New Budget Surprises: The $32.4 billion state budget for the 2024 fiscal year, signed by Gov. Brian Kemp, “invests in public safety, education, healthcare, workforce development and much more,” according to a press release from his office. But the budget he…
Tax Rebates Coming: HB 162, signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp well before the end of the legislative session, will bring tax refunds for Georgians who filed returns for the 2021 and 2022 tax years. A press release from the…
Regents’ Reappointments: Erin Hames and James M. Hull have been reappointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. Both are members at large; their new terms will run through Jan. 1, 2030. Hames, headmaster…
Key Session Dates: Crossover Day for the 2023 General Assembly is Monday, March 6, the last day legislation can be passed out of its originating chamber. The session will adjourn on Wednesday, March 29 – Sine Die. Legislators adopted a…
Black Caucus Chair: State Rep. Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah) is the new chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus for the 2023-24 term. The caucus works to protect the general welfare of Black people, other people of color and disadvantaged citizens…
Non Sibi Sed Aliis. The translation from Latin means “not for self, but for others.” It’s the motto of the first Georgia Trustees who were charged in 1732 by England’s King George II with establishing the new colony of Georgia.…
It is hard to imagine the Georgia House of Representatives without its dean: Calvin Smyre, the Columbus Democrat who served for 48 years and was the longest-tenured member of the legislature when he retired last year. An early mentor told…
In Memoriam: Longtime Speaker of the Georgia House David Ralston, a Blue Ridge Republican, died in November at age 68. Ralston’s death came just days after announcing he would not seek another term as House leader, due to a health…
In Memoriam: State Rep. Henry “Wayne” Howard, an Augusta Democrat who served in the statehouse since 2007, died in October. He was remembered by House Minority Leader James Beverly (D-Macon) as someone “always quick to encourage, counsel, and love. Not…
Abortion Decriminalization: DeKalb County’s City of Pine Lake, which has all-female leadership, including the mayor and city council members, has adopted a resolution requesting the city’s police department not investigate reports of abortion care and indicating that no city funds…
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