Thursday on Political Rewind: As the dust settles after Sine Die, the fate of several major bills has become clear. A controversial budget, private school vouchers, expanded mental health care, and legalized sports betting - our panel weighs in.
Georgia lawmakers are agreeing to a state budget that will pay full tuition for all college students receiving a HOPE Scholarship while boosting pay for all state and university employees. A House-Senate agreement signed Wednesday sets a $32.5 billion state budget beginning July 1.
A bill aiming to increase safety in schools is headed to the Governor's desk to be signed into law. House Bill 147, the “School Safety Act” presented by Senator Mike Hodges (R—Brunswick), passed the Senate today.
Democratic Georgia lawmakers, local officials and the NAACP are asking federal officials to investigate a health care system that closed hospitals in downtown Atlanta and a southern suburb. They claim Wellstar Health System has illegally discriminated against Black people and violated its tax-exempt status.
Kratom, a drug made from the leaves of the Southeast Asian tree, is unregulated in Georgia. Lawmakers say it can be purchased at gas stations or convenience stores despite potentially dangerous side effects.
The Georgia Senate voted to increase penalties for street gang recruitment on Day 17, while Democrats in both the House and Senate highlighted five gun bills they’re proposing to reduce gun violence.
Rep. Esther Panitch (D - Sandy Springs) gave a powerful speech against antisemitism on the House floor on Day 13, after a hate group distributed antisemitic flyers in driveways in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs on Sunday morning — hers included.
Minority Leader James Beverly spoke in the Georgia House of Representatives about Tyre Nichols' killing and the police culture that contributed to his death.
