Briefs
Georgia AG joins GOP colleagues in urging Senate to reject impeachment
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is among 21 attorneys general who are calling on the U.S. Senate to reject the Democrats’ case against President Donald Trump. The group of Republican state leaders filed a “friend of the Senate” letter Wednesday as the impeachment proceedings heated up in the Senate, with House impeachment managers outlining their […]
Federal comments on Georgia Medicaid plan can shape results
The federal government wants to hear what Georgians think about a state proposal to subsidize health insurance for more state residents — who work, or are in school or volunteer jobs. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s office calculates his proposed slight expansion of Medicaid would insure health care costs for about 50,000 low-income Georgians currently without […]
Kemp sells his conservative agenda at business breakfast
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp offered few clues for what will – or won’t – be found in the state’s new budget during an annual address to the state’s business leaders and elected officials. Rather, the Republican governor stuck to familiar talking points and divulged only slight hints of the legislative and spending priorities he plans […]
Lawmaker aims to require plants to disclose toxic gas release
A Georgia lawmaker introduced legislation this week that he says is the first step in better regulating plants that produce a gas that can put residents at a higher risk of developing cancer. Rep. Erick Allen’s House Bill 774 proposes to require companies to publicly report the amount ethylene oxide gas they release into the […]
Georgia Dems push new GOP U.S. Senator to oppose Obamacare repeal
A Georgia health care coalition and a group of state legislators are pushing U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler to publicly oppose the ongoing dismantling of the Affordable Care Act, which they say provides important protection for women’s health care. Pro-Obamacare advocate Protect Our Care, Sen. Jen Jordan, Rep. Pat Gardner, Georgia Democratic Party Chair Nikema Williams […]
State lawmakers dust off decades-old ERA debate
A group of Georgia state lawmakers says it’s time to approve a 1972 U.S. constitutional amendment that aims to bar discrimination on the basis of sex. “It’s just amazing in my mind … that here we are in 2020 and we have to debate over this issue,” said state Rep. Billy Mitchell, a Stone Mountain […]
Lieutenant governor hints gambling bills are long shot this year
Gambling proponents may have gone bust just one day into the new session, with one high-ranking state leader expressing skepticism about the desire for expanded opportunities in Georgia. Several key lawmakers spent the fall considering online sports betting, horse racing and casino-style gaming in Georgia, and although two panels have not officially endorsed a plan, […]
Georgia General Assembly begins on a somber note
Georgia lawmakers returned to the state Capitol Monday and paid tribute to two colleagues who died recently. Legislators are set to engage in lively debates this session over a range of issues, from budget cuts to gambling to health care. But first former colleagues offered memories of Sen. Greg Kirk and Rep. Jay Powell. Powell, […]
Georgia School Superintendent envisions bus funding shift
The Georgia Department of Education is asking for legislators to provide more transportation funding to rural school districts. State Superintendent Richard Woods said Friday that a larger share of state funding school districts receive will ease the financial strain on rural communities. Statewide, busing costs soared the last two decades, with local districts covering $945 […]
Ralston says Georgians should be trusted with gambling expansion
House Speaker David Ralston said Georgians should decide if casinos, sports betting and horse racing become legal. Ralston sat down with reporters Thursday ahead of next week’s start to the 2020 legislative session. He said he’ll have a better sense of how much support gambling legislation has after lawmakers return to the Gold Dome Monday. […]
Three qualify for February special election to fill late senator’s seat
Three candidates will appear on the ballot in the special election called after the death of a south Georgia state senator. Carden Summers of Cordele and Jim Quinn of Leesburg will run as Republicans, and Mary Egler of Leesburg is the lone Democrat in the special contest set for Feb. 4, according to the Georgia Secretary […]