Georgia's Tax Dodges, DOJ Deadlines, and a Texting Tyrant in the GOP Shadows

In this episode of BKP with the Georgia Hour on VoiceofRuralAmerica.com, host BKP dives into a whirlwind of Georgia political hot-button issues, blending urgent calls for accountability with sharp critiques of local power plays and emerging scandals. Airing on a Tuesday morning, the show sets the stage for the upcoming legislative session while spotlighting immediate crises, from election integrity battles to taxpayer burdens and a special election in the wake of tragedy.
The episode kicks off with a fiery demand for politicians to confront the State Election Board (SEB), questioning whether they'll finally sever its ties to the Secretary of State's office and launch real investigations into its operations. BKP highlights recent outreach from Joe Rossi, who invited state legislators to join him in scrutinizing the board, urging candidates on the campaign trail to outline their plans loud and clear.

Shifting to legislative priorities, BKP spotlights House Speaker Jon Burns' preview of the GOP's Gold Dome agenda, emphasizing "meaningful results" like continued tax relief. Burns touts last year's one-time special refunds that returned over $1 billion to Georgia taxpayers. However, BKP injects heavy skepticism toward proposed property tax reforms (e.g., HB 581), arguing that these measures—framed as relief for retirees on fixed incomes, young families squeezed by housing costs, and small businesses hit by rising commercial values—will ultimately favor counties over citizens. He reminds listeners that property taxes are local, set by county millage rates after assessments by bloated assessor offices. Any "adjustments" from state Republicans, BKP warns, will just hand money back to commissioners without true cuts for homeowners, preserving the status quo.

Election drama takes center stage next, with BKP revisiting Fulton County's stonewalling of a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) subpoena for 2020 election records under SEB Case 2023-025. Despite a Friday deadline, Commissioner Rob Pitts dismisses it outright, insisting compliance isn't required and labeling the probe a pointless fixation ahead of 2026 midterms. BKP questions the DOJ's motives but stresses the SEB's plea for federal help, teasing updates as the standoff unfolds—potentially forcing Trump's incoming administration to intervene.

In lighter but poignant local news, BKP covers a special election in Cherokee County's House District 23, triggered by the tragic October death of eight-term Republican Rep. Mandy Littlefield Bollinger. Qualified candidates include Republican Belle Fincher, Democrat William Fudge, and Scott Sanders. Meanwhile, in Gainesville, eight-term GOP Rep. Emory Dunahoo announces he won't seek reelection in 2026, opening his seat to potential contenders like Public Service Commission candidate Tim Echols.

The show closes on darker notes, circling back to weekly follow-ups until "this guy must go." He then escalates to what he calls a "very serious" scandal: leaked text messages from a figure he dubs "Dennis what the Futch" (implied to be a GOP insider), filled with foul language, threats, and boasts of manipulating politicians and wielding unchecked power over people. BKP, who has the unshared texts, portrays the individual as a "very dangerous man" the Georgia GOP must disavow immediately, inviting him on-air to refute them if he dares.