New poll shows Georgians support Medicaid expansion, increasing education funding
ATLANTA – A new poll out Friday shows Georgians support using some of the state’s record surplus to improve social services by expanding Medicaid and increasing funding for education. The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), a left-leaning think...
General Assembly to renew debate over certificate of need law
ATLANTA – State lawmakers have eased restrictions in Georgia’s certificate of need (CON) law over the years, making it easier for providers to build new health-care facilities or offer new medical services without proving the community needs them. Now, a push is on to...
Georgians in Congress renew push to designate Okefenokee a World Heritage Site
ATLANTA - Eight members of Georgia’s congressional delegation have launched a push to have the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The seven Democrats and one Republican urged the Interior Department in a letter this week to...
Instant runoffs voting bill introduced in Georgia House
ATLANTA – An effort that could lead eventually to the elimination of runoff elections in Georgia has surfaced in the General Assembly. State Rep. Joseph Gullett, R-Dallas, introduced a bill into the Georgia House this week that would allow Georgia cities to experiment...
Georgia House passes mid-year budget with $1 billion property tax rebate
ATLANTA - The Georgia House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $32.6 billion mid-year budget Thursday that includes a $1 billion property tax rebate worth $500 to the average homeowner. The mid-year budget, which covers state spending through June 30, sailed...
New lieutenant governor outlines goals
Newly elected Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in front of the Georgia Senate in January. (Photo credit: Rebecca Grapevine) ATLANTA – Newly elected Lt. Gov. Burt Jones says he is “laser focused” on the well-being of Georgians. The Jackson Republican and businessman ran...
Senate passes first bill of session aimed at widening GBI’s powers
ATLANTA – The state Senate Wednesday passed a bill that would allow the Georgia Bureau Investigation (GBI) to independently investigate a wide range of terrorism cases. The first bill to make it to the Senate floor this session – the “Georgia Fights...
Mid-year state budget clears Georgia House committee
ATLANTA - Georgia House budget writers approved a $32.6 billion mid-year state budget Wednesday that takes advantage of a $6.6 billion revenue surplus to increase spending 7.8% above the record fiscal 2023 budget lawmakers adopted last spring. “It is putting the focus...