Political Breakfast With Denis Ohayer

Georgia's governor and state lawmakers were already arguing about the budget and tax cuts, but then something new and potentially serious complicated things further: the coronavirus. At the same time, Georgia Democrats are waiting to get their their say in the presidential race. But how many of their party’s candidates will still be around by then? And there's more in this serving of the Political Breakfast. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer again welcomes Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawmakers are marred in budget battles as they move forward on surprise medical billing and foster care legislation. Also, the idea of digital billboards makes a quick appearance. Lisa Rayam talks with politics reporter Emil Moffatt and WABE health reporter Sam Whitehead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hard to believe, but in just about a month, Georgia Democratic voters will have a say in the still-crowded presidential race. Republican voters will cast ballots, too, but there’s not quite as much suspense there. What we don’t know is how Georgia's rapidly changing voter demographics will affect the outcome. Plus, a look at the ongoing state capitol budget battles, and the push for affordable housing in Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agony over the state budget continues as Georgia lawmakers figure out how to pay for proposed teacher pay raises pushed by Governor Brian Kemp. WABE's Lisa Rayam talks with politics reporters Emma Hurt and Emil Moffatt about the nuances in the struggle over state dollars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lots of unity talk, but not much evidence of it in both major political parties as their big internal showdowns get closer. Loeffler, Collins, Warnock, Tomlinson, Riggs Amico, Ossoff, and Abrams are just a few of the names you’ll hear on what you might call an endorsement edition of the Political Breakfast. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer is back with our highly-endorsed political strategists. Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal; Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Policy-making comes to a screeching halt so that Georgia's legislature can figure out the state's money woes. Plus, President Trump promises to get involved in a Georgia senate race. Host Lisa Rayam talks with WABE's Emma Hurt and Emil Moffatt about these and other issues, including a look at Georgia's lucrative film tax credit, which got some scrutiny from lawmakers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Georgia legislative session rolls along, we look at Governor Kemp's proposed crackdown on gang-related activity, and his push for a Medicaid waiver expansion program. Also, a high-profile retirement in Gwinnett could be a sign of how the county's political base is changing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Brian Kemp's pick for the U.S. Senate, Kelly Loeffler, gets some unwanted competition as Republican Doug Collins jumps into the race. Host Lisa Rayam talks with WABE political reporters Emma Hurt and Emil Moffatt about the drama surrounding the open Senate race, which now also includes prominent Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock. We also talk about gambling, adoption, and foster care proposals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It finally happened: a couple of high-profile potential Senate candidates decided to realize that potential—one right after the other. So, Georgia Republicans are again learning what happens when you’re the majority party: you fight internal battles. Meanwhile, Georgia Democrats are working with some Republicans in one of those fights. But right now, the toughest fights of all are over where the state budget axe will fall. It’s a giant buffet set for you on this edition of the Political Breakfast! WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer is back, with two very busy political strategists. Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal; Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawmakers are struggling with the reality of tough budget cuts to Education, Health, Agriculture and other state agencies. Politics Reporters Emma Hurt and Emil Moffatt and Health Reporter Sam Whitehead join host Lisa Rayam to bring insight and context to the numbers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Democratic presidential candidates might be in Iowa, New Hampshire, and other cold places up north right now, but Georgia will be on their minds sooner than any of us might think. And after the presidential race leaves Georgia, the state will still be dealing with some difficult issues of health, life and death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hearings at the Georgia State Capitol this week will tackle a tight budget to find ways to give teachers the full $5,000 pay raise promised by Governor Brian Kemp during his campaign in 2018. Education Reporter Martha Dalton and Politics Reporter Emma Hurt Join host Lisa Rayam this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all expected 2020 to be crazy busy in politics from the start, and it’s certainly fulfilled that promise. So, let’s do the sensible thing, and jump right in with a new Political Breakfast! This edition is the first on our new weekly schedule--twice the heaping helpings from now on! We’ve got big stuff going on from the nation’s capital, to the State Capitol, to Atlanta’s City Hall and beyond. WABE political contributor Denis O’Hayer, again welcomes our regulars, who are well rested--at least for now: Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal; Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WABE reporters Emil Moffatt and Emma Hurt join host Lisa Rayam for a look ahead to the week in the Georgia General Assembly.  They discuss the expected fight over a shrinking state budget and possible changes to Georgia’s lucrative film and television production tax credit.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the 2020 legislative session gets underway in Georgia, WABE has a new podcast to keep you in the know. “Gold Dome Scramble” is a pop-up podcast from "Political Breakfast." Every Monday morning, host Lisa Rayam talks with WABE reporters about the big issues that may become state law – from casino gambling to expanded gun rights. It’s your chance to learn about what’s happening in the Georgia legislative session. We’ll make it fun. We’ll make it informative. And we’ll keep it short.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020 will be a huge political year in Georgia, of course. Many of the upcoming big stories are obvious: impeachment; elections; and--at the state Capitol--a push to legalize gambling (in some form, at least) in Georgia. But there's a lot more ahead in 2020, and we get your ready for it with some inside information from our regulars on the Political Breakfast. Tharon Johnson is a Democratic strategist, public affairs and government consultant, and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign; Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal. WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer is your host.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a way to end 2019!  An historic impeachment vote in the U.S. House; Georgia’s Senator-to-be continues meeting her new colleagues--and new questions about what kind of Senator she’ll be. And what could be a major turning point in the decades-long legal war over how all of us in Georgia use water. It's a holiday party edition of the Political Breakfast. WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer welcomes our two unimpeachable sources. Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal; Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson is a public affairs and government consultant and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Brian Kemp has chosen Georgia's next U.S. Senator. But is this just the start, instead of the end, of the sharp elbows among Republicans? After all, some of them got into a Twitter war with each other over who wears jean shorts. Meanwhile, both major parties get their ballots together for the upcoming presidential primary, and the numbers keep flying in the debate over health care in the state. It's another full menu for the Political Breakfast. Joining WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer for this edition: Bianca Keaton and Brian Robinson. Bianca is the chair of the Gwinnett County Democrats, and she's filling in for Tharon Johnson this time. Brian is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the political world, there used to be something called the Thanksgiving break. But there’s little evidence of that this year. Georgia Democrats push the national party for more resources in 2020; Georgia Republicans throw a few elbows in the maneuvering to succeed Senator Johnny Isakson. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s transit makeover continues to take shape. It’s another overstuffed buffet for the Political Breakfast! WABE political contributor Denis O'Hayer again welcomes our regulars: Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson is a public affairs and government consultant and former national southern regional director for the Obama 2012 campaign. Brian Robinson is a Republican strategist, communications consultant, and former deputy chief of staff for Governor Nathan Deal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political analysts say the big message from this week's elections in Kentucky and Virginia is that Republicans are losing support in the suburbs. How might that play out in Georgia during the 2020 Senate and Presidential races?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.