”height”:2481},{“_id”:”EJKYHVXMTRAZHDWJT3CZJCEGOE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275708},”type”:”text”,”content”:”10:50 am – Gov. Brian Kemp started his morning with a message congratulating a Georgian taking part in the ceremony: Andrea Hall, a firefighter with the city of South Fulton, who is delivering the pledge of allegiance.”},{“_id”:”M7UFL5M7ZVE5PJJT25IBCSUV3A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275709},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Kemp drew more wrath from President Donald Trump than any other Georgia politician and was also one of the first top Georgia Republican elected officials to acknowledge Joe Biden’s victory.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033490}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/GovKemp/status/1351885996586135553″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”DPURPBTOTRCUPIFCZDOYQXCEMQ”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Governor Brian P. Kemp”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/GovKemp/status/1351885996586135553″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/GovKemp”,”width”:550,”html”:”

.@COSFGA Fire Captain Andrea Hall will lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the inauguration today. The people of Georgia are grateful to the countless first responders who go above and beyond every day to keep our communities safe. https://t.co/h2PkTZ0hz8

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/GovKemp/status/1351885996586135553″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033490},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”V4SIMLASNZDD7PO73CSVKQKLZU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275711},”type”:”text”,”content”:”10:45 – Among the Republicans spotted at the inauguration: Georgia’s U.S. Rep. Rick Allen and U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, along with U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, along with a seat saved for Trump ally Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota.”},{“_id”:”KPSMOJD2GZEDLKNXCUTYVI25V4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611165275712},”type”:”text”,”content”:”U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene – who called for Biden’s impeachment – has said she’s refusing to attend.”},{“_id”:”34YT6TM4YNFKLN7RNUFTHAMKOM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156882722},”type”:”text”,”content”:”10:30 am – Dr. Alisha Kramer arrives with her husband, Sen.-elect John Ossoff to the Inauguration. Kramer missed election night since she was working an overnight shift as an OB-GYN resident. She’s not working today:”},{“_id”:”VSV3NUW32JBA5OFRNAURLLEA5Q”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”6PLASWKY6RANXNWIA7O5ZGQ3UA”},”type”:”raw_html”,”content”:”

He is a senator-elect for just a few more hours. Jon @ossoff & his wife Alisha Kramer just arrived. pic.twitter.com/pyKBjnXQmK

— Tia Mitchell, AJC’s Washington Correspondent (@ajconwashington) January 20, 2021 “},{“_id”:”3YHOYN2YNBCW5NRJTBYRKH22IE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156882724},”type”:”text”,”content”:”10:25 am- U.S. Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux watched Bill Clinton’s swearing in in 1993 from far away in the throngs of people who attended.”},{“_id”:”4NLVM4HZUNGVZCC4X4JHKSE22U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156882725},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Today the Suwannee Democrat has a seat up front as Member of Congress and among the few allowed to attend. The AJC’s Tia Mitchell spoke with her this morning.”},{“_id”:”T4ENGXHYKZCIZKU5UKKIOZYZCE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156882726},”type”:”text”,”content”:””It is very special. And right now, is such a difficult time for this country, and it’s a very important moment that we have this transition we get it right and we look to bringing the country together.””},{“_id”:”DOJQYXTVUVBMTHAUJGFHHCXREU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156882727},”type”:”text”,”content”:”She said she was looking forward to Biden taking executive action right away.”},{“_id”:”6DZE2ITHTZHVVBV7MU2SXUBIEI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156882728},”type”:”text”,”content”:””On day one day one he’s got a number of executive orders that reverse a lot of the things I objected to about the Trump administration, everything from the Muslim ban to the to rejoining the Paris Climate Accord. And those are very important. Looking forward to that.””},{“_id”:”JEXF7MDXAVASTNGM7AMFWQ3LDI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156882729},”type”:”text”,”content”:”10: 17 am – The AJC’s Tia Mitchell has details from the Georgia delegation from the West Lawn of the Capitol.”},{“_id”:”TMEXGZKBDBDUPEEPWPANCZJ4NU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156882730},”type”:”text”,”content”:”U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams knew Kamala Harris (pictured below) well before her presidential run. Both have campaign together with candidates like Stacey Abrams. Both are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first sorority for Black women. Williams said she was excited to see her friend sworn in, and more so for the Biden-Harris administration to get to work.”},{“_id”:”O4DXLJK775AFDI6VDUDWOJK65A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156882731},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Speaking about the day, Williams told the AJC: “It’s not just about symbolism. It’s about the work that I know that we’re going to be able to get done. On behalf of people in this country who for far too long needed someone standing up for us. So when I think about things like the black maternal mortality rates. When I think about black women being low in so many health indicators and what it means to have one of us serving in the US, the Vice President, it is huge.””},{“_id”:”MW5ND3QHHRCCHMXSDBV6OUUHT4″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”HRACEUDIGBECDKBYSKZPCUHR7Y”},”type”:”raw_html”,”content”:”

I just chatted with @RepBourdeaux & @RepNikema. Both are among the members of Congress here for the swearing in. On the video screen we can see the Biden-Harris motorcade arriving on the other side of the Capitol pic.twitter.com/3jV6lgWzXL

— Tia Mitchell, AJC’s Washington Correspondent (@ajconwashington) January 20, 2021 “},{“_id”:”ULRKJRU4FVDVXIKRQFSMSMO3KM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611157564965},”type”:”text”,”content”:”10:10 am – Sens.-elect Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are in the Capitol this morning. The Democrats will attend the inauguration and then will be sworn into the Senate at about 4:30 this afternoon.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033505}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/Jake_Best_/status/1351909403037937665″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”4ZYGLVZDAJFLLFRUFWMP2RVMS4″,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Jake Best”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/Jake_Best_/status/1351909403037937665″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/Jake_Best_”,”width”:550,”html”:”

Today’s the day, Georgia! pic.twitter.com/91L3pAH52F

— Jake Best (@Jake_Best_) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/Jake_Best_/status/1351909403037937665″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033505},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”PNA4B3G4UVFLVJ35M4KRVNVRXY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611155619646},”type”:”text”,”content”:”10:05 am- Former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, along with former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, have also arrived at the Capitol for the inauguration.”},{“_id”:”PYKFKMCAWNFSNNWUIYBCUOR55U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611155038156},”type”:”text”,”content”:”9:58 am – Although President Donald Trump won’t be on hand for Biden’s swearing-in, former president George W. Bush and his wife, former first lady Laura Bush, have arrived at the Capitol for the event.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033508}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/MKhan47/status/1351903976485228544″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”SCCTFTSGVBGUFIDPHCUHILWQ2A”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Mariam Khan”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/MKhan47/status/1351903976485228544″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/MKhan47″,”width”:550,”html”:”

Former President George W. Bush and former FLOTUS Laura Bush have arrived for Joe Biden’s inauguration. He gave us a quick wave as he walked into the Capitol building. pic.twitter.com/GcFOCNNEhL

— Mariam Khan (@MKhan47) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/MKhan47/status/1351903976485228544″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033508},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”UFYF6AEPFFGA5ONJGGOF6VE4KI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611155038158},”type”:”text”,”content”:”9:55 – Former president Barack Obama has posted a message for his former vice president, Joe Biden, this historic morning.”},{“subtype”:”twitter”,”referent”:{“referent_properties”:{“additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033510}},”provider”:”https://publish.twitter.com/oembed?url=”,”service”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1351903613237547010″,”type”:”twitter”},”_id”:”Q7RA5IZO2ZFXPFEJX2TZDXGXLE”,”raw_oembed”:{“author_name”:”Barack Obama”,”cache_age”:”3153600000″,”provider_url”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”twitter”,”version”:”1.0″,”url”:”https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1351903613237547010″,”author_url”:”https://twitter.com/BarackObama”,”width”:550,”html”:”

Congratulations to my friend, President @JoeBiden! This is your time. pic.twitter.com/LXzxGnBAfz

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 20, 2021nn”,”_id”:”https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1351903613237547010″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:1611251033510},”provider_name”:”Twitter”,”height”:null},”type”:”oembed_response”},{“_id”:”A7BJPCBY65HA5EEWAKOK5VY3MA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611155038160},”type”:”text”,”content”:”
“},{“_id”:”E6KKY4RA4RHP7BWPR43DXSB6LY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611154320510},”type”:”text”,”content”:”9:45 – President-elect Joe Biden and his family are attending Catholic mass in Washington, D.C. this morning, just steps away from the White House.”},{“_id”:”QRI2IFUPNFBCTJDOXZBYGAIHZ4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611154320511},”type”:”text”,”content”:”While we wait for the Bidens to emerge, the AJC has all the details on today’s events, including plans for Lady Gaga to sing the National Anthem and for Georgia firefighter Andrea Hall to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.”},{“_id”:”2APEWMEIPZCUZDUEPFCMN5U5IM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611154320512},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Hall is president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 3920 in metro Atlanta, and the department’s first African American woman to be promoted to captain.”},{“_id”:”Z5DBEHMHLJAHPJRGIW6EMVK5LE”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”UYNTABMHRFFI5LB4E2LNKIJPGM”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/news/photos-inauguration-day-in-america-jan-20-2021/Z3XA5NVJ25EG7FS7EHTVPNV6SE/”,”content”:”PHOTOS: Inauguration Day in America, Jan. 20, 2021″},{“_id”:”RTLBNYWM75DJRBG5NLAYMZY62Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153394414},”type”:”text”,”content”:”9:15 – One Georgian involved in today’s pageantry will be 12-year-old Jason Zgonc. We featured the young musician from Decatur last spring, when he would take his trumpet each evening to serenade the health care workers at Emory Decatur Hospital as they changed shifts caring for COVID patients.”},{“_id”:”33H7N7WFBNFQBF4QJGGS7GCDJA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153394415},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Today, he will play his trumpet and represent Georgia in the Parade Across America. The virtual parade will celebrate “America’s heroes” and will follow Biden’s official inauguration as the 46th president of the United States.”},{“_id”:”L6OATG26RJHM7IRO5FD3UG4CTU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611151526318},”type”:”text”,”content”:”8:35 am – In his farewell speech at Joint Base Andrews, President Donald Trump told a small, but cheering crowd, he’s proud of his accomplishments in office, including improvements to veterans health care, the creation of the new Space Force, and a major tax cut.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”copyright”:”2021 Getty Images”,”address”:{“locality”:”Washington”,”country_name”:”USA”,”region”:”DC”},”caption”:”President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Marine One as they depart the White House on Jan. 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Trump is making his scheduled departure from the White House for Florida, several hours ahead of the inauguration ceremony for his successor Joe Biden, making him the first president in more than 150 years to refuse to attend the inauguration. 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We will be back in some form.””},{“_id”:”4KZL7JAZLBC3BGTWTBJV72PPWE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611151526323},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Before boarding Air Force One for one last ride home to Mar-a-Lago, Trump told the crowd, “Have a good life. We will see you soon.””}],”display_date”:”2021-01-20T23:05:42.917Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Joe Biden inaugurated, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock join U.S. Senate “},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-20T14:05:20.673Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”no_politics”}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T17:44:30.983Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/live-the-inauguration-of-joe-biden/5R4UK242RNGJFOWAO4G42B2XMY/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Saul Loeb”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration”,”width”:5568,”caption”:”Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Jill Biden holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.(Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP)”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/4TCLKL475EZB7FL2C474CFEMLQ.jpg”,”height”:3712}},”_id”:”5R4UK242RNGJFOWAO4G42B2XMY”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”BWDHV236O5ENXJKQCBC3QZZKLI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1598277352412},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Georgia’s corrections agencies say a 10% pay hike that Gov. Brian Kemp has proposed for guards could go a long way toward cutting down on turnover.”},{“_id”:”UYDA7SKQQVGJNHFUQWTXURHHTE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611158672356},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Commissioners of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Department of Corrections said they have struggled to retain officers and often cite the low pay as one reason many leave. For example, DJJ officials said during fiscal 2020, 97% of new corrections officers left the agency.”},{“_id”:”INOLSMUS5ZA7XG2VGE5CC4AJ44″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611168457723},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Juvenile Justice Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said that by not filling nearly 300 vacant positions, the agency is saving about $2.5 million, enough to cover the cost of the raise for about 840 officers without requesting additional money from the state. Department of Corrections officials will also not fill positions to pay for the raise in their agency.”},{“_id”:”YRWJGYNZEFA2NBCBLSVUN64BKI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611168457724},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“I believe if we have good quality applicants and good quality employees and we pay them enough, hopefully we will be able to retain them,” Oliver told lawmakers during a budget presentation Wednesday.”},{“_id”:”4YN5QGVWB5C23DD72EYJYTKTHQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611168457725},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Oliver said during exit interviews, low pay and benefits are always listed as the top reasons officers leave the agency.”},{“_id”:”I2KXAW7TIJHTNPPO3AM2RXRG2U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611168457726},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“It speaks volumes to our employees to let them know that we’re actually listening to them,” he said. “And we know how much this means to them as well.””},{“_id”:”SF65FUKWN5GXBOOIXX4KLF5SEE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611168457727},”type”:”text”,”content”:”An entry-level corrections officer at an adult or juvenile detention center makes $27,936. With the increase, officers starting out will make $30,730.”},{“_id”:”UR7Q3ASI6JBCTIXLZULII56YNE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611168457728},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“That’s going to be a real big shot in the arm for the Georgia Department of Corrections for those well-deserving men and women who’ve been on the front line during this pandemic fighting this invisible enemy,” Corrections Commissioner Timothy Ward said.”},{“_id”:”INOLSMUS5ZA7XG2VGE5CC4AJ44″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611168457729},”type”:”text”,”content”:”If approved by the General Assembly, the raises would go into effect April 1.”}],”display_date”:”2021-01-20T22:27:02.051Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Georgia officials hope pay raise will slow corrections officer turnover”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-20T22:27:02.051Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″},{“path”:”/politics/georgia-state-legislature”,”parent”:{“default”:”/politics”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”/politics”,”name”:”Legislature”,”description”:”News of the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Governor and State Government from the AJC, Georgia’s largest team covering the Legislature and issues that matter to taxpayers”,”_id”:”/politics/georgia-state-legislature”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”/politics”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”/politics”,”TopNav”:”/politics”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/georgia-state-legislature/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”News of the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Governor and State Government from the AJC, Georgia’s largest team covering the Legislature and issues that matter to taxpayers”,”site_title”:”Georgia Legislature News”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Legislature”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Legislature”,”_id”:”/politics/georgia-state-legislature”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”,”/politics”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”,”/politics”]},”order”:{“TopNavRedesign”:2003,”TopNav”:2003,”ComposerNav”:1128}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics/georgia-state-legislature”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”legislature”},{“text”:”georgia news”},{“text”:”georgia-news.ajc”},{“text”:”ga-government.ajc”},{“text”:”government and politics”},{“text”:”brian kemp”}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T22:27:02.245Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/georgia-officials-hope-pay-raise-will-slow-corrections-officer-turnover/X4ZJ56SJ4ZHBBN3KQTIZI67OME/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“credits”:{},”subtitle”:”Will push to lock up Georgia gang members make prisons more violent?”,”width”:2048,”caption”:”The exterior of the Metro Reentry Facility, part of the Georgia Department of Corrections, in south DeKalb County. Entry-level guards at such facilities could see a 10% raise under the budget proposed by Gov. Brian Kemp. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/7ED7YTJVUENMV237UTGS2CLVWI.jpg”,”height”:1365}},”_id”:”X4ZJ56SJ4ZHBBN3KQTIZI67OME”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”ZBYPM4YTVBEC3N7WEPUMDDJJPQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156520122},”type”:”text”,”content”:”WASHINGTON — Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock were sworn into the U.S. Senate on Wednesday in a heavily guarded Capitol ceremony that formally grants Democrats control of the chamber and allows President Joe Biden to pursue a more aggressive legislative agenda.”},{“_id”:”QOFIHML5B5AIPG3YZ6TV5275NM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156520123},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath of office to the two Democrats hours after she and Biden were inaugurated on the steps of the Capitol. Ossoff becomes the first Jewish senator in Georgia history, and Warnock becomes the state’s first-ever Black senator.”},{“_id”:”DHQGQ2FVGJGPLJFTOCJH7MPLGY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611179811985},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“This is the dawning of a new era for Georgia — a watershed moment in our state’s history,” Ossoff said in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shortly before he was sworn in.”},{“_id”:”IWZ4NJCWJNHDPKUZJPKXN67WGU”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”64QQTVRP4VBS5K2I6ETS6NNXSQ”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/breaking-joe-biden-is-sworn-in-as-president-ending-trump-era/WKYWYAG6M5ATHGE6DAATWZHRC4/”,”content”:”Joe Biden is sworn in as president, ending Trump era”},{“_id”:”RU6LPBRGZNA25I7IJKLEWXELDA”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”BFKGLKICMBBLNAUVIK2YPIM6LY”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/how-bidens-first-100-days-will-affect-georgia/X4YSE54ESBCSLBX7XPD57MPR4M/”,”content”:”How Biden’s first 100 days will affect Georgia”},{“_id”:”JHCP26TDERHYJB3JV6IVV466JY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611180414775},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The two won their barrier-smashing victories over Republican incumbents on Jan. 5 after the most expensive Senate campaigns in the nation’s history. The Senate is now split 50-50, with Harris holding the tie-breaking vote. Ossoff won a full six-year term, while Warnock must run again in 2022.”},{“_id”:”HWLLHL5C6FB4PCRCSD7B4BYWVM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156520125},”type”:”text”,”content”:”They defeated former U.S Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, who centered their campaigns on their loyalty to then-President Donald Trump, even echoing his calls to invalidate Georgia’s election despite state and federal officials forcefully debunking the false claims of widespread voter fraud.”},{“_id”:”E7GXXQT435CONJJRV5VNLXNUEE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156520126},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The twin victories give Biden a better shot at fulfilling ambitious campaign promises that could have been stymied by a Republican-controlled Senate: a more robust coronavirus relief package, new efforts to curb climate change, legislation to expand voting rights and an immigration overhaul.”},{“_id”:”V3KTXVAHSZHCZABJTAOVNJ4V3A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611184676591},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Both Ossoff and Warnock said they were eager to get to work fulfilling campaign promises, such as improving access to and the affordability of health care, and providing economic relief to American families.”},{“_id”:”YODDRB7YUZFGNGYIBWA65MSCX4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611184676592},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“We have a lot of work to do around COVID-19 relief,” Warnock said after his swearing-in. “That work is urgent, and I look forward to being a part of that conversation.””},{“_id”:”V64I3GEFFZAI3CZBEJLSZMP76U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611184676593},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Ossoff and Warnock took their oaths of office alongside California’s Alex Padilla, who replaces Harris. Immediately after, they signed paperwork and bumped elbows with colleagues offering congratulations. Because Ossoff comes before Warnock in alphabetical order, he is considered Georgia’s senior senator.”},{“_id”:”RQHZBICHGZBYFENT56NNJT6AWE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611186760871},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The two participated in their first Senate votes Wednesday evening, joining with an overwhelming majority to confirm Biden’s pick for director of national intelligence, Avril Haines.”},{“_id”:”5XQSD7ZJGJHCBNNRJSJ4OAZPIM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611184676594},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Newly minted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had earlier vowed to tackle big issues quickly.”},{“_id”:”WTZR2VTQARFXDFG67EK3GXKBFY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611183504958},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“As the majority changes in the Senate, the Senate will do business differently,” he said.”},{“_id”:”RQHZBICHGZBYFENT56NNJT6AWE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611186760874},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Warnock and Ossoff also allow Democrats to lead an impeachment trial of Trump on charges that he incited a deadly riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, the day after the Georgia runoffs. Schumer has pledged to move forward with the trial even though Wednesday was Trump’s final day in office. Conviction would require agreement by two-thirds of the Senate — that means if all Democrats are in favor, 17 Republicans would still need to join them. The Senate could also vote to bar Trump from seeking public office again.”},{“_id”:”PTHPF4YE25FI3JCAZ6BMMYTE3A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156520128},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The Democratic victories in Georgia were powered by soaring turnout from Black voters, including many who typically don’t participate in statewide runoffs, along with a continuing leftward shift in Atlanta’s suburbs.”},{“_id”:”LZSIY4EZ7NEUTERAQU6R6IYYCI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156520129},”type”:”text”,”content”:”During the swearing-in ceremony, Virginia U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine escorted in Warnock. Ossoff was led in by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat and one of the leading voices for a criminal justice overhaul that Ossoff and Warnock have endorsed.”},{“_id”:”JWJD5Z3BE5GLXJVEAMEPUZPJX4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156520130},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Ossoff took the oath on Hebrew Scripture once owned by Jacob Rothschild, the legendary leader of Atlanta’s historic Temple congregation whose opposition to segregation helped unite the Jewish community. “},{“_id”:”RMT6ZF55HRBV5OB65WZQNLM5CQ”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”M7MXQJOXWZEG3IHVXU3C2WCMKQ”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/ossoff-in-the-senate-i-cant-waste-a-minute-thats-available-to-do-good/IDIJGMLXEVF73KLO3K7F35ABAE/”,”content”:”Ossoff in the Senate: ‘I can’t waste a minute that’s available to do good.’”},{“_id”:”YBBEDANVNRDARCPJDCASXE6TWA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611186466088},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“That book isn’t just about the synagogue and my Jewish background,” said Ossoff, who earned his bar mitzvah at the Temple. “It’s also about the necessity of reanimating the spirit of the civil rights movement and build alliances to pass landmark civil rights legislation.””},{“_id”:”BQTYTWCR4BDFZIJILDRFJLGIYU”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”7DHOUM2RQVHEJHNX3TJZBPZF3U”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/news/photos-inauguration-day-in-america-jan-20-2021/Z3XA5NVJ25EG7FS7EHTVPNV6SE/”,”content”:”PHOTOS: Inauguration Day in America, Jan. 20, 2021″},{“_id”:”APVJU5YGBJHTNA7K6ENDQP6JAE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156520131},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Ossoff, 33, is the youngest member of the Senate since 1981. His path to office began in earnest four years ago, when he launched a campaign for an open U.S. House seat in Atlanta’s northern suburbs that attracted national attention and record-setting spending.”},{“_id”:”YIWKN2SETNCTVCI3ZMX5INM5YQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156520132},”type”:”text”,”content”:”After narrowly losing that 2017 bid to Republican Karen Handel, he marshaled the endorsements of civil rights hero John Lewis and other Democrats to mount a challenge against Perdue. He forced the former Fortune 500 chief executive into a runoff in November before defeating him by about 55,000 votes.”},{“_id”:”YLKWUYSFGRE6PF7NOUQPE33BDA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156520133},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The route that Warnock, 51, took to the Senate differed from Ossoff’s. The pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, the historic Atlanta congregation where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once preached, long aimed to run for public office but didn’t enter the fray until shortly after Loeffler was appointed to the seat by Gov. Brian Kemp.”},{“_id”:”J3Q2X5RESBATDGJ3DPB5JWUUIU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611184676606},”type”:”text”,”content”:”With support from Stacey Abrams and top national figures, Warnock scared other leading Democrats from entering the 20-candidate special election to emerge with Loeffler as the top two finishers in the November race. He beat Loeffler, a former financial executive, by roughly 93,000 ballots.”},{“_id”:”J3Q2X5RESBATDGJ3DPB5JWUUIU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611184676606},”type”:”text”,”content”:”He was sworn in using a Bible given to him by Ebenezer members when he became senior pastor in 2005. His sister Valencia Warnock-King accompanied him for the day, and he noted in a press release that Wednesday would have been his father’s 104th birthday.”},{“_id”:”HKEVSBNHH5CI5AWVPOULYOPFKM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611156520134},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Warnock said the last time he had visited the U.S. Capitol complex, it was to protest alongside other pastors against GOP efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. He was arrested that day in 2017. Now he is back in an official capacity.”},{“_id”:”ORYYD35F4FAQNCAMBNAQDTSQSI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611184676609},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“The last time, I came as an activist; this time I come as a legislator,” he said. “But for me, it’s a continuation of the same work.””},{“_id”:”2FFZ2237AJHPNKOUJJJA3PDA7E”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”5CNNAG6WABHVVGY6CVW5MDKDA4″},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/photos-atlanta-reacts-to-joe-biden-inauguration/MVSEXRYBQNAZBEYJ776577BTVE/”,”content”:”PHOTOS: Atlanta reacts to Joe Biden inauguration”}],”display_date”:”2021-01-20T21:49:38.562Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”‘A new era’: Ossoff, Warnock sworn into office, giving Democrats control of U.S. Senate”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-20T21:49:38.562Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”elections-senate”},{“text”:”elections”},{“text”:”georgia news”},{“text”:”georgia-news.ajc”},{“text”:”ga-government.ajc”},{“text”:”government and politics”},{“text”:”alexa”},{“text”:”election-inauguration”}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T20:04:10.923Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/a-new-era-ossoff-warnock-sworn-into-office-giving-democrats-control-of-senate/G4VMKL3ZGFH3TONBEPDF5LPMHI/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“credits”:{“affiliation”:[]},”subtitle”:”Warnock Ossoff Senate”,”width”:1600,”caption”:”Georgia’s Raphael Warnock, left, and Jon Ossoff, right, are sworn into the Senate along with Alex Padilla of California on Wednesday. (Video image from C-SPAN)”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/ACFPZYUFRRFTDLLQ4BI37OGOTQ.jpg”,”height”:930}},”_id”:”G4VMKL3ZGFH3TONBEPDF5LPMHI”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”ZCFPZRFHE5COXNHQLKXBC3ZFYA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153053454},”type”:”text”,”content”:”WASHINGTON — Joe Biden was sworn in Wednesday as the 46th president after a campaign pledging to reverse a national decline brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, strife over racial inequality and economic turmoil that has forced the nation to confront its most dire challenges in generations.”},{“_id”:”IGAZFUJ5PZGKRNPYTACQJ4BBE4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611164379841},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“America has been tested anew — and America has risen to the challenge,” Biden said, declaring that “democracy has prevailed” in an address that laid out the stark perils that will test his leadership. “My whole soul is in this: bringing the American people together, uniting our soul, uniting our nation. And I ask every American to join me in this cause.””},{“_id”:”252CTZG7ZVERBLRDODXB3MWQV4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153053455},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The Democrat took the oath of office surrounded by reminders of a troubled America. His socially distanced swearing-in was more sobering than celebratory, as symbols of the pandemic’s mounting death toll fluttered along a National Mall that was transformed into a flag-laden memorial for coronavirus victims.”},{“_id”:”WSWYCZFSKNCX7M5J36ENFC4XBE”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”PCOFMTVW5NAX3OVRSNPN5FCEDQ”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/how-bidens-first-100-days-will-affect-georgia/X4YSE54ESBCSLBX7XPD57MPR4M/”,”content”:” How Biden’s first 100 days will affect Georgia”},{“_id”:”LUUPKVA7AVA3TKMWVBBFJJR5AE”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”MRXKAHZ4YBDCXKCAZHJF47JZIY”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/news/photos-inauguration-day-in-america-jan-20-2021/Z3XA5NVJ25EG7FS7EHTVPNV6SE/”,”content”:”PHOTOS: Inauguration Day in America, Jan. 20, 2021″},{“_id”:”34QQOVLZBND6LKXHRMYQVWPLDI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611171449064},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The ceremony took place in the shadow of a U.S. Capitol assaulted just weeks ago by violent supporters of his predecessor, Donald Trump, who were provoked by ceaseless falsehoods that his election defeat in Georgia and other battleground states were the result of widespread voter fraud.”},{“_id”:”INTWN3PTS5DGTGPMCJY3PXSJVI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611181732758},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Despite that, Biden found reason for optimism.”},{“_id”:”TTQDN7IQHZEOPHH5NTBVGOHAEM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611181732759},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“This is America’s day,” the new president said. “This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve.””},{“_id”:”Y455VOAACBCE7MUGDF2MOJ57YI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153053457},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden took the 35-word oath administered by Chief Justice John Roberts with his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, at his side and his hand on a 5-inch-thick Bible that’s been in his family for more than a century.”},{“_id”:”DD5HOEGWMVAHRHTLOJHD7GT6QI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611181732761},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Minutes earlier, Kamala Harris became the nation’s first woman, and first woman of color, to serve as vice president when she was sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.”},{“_id”:”T6T3OCC62RFMDPMC4XIZZXV7LM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177251150},”type”:”text”,”content”:”She took the oath of office on two Bibles: One previously belonged to family friend Regina Shelton, and Harris also used it during her swearing-in as California’s attorney general and when she entered the U.S. Senate.”},{“_id”:”RZYUIRV4Z5HTRI54NMU736FZ5M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177251151},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The second Bible belonged to Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first Black person appointed to the Supreme Court. Marshall, who earned a law degree from Howard, inspired Harris to attend the historically black college in Washington.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president Wednesday by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as her husband, Doug Emhoff, holds a Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. 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In a stirring moment, Harris was escorted by Eugene Goodman, the U.S. Capitol Police officer who baited the riotous mob away from the Senate.”},{“_id”:”T6T3OCC62RFMDPMC4XIZZXV7LM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611177251150},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden has outlined a set of directives and legislative initiatives that signal a sharp turn away from Trump, who flouted tradition by skipping his successor’s inauguration and promised at a small rally early Wednesday that “we will be back in some form.” Instead, Vice President Mike Pence was on hand to facilitate the peaceful transition of power after Trump left town.”},{“_id”:”T6IQO2ULDVGNHOPIXBGOZ2NZEE”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”EQMXH3XFMJEG7JOZVFVFPOUIWI”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/a-new-era-ossoff-warnock-sworn-into-office-giving-democrats-control-of-senate/G4VMKL3ZGFH3TONBEPDF5LPMHI/”,”content”:”‘A new era.’ Ossoff, Warnock sworn into office, giving Democrats control of Senate”},{“_id”:”EI4PW6G6W5H5FBVSSBOOEH6PII”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153053460},”type”:”text”,”content”:”In his first days, Biden has pledged to reverse many of Trump’s most contentious policies, including rejoining the Paris climate accord, nixing a travel ban involving several predominantly Muslim countries and ordering new mask mandates to contain a pandemic that’s killed more than 400,000 Americans.”},{“_id”:”F44IC2UP2VARTMCIKE2JWCXD2A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153053461},”type”:”text”,”content”:”With narrow congressional majorities, thanks to victories this month in Georgia by Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock that — along with the tie-breaking vote Harris will cast when necessary — gave Democrats control of the Senate, Biden will push a raft of other proposals: a $1.9 trillion relief package, an immigration overhaul to give a pathway to citizenship to millions in the country illegally, a package of electoral changes aimed at expanding voting rights.”},{“_id”:”ZOM4LQ6EN5CILGOHOVTCORR7Q4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611164379853},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“I pledge this to you: I will be a president for all Americans. All Americans,” Biden said. “And I promise you, I’ll fight as hard for those that did not support me as for those who did.””},{“_id”:”MYQQY72YXNG7RFJO4ZWBI44V6U”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”ZXBCBORXSREMFPIVMTNW5O7DOI”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/live-the-inauguration-of-joe-biden/5R4UK242RNGJFOWAO4G42B2XMY/”,”content”:”LIVE UPDATES: The Inauguration of Joe Biden”},{“_id”:”IGX74VZTFNC3DM25KVSNG5FZFA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611166052714},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Even as Biden tries to make a clean break from Trump’s divisive brand of politics, he still can’t expect a cozy honeymoon period. Public polls suggest millions of Republicans question whether his election was legitimate. Ballooning federal debt threatens the nation’s economy, and the pandemic’s grisly toll is mounting daily.”},{“_id”:”IQCGQMT2MJCPDB6EEFMKN6PGEI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153053463},”type”:”text”,”content”:”And the Senate is on the cusp of a second impeachment trial targeting Trump, this time over charges that he incited the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. A conviction would require 17 Republicans to join the chamber’s 50 Democrats; a second vote could then bar Trump, who is said to be considering starting his own political party, from running for public office again.”},{“_id”:”PNLL7EGOWBCXDIILH2ZYYUFGLI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611164379852},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden’s address reflected this fraught reality, acknowledging that many anxious Americans view the future with “fear and trepidation.” His call for cohesion offered a striking rebuttal to Trump’s grim warnings four years ago during his inaugural address of “American carnage.””},{“_id”:”EBGAB2CNVNDSBPQBJUU7OK3JEE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611166052717},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“To overcome these challenges to restore the soul and secure the future of America requires so much more than words. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy: unity,” he said. “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this — if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts.””},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”caption”:”President-elect Joe Biden greets former President Barack Obama as he arrives at the West Front of the Capitol on Wednesday in Washington ahead of the inauguration. (Caroline Brehman/Pool Photo via AP)”,”source”:{“system”:”arc i/o”,”name”:”Associated Press Photo Stream”,”source_type”:”wires”,”source_id”:”b655ac0ec86141c78410fa800d40c5ef”,”additional_properties”:{“editor”:”photo center”}},”type”:”image”,”distributor”:{“mode”:”reference”,”reference_id”:”425c44eb-5b03-4ce5-89fa-69e74b50003b”},”version”:”0.10.3″,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/PQAB7AXWKPWK353GUSEWZXAYHA.jpg”,”licensable”:false,”credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Caroline Brehman”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration”,”width”:4024,”_id”:”PQAB7AXWKPWK353GUSEWZXAYHA”,”additional_properties”:{“fullSizeResizeUrl”:”/photo/resize/wrI1oY9x17hKqHryTQFlQ8crbH0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/PQAB7AXWKPWK353GUSEWZXAYHA.jpg”,”comments”:[],”proxyUrl”:”/photo/resize/wrI1oY9x17hKqHryTQFlQ8crbH0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/PQAB7AXWKPWK353GUSEWZXAYHA.jpg”,”originalUrl”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/PQAB7AXWKPWK353GUSEWZXAYHA.jpg”,”published”:true,”resizeUrl”:”https://thumbor-prod-us-east-1.photo.aws.arc.pub/wrI1oY9x17hKqHryTQFlQ8crbH0=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/PQAB7AXWKPWK353GUSEWZXAYHA.jpg”,”expiration_date”:”2021-02-19T17:11:18Z”,”thumbnailResizeUrl”:”/resizer/G_pH7OwF86hgQJ7bWWo6HzZyYok=/300×0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-ajc/public/PQAB7AXWKPWK353GUSEWZXAYHA.jpg”,”version”:0,”originalName”:”b655ac0ec86141c78410fa800d40c5ef”,”mime_type”:”application/octet-stream”,”restricted”:false,”galleries”:[],”_id”:”LV33CJJ4E5CK7F2IKQO2WMB3HI”},”created_date”:”2021-01-20T17:11:19Z”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T17:11:19Z”,”height”:2683},{“_id”:”UICH5BL2WJENZKE5FN5H7QRB5I”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153053464},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden flipped Georgia by roughly 12,000 votes and captured other hotly contested states with a promise to bring a sense of normalcy to a nation reeling from crises — and benefited from voters exhausted from four years of Trump’s norm-shattering administration. It was the first time since 1992 that Georgia voted Democratic in a presidential election.”},{“_id”:”HSLTEZY6FNATXHDTATREKXQ2QY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153053465},”type”:”text”,”content”:”What followed was months of escalating attempts from Trump to interfere in Georgia’s election. The Republican repeatedly urged Gov. Brian Kemp to illegally overturn the election outcome and pressured Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” enough votes to reverse his defeat.”},{“_id”:”LL7YTLKTB5B7ZJPQS52GMB5ZYQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611153053466},”type”:”text”,”content”:”First elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972, Biden honed a reputation over decades of public office as a pillar of Washington who seeks consensus more than conflict. At 78, he becomes the oldest president inaugurated, joined by Harris, who will become the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in U.S. government.”},{“_id”:”H3GT4MFKYVEU5FYQTO3QWHKQGQ”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”SRUBXKGPHBBHZFB5RXHCCSWZSY”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/photos-atlanta-reacts-to-joe-biden-inauguration/MVSEXRYBQNAZBEYJ776577BTVE/”,”content”:”PHOTOS: Atlanta reacts to Joe Biden inauguration”},{“_id”:”SBTRW7XTRBDMFHUSPAKBKFH4UA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611154230074},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden’s campaign, his third bid for the presidency, focused more on rallying voters behind his promise to restore normalcy and decency to the White House rather than pursuing the more strident left-leaning policies of his Democratic rivals.”},{“_id”:”42TO4EW57BFNRBSYJKLPIR2QY4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611164379859},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The theme of his speech, “America United,” struck a similar message of American cohesion during a cavalcade of crises. In his first act in office, he poignantly asked Americans for a moment of silent prayer for the victims of the pandemic. And he outlined a vision of a national story of “hope, not fear; unity, not division; light, not darkness.””},{“_id”:”5KAKBPCX2VCFNAUBC64FJ5QSFQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611164379860},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. But I also know that they are not new,” he said, invoking a list of earlier challenges that strained the republic’s foundation. “This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge. And unity is the path forward.””}],”display_date”:”2021-01-20T19:37:40.797Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Joe Biden is sworn in as president, ending Trump era “},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-20T16:48:47.701Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”presidentialrace”},{“text”:”elections”},{“text”:”elections-president”},{“text”:”donald trump”},{“text”:”government and politics”},{“text”:”ga-government.ajc”},{“text”:”election-inauguration”},{“text”:”alexa”}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T20:03:11.630Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/breaking-joe-biden-is-sworn-in-as-president-ending-trump-era/WKYWYAG6M5ATHGE6DAATWZHRC4/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“promo_image”:{“url”:”https://d1fegwn2wjh0cs.cloudfront.net/01-20-2021/t_46606c01fe094d6caa200ea11d8c3d63_name_b83dd9358b0f49a3800efc4fa9a8a1e3″},”credits”:{},”headlines”:{“basic”:”Joe Biden is sworn in as 46th president of the United States.”},”type”:”video”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“caption”:”Joe Biden Is Sworn in as 46th President of the US”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://d1fegwn2wjh0cs.cloudfront.net/01-20-2021/t_46606c01fe094d6caa200ea11d8c3d63_name_b83dd9358b0f49a3800efc4fa9a8a1e3″}}}},”_id”:”WKYWYAG6M5ATHGE6DAATWZHRC4″},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”5ECKLAE5YVDNTOZLKQTH3V7F3M”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1594834065278},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Georgia election officials say they found no evidence that the Public Service Commission race was left off some ballots, and Democrat Daniel Blackman acknowledged Wednesday that he had lost to Republican Lauren “Bubba” McDonald.”},{“_id”:”5VOBBLGGNNAO3LEVKEZU4FERBY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611170440131},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Blackman had alleged that voters in 38 counties reported they didn’t see the PSC race or his name listed on their ballots in the Jan. 5 runoff election.”},{“_id”:”UXMK6UEOD5DAREUU4W45HX7RUY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611170440132},”type”:”text”,”content”:”But after reviewing ballot styles and printed records, the secretary of state’s office said Blackman’s claim was unsubstantiated.”},{“_id”:”L5NJYKIUJVH6LOO2CE665MDUME”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611170440133},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“We have learned from 2018 to now — from Stacey Abrams to Donald Trump — that false claims and disinformation that an election has been stolen is dangerous to our democracy,” said Walter Jones, a spokesman for the secretary of state’s office.”},{“_id”:”33XJRLVPBVCYRECXCQSCPYSXSA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611170440134},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Blackman never alleged the PSC election was stolen, saying he wanted to make sure that every vote was counted.”},{“_id”:”DET5QZULZVEWLI3LVE7M7LNTX4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611170440135},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“While I do accept these election results, we have to make sure we don’t turn the page on the issues we have seen affecting the process,” Blackman said. “Our focus is to make sure that every single voter was able to exercise their right to vote.””},{“_id”:”OSASPQ2UV5BHTJTPRV6OYH77HM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611170440136},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Blackman suggested that election officials might have inadvertently mailed absentee ballots to some voters that contained only U.S. Senate races. Ballots that only include federal races are created for U.S. citizens who permanently live overseas.”},{“_id”:”UU7SILDOYZAO5AR6BNGGLH3G2A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611170440137},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger certified the election results Tuesday. McDonald won by 33,727 votes over Blackman.”}],”display_date”:”2021-01-20T19:14:44.607Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Georgia election officials: Ballots didn’t omit PSC race”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-20T19:14:44.607Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”legislature”},{“text”:”elections”},{“text”:”elections-voting”},{“text”:”alexa”},{“text”:”elections-state”}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-21T10:30:21.215Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/ballots-werent-missing-psc-race-say-georgia-election-officials/ZXNXUKB7PZHDVMKOOKLEQGSAYQ/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Michael Holahan”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Senate Georgia”,”width”:4380,”caption”:”Daniel Blackman, a Democratic candidate for Georgia’s Public Service Commission, speaks during a rally earlier this month in Augusta. Blackman had alleged that voters in 38 counties reported they didn’t see the PSC race or his name listed on their ballots for this month’s runoff elections. The secretary of state’s office found that the ballots had not omitted the PSC race or his name. Republican Lauren “Bubba” McDonald was declared the winner. (Michael Holahan/The Augusta Chronicle via AP)”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/B56LFG6LT3DUIHUOFFL6ETR5XI.jpg”,”height”:2820}},”_id”:”ZXNXUKB7PZHDVMKOOKLEQGSAYQ”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”O3CLHMNWRBF25GMAG2E72PIMIQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1600444891366},”type”:”text”,”content”:”WASHINGTON — Kamala Harris broke many barriers today when she was sworn in as vice president of the United States. She is the first female vice president. The first Black vice president. The first vice president of Asian descent.”},{“_id”:”WX2NTRG3I5BKPCZRCCFEQMWQ5A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[{“pos”:0,”comment”:”Her inauguration speech was to nod at the historic nature of her ascent even as she pledged to represent all Americans.”}],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611154096965},”type”:”text”,”content”:””},{“_id”:”IYM5BJFBQVAN5O2M3HBVETBBAM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611154096966},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The California native, Howard University graduate and proud “Momala” in a blended family took the oath of office at roughly noon. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, stood by her side.”},{“_id”:”RBJ6DV7D3ZEKJOHKTDJVMUGCTU”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”FWAF2YQSUZHH7NCFMX35EHO5GE”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/news/photos-inauguration-day-in-america-jan-20-2021/Z3XA5NVJ25EG7FS7EHTVPNV6SE/”,”content”:”PHOTOS: Inauguration Day in America, Jan. 20, 2021″},{“_id”:”A3DQNGJD4ZF2ZDHRY6TZQMICYQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611154096967},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Harris was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina to serve on the high court. She took the oath of office on two Bibles: One previously belonged to family friend Regina Shelton, and Harris also used it during her swearing-in as California’s attorney general and when she entered the U.S. Senate.”},{“_id”:”5EWJD6QJQZEE7NGVCGAUD24PRE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611154096968},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The second Bible belonged to Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first Black person appointed to the Supreme Court. Marshall, who earned a law degree from Howard, inspired Harris to attend the historically black college in Washington.”},{“_id”:”MK2CEH2Y2JDYJG2A3LFE6767Y4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611154096969},”type”:”text”,”content”:”As vice president, Harris serves as presiding officer of the U.S. Senate. Later Wednesday, she will swear in two other barrier-breakers: the Rev. Raphael Warnock, Georgia’s first Black senator, and Jon Ossoff, the first Jewish person to be elected to the Senate from Georgia.”},{“_id”:”ZEAPD7P24FAI3DEJH55MBBA5GE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611154096970},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Moving forward, Harris will also serve as the Senate’s tie-breaking vote when needed. Ossoff and Warnock taking office means that Republicans and Democrats each hold 50 seats.”},{“_id”:”AYEL7GCDGZGCDLENZPF7D6HBTU”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”WSK62343HNCJ3BL2B7USEU6NYM”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/live-the-inauguration-of-joe-biden/5R4UK242RNGJFOWAO4G42B2XMY/”,”content”:”LIVE UPDATES: The Inauguration of Joe Biden”},{“_id”:”PZZPHY5DZBCUTCCQPOSWXBRKSI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611154096971},”type”:”text”,”content”:”
“}],”display_date”:”2021-01-20T16:41:34.761Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Inauguration Day: Kamala Harris sworn in as vice president, achieving many ‘firsts’”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-20T16:41:34.761Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia 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AJC”,”site_title”:”Election News”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Election 2020″},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Election 2020″,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics/election”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”,”/politics”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”,”/politics”]},”order”:{“TopNavRedesign”:2004,”TopNav”:2005,”ComposerNav”:1125}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics/election”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”georgia-news.ajc”},{“text”:”presidentialrace”},{“text”:”election-inauguration”},{“text”:”elections”},{“text”:”elections-president”},{“text”:”georgia news”},{“text”:”government and 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AP)”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/44ZHUSFS6ID6EB732NCCKWTHUE.jpg”,”height”:3045}},”_id”:”WZ742UA6CJGU5JISJN5HY7TGCA”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”7DNFS2XHOFEENBKURBETUHC57A”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726101},”type”:”text”,”content”:”President-elect Joe Biden plans to issue a sweep of executive orders and push an expansive legislative agenda after he takes office Wednesday, wielding narrow Democratic majorities in Congress thanks to Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoffs as he races to reverse Republican Donald Trump’s policies.”},{“_id”:”VT6ME6PH5ZA4VGYY34JJ3TPRHE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726102},”type”:”text”,”content”:”In the opening days of his administration, Biden intends to immediately roll back some of Trump’s most divisive decisions with directives to rejoin the Paris climate accord that his predecessor broke, enforce a mask mandate on federal property and nix a travel ban involving a handful of majority-Muslim countries.”},{“_id”:”EQF56KHSSNCNVGFNKINWWL2VEY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726103},”type”:”text”,”content”:”With the help of Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, whose victories this month flipped control of the U.S. Senate, Biden also aims to pass a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, expand voting rights rules under a measure named for John Lewis and secure his confirmations for Cabinet positions.”},{“_id”:”TJMUSBH6UFEGVJSYF27HJQGQ7Y”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”O2CDXDZ2IBCK5MJC7P5W2D3E5A”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/breaking-joe-biden-is-sworn-in-as-president-ending-trump-era/WKYWYAG6M5ATHGE6DAATWZHRC4/”,”content”:”Joe Biden is sworn in as president, ending Trump era”},{“_id”:”KOMWWIZOMRFW3MK5WO3W7BW5AE”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”DEZF2K76HBGUDP24Z7VTCCNSMY”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/news/photos-inauguration-day-in-america-jan-20-2021/Z3XA5NVJ25EG7FS7EHTVPNV6SE/”,”content”:”PHOTOS: Inauguration Day in America”},{“_id”:”4YZ4WJ7TOJBP5BWIZ2JTDAB7WA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[]},”type”:”text”,”content”:”And Biden will launch his first 100 days in office even as the Senate still grapples with his predecessor. The Senate, split 50-50 once Ossoff and Warnock are sworn in Wednesday, plans to conduct a second impeachment trial of Trump on charges he incited the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.”},{“_id”:”FEKW73XXU5GVLI65FMPAU43GRU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726105},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Facing a still-raging pandemic and ongoing economic turmoil, Biden won’t have much wiggle room. Washington has been transformed into a fortress amid the threat of domestic attacks, and state and federal officials have struggled to effectively distribute the coronavirus vaccine.”},{“_id”:”5Q3MMZEYXJHTBLLLGXPQ3SW4BI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726106},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden will also have to thread narrow Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress, and sidelined, fractious Republicans are eager to unite against any hints that Biden and his allies are overplaying their political hands.”},{“_id”:”TLJJPN2ZZ5FLHDKTTESUY5ZI54″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726107},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The incoming president aims to move with urgency to “reverse the gravest damages of the Trump administration,” his top aide, Ron Klain, said in a memo that laid out a blueprint for executive and congressional action in the first 100 days of the administration.”},{“_id”:”UD26GCS4WREZXIM6442RX4JFJM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726108},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Here’s a look at what to expect:”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”GKYIUV2NBRGD5HSUM4DQMYL6JI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:”VNSQTD3CFVDENC26QJ5WF7464Q”},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Coronavirus”},{“_id”:”6IWXFG3GKRDPJOVORW2NCCGE3Q”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726110},”type”:”text”,”content”:”After months of demanding a more robust stimulus package, Biden last week proposed a $1.9 trillion plan that Democrats had been clamoring to pass. He talked of a “crisis of deep human suffering in plain sight,” adding “there is no time to waste.””},{“_id”:”HYHESESXU5F6HLTORCW2ZOL6M4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726111},”type”:”text”,”content”:”He also plans to issue a mask mandate for federal property and interstate travel, such as airplanes, and set a goal of administering 100 million vaccine shots in the first 100 days of his presidency.”},{“_id”:”PAE6R2EEYZHH5AEVP6W2ACINFY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726112},”type”:”text”,”content”:”More than 11,000 Georgians have died from the disease contracted by hundreds of thousands in the state.”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”E3H2H4HRTNBDZAFIBBLQW2NLS4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:”K4HHGE6MKJGMZMGR3R64SKGFTU”},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Economy”},{“_id”:”L345WRTLZBDARPU4TNU2FDONFI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:”XXCFQB4N4NDABKVWQSECUTPN2Y”},”type”:”text”,”content”:”As part of Biden’s plan to reverse the economic downturn, his coronavirus relief package includes additional direct payments of $1,400 to most Americans and a revival of a $400 weekly boost in unemployment benefits. He’s also calling for $350 billion to help states and local governments cover funding shortfalls and $35 billion in small-business lending programs.”},{“_id”:”Y4G6IUQT4RCJPNSQDBXBAKOAKY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726115},”type”:”text”,”content”:”And during the general election, he promised a “Build Back Better” platform that would spend trillions of dollars on infrastructure projects and bolstering the nation’s health care network. He also called for increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.”},{“_id”:”WFJ2WL2IUJB3BPEZTRFQINX6ZU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611093441258},”type”:”text”,”content”:”To finance the spending, Biden said he would roll back the 2017 tax cuts signed into law by Trump and raise taxes on wealthier Americans.”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”NRYQWSRS3FHARASVBOE4LP6H4E”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:”PXN7IS27NVB37DEZQXQ2N7RRB4″},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Voting rights”},{“_id”:”WMGHHJ6UC5HZ3M7D6ILV66HLEY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726117},”type”:”text”,”content”:”With a new majority in place, Senate Democrats have already signaled they will move quickly to pass new voting measures. Similar legislation was approved in the House during the last congressional session, only to be blocked from the Senate floor by Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.”},{“_id”:”O7PXPE4FEREE3PUSWK3IY2MTHA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611096195237},”type”:”text”,”content”:”These are the types of new voter protections that Biden had pledged to support. The package is likely to be named after Georgia Congressman John Lewis, the civil rights icon who died in July.”},{“_id”:”KWZNKUV62NDIZE7L7J5IMIKQEU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611096195238},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden as a candidate also pledged to offer incentives to states to automatically restore voting rights for people with felony records once they completed their sentences, and he said he would empower the Department of Justice to act as a protector of voting rights.”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”Y6EUMO5XKNHZRDFRRJR5X7L3FE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611096195239},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Immigration”},{“_id”:”WMGHHJ6UC5HZ3M7D6ILV66HLEY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726119},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden plans to unveil legislation Wednesday that offers a path to citizenship for about 11 million immigrants now living in the U.S. without legal status, which could also include a fast track for so-called “Dreamers” who have lived in the country since they were children.”},{“_id”:”AI27EE2Z2BCXTCP5I3SX45CD4E”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726120},”type”:”text”,”content”:”More than 21,000 Georgians have participated in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program established during the Obama administration, according to federal officials, and many have no memories of the country in which they were born.”},{“_id”:”A3Z4ZPBXR5CULL6F2YE6WFJIOE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726121},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The legislation is also expected to promote new foreign aid for Central American countries that are the source of much of the migration, as well as new penalties for those smuggling people and drugs across the U.S. border.”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”UPWN2PFZ7REJNBVUA4IOP6TSTE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:”73NNMPIFIVB43DU4OPNOM5CLQI”},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Environment”},{“_id”:”7BJWUKL2YBAM3D5AUPT23NZFJU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611092726123},”type”:”text”,”content”:”One of Trump’s first acts in office was to pull out of the Paris climate accord, an international agreement that aims to curb climate change. One of Biden’s first moves when he’s sworn into the presidency is to rejoin the pact, which was signed with support from then-Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and other local leaders.”},{“_id”:”RX3VCNXNBZA7BNV6VUL7NDIJSY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611093441267},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Biden also plans to organize a “world summit” devoted to slowing climate change and to pressure China to eliminate subsidies on coal and other fossil fuels. And he’s set to terminate the controversial Keystone XL pipeline that stretches from the prairies of Canada to Texas.”},{“_id”:”A3C4ZYWFPFBFRHALKAVRYFBXQU”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”NZCDKPH5JRC2VIMNUPJLUGCMEY”},”type”:”divider”},{“level”:2,”_id”:”GWGNMJNLZZFLROGLJ5VA22ZONQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611096195247},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Biden’s inauguration gets a Georgia touch”},{“_id”:”VWASKY2XZRBHFO2FHCS4ESNADU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611096195248},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Cities across Georgia, including Atlanta, will light their buildings Tuesday night to honor those who died of COVID-19 as part of a ceremony leading into Joe Biden’s swearing in. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said both City Hall and the canopy at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport will be lit up amber.”},{“_id”:”UH7UW4OZZZAEXJVCO6G6INAJYE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611096195249},”type”:”text”,”content”:”South Fulton firefighter Andrea Hall will lead the Pledge of Allegiance during Wednesday’s swearing-in. Hall, the first Black woman to make the rank of captain in her department, is also president of the local union.”},{“_id”:”NQG3NQUCMBH6XBTM4RVWCHVM3Q”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611096195250},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Later in the afternoon, there will be a virtual “Parade Across America” that features a 12-year-old trumpeter from Decatur. Jason Zgonc gained notoriety this summer when he played his instrument for hospital workers during the coronavirus pandemic. His performance will include a virtual duet with the trumpeter from the New York Philharmonic who inspired his outreach.”},{“level”:1,”_id”:”TPFG7HF22NC5NFVQ2QWGNU727U”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611099193456},”type”:”header”,”content”:”Guide to the AJC’s inauguration coverage”},{“_id”:”AARYFGYCMNA2LJPV47JKOYXVGQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611099193457},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Joseph R. Biden Jr. will be inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday.”},{“_id”:”O74DNHPSIRFURPYYALB5G54YNA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611099193458},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has two reporters on the ground in Washington to document the events of this historic weekend, including the swearing-in of Georgia’s newest U.S. senators: Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. Four years ago, we had eight staffers in Washington for the inauguration of Donald Trump, but the unprecedented lockdown of the U.S. Capitol and the coronavirus pandemic have greatly limited access and the inaugural events themselves.”},{“_id”:”6K2GAHXARRGJHKJZ5V3KPMBK64″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611099193459},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Still, our Washington correspondent, Tia Mitchell, and senior political reporter Greg Bluestein will be there to bring you live coverage, with an emphasis on Georgia connections. In Atlanta, Patricia Murphy and others will be following Georgians who are marking the day.”},{“_id”:”KCTHXRPHQJEZRIH7UDUIFLBDAE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611099193460},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Check ajc.com for updates.”},{“_id”:”LR2LUAEMA5EK7I4E3YLYAZ6X7I”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611099193461},”type”:”text”,”content”:”You can follow Mitchell on Facebook and on Twitter at @ajconwashington, Bluestein on Facebook and on Twitter at @bluestein, and Murphy at @1PatriciaMurphy .”},{“_id”:”BS4LCDU76ZBEHNYB6O6ZKRXVSQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611099193462},”type”:”text”,”content”:”And if you are hosting or attending virtual events or celebrating in other ways, please let us know. Please send photos, videos or your thoughts on the inauguration to patricia.murphy@ajc.com”}],”display_date”:”2021-01-19T23:29:13.716Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”How Biden’s first 100 days will affect Georgia”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-19T23:29:13.716Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”presidentialrace”},{“text”:”elections”},{“text”:”elections-state”},{“text”:”georgia news”},{“text”:”georgia-news.ajc”},{“text”:”government and politics”},{“text”:”ga-government.ajc”},{“text”:”alexa”},{“text”:”no_politics”},{“text”:”elections-president”}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T19:05:11.760Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/how-bidens-first-100-days-will-affect-georgia/X4YSE54ESBCSLBX7XPD57MPR4M/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Evan Vucci”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden”,”width”:3768,”caption”:”President-elect Joe Biden plans to use executive orders to immediately roll back some of President Donald Trump’s most divisive decisions, including rejoining the Paris climate accord and eliminating a travel ban involving a handful of majority-Muslim countries. 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“}],”display_date”:”2021-01-19T21:46:49.916Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Joe Biden inauguration: Complete coverage”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-19T21:46:49.916Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-19T21:47:13.242Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/joe-biden-inauguration-complete-coverage/ISHZLROFIVDZ7FPCGFIANPLQSM/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Evan Vucci”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden”,”width”:6000,”caption”:”President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden arrive at Andrews Air Force Base, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/STCCPF7KM27XDSIBSKBDYA2H3Y.jpg”,”height”:4000}},”_id”:”ISHZLROFIVDZ7FPCGFIANPLQSM”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”GHIEABJOKZEYFMGZWEPIVEB3Y4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1598277352412},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Democratic lawmakers have filed legislation that would reinstate voting rights to Georgians who have been convicted of a felony.”},{“_id”:”3OOCAATJSNCVDIGCRLJBJKRYMQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611090278525},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Josh McLaurin, an Atlanta Democrat, said the current law is rooted in racism.”},{“_id”:”D22H6DMGTBHA5L55IA6KFC2ZOA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611090278526},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Over 200,000 of our fellow citizens in Georgia are denied (voting rights) because of a racist policy that was enacted nearly 150 years ago,” McLaurin said during a press conference held at a mural honoring the late John Lewis, a civil rights leader and former Atlanta congressman who died last year. “After the Civil War, Georgia adopted a policy of disenfranchising people convicted of felonies as a strategy to exclude Black people from participating in democracy.””},{“_id”:”KZSJNPSFZJEVJL2G3JZIR2KVJ4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611090278527},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Under the Georgia Constitution, those who have been convicted of a “felony involving moral turpitude” can’t be registered to vote until their sentences are completed — including the completion of any probation, parole and payment of any fines. But the state hasn’t defined which felonies involve “moral turpitude,” and election officials interpret the state constitution to mean that all felonies limit voting rights.”},{“_id”:”JXJHA5OO6JD25PRUH3NTGMH65Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611090278528},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The secretary of state’s office clarified its position on the issue shortly before the November election, saying that those who have completed their sentences but still owe fees, court costs and restitution are eligible to vote.”},{“_id”:”XVXHDOTV4JFVPPMI7RLUKFWTWE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611090278529},”type”:”text”,”content”:”It is unlikely the measure will become law this year. A bipartisan Senate panel in 2019 studied the possibility of reinstating the voting rights of some convicted felons, who had not committed violent crimes, but the Republican members decided they wouldn’t pursue it as a committee.”},{“_id”:”3B2SLTYUSVEGJHAB7GM6HH2ZIE”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611090278530},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“What always gets lost in these discussions is the victims of the crime,” said state Sen. Randy Robertson, a Cataula Republican and former police officer. “All we’re asking the convicted to do is just to once you complete your sentence, then your voting rights are restored in Georgia.””},{“_id”:”XIMP74OYDVDNNKX4XEE2JJDLFA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611090278531},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Kareemah Hanifa, 43, said after serving 26 years for convictions on murder and kidnapping charges, she works two jobs, is in school and has become a community organizer for the Inner-City Muslim Action Network.”},{“_id”:”4TXRJZJHBJCDNJ6OUUX3SSQ3NA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611090278532},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“Because I was sentenced to life in prison in 1993, I won’t vote for the rest of my life,” she said, adding that she was convicted for a crime that occurred when she was 15. “I’m out here being a taxpaying, law-abiding citizen, but I still don’t have my right to decide who is going to be my representation.””},{“_id”:”H4XNIPBK6ZDOHHUUA2HUWC7NFI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611090278533},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Reenfranchisement of former felons has been hotly debated in Florida, where a federal appeals court recently ruled they’re ineligible to vote unless they’ve paid back all outstanding fines, fees and restitution.”},{“owner”:{“id”:”ajc”},”copyright”:”© 2021 Rebecca Wright”,”address”:{},”caption”:”State representative Josh McLaurin speaks at a press conference at the John Lewis mural on Auburn Avenue in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Democratic Georgia state lawmakers held a press conference at the John Lewis mural on Auburn Avenue to announce the introduction of two bills that would restore the right to vote to felons in Georgia. 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He said while opponents are going to focus on asking whether those who have committed violent crimes should be allowed to vote, he plans to flip the premise.”},{“_id”:”AI55UDS7UZFQ5BIHO6BNHFY4QI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611090278535},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“They’re framing the question in a way that was handed to us, again, by racist design centuries ago,” he said. “The real question is, are these people citizens and, as citizens, do they have the right for their voice to be heard by elected officials? And the answer to that is yes.””},{“_id”:”JPOO76J7HNF37GRDRRNCCPLY3Y”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611090278536},”type”:”text”,”content”:”
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“}],”display_date”:”2021-01-19T21:35:31.072Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Georgia Democratic lawmakers file bill that would reinstate voting rights to felons”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-19T21:35:31.072Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″},{“path”:”/politics/georgia-state-legislature”,”parent”:{“default”:”/politics”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”/politics”,”name”:”Legislature”,”description”:”News of the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Governor and State Government from the AJC, Georgia’s largest team covering the Legislature and issues that matter to taxpayers”,”_id”:”/politics/georgia-state-legislature”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”/politics”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”/politics”,”TopNav”:”/politics”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/georgia-state-legislature/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”News of the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Governor and State Government from the AJC, Georgia’s largest team covering the Legislature and issues that matter to taxpayers”,”site_title”:”Georgia Legislature News”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Legislature”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Legislature”,”_id”:”/politics/georgia-state-legislature”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”,”/politics”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”,”/politics”]},”order”:{“TopNavRedesign”:2003,”TopNav”:2003,”ComposerNav”:1128}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics/georgia-state-legislature”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”legislature”},{“text”:”georgia news”},{“text”:”georgia-news.ajc”},{“text”:”ga-government.ajc”},{“text”:”government and politics”},{“text”:”elections-voting”}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-19T22:13:52.655Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/georgia-democratic-lawmakers-file-bill-that-would-reinstate-voting-rights-to-felons/7PWHRXYSPRFU3PALDACGULX5MY/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“credits”:{“affiliation”:[{“name”:”Rebecca Wright for the Atlanta J”,”type”:”author”}],”by”:[{“name”:”Rebecca Wright”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”AJC 012021 LEG FELONS”,”width”:3600,”caption”:”State Rep. Bee Nguyen, D-Atlanta, speaks Tuesday at a press conference at the John Lewis mural on Auburn Avenue in downtown Atlanta. Democratic lawmakers announced the introduction of two bills that would restore the right to vote to felons in Georgia. (Rebecca Wright for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)”,”type”:”image”,”url”:”https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ajc/YJPYAQRWFM7MEPMBXXSJOYCTOI.jpg”,”height”:2400}},”_id”:”7PWHRXYSPRFU3PALDACGULX5MY”},{“content_elements”:[{“_id”:”NEH42XSSCJCVRKFBL2CMPXMDDI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611079446560},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Joseph R. Biden Jr. will be inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday.”},{“_id”:”I2URF7AQUFDSBOAU7UO3FMMQR4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086804435},”type”:”text”,”content”:”The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has two reporters on the ground in Washington to document the events of this historic weekend, including the swearing-in of Georgia’s newest U.S. senators: Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. Four years ago, we had eight staffers in Washington for the inauguration of Donald Trump, but the unprecedented lockdown of the U.S. Capitol and the coronavirus pandemic have greatly limited access and the inaugural events themselves.”},{“_id”:”VO5F4C5YANCRDAKVR6COB3AEBI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086804436},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Still, our Washington correspondent, Tia Mitchell, and senior political reporter Greg Bluestein will be there to bring you live coverage, with an emphasis on Georgia connections. In Atlanta, Patricia Murphy and others will be following Georgians who are marking the day.”},{“_id”:”7BXFI3DYIZCPLO4OQ2FFRVPMC4″,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”ZWVA74U3ARE7VJTXG32Y27AZP4″},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/live-the-inauguration-of-joe-biden/5R4UK242RNGJFOWAO4G42B2XMY/”,”content”:”Live: The Inauguration of Joe Biden”},{“_id”:”OD3UVMPMZBGHFCV7TPXED2GNX4″,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086804437},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Check ajc.com for updates.”},{“_id”:”QBA34ROKQNHQPMTI6ESLDYENRU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086804438},”type”:”text”,”content”:”You can follow Mitchell on Facebook and on Twitter at @ajconwashington, Bluestein on Facebook and on Twitter at @bluestein, and Murphy at @1PatriciaMurphy .”},{“_id”:”6MDRPCD7YBHADFD53CIYOVLVIY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086804439},”type”:”text”,”content”:”And if you are hosting or attending virtual events or celebrating in other ways, please let us know. Please send photos, videos or your thoughts on the inauguration to patricia.murphy@ajc.com”},{“_id”:”NODAACY6ONC6LFKQ2DAHYIBNXI”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086804440},”type”:”text”,”content”:”
“}],”display_date”:”2021-01-19T20:11:33.549Z”,”headlines”:{“basic”:”Guide to the AJC’s inauguration coverage”},”first_publish_date”:”2021-01-19T20:11:33.549Z”,”taxonomy”:{“sections”:[{“path”:”/politics”,”parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”_website”:”ajc”,”parent_id”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”name”:”Politics”,”description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”_id”:”/politics”,”additional_properties”:{“original”:{“parent”:{“default”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”BottomNav”:null,”TopNavRedesign”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”TopNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”,”ComposerNav”:”https://www.ajc.com/”},”site”:{“site_url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/”,”section_comments_enabled”:”Yes”,”site_description”:”Political news with a Georgia focus, including the Georgia Legislature, Congress, White House, presidential elections and Georgia Congressional Districts.”,”site_title”:”AJC Georgia Politics | What’s really going on in politics”},”navigation”:{“nav_title”:”Politics”},”inactive”:false,”node_type”:”section”,”_website”:”ajc”,”name”:”Politics”,”Sponsor”:{“sponsor_url_open_new_tab”:”true”,”sponsor_desktop_banner”:””,”sponsor_mobile_banner”:””,”sponsor_url”:””},”_id”:”/politics”,”ancestors”:{“TopNavRedesign”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”],”TopNav”:[“https://www.ajc.com/”]},”order”:{“default”:1022,”TopNavRedesign”:1002,”TopNav”:1002,”ComposerNav”:1124}}},”_website_section_id”:”ajc./politics”,”type”:”section”,”version”:”0.6.0″}],”tags”:[{“text”:”politics.ajc”},{“text”:”donald trump”},{“text”:”georgia news”},{“text”:”georgia-news.ajc”},{“text”:”ga-government.ajc”},{“text”:”government and politics”},{“text”:”elections”},{“text”:”election-inauguration”},{“text”:”elections-president”}],”primary_section”:{“path”:”/politics”,”name”:”Politics”}},”type”:”story”,”last_updated_date”:”2021-01-20T15:11:32.853Z”,”canonical_url”:”/politics/guide-to-the-ajcs-inauguration-coverage/QASKCC2F4BCOJKB57652GSLUHU/”,”promo_items”:{“basic”:{“credits”:{“by”:[{“name”:”Susan Walsh”,”type”:”author”}]},”subtitle”:”Biden Inauguration”,”width”:5855,”caption”:”A view of the National Mall in Washington on Tuesday, ahead of the 59th Presidential Inauguration on Wednesday. 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But she also carried over grievances from her failed runoff campaign, including anger at the media and claims that she had been victimized by “cancel culture.””},{“_id”:”VFTUNOXSARH7NDPMTB4RH6HT3Q”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086087657},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Loeffler also made vague references to the failed election challenges and Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, an event so violent that it changed her mind about objecting to Democrat Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory in Georgia.”},{“_id”:”3OLER5ZT4NG6LDJSJ4ZPSCPIYU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086087658},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“In all of the events of recent weeks, I want to urge my colleagues to remember why we’re here, who you serve and to recall the greatness of the American experiment, as well as the fragile nature of our freedoms,” she said.”},{“_id”:”I7ASOLY45FDSDHJT2NERIQJSEU”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086087659},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Loeffler, who prior to taking office stepped down from a role leading a subsidiary of her husband’s company, Intercontinental Exchange, hasn’t said what she might do next. Whatever it is, she said, she will continue to champion the Republican Party.”},{“_id”:”ZK76FBYNGRGLZLXFLT73BAQFFY”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086087660},”type”:”text”,”content”:”She added that she was proud to serve alongside U.S. Sen. David Perdue, whom she described as a friend. Perdue also lost in a runoff, but because his term ended before the election was settled, he didn’t give a farewell speech.”},{“_id”:”ZOLMNWXYIFEOVGJ2BA7JUD6HWQ”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086087661},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Loeffler said former U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss helped teach her the ropes of public office. And she wished her successor, the Rev. Raphael Warnock, well although without mentioning him by name.”},{“_id”:”MJX2V3PZIVDT7GHTKNDUPBOBDM”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086087662},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Her speech also made no mention of President Donald Trump, whose support she cultivated and whose false claims that the general election was stolen from him contributed to her defeat.”},{“_id”:”DB3C2V24LZA7XDD3WEL3UBBKSA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086087663},”type”:”text”,”content”:”Loeffler ended by reminiscing on her rural upbringing, saying she never predicted she would one day hold one of the highest offices in the nation.”},{“_id”:”XSVU4OLBLNBVDJHOERV5Z3QZGA”,”additional_properties”:{“inline_comments”:[],”comments”:[],”_id”:1611086087664},”type”:”text”,”content”:”“For a shy farm girl who was the first in her family to graduate from college, who could have never imagined that one day I would serve as a United States senator from the great state of Georgia,” she said, “thank you all.””},{“_id”:”UMIO7NEOO5DLHEI3ACQV4HORFU”,”additional_properties”:{“comments”:[],”_id”:”WPR3MPYNONEO5KRW6UHHZEODMQ”},”type”:”interstitial_link”,”url”:”https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/georgia-senate-results-certified-ossoff-and-warnock-set-to-take-office-wednesday/4GRFN3TWK5FIFLYXGA6ZNVW5LA/”,”content”:”Georgia U.S. Senate results certified; 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