This week’s Courier Herald column: There are two components that make up any budget. When most of us think of our budgets, we tend to focus on what we spend, as that’s often considered easier to change than our incomes. When legislators consider a budget, they’re charged with considering not just what is spent from
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger issued a press release a few days ago saying that he backs HB 757. The bill would codify the process of setting special election qualifying dates–a process that has been followed by state officials for about four decades now–into state law. The bill that’s being carried by House Judiciary Chairman
Wild Hog, Family pictures during gaveling in, and Eggs and Issues are now in the rear view mirror. This morning at 11am, Governor Kemp will deliver the State of the State address. It’s the transition from the pageantry that opens the Georgia General Assembly session to the work that lies ahead. While Governor Kemp will
This morning some of us had to be dressed up and downtown for a program that started at 7:30am. I’m not bitter, just tired. To be honest, not a lot of news and fewer than normal tea leaves were provided with the now traditional Chick Fil A chicken biscuits. Governor Kemp mostly recapped successes of
Teri was kind enough to post the “adjournment resolution” agreed upon by the House and Senate yesterday in the Morning Reads. For those new to the Georgia General Assembly or those that haven’t delved deep into the sausage making process, let’s take a few minutes to explain what it means, and what tea leaves we
As it is the first day of session in a re-election year, those that have decided to return to the citizen part of being a citizen-legislator will begin to make announcements about their future plans. This morning from the well of the Senate, with his wife at his side, Senator Bill Heath (R-Breman) said he
This week’s Courier Herald column: Legislators from across the state reconvened in Atlanta this week for the 2020 session of the Georgia General Assembly. Tensions remain higher than average among Georgia’s leaders as tight budgets force competition among everyone’s priorities. They’ll have to work harder than normal to present a unified front for the majority’s
From a press release: Today, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan announced a new addition to his senior staff. Macy McFall will join the Office of Lt. Governor as Director of Legislative Affairs and will oversee legislative and government relations on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor. “As we move into the 2020 Legislative Session, I will continue
This week’s Courier Herald column: The Georgia General Assembly will convene next week for the 2020 regular session in Atlanta. The legislature may meet for up to 40 days, but they get to decide which days count toward their limit. It’s usually safe to assume they’ll finish their business before Easter week and The Masters,
If you want to represent portions of Southwest Georgia in the Georgia Senate, you need to get your qualifying papers filed by January 6th. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has set the special election to fill the Senate seat of the late Greg Kirk for February 4th. A potential runoff is scheduled for March
