The Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of Georgians through public policies that enhance economic opportunity and freedom. At the end of the 2016 legislative session the Foundation’s President/CEO, Kelly McCutchen, painted a fairly bleak picture of the session’s results with these two words- Missed Opportunities! McCutchen’s overall assessment included the
Yesterday, the Georgia Republican Party executive committee voted to reopen qualifying on the Republican ticket in State House Districts 3 and 52 after incumbent Representatives Tom Weldon and Joe Wilkinson, respectively, decided to withdraw their candidacy. The Catoosa County Republican convention passed a resolution requesting that the state GOP to reopen qualifying for House District
Despite the work of House aide and GeorgiaPol.com contributor Will Kremer’s valiant efforts, the Georgia General Assembly went home again without taking action on a bill that would approve pagonas – a type of lizard more commonly known as Bearded Dragons – to be used as service assistance animals. “Buddy” first became a member of
With the Governor’s veto of the Religious Freedom bill on Monday, The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta has decided that, unless the bill legalizing alcohol sales on Sunday before 12:30pm passes next session, the church sees no reason to stay in Georgia. “Let’s face it” Bishop Davey McDavid told reporters “We’re already religion light to most
Georgia’s next battle and big ballot issue for November is the failing schools amendment for the Opportunity School District proposal. However, Governor Deal might have lost some political capital when he vetoed the religious freedom bill, and the backlash might now cloud support over the amendment, according to a story from 11 Alive. The OSD
Senator Greg Kirk, sponsor of the “First Amendment Defense Act” which became part of HB 757 when attached to the less controversial Pastor Protection Act, has decided that he is “moving on” with respect to sponsorship of religious freedom bills in next year’s General Assembly. As reported by Jill Nolan in the Dalton Citizen, Kirk
The leaders of the Georgia General Assembly have weighed in in Governor Deal’s promise to veto House Bill 757, the Free Exercise Protection Act. Speaker of the House David Ralston said that in his opinion, the measure passed the non-discrimination test that he was looking for: I respect Governor Deal and the thoughtful consideration he
This week’s Courier Herald column: The Georgia General Assembly has gaveled out sine die and members have returned home from Atlanta. The Easter holiday will likely be the only down time for many as May 24th primaries for legislative and congressional offices are less than two months away. Many of those who have chosen to
“What must be done eventually must be done immediately” – Jeremy Foley The Governor has called a press conference for 10am this morning. While no reason has been given, the expectation is that guidance will be given on RFRA, and possibly the announcement of a veto could be forthcoming. A livestream can be viewed here.
While expanded medical marijuana legislation that would help thousands of Georgians failed to get a vote in the Senate and little victories like the “brunch bill” died, both chambers spent most of Day 39 & 40 passing bills that will have little to no positive impact on 99% of our lives. Here’s my list of
