2026 Georgia Legislative Session
2026 Legislative Session Info
📜 Important Dates:
Jan. 12 – First Day of the 2026 Legislative Session
Jan. 15 – State of the State Address
March 6 – Crossover Day
April 2 – Sine Die: The Final Day of the Session
The Balance of Power
Both of Georgia’s U.S. senators are Democrats. But when it comes to who has the power at the state Capitol, it’s been all Republicans for nearly a generation. The GOP has pulled off the trifecta in the Peach State — carrying the governor’s office and majorities in both the state House and Senate — for two decades.
That reign of power continues as the 2026 legislative session gets underway. But what weight does that kind of power carry? In short, it’s massive.
Republicans have total control over what bills get a committee hearing, a committee vote, a floor vote and final passage. But the margins are much thinner in recent years, putting more pressure on the GOP to hold its caucus together to get the majority of votes needed to pass legislation in both chambers.
Gold Dome News
Meet The WABE Politics Team
Rahul Bali
WABE Politics Reporter
WABE Politics Reporter Rahul Bali covers the State Capitol, local governments, public policy, budget issues and political campaigns.
Rahul joined WABE in 2021 after more than two decades in radio and television. Rahul is from Augusta, Georgia and is a graduate of Georgia State University with a business degree in economics.
The first presidential candidate Rahul covered was Bob Dole during a 1996 campaign stop at Georgia Tech.
“Political Breakfast” Team
Tharon Johnson
Panelist
Tharon Johnson is the founder and CEO of Paramount Consulting Group, a bipartisan government affairs and communications firm based in Atlanta.
Tharon is a nationally recognized political strategist and trusted community leader who advises elected officials at the highest levels of government.
He has served at senior levels of federal, state and local campaigns, including for Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, U.S. Reps. John Lewis and John Barrow, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond.
Lisa Rayam
Host
Lisa Rayam is the host of WABE’s “Morning Edition” and the “Political Breakfast” podcast.
She spent 21 years at Fox 5, where she was a reporter and anchor. During her tenure, Lisa developed a reputation as a tenacious, well-connected reporter and trusted anchor. She brings a wealth of experience, extensive contacts and credibility from covering the biggest news stories in Atlanta for over two decades.
Lisa has won numerous awards for her reporting as well as many recognitions for community service.
Brian Robinson
Panelist
Brian Robinson owns Robinson Republic, a communications consulting firm specializing in public affairs messaging throughout Georgia.
Brian is a political commentator in metro Atlanta’s leading media outlets and on national cable news channels.
Prior to opening his own business, Brian worked as deputy chief of staff for communications for Gov. Nathan Deal. He also ran the communications efforts for the Deal campaigns in 2010 and 2014. Robinson also served as a communications director for U.S. Reps. Phil Gingrey and Lynn Westmoreland.