ATLANTA – Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger called on the General Assembly Wednesday to pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting non-U.S. citizens from voting in state elections.
While such a prohibition already exists in Georgia law, Raffensperger pointed to several other states that are allowing noncitizens to vote.
The Vermont legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Phil Scott last year that paved the way for noncitizens to vote in two cities’ municipal elections. Noncitizens already can vote in municipal elections in San Francisco and nine Maryland cities.
Two cities in Massachusetts have passed resolutions calling for noncitizens to vote there, and proposals for noncitizen voting were introduced recently in New York City and in the states of Washington and Illinois.
“Only American citizens should be voting in our elections,” Raffensperger said Wednesday. “That’s why I’m calling on the General Assembly to act and pass a constitutional amendment ensuring this is the standard for generations to come.”
A constitutional amendment aimed at keeping noncitizens from voting likely would gain strong support from Republican voters in Georgia.
Raffensperger alienated many of those voters last year when he refused to go along with efforts by former President Donald Trump to overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s narrow victory in Georgia. Trump urged Raffensperger in a telephone call to “find” him the votes necessary to carry the Peach State.
Since then, Trump has endorsed U.S. Rep. Jody Hice’s Republican primary challenge of Raffensperger in next year’s race for secretary of state. Former Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle also is seeking the GOP nomination.
A constitutional amendment similar to Raffensperger’s proposal failed in the state Senate in March of last year amid opposition from minority Democrats. Constitutional amendments require two-thirds votes to pass the Georgia House and Senate.
ATLANTA – Georgia-based businesses that have taken advantage of the state’s decade-old Invest Georgia Exemption (IGE) will take part in an investment and business fair later this month inside the state Capitol.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is hosting the fair to highlight the exemption, which allows Georgia companies to raise capital from Georgia investors without being subject to the regulatory costs and burdens of registering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
More than 100 companies have used the exemption to grow their businesses in Georgia since it was created in 2011, Raffensperger said Wednesday.
“As a small-business owner myself, I know how important it is for the government to support rather than get in the way of business and investment,” he said. “I am proud to bring more attention to this important tool to help Georgia small businesses and entrepreneurs.”
The fair will take place on Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. until noon in the lobby of the Capitol. Participating companies will set up tables displaying what they do and how they have used the exemption to grow their businesses.
Business groups and government agencies, including representatives of the secretary of state’s office, also will be on hand to provide information and tips to entrepreneurs interested in starting a business or owners of existing small businesses looking to grow.
“IGE is an example of good public policy,” said Larry Williams, president and CEO of the Technology Association of Georgia. “By making it easier to raise capital, IGE helps our members develop new technologies and create value. With help from effective programs like IGE, capital investment in Georgia is growing and deal flow is strong.”
The IGE fair is sponsored by the Investors Protection Trust, a nonprofit organization that provides independent, objective information consumers need to make informed investment decisions.
ATLANTA – The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan infrastructure spending bill Tuesday that would steer more than $11 billion toward highways, transit, airports and electric vehicle charging stations in Georgia.
The $1 trillion legislation, which cleared the Senate 69-30 and now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives, includes $8.9 billion for highway projects in the Peach State, $1.3 billion for transit expansion, $225 million to repair bridges, $619 million for airport improvements and $135 million to build EV charging stations.
It also contains at least $100 million to expand broadband connectivity in Georgia.
“Today’s historic bipartisan vote to upgrade our infrastructure, promote clean energy, and create good-paying jobs will benefit Georgians for generations to come,” said Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., who voted for the bill along with fellow Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock.
“The investments we make now will set us forward on a path toward sustainability, innovation, and world-class transit and transportation across our state. And we have proven that America’s elected leaders can rise above partisanship to serve the national interest.”
The vast majority of the transit funding earmarked for Georgia – $923 million – would go to transit systems in metro Atlanta. However, 15 other transit agencies across the state would receive allocations ranging from $5.8 million to $33 million, including systems serving Augusta, Savannah, Athens, Macon, Columbus, Brunswick and Rome.
Georgia also would share in funding for repairs and upgrades of public schools, port improvements, flood mitigation and replacement of lead pipes.
While 19 Republicans voted for the infrastructure bill in the Senate, it’s unclear whether it will pass in the House. Progressive Democrats in the House have vowed not to support the legislation unless the Senate passes a $3.5 trillion bill aimed at funding investments in “human” infrastructure including free community college tuition, subsidized child care, housing and health care.
Senate Republicans who opposed the infrastructure bill argued it would further increase an already huge federal deficit.
ATLANTA – The University System of Georgia (USG) awarded a record 72,929 degrees during the last fiscal year despite the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
That’s 2,050 degrees more than the system awarded in fiscal 2020, representing a 3% increase.
“Students continue to show incredible fortitude despite the challenges of the pandemic, and I am incredibly grateful for their hard work and the support given to them by USG’s 26 public colleges and universities,” Acting Chancellor Teresa MacCartney said Tuesday.
“Institutions understand how critical it is for Georgians to complete their degrees and join the state’s highly skilled workforce. As we look forward to a new academic year on campus, USG remains focused on fulfilling that mission and helping students succeed.”
The number of degrees awarded annually has increased every year since the university system joined the Complete College America program in 2011 and refocused efforts on raising educational attainment in Georgia.
As a result, the number of degrees awarded annually has increased nearly 33% during the last decade.
In her first report to the university system’s Board of Regents since taking on the role of acting chancellor last month, MacCartney supported Gov. Brian Kemp’s position of recommending that students and faculty wear masks to discourage the spread of COVID-19 without imposing a government mandate.
MacCartney said wearing masks and getting vaccinated against the virus will help the system provide in-person instruction during the school year beginning this month, which she said is important “for the mental health of our students.”
MacCartney said some campuses are doing their part to combat COVID-19 by setting up vaccine sites.
MacCartney took over as acting chancellor with the retirement of former Chancellor Steve Wrigley.
ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp called on Georgia businesses Tuesday to join him in the fight against violent crime.
The recent rise in crime across the state, but particularly in metro Atlanta, poses a threat to Georgia’s economy, Kemp told the state’s top political and business leaders gathered in Columbus for the annual Congressional Luncheon sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
“If crime is rampant on the streets of your local community, businesses will look elsewhere, workforces will leave, visitors won’t show up and investment will stop,” he said. “Chambers of commerce … have a responsibility to speak up about crime and work toward meaningful solutions.”
The growth in violent crime has become a high-priority issue for Kemp and legislative leaders in recent weeks. The governor announced last month that he would add addressing crime to the agenda of a special session the General Assembly will hold this fall to redraw Georgia’s congressional and legislative districts.
Kemp also has committed up to $7 million from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to help finance the activities of the state Department of Public Safety’s Crime Suppression Unit.
Top legislative leaders also have floated proposals to combat violent crime. House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, has proposed putting $75 million toward boosting law enforcement and mental health services in Georgia.
Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who presides over the state Senate, is calling for a $250 million tax credit to raise funds for crimefighting. The money raised through donations made in exchange for the tax credit would go to police officer pay raises, to hire more officers and to increase training.
Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said chamber officials have been working on the crime problem for the last several months.
“We know public safety impacts every one of our employees, customers, clients, families and suppliers,” Clark said to Kemp after the governor finished his remarks. “You can count on us.”
