Supporters of the measure say requiring drug testing to qualify for "Temporary Assistance For Needy Families" benefits will save the state money. But House Democrats like Representative Roger Bruce from Atlanta say the math doesn't add up. "The reality is most TANF benefits, 99 percent, over 99 percent actually of the benefit money comes from the federal government, said Bruce.

The Georgia House overwhelmingly approved a proposal Thursday to overhaul Georgia’s criminal justice system. The sentencing reform package was months in the making--- with proponents complaining that the state’s billion dollar corrections system not only costs too much, it’s often ineffective.

A tax reform plan that would remove an unpopular car tax and the sales tax manufacturers pay on energy unanimously passed the state Senate Thursday. The state House has already passed the measure so it now heads to Governor Nathan Deal, who says he will sign it.

Chatham County's legislative delegation has come to an agreement over how to split up county voters among school board and county commission members. Politics divided the local redistricting process. The county's Democratic and Republican officials split over a county plan that Republicans saw as favoring Democrats. County officials denied politics played a role.

The Georgia House approved a bill allowing citizens of Macon to vote whether to merge the city and Bibb County governments. The bill now heads to Governor Nathan Deal for his signature. Every member of the Bibb County legislative delegation voted yes on the bill. House speaker David Ralston says the bi-partisan effort sets a great example for other state lawmakers.