Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian just called the Georgia elections restrictions signed into law last week was “unacceptable” and “based on a lie” of widespread fraud in last November’s election. #gapol ajc.com/news/business/…
The stance could deepen a rift w/ Georgia Republican leaders. Delta in 2018 ended a discount for the NRA, prompting GOP leaders to block a lucrative tax break for the airline. #gapol ajc.com/news/business/…
Some Republicans are already talking about ways to punish Delta, since there are a number of tax measures still pending on the final day of the session. It's akin to "Delta shooting us in the face with a shotgun without telling us it was coming," says a senior GOPer. #gapol
.@GovKemp on Delta’s stance:
“Today's statement by Delta CEO Ed Bastian stands in stark contrast to our conversations with the company, ignores the content of the new law, and unfortunately continues to spread the same false attacks being repeated by partisan activists.” #gapol
The chatter among Republicans about retaliating is growing. Rs are amazed Delta didn’t wait until tomorrow - when leg session is over - to issue this statement.
“This is the level of anger that makes people creative,” says one. “That should scare the shit out of them.” #gapol
Georgia Democrats aren’t exactly overjoyed either at a statement that came days after @GovKemp already signed the elections restrictions into law.
“Words would have mattered before... Actions matter now. What are they going to do to fix the mistake of their silence?” #gapol
Meanwhile, a group of religious leaders rallied outside the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s headquarters to protest the powerful group, which didn’t stridently oppose the elections law earlier this year. #gapol
Growing ...
The start of a corporate revolt? #gapol ajc.com/news/business/…
Says @GovKemp on the corporate pushback: “Well, it would be nice if they pointed to a specific in this bill that they don’t like ...” #gapol
.@RepNikema: “The CEOs of these two companies are absolutely correct in their assertions that SB 202 is unacceptable and would take voting rights in Georgia backwards ... We look forward to engaging with Georgia companies like Coca-Cola and Delta as real partners.” #gapol
@RepNikema Microsoft, which is building a major corporate hub in Atlanta, weighs in: "... It’s not only right but essential for the business community to stand together in opposition to the harmful provisions and other similar legislation that may be considered elsewhere." #gapol
In a @USATODAY editorial, @staceyabrams says business boycotts are not necessary “yet” and writes that firms can “redeem themselves” if they oppose elections restrictions, fund voting rights expansion efforts and back pending federal overhauls. #gapol usatoday.com/story/opinion/…
@USATODAY @staceyabrams Updated @ajc story: #gapol ajc.com/news/business/…
@USATODAY @staceyabrams @ajc It seems less likely that Republicans will punish Delta -- at least this year. "We were mad for a while," says one, "but then we got back to business." 2022, the official said, is a different story. Says another senior GOPer: "We'll see." #gapol ajc.com/news/business/…
@USATODAY @staceyabrams @ajc Just in: The Georgia House just narrowly passed an amendment that would repeal a tax break on jet fuel for Delta in response to the airline's criticism of the election measure. Still needs to pass in the Senate. #gapol
@USATODAY @staceyabrams @ajc “It is purely retaliation for the business community speaking out on a bill everyone feels is Jim Crow 2.0,” said said Democratic state Rep. David Wilkerson. #gapol ajc.com/news/business/…
@USATODAY @staceyabrams @ajc Delta can heave a sigh of relief: The Georgia Senate has adjourned without taking up the vote to punish the airline by rescinding a tax break worth $35M+ #gapol
@USATODAY @staceyabrams @ajc House Speaker David Ralston made no effort to hide the fact that the attempt to strip Delta's tax break was payback: “You don’t feed a dog that bites your hand. You got to keep that in mind sometimes.” #gapol ajc.com/news/business/…
Apple’s CEO joins the fray this AM: “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy ... Apple believes that, thanks in part to the power of technology, it ought to be easier than ever for every eligible citizen to exercise their right to vote.” #gapol axios.com/apple-tim-cook…
Georgia’s House Speaker got a bit heated when he said he will call Delta CEO Ed Bastian to “find out if he’s going to suspend flights into states that have more restrictive voting rights than we do.” #gapol ajc.com/politics/polit…
It wouldn’t be a surprise if both Coke & Delta find themselves left out of the decision-making process in major Georgia policies going forward, senior Republicans say. One spoke of a “seismic” shift in the Capitol away from the twin behemoths. #gapol ajc.com/politics/polit…
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