Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon
Investigative Journalist , Georgia
Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon has traveled the globe in his pursuit to shine a light on important public issues and hold the powerful accountable. Alessandro’s journalism career began in Southeast Asia, where he covered the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Cambodia. There, he detailed the scourge of illicit narcotics on poor communities, chronicled the ecological security of the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake, and exposed the black-market trade of historical manuscripts pilfered from pagodas. Alessandro arrived in Georgia after working as an investigative reporter for the USA Today network in Florida, where his coverage of a combat veteran's death in police custody won state, regional and national press awards. Alessandro earned his bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California. He enjoys cooking for his friends and learning about other cultures.
Illustration by Brittney Phan (State Affairs)
Illustration by Brittney Phan (State Affairs)
As half of Georgia's infrastructure nears its unofficial expiration date, businesses are pushing to increase the weight limits of trucks on Georgia roads. Already Georgia’s booming population and economic growth have put an unforeseen strain on infrastructure. It could be a crisis in the making if officials don’t act on the data.
Credit: Beau Evans (State Affairs)
Credit: Beau Evans (State Affairs)
As the Peach State moves past 2021, State Affairs took a moment to reflect on what events of the past year are most likely to have a continued impact on Georgia’s people, politics, and policy in 2022. From the pandemic to tax policy, a lot has impacted citizens across the state.
Illustration by Brittney Phan
Illustration by Brittney Phan
State Affairs tried answering the question: what is the measurable cost of nearly half of us in Georgia choosing not to be vaccinated? Since June, when vaccines were widely available, that figure likely exceeds $460 million in the direct cost of preventable hospitalizations.
State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver speaks to the p...
State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver speaks to the p...
Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1987. In 1992 she was elected to the State Senate where she served until running for Lieutenant Governor in 1998. She lost the race in a runoff but returned to the House of Representatives in 2003 where she has served since.
Photo Credit: Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon
Photo Credit: Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon
Meet Jen Jordan: The State Senator running for Attorney General of Georgia
February 16, 2022
5 min read
Since becoming a Senator for the 6th district, which represents parts of Cobb and Fulton Counties, Jordan has earned a reputation as a fighter and for applying her legal expertise and to work with colleagues across the aisle. Now she’s running for Attorney General against Chris Carr.
Illustration by Brittney Phan
Illustration by Brittney Phan
Lack of Virtual Access to Public Meetings Denies Millions of Georgians a Voice
March 02, 2022 3 min read
Nearly a third of Georgia’s major state government agencies and departments don’t provide virtual or dial-in access to the public for board meetings, according to an investigation by State Affairs. Hardly any keep video or audio records of those meetings.
Illustration by Brittney Phan
Illustration by Brittney Phan
Georgia’s two state-run pension systems, which pay out retirement benefits to teachers and state employees, were invested in $158.4 million in Russian assets through a US-based private fund, records obtained by State Affairs show.
Illustration by Brittney Phan
Illustration by Brittney Phan
The Georgia Senate Finance Committee’s proposed changes to a sweeping tax bill would make film tax credits non-transferable and put an annual cap on the program, a reform that critics of the credits say is necessary, but advocates say would crush Georgia’s booming film and TV industry.
Illustration by Brittney Phan
Illustration by Brittney Phan
Three controversial bills awaiting Gov. Kemp’s signature take aim at “critical race theory” (CRT), banning so-called “divisive concepts,” giving parents more power to moderate what is taught in public schools and making it easier to ban certain educational materials deemed “obscene.”
Illustration by Brittney Phan (State Affairs)
Illustration by Brittney Phan (State Affairs)
Election ‘fraud’ claims, voting rights take center stage in Georgia primary race for Secretary of State
May 11, 2022 3 min read
Voting rights and the integrity of Georgia’s elections, not unexpectedly, have become central themes of this year’s race for secretary of state, with three Republicans challenging the incumbent and five Democrats hoping to flip one of the state’s most important offices.
Photo Credit: Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon
Photo Credit: Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon
On the Issues: Where do the Republican Candidates for Georgia Governor Stand?
May 23, 2022 0 min read
Infographic: Republican Candidates for Georgia Governor
Credit: Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon (State Affairs)
Credit: Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon (State Affairs)
Voters across the Peach State largely encountered few difficulties at the election polls today. Sporadic instances of polling place mixups, technical glitches and other obstacles were reported across the state, but nothing that elections observers and experts deemed out of the ordinary.
Photo Credit: Jaira Burke / Em Getsay
Photo Credit: Jaira Burke / Em Getsay
In a post-Roe v. Wade Georgia, seeking an abortion could likely take a woman across state lines. Driving to North Carolina or Florida, the nearest likely options, could be a hardship beyond the obvious reason of distance, but those states have mandatory waiting periods, piling on the added expense of lodging.
Georgia Primary Runoffs will Decide Democratic Candidates for Key Statewide Offices
June 07, 2022 2 min read
Runoff Election Day is June 21; early voting begins June 13. Democratic voters will decide nominees for the offices of Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Labor Commissioner and Insurance Commissioner.
Photo Credit: Brynn Anderson/AP (pool)
Photo Credit: Brynn Anderson/AP (pool)
Democratic Runoff Candidates for Georgia Secretary of State Make Case to Take on Brad Raffensperger
June 07, 2022 2 min read
At a debate on Monday evening, State Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler and State Rep. Bee Nguyen, who are vying for the Democratic nomination for Georgia’s Secretary of State, presented largely similar policy visions and pitched to voters why they believe they are best poised to take on Republican incumbent Brad Raffensperger.
Photo Credit: Brynn Anderson/AP (pool)
Photo Credit: Brynn Anderson/AP (pool)
Charlie Bailey debates empty podium in Lt. Governor’s Democratic Primary Runoff
June 07, 2022 1 min read
Kwanza Hall did not show up to a planned Atlanta Press Club debate with Lt. Governor opponent Charlie Bailey.
Credit: January 6 House Select Committee
Credit: January 6 House Select Committee
Georgia has already drawn focus in the first two days of congressional hearings on the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and with key Georgia witnesses expected to testify, the Peach State is set to play a central role.
Credit: January 6 House Select Committee
Credit: January 6 House Select Committee
House Select Committee’s ‘Georgia Day’ focuses on the pressure Trump put on state officials
June 21, 2022 4 min read
The hearings, which lasted for nearly three hours, focused on the pressure former President Donald Trump put on top state officials and low-level election workers and the dangerous rhetoric that resulted in death threats, livelihoods disrupted and harassment.
Photo Credit: Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon
Photo Credit: Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon
Of the four statewide runoff races decided Tuesday, Abrams, the Democratic nominee for governor, had made endorsements in three, backing Charlie Bailey for lieutenant governor, Bee Nguyen for secretary of state and William “Will” Boddie, Jr. for labor commissioner.
Credit: Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon
Credit: Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon
Roe V. Wade Overturned: Will Georgia Be A Battleground For Reproductive Rights?
June 25, 2022 4 min read
The U.S. Supreme Court this morning struck down Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that made abortion access a constitutionally protected right. Abortion is for now still legal in Georgia, but the court’s decision could call into effect Georgia’s 2019 six-week abortion ban (HB 481), which is currently blocked in federal court.