Georgia lawmakers went after corporate landlords. They did not get far
In a rare bipartisan moment during this year's legislative session in Georgia, Democrats and Republicans agreed on how to do something about what they said was a core cause of Georgia's housing affordability problem. The state Senate passed a bill that sought to...
Georgia Senate puts its stamp on 2026-27 budget
ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate approved its version of the $38.5 billion fiscal year 2027 budget Friday, sending it to the state House for negotiations over the disagreements. The House started the budget process, passing its version earlier this month. Among...
Georgia Senate votes for rapid move to hand-marked paper ballots before elections this fall
ATLANTA — A proposal for a quick switch to hand-marked paper ballots cleared the Georgia Senate on Friday, an idea that election officials say would disrupt this year's elections. The Senate's 32-21 party-line vote sets up a showdown over competing bills that would...
GOP measure to cap out-of-state campaign donations advancing through Georgia House
ATLANTA — A Republican measure to limit out-of-state support of Georgia political campaigns passed a state House committee and is nearing final passage in the final days of this year's legislative session. Senate Bill 423 would make it a felony punishable by up to a...
Lawmakers exempt “bona fide” media from proposed police video access restrictions
ATLANTA — Legislation that raised alarms about public access to police videos passed through a House committee Thursday with amendments that eased access for members of two Georgia media associations. Senate Bill 482 started out as a way to restrict the free flow of...
Georgia Senate Republicans approve more tax breaks for private school scholarship donors
ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate wants to nearly double the tax breaks that go to donors who give to a program that pays for private school scholarships. The tax credit program for elementary, middle and high school scholarships has been capped at $120 million a year...
After the penny’s demise, Georgia may round prices to the nearest 5 cents
ATLANTA — Now that the government isn't making pennies anymore, Georgia lawmakers are planning to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel. The penny proposal makes sense, said Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome. "It's pretty simple," Hufstetler said. "You round up or...
‘Rio’s Law’ passes to help police confrontations with Georgians with autism
ATLANTA — When police pull over someone with autism, those stops can quickly escalate into confrontations because of miscommunications and stress. The General Assembly gave final approval Wednesday to a bill designed to alert police so they handle those situations...