A federal judge in Georgia has declined to block part of a sweeping election law that shortened the state's runoff election period to four weeks from nine weeks. The judge said Friday that plaintiffs hadn't proved that the shorter period disproportionately harmed Black voters.
State economist Bob Bushman gave a financial forecast for Georgia on the first day of the Legislature’s budget hearings. Gov. Brian Kemp made remarks virtually.
Georgians under 16 could soon need to get permission from their parents before they can log on to social media if a bill backed by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones becomes law.
State Sen. Jason Anavitarte introduced legislation this week aimed at protecting teenagers from cyberbullying and other negative effects of social media. He and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who presides over the Senate, first announced they planned to target social media last summer.
House Speaker Jon Burns publicly opened the door to a conversation about fully expanding Medicaid through a “private option” that skirts traditional expansion but still extends health insurance to significantly more uninsured Georgians.
House Republican leaders will push to eliminate QR codes from the paper ballots voting machines spit out to voters after they cast their ballots and consider strengthening the powers of the State Election Board, potentially at the expense of the secretary of state, said Burns.
On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris called on Georgia voting rights advocates and elected officials to continue to fight for expanded access to the ballot box as the election cycle gears up for this November’s presidential election.
