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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 11h

Georgia - with 2 Dem US senators - is not a Red State, dammit. What on earth is Dickens doing here? Raking in cash from the oligarchs to protect their interests from "extremists"??? #GApol

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Story of Jackson behaving like the ruthless billionaire he is. Does it mean the AJC wants to make the #GApol Governor race real? Or will they run Wendys militia stories daily for the next month?

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#GApol Interesting account of the obstacles progressive politics has to clear in a major city. Atlanta of course doesn't need to worry about this while doing the bidding of Big Money is the only agenda of those in power. prospect.org/2026/09/28/o...

prospect.org

Socialist in Seattle - The American Prospect

A year after her election, Mayor Katie Wilson wants to upgrade housing and transit in the Emerald City. But moderate councilors and divisions within her own base are undermining her.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#GApol You can take the denim jacket off David Perdue but he's still a stupid, amoral money-grubber.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

@conorsen.bsky.social Guess she's acknowledging the rate-tightening mechanism doesn't work in an AI bubble where housing is already down?

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The guy must have opposed a data center in his county #GApol

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

What a BS line to defend police recalcitrance. Only a tiny % of eligible divertees get diverted from jail. That APD is no worse than other cops about jailing everyone is no consolation, in humanitarian or fiscal terms. Deduct excess jail cost from cops' budget & they might get a clue!

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

My fellow Brits are all in for Jon. This has to be the third profile from the quality(ish) London newspapers that I've seen. Pity they don't have a vote. #GApol www.ft.com/content/9071...

ft.com

Jon Ossoff’s Georgia race stirs talk of 2028 US presidential audition

Democrat’s media-savvy attacks on ‘crook president’ give him lead in state’s pivotal Senate election along with national attention

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Can we wait a month to start a run on the gas stations, so folks actually are feeling it when they vote?

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

"But napalming the other party on a regular basis really does have a way of turning off not just Republicans, but moderates and independents, too." Patricia Murphy can't help her conservative little self, can she? 2/3 of sentient Americans are crying out for fight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...

ajc.com

Jon Ossoff is writing a new playbook for Democrats in the South

Instead of the standard of trying not to offend Republican voters, Jon Ossoff ripped into Donald Trump at his first reelection campaign rally and hasn’t let up since.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

A public speaker speaks truth to power - pun intended. The #GApol PSC has been a rubber stamp for Georgia Power's depredations. Kemp has finagled commission membership & blocked reform. His top aide now works for the utility's lawyer lobbyists. Cmmr. Pridemore is now paid by data centers. Payoffs!

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

They meant to say, "PSC regulator gets payoff for enabling Georgia Power to give sweet deals to data centers at residents' expense." Vote for Shelia & Peter or you'll get much more of the same. #GApol georgiarecorder.com/2026/09/16/f...

georgiarecorder.com

Former Georgia regulator who helped set policy for data centers now works for company building them • Georgia Recorder

Tricia Pridemore, who is a Republican, was tapped to represent DC BLOX in policy discussions with lawmakers, regulatory bodies and utility providers.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

In Beijing, a Renmin University think tank recently published an assessment titled ‘Thank Trump,’ which wryly hailed his efforts to hasten the ‘twilight of an empire,’ by undermining America’s alliances, civil service, scientific institutions & democratic credibility. New Yorker @ossoff.senate.gov

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Exactly! Reporters won't say this. But expecting a healthcare billionaire to fix the dreadful lack of coverage for Georgians is ridiculous. Rick Jackson has concepts of a plan that ofc he won't reveal before the election. #GApol

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Damn! Has the entire Atlanta City Council gone DSA now? Even Buckhead? That's some real @kelseabondatl.bsky.social magic there! #GApol

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Rick Jackson's guys getting desperate? The Midtown CODA tower is nothing like hyperscale data centers that the public & Keisha oppose. Anyway Invest Atlanta approved CODA's tax break before @keishaforga.bsky.social was on the board. I was there. www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2026/09/14/b...

atlantanewsfirst.com

Bottoms, Jackson trade hypocrisy claims in bitter clash over Georgia data centers

Rising power bills and the explosive growth of data centers collided in Georgia’s race for governor Monday, as Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms called for an immediate statewide freeze on new p...

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Harold Wilson withdrew the UK from Aden ~50 years ago. Seems a little late - not to mention entirely impractical - to change one's mind.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Sigh. This won’t stop the boosters from shilling the next shiny object at the public’s expense!

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Nice payoff if you can get it! PSC Cheerleader for giving GA Power & data centers all they want takes revolving door. Pick @peterhubbardga.bsky.social and Shelia in November to be on our side, not lining their pockets. www.dcblox.com/dc-blox-appo...

dcblox.com

DC BLOX Appoints Tricia Pridemore as Executive Vice President of Energy, Regulatory and Policy

Former Georgia Public Service Commissioner and National Regulatory Leader Joins DC BLOX Leadership Team to Advance Public-Private Initiatives, Energy

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Reason #3,719 why we'd better re-elect Dems Peter Hubbard and elect Shelia Edwards to the Public Service Commission. The public needs protection from Georgia Power's irresponsible capital investments, made on working people's backs. Republicans rubber-stamp the power monopoly's every step. #GApol

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

First 1/2 of Sean's piece misses the point. Extending TADs that grew over 25 yrs & generate $80M/yr does NOT = creating new ones that generate 0. Extending TADs steals $80M from Schools & public services. To waste on connected developers, e.g. Stitch, CNN Ctr, not on supplying affordable homes.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Did not have Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's chief investment officer on my bingo card for a gushing testimonial for this Musk speculator, in the FT. (Hope CHOA board controls the risk.) Reminder that 'non-profit' hospitals are not a great use of charity $$! #GApol www.ft.com/content/c765...

ft.com

Elon Musk’s secretive backer builds $40bn SpaceX stake

Low-profile venture capital firm Vy Capital has emerged as one of the rocket maker’s largest shareholders

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Good on The Current for checking how Hyundai's hiring promises are being kept. Halfway. But should public's $$$ buy jobs at $0.25M each in first place? If we ever get a non-corrupt DC, it would ban these state races to bottom. Only make rich execs richer. thecurrentga.org/2026/09/06/h...

thecurrentga.org

Hyundai suppliers make hiring progress in exchange for public incentives - The Current

While Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America has surpassed half of its promised 8,500 jobs, several smaller suppliers receiving state subsidies in Coastal Georgia are currently lagging behind their hir...

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Jon Ossoff & Claire Hanna would make an entertaining ticket

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Unintentional humor from Atlanta's PR guys. #GApol

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Andre backed down from his billion-dollar TAD quid pro quo for city jail. (More like $400M but hardly anyone in Atlanta can count big numbers). Whence the sudden rationality? Probably figures he's bought the new Commission & will get his TAD bucks from them next year? www.ajc.com/news/2026/09...

ajc.com

Atlanta Mayor Dickens agrees to sell city detention center to Fulton County

Mayor Andre Dickens accepted the commission’s latest offer Tuesday, even though it doesn’t include funding for a future hospital on Atlanta’s Southside.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

@kelseabondatl.bsky.social another stick for you, with which to beat the mediocrity grifters running our city. This is how they waste our TAD taxes instead of paying teachers.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Don't worry! Beltline spending is not real mone. Funds come from a TAD. The mayor's play money. Oh, I'm told TAD money should go to useful purposes, like teaching Atlanta's kids and making county jail safe. Any chance APS board will vote on TAD extensions accordingly? @stephenjowens.bsky.social

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Start by getting the tax owed right! It’s at least $1B/yr. Defeat the Big Lie that this monstrosity is only worth $20B. It’s $175B.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

One action Effingham residents can still take: insist the county quit its Big Lie and value this monster at $175B. New Data centers are worth $55M/MW. This one should pay $1B/yr local taxes, not $115M!

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

They’re not giving OpenAi 50% off its taxes. They’re giving OpenAi 90% off! That behemoth is properly valued at over $100B, not $20B. Do the math!

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

@kelseabondatl.bsky.social you're not afraid of big numbers! Preach about property-taxing these varmints right! Represents a substantially higher operating expense and will deter them from plaguing us.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Georgia official estimate is 5 times as high as this. $2.5B. Are numbers this hard for reporters? And one more time, the Effingham OpenAi data center is at least $100B, not $20B.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Warnock calls for 'moratorium on data center construction - no water or electric bill increases because of the data center. No sweetheart tax giveaways to developers. No NDAs. No air or water pollution.' Read more at: www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/politic... www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/politic...

ledger-enquirer.com

Georgia Power drops more details about OpenAI contract. PSC meeting heats up

Why some Georgians are not satisfied with Georgia Power’s $15-per-month proposal in 2029 for data center cost protection.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

He's got over his snit about the Dem Convention, apparently. Realized that a Rick Jackson governorship would be no fun for him. #GApol

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

#GApol Dems have been scared to fight data centers full on because the IBEW lobbies so hard to keep the boom going. Zuck: who needs to pay IBEW workers?

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Sale proceeds of the land looks like a smokescreen for a huge hidden tax break to OpenAi. Their 3.2GW data center is worth multiples of $20B. Try $115B. What‘s the tax on that? Wish reporters were not so scared of numbers! (Maggie is not!)

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Spin removed: #GApol PSC staff approved a deal the public is not allowed to see. OpenAi, a loss-making player in a new, unpredictable market, promised to pay Georgia Power for enormous plant investment. If they can't pay, GP will dump cost on residents' bills. GP should be on the hook but nah!

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Important #GApol info here. Despite $$Bn spent on water-sewer in the past 2 decades, Atlanta needs far more. Implication: instead of diverting another 20 yrs of TAD taxes to Stitch boondoggles, City should end TADs & use $$$ to fix pipes. atlpresscollective.indiegraf.com/index.php?ac...

atlpresscollective.indiegraf.com

Council approved $25M for water pipes. Experts say it's not enough.

Plus: City needs to spend...

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

#GApol Georgia's White pop shrinking while Hispanic & Asian growth surges. No wonder Rs are gerrymandering like crazy. Will Black Ds see it as in their interest to broaden the tent for the other minorities? Maybe a focus on working families would help?

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Billionaires never get infrastructure built first! The blackmail or bribes happen up front. They get tax breaks before they build data centers, leaving nothing to chance. e.g., The Effingham GA OpenAi project has extracted a deep tax break for 15 years plus ludicrous undervaluation.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Kemp's commitment to reform and serving the public interest knows no bounds

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Reposted by Julian Bene

Politics UK @politicsuk.com · 21/08/2026

Detectives believe it's increasingly unlikely the unredacted files will be shared to investigate whether Mandelson sent confidential government info to Epstein, partly because the files may damage Donald Trump's reputation Story: www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...

telegraph.co.uk

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/08/21/mandelson-police-investigation-at-risk-of-collapse/

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Delighted that a well-informed parent gets it: 'Don't extend TADs. Work with Fulton County Commission to properly tax commercial properties. Businesses need to be paying their fair share for public goods and services. The money is there.' www.ajc.com/opinion/2026...

ajc.com

If Atlanta Public Schools board extends TADs, future funding will be at risk

Atlanta Public Schools board of education should not vote to extend Tax Allocation Districts, which will divert funding away from future generations of students.

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

For those who care about Fulton County, Rohit answers some key questions in this thread. #GApol

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Julian Bene @julianbene.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Nebraska is gonna have a Senator who's way more progressive than Atlanta's mayor & council. Nebraska! What's it gonna take for a reset? (Money out of politics, of course.) #GApol

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