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Mainor sent us a lengthy response to the threats of a primary challenge. She defended her votes on the two measures and said she was standing up for her community.

The marginalized never have a voice fighting for them, she wrote. Heres more:

Democrat lawmakers (not constituents) will cry about abortion rights, wail for transgender rights, demand AAPI protections, and create legislation for antisemitism. Yet, if a Black independent female Democrat legislator who grew up in poverty wants to give the bottom 25% of children attending failing schools a second chance at education infuriates some of my fellow Democrats to the point they are soliciting my opposition that's exactly the problem."

- Georgia Rep. Mesha Mainor, D-Atlanta

Defeating Mainor, who holds one of the most liberal seats in Georgia, wont be easy. She emerged from a three-way primary in 2020 and ran unopposed that November. She easily fended off two Democratic primary challengers last year to win a second term.

And there are already signs her next campaign could be a proxy fight over education policy if she faces a formidable primary opponent. Among those amplifying her fundraising calls is Corey DeAngelis, of the American Federation for Children, a pro-voucher group.

Mainor has forged her own path since she arrived at the Capitol in 2021, which she wrote about in an AJC commentary last year. After getting hammered by her fellow Democrats for sitting out a vote on an agriculture issue, she said she found support from an unexpected source: House Speaker David Ralston.

He told her, Be you, be authentic and represent the people in your district, and you will be fine.

***

Credit: Christopher Lee/The New York Times

Credit: Christopher Lee/The New York Times

NATIONAL POLL. A national survey conducted by InsiderAdvantage last week found former President Donald Trump with a significant edge over a group of 10 potential Republican rivals.

The poll of 550 likely voters showed Trump with 57% support, ahead of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (27%) and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley (5%). Other contenders, including former Vice President Mike Pence, lagged in the single-digits.

More than half of respondents of the poll said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs decision to indict Trump made them more likely to support the former president, while about 14% say theyre less supportive. Roughly one-third said it had no effect on their views.

The margin of error was 4.2%.

***

MTG ON 60 MINUTES. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene got the 60 Minutes treatment on Sunday, and regular readers of The Jolt likely saw a repeat of themes weve covered in this space for the past two years.

The Rome Republican talked about her negative views of Democrats, defended her support for former President Donald Trump and political views that fit into the umbrella of Christian nationalism.

The Founding Fathers quoted the Bible constantly and were driven by their faith, Greene told host Lesley Stahl.

But on social media the backlash was against CBS itself for its decision to highlight Greene on its flagship interview program, with the hashtag #Boycott60Minutes trending on Twitter Sunday evening.

Some of those critics noted that Greene has called for protests in New York City tomorrow to coincide with Trumps appearance in a Manhattan courthouse. The former president is expected to turn himself in for arraignment there after news broke last week that he would be indicted on charges related to hush money payments for a former porn star.

The event, which organizers are calling a peaceful protest, will be held at a park near the courthouse in conjunction with the New York Young Republican Club.

Trumps camp announced hell deliver remarks about the indictment from his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida Tuesday night.

***

COLLEGE CRUNCH. University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue spoke out against the $66 million cut to USG included in the 2024 state budget that lawmakers approved last week on the final day of the legislative session.

Now individual colleges around the state are doing the math and speaking out, too.

Among them is University of North Georgia President Bonita Jacobs, whose school will see a $2.45 million cut in its teaching and student services budget as a part of the overall reduction.

This new and unexpected budget cut is concerning, as the university is already in the process of absorbing about $13 million in tuition revenue losses and state funding formula reductions related to credit hour declines occurring between Fiscal Year 2021 and Fiscal Year 2025, Jacobs said in a staff article posted on UNGs website.

The item also details a 10% state appropriations cut of $8.67 million in Fiscal Year 2021, which was not restored, along with separate increases approved by lawmakers this year for equipment and construction.

***

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

VOUCHER VENT. The Wall Street Journal editorial page is back for its third editorial in three weeks on the now-failed effort to create a statewide voucher program for Georgia students.

After pushing for Gov. Brian Kemp to take a public stand on the issue, which he did in the final week of the General Assembly, the paper now says it was too little, too late. A bill to give $6,500 per student for private or homeschool failed in the House on Day 40 after rural Republicans joined most Democrats to oppose it.

His support came too late to change enough minds, the board wrote Sunday. Georgia has two-year legislative terms, and the House can take up the bill again next year. The Senate doesnt need to pass it again. There are hopeful signs for 2024.

Its not clear what would change rural Republicans minds on the issue next year. But an even bigger question is why the New York paper is watching Kemps role in the matter here in Georgia so closely.

***

TODAY IN WASHINGTON:

***

HARRIS IN DALTON. Vice President Kamala Harris will tour the Qcells solar panel manufacturing plant in Dalton on Thursday as a part of the Biden administrations Investing in America tour.

In Dalton, she is expected to highlight legislation passed during the first two years of the Biden-Harris administration to increase jobs and strengthen the economy. The measures were designed to address climate change, boost spending on infrastructure, encourage more domestic chip production and provide relief to businesses and families during the coronavirus pandemic.

In January, Qcells announced that it will spend $2.5 billion to build a new plant in Cartersville and expand the capacity of the existing facility in Dalton.

The expansion is expected to bring 2,500 jobs to Georgia by next year when the new production capacity is brought online.

***

HUD SECRETARY IN GWINNETT. President Joe Bidens Investing in America tour is also making a stop in Georgia on Monday.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge will tour the Good Samaritan Health Center in Norcross with U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath. The Good Samaritan facility was developed with a $2.4 million HUD community development grant.

Following the tour, Fudge and McBath will hold a community roundtable and news conference. Fudge will also meet with Gwinnett County elected officials.

***

Credit: Oliver Contreras/The New York Times

Credit: Oliver Contreras/The New York Times

WARNOCK IN NY. Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. has announced that Georgias U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock will be its commencement speaker in May.

Warnocks national profile and role as a pastor-politician have made him a hot ticket on the graduation circuit.

***

DOG OF THE DAY. Any student of American history knows about Jack, Bobby and Teddy Kennedy.

But only the truly in-the-know Georgia politicos have met the West Highland terrier trio of Jack, Bobby, and Teddy Linville, but were here to change that.

These pint-sized politi-pups call Atlanta-based message man, Billy Linville, their person. Since Linville is both the co-founder of Lexicon Strategies and a huge history buff, his dogs are no different.

The power pooches are, of course, named after the famous Kennedy brothers. And Linville named them in order as they joined the family. Jack is 10, Bobby is 8, and Teddy is 5. Like their namesakes, these three enjoy days by the water and evenings hosting powerhouses during Linvilles well-known political shindigs.

Send us your pups of any political persuasion and cats, on a cat-by-cat basis to patricia.murphy@ajc.com, or DM us on Twitter @MurphyAJC. Weve got lots more coming.

***

AS ALWAYS, Jolt readers are some of our favorite tipsters. Send your best scoop, gossip and insider info to patricia.murphy@ajc.com, tia.mitchell@ajc.com and greg.bluestein@ajc.com.

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The Jolt: Democrats threaten primary against centrist Atlanta lawmaker - The Atlanta Journal Constitution

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Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is trying to use Congress spending power as a way to force the Supreme Court to adopt a code of ethics, the Washington Post reported Monday, as the court has been widely criticized for not having a binding ethics code in light of justices perceived conflicts of interest.

Van Hollen, who oversees the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that controls the Supreme Courts budget, told the Post he plans to use a congressional spending bill to persuade the court to adopt a binding code of ethics.

While federal judges in lower courts are bound by a code of ethics that bars conflicts of interest and other potential issues, Supreme Court justices do not have any such restrictions, which has become heavily controversial.

Its not clear yet exactly how Van Hollens efforts would work, but the Post notes that similar efforts in the past have put language into spending bills that says part of the funding an agency receives can only be used if they do something that lawmakers want, like imposing a code of ethics.

Whether or not Van Hollens plan can pass remains to be seenit would also have to pass the Republican-controlled House, and the Post reports key GOP lawmakers are noncommittal on the proposal, including Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), who oversees the House subcommittee that controls the Supreme Courts budget in that chamber.

The Supreme Court has not yet responded to a request for comment.

The Supreme Courts refusal to adopt such standards has contributed to eroding public confidence in the highest court in the land, Van Hollen said in a statement to the Post. It is unacceptable that the Supreme Court has exempted itself from the accountability that applies to all other members of our federal courts, and I believe Congress should act to remedy this problem.

$200 million. Thats how much the Supreme Court has requested in federal funding from Congress for the 2024 fiscal year, the Post notes, which could be affected by Van Hollens efforts. The request includes the courts general operations, but also an additional $5.9 million in funding for security expenses as justices have faced increased threats following controversial rulings like overturning Roe v. Wade.

The 2024 fiscal year starts October 1 and lawmakers will likely start considering spending proposals in the next few months, the Post notes. In addition to the Appropriations Committee, Sen. Susan Collins (D-Maine) told the Post she believes this should be an issue for the Senate Judiciary Committee to take up, so moving forward may also depend on what that committee decides. Committee chair Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) expressed openness to the idea to the Post, however, saying he thinks the code of ethics is long overdue.

The Supreme Courts lack of a code of ethics has become a major point of contention in recent months, as the 6-3 conservative court has garnered widespread controversy for perceived ethical conflicts. Justice Clarence Thomas has sparked widespread criticism stemming from his wife Ginni Thomas right-wing political activism, which has presented potential conflicts of interest, and other justices have raised scrutiny by socializing with right-wing figures and appearing at conservative events, among other issues. The American Bar Association passed a resolution in February calling on the court to adopt a code of ethics, and more than two dozen legal ethics scholars previously wrote a letter in support of a code in March 2022. Justices have said in the past that they try to follow the code of ethics for lower judges, even if they arent legally bound by it, and the Post previously reported the court has been actively discussing imposing a code of ethics for at least four years, but still hasnt been able to impose one or decided if they will. Van Hollens efforts come as Democratic lawmakers have already tried to pass legislation that would force a code of ethics onto the court, but those efforts have so far failed.

Democrats weigh trying to force Supreme Court to adopt ethics rules (Washington Post)

Supreme Court Justices Reportedly Cant Figure Out How To Adopt Ethics Code Amid Controversies (Forbes)

Brett Kavanaugh Attends Conservative Holiday Party: Latest Supreme Justice Caught Cozying Up With Partisans (Forbes)

Ginni Thomas-Led Conservative Group Reportedly Raised $600,000But We Dont Know Who From (Forbes)

Chief Justice Roberts Wife Is Latest Supreme Court Spouse To Spark Ethics Concerns (Forbes)

I am a New York-based senior reporter covering breaking news at Forbes. I previously covered politics and news for Vanity Fair and Mic, and as a theater critic I serve as a member of the New York Outer Critics Circle. Follow me on Twitter @alisond64 or get in touch at adurkee@forbes.com.

Here is the original post:
Democratic Senator Wants To Use Supreme Court Budget To Force Justices To Follow Code Of Ethics - Forbes

Tennessee Republican lawmakers took the first steps Monday to expel three Democratic members from the GOP-dominant House for their role in a recentgun control protest at the state Capitol.

Resolutions have been filed against Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson after they led chants from the House floor with supporters in the gallery last Thursday. The resolution declared that the three had participated in "disorderly behavior" and "did knowingly and intentionally bring disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives."

The House must now vote on the resolutions before the expulsion process can begin. Republican Reps. Bud Hulsey, Gino Bulso, and Andrew Farmer filed the resolutions.

click to expand

Hundreds of protesters packed the Capitol calling for the Republican-led Statehouse to pass gun control measures in response to theNashville school shootingthat resulted in the deaths of six people. As the chants echoed throughout the Capitol, Jones, Johnson and Pearson approached the front of the House chamber with a bullhorn.

As the three shared the bullhorn and cheered on the crowd, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, a Republican, quickly called for a recess. He later vowed the three would face consequences. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Karen Camper described their actions as "good trouble," a reference to the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis' guiding principal.

By Monday, Sexton confirmed that the three lawmakers had been stripped of their committee assignments and said more punishments could be on the way. A few hours later, House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison referred to Jones as the "former representative" during the evening session.

Pearson and Jones are both freshman lawmakers. Johnson has served in the House since 2019. All three have been highly critical of the Republican supermajority. Jones was temporarily banned from the Tennessee Capitol in 2019 after throwing a cup of liquid at former House Speaker Glen Casada and other lawmakers while protesting the bust of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest inside the Capitol.

Expelling lawmakers is an extraordinary action inside the Tennessee Capitol. Just two other House members have ever been ousted from the chamber since the Civil War.

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Read more from the original source:
Tennessee GOP members move to oust 3 Democrats from House after gun protest - CBS News

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on Monday designated 33 districts as in play for next years elections.

The announcement comes weeks after the group named its Frontliners, or most vulnerable incumbents, and its GOP counterpart, the National Republican Congressional Committee, identified its own 2024 targets.

The DCCCs target list includes two open seats in California and Michigan, where Democratic Reps. Katie Porter and Elissa Slotkin, respectively, are running for Senate. It also includes Republicans who defeated Democratic incumbents in traditional swing districts last year, including GOP Reps. Zach Nunn of Iowa, Thomas H. Kean Jr. of New Jersey, Mike Lawler of New York and Jen Kiggans of Virginia.

The group is targeting six seats in New York, where Republicans won several open seats last year, in addition to Lawler ousting former DCCC Chair Sean Patrick Maloney. Democrats need a net five seats to win control of the House next year and are eyeing New York as a state where they can anchor that effort. The DCCC is also targeting eight total seats in California.

The list includes a handful of Republicans who are more aligned with former President Donald Trump, like Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, a far-right firebrand who narrowly won reelection in one of the closest races in the country last year. Her Democratic opponent, Adam Frisch, has already said he is running again.

Read more:
House Democrats targeting 33 GOP-held and open seats next year - Roll Call

All 10 Democratic members of the Missouri Senate signed a letter Monday urging Gov. Mike Parson to remove the chair of the Missouri Commission on Human Rights over his recent public statements in opposition to LGBTQ-rights legislation.

Timothy Faber, a lobbyist for the Missouri Baptist Convention, testified in a Senate committee hearing last week about a bill that would amend Missouris Nondiscrimination Act to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Faber used biblical references to argue that the bill infringed on religious liberty. He did not disclose his position as chair of the Missouri Commission on Human Rights until he was asked directly about it by a Senator.

During his testimony, he referred to the commission as they while arguing that the legislation would lead to more lawsuits that the commission would have to handle.

This would create an even greater backlog of cases for the Missouri Commission on Human Rights staff than they already have, Faber testified.

Are you not the chair of the Human Rights Commission? asked Sen. Doug Beck, D-Affton.

Faber said he did not come to testify on behalf of the commissions but confirmed his position as chair.

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The letter, sent by Becks office, said Fabers attempt to obfuscate his position erodes the trust Missouri legislators require from members of Missouris boards and commissions.

The commission has 11 spots for governor-appointed commissioners. Only four of the positions are filled, meaning it cant conduct business because it does not have a quorum.

Faber often testifies on behalf of the Missouri Baptist Convention, including during a hearing about the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

Im taking that your stance is that LGBTQ folks shouldnt have the same rights as I have not to be discriminated against, Beck asked him during his testimony. Is that what youre saying, based on the Bible? Or what exactly are you saying?

Im saying that an employer or a landlord should also have rights in how they conduct their business, Faber answered.

They can discriminate against someone based on a number of factors, he said. Thats their right.

According to current state law, it is illegal to discriminate against Missourians because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex or age, as it relates to employment, disability, or familial status as it relates to housing.

It is not illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The letter from the senators said Fabers lobbying job interferes with his duties on the commission.

The commission says its role is to eliminate discrimination through the enforcement of the Missouri Human Rights Act and prevent social inequality through education and outreach on its webpage.

The Missouri Commission on Human Rights has an incredibly important duty to investigate complaints of alleged discrimination in employment, public accommodations and housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, age and familial status, the senators letter says. This duty cannot be fulfilled with confidence when its chairman has lost the trust of elected leaders.

The Independent contacted the commission, which did not have a comment at the time of publication. Faber did not respond to attempts to contact.

The governors office did not return a request for comment.

I do not speak for the Human Rights Commission. Thats not my role, Faber told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. That was not my intent. And I dont even have the legal right to do so, especially considering that the commission has not addressed these issues. Thats why I did not identify myself as a commissioner.

Read more here:
Democrats call for the removal of Missouri Commission on Human ... - Missouri Independent