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Georgia legislature news
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Technology error rejected some Georgia voter registration applications
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Olens sole candidate for Kennesaw State president
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Sam Olens, regents committee to discuss KSU presidency Tuesday
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Cory Booker woos younger voters at Tech rally to back Hillary Clinton
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Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump look to ground game to win Georgia
Adrienne White stood in the middle of the downstairs bar of a trendy Westside bakery and told the 100 women around her to take out their phones and prepare to receive a script and a list of phone numbers to call.
Lawmakers tell rural hospitals aid should not go to consultants
Lawmakers thought they’d found a way to help keep struggling rural hospitals in Georgia afloat: $180 million in state tax credits going to donors who contribute to small-town medical centers.
Georgia craft brewers to seek changes as wholesalers ponder options
Georgia’s beer wholesalers say they are likely to propose new changes to the state’s laws governing the sale of alcohol, but the growing craft brewery industry isn’t exactly holding its breath.
Feds: Email can help stop crop losses from lack of migrant labor
U.S. labor officials met Thursday with Georgia agriculture leaders in search of ways to keep Georgia farmers from losing millions of dollars because of a lack of available workers to harvest crops.
Underwater? $110 million to float struggling Atlanta homeowners
State officials today will announce a $110 million program aimed at helping thousands of homeowners struggling to stay in their homes.
In South Carolina, Democrats enjoy ever brief moment of parity
For a few weeks in August, South Carolina Democrats had that battleground state smell.It was likely the happiest the beleaguered party had been since 1998, when it won the governor?셲 office and protected a U.
Georgia governor unveils second part of law enforcement pay raise
Gov. Nathan Deal has rolled out the second phase of his plan to give state law enforcement officers pay increases.
Georgia?셲 judicial watchdog in leadership crisis, member says
A member of the state commission that investigates allegations of misconduct by judges told a Georgia House committee Thursday that his panel is in the midst of a ?쐏erfect storm of dysfunction,??providing ammunition to lawmakers aiming to make changes in the system.
Gwinnett House candidate?셲 company accused of extorting the poor
Five people jailed because they couldn’t pay probation fees have filed suit against a company operated by a candidate for the state House of Representatives, saying the business extorts money from poor people.
Judicial watchdog: Georgia panel in ?쐏erfect storm of dysfunction.??
A member of the state commission that investigates allegations of misconduct by judges told a Georgia House committee Thursday that his panel is in the midst of a ?쐏erfect storm of dysfunction,??providing ammunition to lawmakers aiming to make changes in the system.
Gwinnett House district gets voting rights scrutiny
Georgia?셲 decision to redraw state House of Representatives districts last year is getting new scrutiny as the battle over voting rights heats up in federal courts across the country.
Judge orders Georgia to release database records on voter registration
A federal judge has ordered Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp to release more detailed public records about why the state decides to reject applicants trying to register to vote, granting a temporary victory to voter advocates as a lawsuit over the records continues.
Georgia ethics policy may be stumbling block for new commissioner
The state ethics commission has a new conflict-of-interest policy that could have its newest member recusing himself from considering a lot of the cases before the panel.
Ralston names Savannah lawyer to ethics commission
House Speaker David Ralston on Tuesday appointed Savannah attorney James Kreyenbuhl to the state ethics commission.
Oxendine could face new allegations from Georgia ethics commission
State ethics officials may file new allegations against former insurance commissioner and gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine in the coming months over his decision to “invest” $237,000 in leftover campaign money in his law firm.
Jobs to be issue in religious liberty rematch
General Electric executives scouting Atlanta as a possible home for the corporate giant’s digital division reacted swiftly when Georgia legislators passed the controversial “religious liberty” bill in March: They canceled the trip.
Former judges complain of treatment by judicial commission
A former DeKalb County Superior Court judge said Thursday she was duped and “sucker punched” when she met with the commission that oversees Georgia’s judiciary — a meeting that led to her indictment and, finally, to her agreement never to return to the bench.
Atlanta-based app connects people to their politicians
Atlanta software developer Horace Williams traces the inspiration for his new mobile app to the outpouring of anger and activism that occurred in the wake of the 2012 shooting death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin.
Georgia universities request $265 million for construction, repair
With Georgia colleges continuing to see climbing enrollment, the University System on Wednesday asked for a boost in state funding as well as $265 million more for construction and renovation projects.
State of Georgia?셲 tax take up 6.8 percent in August
State collections grew in August in yet another sign that Georgia’s economy remains fairly strong.
How secure is your vote on Election Day in Georgia?
If you vote in Georgia, you care about ballot security. And ahead of this fall’s presidential election, it’s never been more in the news.
An election primer on Georgia?셲 voting system and ballot security
If you vote in Georgia, you care about ballot security. And ahead of this fall’s presidential election, it’s never been more in the news.
Gov. Nathan Deal, state of Georgia, bank a record $2 billion
Saving money isn’t politically sexy. But Gov. Nathan Deal is showing he’s pretty good at it.
Georgia?셲 budget reserves swell to record $2.05 billion
Gov. Nathan Deal’s goal of leaving his successor flush with $2 billion in the state’s savings account is way ahead of schedule, thanks to a strong economy and relatively tight spending plans.
Ex-chiefs offer option in defense of Georgia judicial watchdog
Two former directors of the state agency that investigates judges defended the Judicial Qualifications Commission before a key legislative committee Thursday, but they also conceded there was room for improvement.
Deal plans big boost in state officer pay, revamp of police training
Gov. Nathan Deal proposed Thursday a 20 percent pay increase for state law enforcement officers and an overhaul of police training to include more courses on use of force and community policing after a summer of violence and unrest in the nation?셲 streets.
Gov. Deal lays out education plans and lashes out at critics
Gov. Nathan Deal told Georgia educational leaders Thursday that his final two years in office will see a pivot to education policy, and he lashed out at critics of his budgets and his push for a state takeover of ?쐁hronically failing??schools.
Latino judge faced stiff opposition to seat on Georgia?셲 top court
More than 130 lawyers were nominated for the three open Georgia Supreme Court slots, but there was only one who provoked a storm of letters to Gov.
Drama-filled presidential race obscures state races, issues in Georgia
Politicians see Labor Day as the unofficial start of the election season, but no presidential race in recent history has made that idea seem so quaint.
Georgia Chamber pitches Medicaid expansion options
Georgia business leaders revealed on Wednesday three Republican-friendly alternatives to expanding the state?셲 Medicaid program ??a move that would extend health coverage to hundreds of thousands of poor Georgians and bring billions of dollars in new federal funding to the state.
State of Georgia creates Governor Sonny Perdue Highway
The state this week dedicated the section of Interstate 75 that runs through Houston County in honor of former Gov.
Is Georgia?셲 voting system safe from hackers?
Warnings that hackers appear to have targeted elections systems in Arizona and Illinois have served as a wake-up call for Georgia officials, who began investigating Tuesday how the state’s public agencies can get a better handle on data security.
Will voting be an issue in Georgia?셲 presidential election?
Georgia voters over the past four years have been served legal summonses to prove where they lived, purged from the rolls and rejected from registering to vote.
A renewed debate over Obamacare in Ga. hangs on the presidential race
We are about to get down to the nitty-gritty of the presidential contest in Georgia. But we’re not talking about Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.
A renewed debate over Obamacare in Ga. hangs on the presidential race
We are about to get down to the nitty-gritty of the presidential contest in Georgia. But we’re not talking about Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.
$300 million boost sought for Georgia?셲 state health care programs
The state agency that provides health care to one in four Georgians will ask the General Assembly next year for an additional $300 million to run its programs.
Georgia voters could decide to alter the state?셲 constitution this fall
While most attention this fall will be focused on Georgia’s presidential ballot, voters across the state will also get to vote on failing schools, trauma care funding, judicial oversight and help for victims of sex trafficking.
State of Georgia public health plans need another $300 million
The state agency that provides health care to millions of Georgians is asking the General Assembly for an additional $300 million to run the program.
Hundreds of rape kits, some stored for years, to flood State Crime Lab
The GBI’s State Crime Lab expects to receive an additional 864 rape kits within a week that have been stored, for years in some cases, in police evidence lockers and never analyzed for DNA matches.
Bipartisan group will push amendment to aid trafficking victims
A bipartisan group of current and former elected officials will lead an effort to urge voters to approve a constitutional amendment in November that would fund services for children who are victims of human trafficking.
Georgia dental hygienists, dentists at odds over program for kids
The state of Georgia could save millions of dollars a year and serve thousands of children from low-income families by increasing access to basic dental care, researchers told key lawmakers Monday.
Retired Georgia ports director left with big-money payout
When he retired as head of the Georgia Ports Authority, Curtis Foltz left with $2 million. The money paid to the 56-year-old shipping and logistics expert included salary, bonuses, pension and other fees, according to documents obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
State could soon own former World of Coke, but its future is uncertain
Nine years after buying the former World of Coke building in downtown Atlanta, the state is finally hoping to get the land it sits on.
Georgia may get old World of Coke land, but unclear if museum a fit
Nine years after buying the old World of Coke building in downtown Atlanta, the state is finally hoping to get the land it sits on.
Texting while governing: Smart phones outwit open meetings law
After months of public debate and hours upon hours of public hearings, Milton resident Laura Rencher found herself on the losing side of a bitter zoning fight before the mayor and City Council.
Georgia officials decide they can do little about Allstate rate hike
Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens issued a rare “consumer alert” earlier this year when Allstate Insurance filed plans to raise auto coverage rates an average of 25 percent.
Who needs and doesn?셳 need licenses to work in Georgia spurs questions
In Georgia, is it fair that the professional landscaper reimagining your backyard may need three separate licenses to do the work but not the woman who does your taxes?
Police investigating new Villa Rica lawmaker in domestic dispute
Villa Rica police are investigating a domestic dispute between newly elected state lawmaker J. Collins and his wife.
More will have to work to keep food stamps
Georgia plans to significantly expand the number of counties that require food stamp recipients with no children to find a job, extending the program from three to 24 counties across the state.
DEA decision on medical marijuana ?쁟ould be huge??for Georgia families
The announcement Thursday by federal officials to keep marijuana on the list of most dangerous drugs has stunned Georgia advocates, who called it “insane” and said it would hurt families trying to access a form of medical marijuana legally allowed here.
Recount upholds 10-vote Ga. Senate victory for Anderson
A recount Thursday confirmed former Lithonia Mayor Tonya Anderson’s 10-vote victory over Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler in last month’s Democratic runoff.
AJC poll: Voters split on weapons ban, support anti-terrorism measures
Georgians are split on whether the U.S. should ban the sale of assault weapons, but they overwhelmingly support efforts aimed at stopping would-be terrorists from buying guns, a new poll for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found.
Some Georgia officials saw pay raises they should not have gotten
Some of Georgia’s statewide elected officials didn’t follow Gov. Nathan Deal’s lead and accepted pay raises last month.
Georgia lobbyists make sure lawmakers are fed when they travel
Statehouse lobbyists aren’t going to let Georgia lawmakers go hungry, even when they’re attending conferences out of the state.
Georgia lobbyists make sure lawmakers are fed when they travel
Statehouse lobbyists aren’t going to let Georgia lawmakers go hungry, even when they’re attending conferences out of the state.
?쁕pskirting??victim calls on Legislature to enact new law
A Houston County woman who was the victim of “upskirting” at her local grocery store is calling on the Legislature to make the lewd, invasive conduct a crime.
Controversial tax paying off for rural Georgia transportation
Four years ago this month Atlanta voters sent a regional transportation tax down in flames. But other, more rural communities across the state, though also apprehensive about the tax proposal, decided their transportation needs outweighed their hesitations.
Retailers, shoppers like tax holiday, but policy groups don?셳 buy it
Georgia’s back-to-school sales tax holiday is big with politicians and retailers, but policy wonks on the right and left think the state should dump the annual event.
Experts on the left, right, call for end to Georgia Sales Tax Holiday
The conservative Tax Foundation and left-leaning Georgia Budget & Policy Institute aren?셳 always on the same side on issues, but they agree that the state should dump its annual back-to-school sales tax holiday.
Voter turnout Tuesday fell under 12 percent in Georgia
Less than 12 percent of eligible voters cast ballots for Tuesday’s primary runoff elections, according to new numbers from the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.
Governor holding line on spending despite record Georgia tax take
The state of Georgia is taking in record tax collections and hiring again after years of cutbacks.But as state agencies prepare to develop their budget plans for the upcoming year, Gov.
5 things to watch tonight at the Democratic convention
Hillary Clinton will officially accept the Democratic nomination for president tonight, culminating a historic week that ends with the first female presidential nominee of a major political party.
Gov. Deal holding line on spending despite record Georgia tax take
The state of Georgia is taking in record tax collections and hiring again after years of cutbacks.But as state agencies prepare to develop their budget plans for the coming year, Gov.
DNC 2016: Five things to watch on Day Three
The third day of the Democratic National Convention gets underway at 4 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center.
Two Latino women seeking election to the Georgia General Assembly
As The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported recently, Brenda Lopez of Norcross is poised to become the first Latino woman elected to the Georgia General Assembly after winning the May Democratic primary election in House District 99.
Rising seas to impact Georgia military bases
Coastal military bases in Georgia are threatened by rising seas prompted by climate change, according to a report released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Vernon Jones appears headed to win in Georgia House race
The political comeback of former DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones appeared to take a major step forward Tuesday as he headed for victory in a state House runoff.
What to watch at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday
Day Two of the Democratic National Convention gets underway this afternoon. After a raucous opening day, Democrats are hoping for a smoother, but no less important, follow-up.
After years of cutbacks, state of Georgia hiring again
A record state budget that took effect earlier this month is giving officials the chance to fill hundreds of jobs after years of worker cutbacks.
혻Democratic chair to resign at end of DNC over hacked emails
Democrats’ plans for a harmonious national convention here this week were scrambled over the weekend as a cache of hacked emails threatened to disrupt hard-fought unity.
Georgia?셲 largest online school paid millions, earns a D
Georgians spend tens of millions of dollars a year on one of the biggest online schools in the nation, yet nearly every measure indicates the high-tech, online education model has not worked for many of its more than 13,000 students.
State workers grow in number as demands on Georgia?셲 government rise
The first major wave of state government hiring since the Great Recession came at just the right time for Amanda Scott.
Ted Cruz stumps for Mike Crane in Newnan
Fresh off a defiant appearance at the Republican National Convention where he refused to endorse GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, U.
Fulton County had issues at some early voting locations
Fulton County experienced technical problems at two early voting locations Friday.Voters going to the East Roswell Library or East Point Library had longer wait times.
A World War II veteran battles for re-election in Georgia
The knock at the front door sets Karen Mathiak into a blur of motion, not least because she doesn?셳 know the man peering in from the porch of her chiropractic practice in this small town south of Atlanta.
Kasim Reed, Stacey Abrams to speak next week at Democratic convention
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and state House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams will both have speaking roles at next week’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Cruz snub revives Trump rift in Georgia GOP
Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s striking snub of Donald Trump — and the cascade of boos that followed it — has ratcheted up the tension around his scheduled visit to Georgia on Friday to stump for an anti-establishment congressional candidate.
Here?셲 what you should know about the Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention begins Monday in Philadelphia and runs until Thursday night. Here are 15 things to know about the 2016 DNC.
Georgia Lottery hits the jackpot: A record $1B profit for education
Georgia?셲 Lottery has surpassed one milestone after another since its inception in 1993, and now it?셲 topped one more: $1 billion raised for education in a single year.
Georgia Lottery raises a record $1 billion for education
The Georgia Lottery raised more than $1 billion last year for the state?셲 pre-kindergarten program and HOPE scholarships for college students, the first time ever in the lottery?셲 23-year history it has crossed the ?쏝??mark in profits for a single year.
GOP makes it official: Trump the nominee
Donald J. Trump officially became the Republican presidential nominee Tuesday evening, as the convention crowd celebrated not just the naming of a standard-bearer, but the welcomed end of a primary campaign that has forced the party to confront its own future.
Deal calls for boosting police salaries, training
Cleveland — Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday he was considering a legislative package that could include more pay for state police officers as well as a new training regimen for law enforcement authorities in the aftermath of violence and unrest in the nation’s streets.
Old Georgia archives building coming down over Christmas holiday
The state of Georgia hopes to ring in the New Year by bringing down the old state archives building down the street from the Capitol.
RNC 2016: First night targets Obama, Clinton on Benghazi, immigration
Donald Trump made a brief appearance at the Republican National Convention late Monday to introduce his wife, Melania, a bright moment in an opening day that was nearly derailed by a raucous attempt to expose the lingering divisions in the party.
Medical marijuana turns 1 in Georgia, but obstacles and risk remain
Medical marijuana turned 1 this month in Georgia, but not everybody is celebrating.While the state?셲 official registry of patients allowed to legally use a limited form of cannabis oil continues to grow, some parents of children with intractable diseases have started their own underground network to get the oil into Georgia illegally because they are barred by federal law from shipping it here.
18-year-old Georgia delegates to bring energy to political conventions
Will Carter is such a newcomer to Republican politics that he didn’t realize there was a $25 fee to attend his Savannah district convention.
Georgia?셲 medical marijuana law just turned one year old
The phones at the Georgia Department of Public Health no longer ring off the hook with people calling to find doctors or asking questions about how the state?셲 medical marijuana registry works.
Georgia ends fiscal year with a revenue boost of nearly 10 percent
State tax collections climbed 9.4 percent during the recently completed fiscal year, and officials don?셳 see any signs of a major economic slowdown in Georgia.
Georgia Democrats near cash parity with GOP, which struggles with debt
Georgia Republicans may roll their eyes when their Democratic counterparts claim Georgia may turn blue this November.
State of Georgia revenue growth slows in June
Growth in state tax collections slowed in June but the government ended the fiscal year up more than 9 percent from 2015.
Bernie Sanders backers: Being a convention delegate is pricey
Adam Griffin has raised just $539 toward his $4,000 goal. Daniel Abrams figures he only needs $3,000 and has raised more than one-third of that.
Texas faculty file lawsuit over campus carry law
Three faculty members at the University of Texas filed suit in federal court Wednesday in an effort to bar concealed handguns from classrooms.
Shifting of campaign funds by 4 Georgia congressmen raises questions
U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter raised more than $360,000 in contributions over five years while running for and then serving in the Georgia Senate, much of it coming from statehouse special interests.
Meet Georgia?셲 delegation to the Republican National Convention
There’s a professional storyteller. A teenage activist trying to build a national profile. A former presidential candidate, a medical marijuana activist, one of the nation’s most prominent Republican attorneys, and a gaggle of ambitious politicians and rising GOP stars.
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