Georgia lawmakers wrestle with removing ballot QR codes

By Mark Niesse Staff Writer, Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia legislators and the state’s elections chief lacked a plan Wednesday to stop using computer QR codes for counting ballots before a July 1 deadline.

Support growing for ban on cellphones in high schools

ATLANTA — Georgia high school sophomores are looking ever more likely to lose their phones during the school day in their senior year, as lawmakers consider expanding a ban on personal devices. New surveys suggest overwhelming support for the idea from parents and teachers.

Resistance to data centers fuels flood of bills in General Assembly

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Anger and opposition to the rapid rise of data centers across Georgia has led to a surge of bills that would clamp down on the resource-consuming industry.

Bill proposes cap on school property tax

By Mark Niesse Staff Writer, Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Tax increases on Georgia homeowners could be limited to the inflation rate — including taxes for education after most school systems decided against capping property tax hikes last year.

Struggling timber industry could receive big tax break

By Mark Niesse Staff Writer, Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — A proposed amendment to the Georgia Constitution would end sales taxes on timber, a major industry battered by mill closings and storms.

Georgia considers need-based financial support for college students

ATLANTA — Financially strapped college students in Georgia often must drop out for want of money for food and shelter, but their prospects could improve under a new initiative from Gov. Brian Kemp.

Kemp budget about affordability, with tax cuts, plus monies for employees, students

ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp's last budget proposal would stockpile billions for any rough economy one of his successors might encounter while also asking lawmakers to return over $1 billion to taxpayers.

Error in state auditors’ data center review inflated job production and economic value

ATLANTA — Data centers in Georgia did not produce the same high payback in exchange for nearly half a billion dollars in tax breaks as reported by state auditors last month, according to a correction issued Wednesday.

Kemp to build roads, bridges during final year as governor

ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp will take a hammer to gridlock during his last year in office, spending more than $2 billion to upgrade major highways south and east of Atlanta.

Lawmakers kick off session focused on affordability, taxes

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Lawmakers, lobbyists and protesters swarmed to the Georgia Capitol on Monday, the first day of the annual legislative session in a crucial election year.