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Political News |
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Feb 24, 2010 – Atlanta Journal Constitution - COLUMN/BLOG
Why do Augusta nuke plants deserve taxpayer money?
Cynthia Tucker writes, Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss were happy to claim credit for the Obama administration’s announcement that it was guaranteeing loans that would help build nuclear reactors on Georgia’s coast. But it’s an odd thing for the two Republicans, who usually argue that the government ought to stay out of private industry. In fact, economists might argue that the huge government subsidies are little different from the bank bail-outs and bail-outs for the automotive industry.Liberals and conservatives have argued against the federal guarantees.
Feb 24, 2010 – Atlanta Journal Constitution - COLUMN/BLOG
Isakson, Chambliss say ‘no’ to tax breaks for businesses
Cynthia Tucker writes, Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, Republicans could be counted on to vote for a bill that would give tax breaks to businesses. Not anymore. Not this Republican Party. Not the party-of-no, we-want-Obama-to-fail GOP. Yesterday, the Senate broke a filibuster against a proposed jobs bill that would provide tax breaks to businesses that add workers to the payrolls. Only five Republicans voted to end the filibuster. (Georgia’s leading lights, Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, were not among them.) That’s what counts as bi-partisanship in Washington these days.
Feb 24, 2010 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Stout elected to fill Richardson's House seat
Mike Morris reports that Paulding County voters elected Daniel Stout to fill the seat of former House Speaker Glenn Richardson, who resigned earlier this year after his ex-wife confirmed that he'd had an affair with a lobbyist. Stout had earlier confirmed that he also had an extra-marital affair, with his first wife's mother, 10 years ago.
Feb 24, 2010 – Rockdale Citizen
Liz Carter seeks seat in Congress
Jay Jones reports that as a Republican candidate for Congress in a district dominated by Democrats, Liz Carter told a group in Conyers that her campaign will work to get away from labels and declared this will be “the election of the people, and not of the party.” “This is not about party lines,” she said. “It’s about equality of all people. It’s about the people, and I think that both parties have forgotten that.”
Feb 24, 2010 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
State, feds resist their own stormwater rules
Margaret Newkirk and Heather Vogell report that, decades after the state imposed storm water rules on local governments in metro Atlanta, it has yet to set such rules for its own highways, university campuses and other properties. State and federal agencies have also balked at paying fees to defray local costs of meeting state and federal storm water mandates, a stance that could leave private property owners footing the entire bill for keeping urban runoff out of creeks.
Feb 24, 2010 – Douglas County Sentinel
Barr: Disregard for law at top filters down to local level
Winston Jones reports that former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr said Tuesday that when the president and other federal officials show disregard for the rule of law in their dealings, the lack of concern filters down to the local level. Barr was the guest speaker at a noon meeting of the Douglas County chapter of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association.
Feb 24, 2010 – Macon Telegraph
DA Burke to resign, seek county commission chairman seat
Jennifer Burk and Marlon A. Walker report that Houston County District Attorney Kelly Burke said Tuesday that he plans to resign, effective March 15, to seek the Houston commission chairmanship. Burke, who is in the middle of his fourth four-year term as the county’s head prosecutor, said he plans to run because of “the lack of someone else to step up and take on the challenge.” The current administration, led by Chairman Ned Sanders, just doesn’t “get it,” he said.
Feb 24, 2010 – Augusta Chronicle
Group promotes lower spending, less government
Susan McCord reports that, broadcasting live Friday afternoon from the corner of a Martinez Italian restaurant, Tony Powers was inciting revolution -- but not through violence. Powers is part of a small, loosely organized network of area Tea Partyers lining up facilities for the April 15 Tax Day Tea Party, to be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at Augusta Common. Powers, who helped plan April's Tea Party in Augusta, said he expects a turnout upwards of 10,000 for this year's event. They'll likely include advocates for smaller government, tax reform, personal liberty and other causes.
Feb 24, 2010 – Augusta Chronicle
Augusta Commission to consider protest ordinance
Susan McCord reports that, after nearly six years without one, Augusta might soon have a protest ordinance on the books. A proposed ordinance, several years in the making and approved Monday by a county committee, is modeled after one that "has already been tested before the 11th (U.S.) Circuit Court of Appeals," Interim General Counsel Andrew MacKenzie said.
Feb 24, 2010 – Newton Citizen
City retreat to be at FFA camp
Crystal Tatum reports that the city of Covington will hold its annual retreat at the local FFA-FCCLA Center off Ga. Highway 36 on March 17-19. The cost will be $28 per person for the entire 21⁄2 day event, according to City Manager Steve Horton. Between 10 and 15 people are expected to attend, he said. The first day, only the mayor and council are expected to attend, according to Amanda Edge with the city’s Human Resources Department.
Feb 24, 2010 – Rockdale Citizen
Board hires lobbying firm
Jay Jones reports that the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners approved a new contract with the county’s former lobbyists, Holland & Knight, after opening the process up for bidding. The new agreement calls for the county to pay the New York-based firm $8,000 per month through the term of the agreement, from Friday to the end of the year. The new contract comes out to $96,000 for a 12-month period, or $18,000 less than Holland & Knight’s last contract with the county.
Feb 24, 2010 – Savannah Morning News
Chatham's unincorporated area facing cuts
Eric Curl reports that Chatham County staff plans to keep expenses for the county-wide maintenance and operations budget flat next year. But the separate budget that funds services for the unincorporated parts of the county is facing almost certain cuts.
Feb 24, 2010 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Suwanee recognized as tree-friendly city
Andria Simmons reports that Suwanee has earned the designation of being a national Tree City USA for the 20th year in recognition of its commitment to urban forestry.
Feb 24, 2010 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
DeKalb approves budget with no tax increase
Megan Matteucci reports that DeKalb County residents will not have to pay any extra property taxes and will still have essential services, despite a $84 million deficit.
Feb 24, 2010 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Ethics commission to act on commissioner's late filings
Megan Matteucci reports that the State Ethics Commission will rule in the next few months on a complaint that DeKalb County Commission Sharon Barnes Sutton filed her campaign contribution disclosure reports late.
Feb 24, 2010 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Annexation vote likely in Chamblee
April Hunt reports that Chamblee could grow by at least a third under an annexation proposal that already has the support of residents, the city and many state lawmakers. The state House has already approved the proposal, which calls for adding the areas north of the city, to Chamblee-Dunwoody Road.
Feb 23, 2010 – Atlanta Journal Constitution Tuesday
State lawmakers consider tax increases to balance budget
Aaron Gould Sheinin and James Salzer report that, facing another potential $1 billion budget shortfall, Georgia's legislative leaders are considering a variety of tax and fee increases to balance the state's books.
Feb 23, 2010 – Athens Banner-Herald, Augusta Chronicle, Georgia Times Union
Calls for tax hikes resisted
Walter C. Jones reports that Georgia legislators aren't in session this week because they're busy taking a closer look at ways to cut the state's budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. When last month's report of tax collections showed the slide hadn't bottomed out as projected, the leaders called an unusual two-week recess so the budget-writing committees of the House and Senate could trim more than Gov. Sonny Perdue had recommended cutting. One committee that doesn't have any meetings scheduled during the recess is the House Ways & Means Committee, where any bill to raise taxes must originate.
Feb 23, 2010 – Athens Banner-Herald
Davis says budget cuts taking toll
Lee Shearer reports that Chancellor Erroll Davis compared the University System of Georgia to an airplane on its way down Monday and called for the state legislature to come up with new revenue - not make more budget cuts.
Feb 23, 2010 – Georgia Times Union, Rome News-Tribune
Legislation would replace Georgia voting machines
Walter C. Jones reports that Georgians could be casting their ballots on different equipment if the General Assembly passes legislation that would require the replacement of the current touch-screen machines. Opponents of the current machines, Voter GA, issued a statement Monday in support of House Bill 1215 by Rep. Tim Bearden, R-Villa Rica.
