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Tue., October 18, 2011 4:32pm
Georgia’s solar industry says an old state law is stifling Georgians’ access to the energy resource. And a push is on to get lawmakers to change it. The state’s 1973 Territorial Electric Service Act prohibits anyone from selling power—except to a utility. Utility companies say it’s a vital law to protect their infrastructure investment and ensure customer protection.
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Fri., September 30, 2011 8:55am
School nurses in Georgia could soon get more state dollars. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that a committee of legislators and educators tasked with suggesting improvements for how the state funds public education plans to recommend to Governor Nathan Deal that the state cover more of the cost of Georgia's $56 million school nurse program.
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Fri., September 23, 2011 8:43am
Gov. Nathan Deal has signed legislation ratifying a freeze in the state's gas tax that took effect July 1. Deal had issued an executive order in June halting an automatic increase linked to rising fuel prices, but he needed lawmakers to also sign off. The state gas tax had been set to rise 1.6 cents a gallon, as a result of a formula. It stayed instead at 12.9 cents a gallon, rather than rising to 14.5 cents a gallon.
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Mon., September 19, 2011 8:26am
About a fifth of Georgia's state lawmakers have failed to pay their taxes on time. An investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows that federal, state or local governments have filed liens against 16 state senators and 32 representatives. A lien allows government officials to seize a person's property and sell it to recoup a tax debt.
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Thu., September 1, 2011 1:15pm
A Republican state lawmaker with ties to Gov. Nathan Deal says he will run for Georgia's newest congressional seat. State Rep. Doug Collins, of Gainesville, is serving his third term in the state House and served as one of the governor's floor leaders, sponsoring Deal's proposal to revamp the HOPE scholarship.
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Wed., August 31, 2011 7:41am
Georgia legislators are wrapping up their work redrawing the state's political boundaries. Redistricting is expected to be completed on Wednesday as the state Senate votes on a new congressional map that adds a 14th district in northeast Georgia. The House has already approved the map.
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Tue., August 30, 2011 11:55am
The Georgia Senate redistricting committee has approved proposed changes to congressional districts. The plan passed by a 10-3 vote Tuesday and is expected to head to the Senate floor on Wednesday, bringing a speedy end to the Legislature's main business during the special session which began Aug. 15.
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Thu., August 25, 2011 8:57am
Facing tea party opposition, Governor Nathan Deal has abandoned for now plans to shift a public vote on a one penny transportation tax hike until the November 2012 general election. By late Wednesday legislative leaders said they hadn't yet reached a deal.
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Mon., July 25, 2011 8:23am
State ethics commission leaders are planning a major reorganization of the agency aimed at helping it operate more efficiently under a tighter budget. Commission Chairman Patrick Millsaps and Vice Chairman Josh Belinfante told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that they plan to present the changes at an August 5th commission meeting. The changes include farming out some duties to a private attorney, hiring a new auditor and leaning more on the state attorney general for investigative help.
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Mon., June 27, 2011 9:25am
House Speaker David Ralston has paid about $1,300 in late taxes due on a property owned by his wife. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Monday that Ralston paid the bill last week after the newspaper contacted him about the outstanding bill. Ralston spokesman Marshall Guest called the late payment an oversight.
