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Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm

Legislative newsletter – week 8

My colleagues and I went straight to work on Tuesday, February 21, to ensure that good, sound legislation could pass before the clock runs out. On Wednesday, we had a special guest on the House Floor.
Photo by Scott Graham

Photo by Scott Graham

State House approves Kemp’s income tax refund

The Georgia House of Representatives Thursday approved Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposal to provide Georgia taxpayers with state income tax refunds this year. Single taxpayers or married taxpayers filing individually are set to receive $250.
Photo by Ivan Aleksic

Photo by Ivan Aleksic

House approves “Safe Schools Act”

The state House of Representatives handily passed a bill Monday aimed at bolstering school safety in Georgia. The “Safe Schools Act,” which has the strong support of Gov. Brian Kemp, passed on a 148-20 vote. The bill, sponsored by Rep.
Photo by Yuan Yang

Photo by Yuan Yang

Georgia Power got the ‘gold mine’ … we got the ‘shaft’

The headline read: “Southern Co. reports huge rise in profits.” The subhead reported: “$1.1 billion jump noted despite big financial hit from Vogtle delays.” I am not against seeing Georgia Power or its parent, the Southern Company, make ample money. Profits are essential for staying in business.
Powell

Powell

Legislative newsletter – week 7

On Feb. 21, the Georgia General Assembly returned to the State Capitol for Legislative Day 21.   We only have 20 legislative days left to complete our business, and the “Crossover Day” deadline, March 6, is rapidly approaching.
Photo by Nik Shuliahin

Photo by Nik Shuliahin

New bill is “next chapter” in mental health reform effort

The state legislature is set to consider a wide-ranging  mental health reform bill that aims at improving services for Georgians struggling with mental-health or substance-abuse challenges. House Bill 520 has bipartisan support and is cosponsored by state Reps.
An aerial photo of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp. Photo credit: Shutterstock, Inc.

An aerial photo of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp. Photo credit: Shutterstock, Inc.

Okefenokee tug-o-war is long way from over

The opposing sides are not barefoot on Jekyll Island’s beach, but there’s a definite line drawn in the sand. Feet are dug in, and muscles are straining. On one side is an Alabama mining company and its fleet of high-powered lobbyists.
An agent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation surveys the scene at the Georgia Guidestones early Wednesday morning after an explosion damaged the monument, leaving one of the slabs in a pile of rubble. (Photo by Rose Scoggins)

An agent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation surveys the scene at the Georgia Guidestones early Wednesday morning after an explosion damaged the monument, leaving one of the slabs in a pile of rubble. (Photo by Rose Scoggins)

The Elberton Star releases The Georgia Guidestones special edition

The Elberton Star has released a special edition surrounding the recent bombing and demolition of the Georgia Guidestones. The edition includes a history of the monument, historical and submitted photos as well as other news stories and community reactions.