Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 12, 2026
Jan. 12, 2026 Georgia.gov
December Net Tax Revenues Up 3%
Staff reports that the State of Georgia’s net tax collections in the month of December totaled $3.44 billion, for an increase of nearly $101 million, or 3%, compared to December 2024, when net tax collections totaled almost $3.34 billion. Year-to-date net tax revenue collections through December totaled nearly $16.72 billion, for an increase of $363.7 million, or 2.2%, compared to December FY 2025, when net tax collections approached $16.36 billion after six months.
Jan. 12, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
2026 100 Most Influential Georgians
Staff reports, this year’s Georgian of the Year, Grady Health System President and CEO John Haupert, got to where he is today not only because of his years of experience and hard work, but also because of his can-do mindset. That attribute can be found in most of the people who run businesses, schools and nonprofits or serve in regional and state government in the state’s 159 counties.
Jan. 12, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta leaders want transit expansion. Will suburban voters ever agree?
Riley Bunch reports that Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sees expanding MARTA into Cobb and Gwinnett counties as a key step toward better regional connection, while metro Atlanta residents continue to struggle with traffic congestion that’s both frustrating and dangerous. But his plan means reversing half a century of opposition, after voters in both counties continue to reject the idea of transit expansion to their communities.
Jan. 12, 2026 Decaturish
DeKalb considers creating a fund for data center revenue
Zoe Seiler reports, the DeKalb County Commission is considering a resolution that would allocate 50 percent of tax revenue generated by high-technology data centers to support resident equity and environmental restorations. Commissioner Ted Terry introduced the “Establish a DeKalb For The People AI Tech Dividend Fund and Fiscal Stability Policy” resolution during the commission meeting on Jan. 6, according to a news release.
Jan. 12, 2026 Macon Telegraph
Why Forsyth made residents leave a meeting about a data center. Did they break open meeting law?
Lucinda Warnke reports, a planning and zoning meeting to discuss a proposed 12-million-square-foot data center in Forsyth was not able to accommodate all the residents who wanted to attend, and local officials may have violated open records laws by keeping dozens of people out of what was supposed to be an open meeting. The meeting took place Dec. 22 at Forsyth City Hall, and the turnout was more than what the meeting room could hold.
Jan. 12, 2026 The Brunswick News
Cumberland visitor plan comment period open
Gordon Jackson reports, the newest visitor management proposal for Cumberland Island is drawing criticism for its increase in daily visitors and allowing e-bikes on the island, among other changes. Released earlier this week, the public comment period for the Cumberland Island National Seashore visitor use management plan ends Feb. 6.
Jan. 12, 2026 The Current
As McIntosh votes on zoning, Sapelo’s future is unclear
Mary Landers reports, at lunchtime on Wednesday, Connie Johnson drove to the McIntosh County Board of Elections office in Darien where the longtime local resident cast her “yes” vote in the ongoing referendum to repeal a 2023 Sapelo Island zoning amendment. “I voted because this is something important to me,” Johnson said. “The Gullah Geechee community is something I’d like to see stay.”
Jan. 12, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Feds will start garnishing wages for thousands of GA residents starting this week
Sundi Rose reports, as promised, the Trump administration will begin to collect repayment for student loans and some Georgia borrowers could soon see their paychecks shrink as the U.S. Department of Education restarts wage garnishments for borrowers in default. Data from the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) reveals almost 2 million people in Georgia carry student loan debt, owing billions in student loans.
Jan. 12, 2026 Healthbeat
Georgia lawmakers return as federal health funding uncertainty looms
Rebecca Grapevine reports, as uncertainty swirls around key health policy issues in Washington, Georgia lawmakers will return to the Gold Dome on Monday to plan next year’s budget and consider public health proposals that died on the vine last year. The Georgia General Assembly’s main task will be deciding how to allocate state funds for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends on June 30, and for fiscal 2027.
Jan. 12, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Busy first day set to kick off 2026 legislative session in Georgia
Ross Williams and Maya Homan report, Monday marks the start of Georgia’s annual legislative session, when state legislators will head to Atlanta for 40 days of deliberating and passing laws underneath the Gold Dome of the state Capitol. The yearly legislative session is when the representatives and senators Georgians elect pass new laws, so the Capitol will be buzzing for the next three months with politicians and lobbyists trying to make deals and get their priorities into law.
Jan. 12, 2025 WSB Radio
Foster care advocates prepare for legislative session amid budget and policy concerns
Staff reports, as Georgia lawmakers prepare to return to the State Capitol on Monday, foster care advocates say they are closely watching what could be done to address ongoing problems within the state’s child welfare system. Allison Ashe, president and CEO of Wellroot Family Services, says a growing budget deficit within Georgia’s child welfare agency is a major concern.
Jan. 12, 2026 Rome News-Tribune
Qualifying opens Monday for NW Ga House race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene
Staff reports that qualifying starts at 9 a.m. Monday for the Northwest Georgia congressional seat vacated by Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene of Rome. Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives District 14 special election will have through 1 p.m. Wednesday to qualify in Atlanta, at the Georgia Secretary of State’s Elections Division, 2 MLK Jr. Drive, Floyd West Tower Suite 802.
Jan. 12, 2026 Savannah Morning News
Stacey Abrams explains why she won’t run again for Governor in 2026
Miguel Legoas reports that this year, many Georgians will be closely watching the race to determine who succeeds Brian Kemp as governor of the state. Stacey Abrams confirmed to the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she will not be running for office this year, with the AJC saying Thursday she will be continuing her fight against the direction America is going under President Donald Trump.
Jan. 12, 2026 Griffin Daily News
Timbs announces candidacy for Georgia lieutenant governor
Avery Caldwell reports that Griffin local Jerry Timbs has entered the 2026 race for lieutenant governor. Timbs joins the race with eight other candidates vying to fill the seat as the current office holder, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, launched his campaign for governor in July 2025. Timbs announced his campaign last year, claiming to be a different kind of candidate.
Jan. 12, 2026 The Current
Dems aim to end 27-year gubernatorial losing streak
Craig Nelson reports, it has been 27 years since a Democrat was sworn in as the state’s governor. A Republican also has held the lieutenant governor’s office and secretary of state’s office for more than 18 years, the attorney general’s office for more than 14.
Jan. 12, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Some things new amid all that is old under the Gold Dome in Atlanta
Ty Tagami reports, when Georgia lawmakers return to Atlanta for the new legislative session, they will proceed to their weathered wooden desks, and if they are observant, they will notice something new. The carpeted floor will offer a little more give, and the old stains will be gone.
Jan. 12, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
7 predictions for Georgia’s 2026 legislative session
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, state lawmakers will fill the Capitol today for the start of a 40-day session. Their only constitutionally required duty is to pass the state budget by April 2, when the final gavel is set to come down. But they’ll also pass hundreds of other pieces of legislation that will shape how we live.
