Lawmakers push for increase in cigarette tax

By Ty Tagami, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service   ATLANTA — Some Georgia lawmakers have been trying for years without success to raise Georgia’s tax on cigarettes, but some think cuts at the federal level may finally stir interest in their cause.   State Rep.

Federal budget cuts could push millions off healthcare insurance coverage

By Ty Tagami, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service   ATLANTA -- Federal budget cuts aimed at Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act could eventually cost 16 million Americans their health insurance coverage, and Georgia would not be immune from the impact, a health care advocacy group is warning.

Echols easily wins Republican PSC primary, Democrats Waites, Hubbard in runoff

By Dave Williams, Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service and Rose Scoggins Editor/Publisher   ATLANTA - Republican Tim Echols Tuesday cruised to his party’s nomination for another term on the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates utilities in the peach state.

Georgia high court rejects four new election rules, upholds one

By Dave Williams Bureau Chief, Capitol Beat News Service   ATLANTA - The Georgia Supreme Court Tuesday upheld only one of seven controversial changes to state election laws the Republican-controlled State Election Board (SEB) approved before last November’s elections.

Georgia Supreme Court maintains restrictions on gun carry

By Ty Tagami Staff Writer, Capitol Beat News Service   ATLANTA - It will remain illegal for people under 21 to carry a handgun in most public places in Georgia after the state Supreme Court upheld state limits on the right to bear arms.

Department of Revenue to start issuing tax rebates this week

By Dave Williams Bureau Chief, Capitol Beat News Service   ATLANTA - The checks are about to go out in the mail. The Georgia Department of Revenue will begin issuing one-time state income tax refunds to taxpayers this week, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday.

PSC to resume hearings on Georgia Power energy supply plan

By Dave Williams Bureau Chief, Capitol Beat News Service   ATLANTA - Starting Tuesday, Georgia Power executives began to defend the mix of energy resources the utility intends to rely on for generating electricity against critics who say the plan relies too much on fossil fuels and not enough on...