Many women are in prison for killing their abusive partners. Lawmakers in Georgia, Missouri, Connecticut and Massachusetts are considering bills that would require judges to give people shorter sentences if abuse drove their crime.
In this week's Lawmaker Huddle on Morning Edition, GPB’s Pamela Kirkland catches up with Lawmakers host Donna Lowry to discuss legislation that cleared Crossover Day.
Bills to define and regulate sober living housing, add funding for local peer-led support programs and better enforce healthcare parity laws are high priority for mental health stakeholders this session.
With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the preparation for the new year, many Georgians were not thinking about the state Legislature’s plans for when they meet up Jan. 13 for their annual lawmaking session.
Legislation establishing oversight of the federal prison system sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Marietta, has cleared the U.S. House of Representatives.
Georgia has a new law that limits the ability of some Chinese citizens to buy land in the state. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed SB420 into law on Tuesday. The measure bans any "agent" of China from buying farmland in Georgia or any commercial land near military installations.
Two Georgia legislative panels on Monday approved bills that criminal justice reform advocates contend will help thousands of people with minor criminal convictions improve their chances to find good jobs and housing.
A new disciplinary board could soon begin investigating complaints against the state’s district attorneys and solicitors general under legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly.
The Georgia House is expected to consider criminal justice legislation designed to toughen penalties for people who sell fentanyl that causes an overdose and a bill that gives police officers more pay while recovering from severe injuries sustained on the job.
Republican senators are now casting doubts on the new border security and foreign aid deal. Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy says they're caving to pressure from Trump to boost his reelection bid.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law Wednesday a bill that would add a definition of antisemitism to state law. It's been a long time coming for advocates who hoped to toughen penalties for those who commit a crime with antisemitic intent. State Rep. Esther Panitch, a Democrat and Georgia's lone Jewish lawmaker, spoke with GPB's Peter Biello.
Georgia is currently experiencing the second-highest surge in COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This week on Georgia in Play: Rosalynn Carter, former first lady, was laid to rest in Plains this week. She was a well-beloved Georgian known for her deep commitment to humanitarian work. Plus, the state legislature is in a special session in order to redraw Georgia's voting maps after a federal judge ruled they discriminated against Black voters. Then, as the weather gets colder, single people are trying to find someone to get through "cuffing season" with. And City Café host John Lemley joins the panel to present holiday concerts to watch out for.
