Author
Freshman Dems push bill to reverse Georgia’s 2019 anti-abortion law
A group of freshman Democratic legislators is pushing to repeal Georgia’s strict anti-abortion “fetal heartbeat” legislation nearly a year after lawmakers first bitterly debated it in the halls of the Capitol. A federal judge last fall blocked the law from taking effect in January. It would ban most abortions once a heartbeat is detected – […]
Lawmakers want tax credit for teachers at low-performing schools
Georgia teachers at low-performing schools could get a total of $15,000 in tax credits over five years if a proposed law is approved. The author, Buckhead Republican Rep. Dave Belton, said the legislation will help fill a teacher shortage. “Last year, there were 3,112 teacher vacancies, places we could not fill, so that’s 90,000 kids […]
‘Sanctuary cities’ could face legal liability for injuries caused by immigrants
Georgia’s so-called sanctuary cities could be subject to legal damages if someone in their jurisdiction is harmed by an undocumented immigrant, under proposed legislation. The bill’s author is Rep. Jesse Petrea, a Savannah Republican who filed legislation in past years to ensure Georgia isn’t home to sanctuary cities, which are banned in Georgia. If the […]
Senate takes turn at requiring ethylene oxide release transparency
The state Senate Natural Resources Committee moved forward on a plan to keep tabs on spills of a cancer-causing chemical Tuesday, despite concerns from some lawmakers and activists that the measure does not go far enough. Like legislation approved by a House panel Monday, Senate Bill 426 mandates any unauthorized release of the chemical be […]
Tensions raw at House hearing on toxic gas leak disclosure rules
A debate over how to publicize the release of a cancer-causing gas leaked out from a meeting room into the hallways of a state government office Monday afternoon as lawmakers and activists exchanged heated words. A bill sponsored by Rep. Don Parsons, a Republican from north Cobb, intends to add some reporting requirements when companies […]