On WABE this morning, host Denis O’Hayer shared a conversation he had with House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams (D-Atlanta) on the eve of session, noting that the House democrats hold just enough seats in the House to block a Constitutional amendment.
Their conversation centered on:
- Governor Deal’s proposals for education reform –
- “Money following the child is a nice sentiment, but the question is how much money, and which children are we following?” And, “The state should not invest in private schools with public money.”
- The HOPE scholarship –
- “If we decide to move in the direction of gaming, we should invest those new revenue – and what I’m calling ‘Hope 2,’ which is a need-based program. Georgia is one of a handful of states that does not provide need-based aid… By moving [HOPE] to merit-based aid, we left thousands of kids behind.”
- Her own leadership in the House –
- “My job as leader is not to put people in line. My responsibility as leader is to present legislative options and to say, “Here is the best way for us to serve our constituents together,’ and to a person my caucus members have said they agree.”
The link above features their in-depth conversation (around 30 minutes long), as well a Reader’s Digest version. The longer version expands the dialogue to include casino gambling, MARTA, Georgia’s voting laws, and Rep. Abrams’ own political goals.