In A Body Bag But Not Necessarily Dead

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan dealt a blow to the effort to create a Buckhead City by assigning the legislation to a Senate committee controlled by Democrats critical of the push to split Atlanta into two municipalities, effectively bottling up legislation sponsored by state Republicans.

Still, the movement is far from scuttled. A similar House measure is pending, and the provision that allows for a cityhood referendum could be tacked onto other legislation.  None the less, the move was applauded by critics of the secession initiative from both sides of the aisle. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who has pleaded with legislators for time to implement his plan to fight crime, cheered the development at an event heralding the opening of a new police precinct in Buckhead.

The fate of the legislation will now be up to the Senate Urban Affairs Committee, which is composed entirely of Democrats, including several who are outspoken critics of the cityhood effort. State Sen. Sally Harrell (D-Dunwoody) predicted the measure would “die” in committee and that the overall effort is in “a body bag but not necessarily dead.”

Duncan’s decision is not unexpected. He’s expressed skepticism about the cityhood movement, saying he’s yet to hear a “compelling argument” from Buckhead cityhood supporters about how they would curb crime or fund city services. “The details matter here. The financing issues. The education issues. The governance issues. These are all issues that must be fixed before — and not after — a referendum is passed,” Duncan said in a recent interview. “My hope is that we’re able to figure out a way to help all of Atlanta significantly cut crime.” It's almost like the adults in the room, those who are accountable for governance and policy, have finally stepped forward.

Gov. Brian Kemp has declined to endorse the legislation, but hasn’t shut the door on the idea. But the forces pushing for the split, led by the Buckhead City Committee, have picked up other powerful Republican allies from outside Atlanta’s city limits who are egging on the rift. They include former U.S. Senator and current gubernatorial candidate David Purdue, who backed the proposed legislation shortly after entering the race against Kemp.

The initiative’s critics expressed hope that the cityhood effort was on its last breath.  “Buckhead City will cause more problems than it solves,” said Democratic state Rep. Shea Roberts, who represents a slice of Buckhead. “I’m hopeful his decision signals an end to this divisive legislation so we can focus on working with Mayor Dickens to address crime and services issues.”