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Opponents of strip mining near Okefenokee Swamp wade into new campaign to pass protection bill
Antwon Nixon was attending a Juneteenth celebration in his hometown of Folkston more than two years ago when he first noticed signs urging protection of the Okefenokee Swamp. Nixon, who grew up visiting the swamp as a kid, was startled to learn about an Alabama-based company’s plan to mine Trail Ridge near the Okefenokee National […] The post Opponents of strip mining near Okefenokee Swamp wade into new campaign to pass protection bill appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Study cited by Texas judge in abortion pill case retracted
Two of the key studies cited by plaintiffs and judges as evidence that medication abortion should be pulled from the market or heavily restricted have been retracted because of undeclared conflicts of interest and unreliable findings, academic publisher Sage announced Monday. States Newsroom was the first to report last year that Sage had opened an investigation into […] The post Study cited by Texas judge in abortion pill case retracted appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Intense opposition to U.S. Senate immigration deal quickly emerges
WASHINGTON — The proposed global security funding legislation that includes major bipartisan updates to immigration policy encountered opposition from members of both parties Monday, especially Republicans upset by the Biden administration’s handling of border security, charting a tumultuous path for passage in the Senate this week. The deal on immigration policy, negotiated for months by […] The post Intense opposition to U.S. Senate immigration deal quickly emerges appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Georgia lawmakers debate public school approach to ‘age-appropriate’ sex education
A bipartisan bill designed to update sex education curriculum for Georgia’s public school students faced skepticism in a House subcommittee last week amid questions of which side in the culture war can better educate youngsters on the birds and the bees. Dalton Republican Rep. Kasey Carpenter’s House Bill 822 adds language to state code requiring […] The post Georgia lawmakers debate public school approach to ‘age-appropriate’ sex education appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Fulton 19 update: DA subpoenaed, Willis admits ‘relationship,’ federal trial delayed
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed financial records and other documents connected to a U.S. Department of Justice grant awarded to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office. In a letter sent to Willis on Friday, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan said the the subpoena is needed to allow his panel to investigate a […] The post Fulton 19 update: DA subpoenaed, Willis admits ‘relationship,’ federal trial delayed appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Details of proposed major overhaul of U.S. immigration law, global aid package unveiled
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday night released a $118.28 billion global security package that includes a long-anticipated overhaul of immigration law negotiated by a bipartisan trio of senators. “The United States and our allies are facing multiple, complex and, in places, coordinated challenges from adversaries who seek to disrupt democracy […] The post Details of proposed major overhaul of U.S. immigration law, global aid package unveiled appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
State legislators aim to restrict abortion pills, ‘trafficking’ next in states with bans
More than half of state legislatures across the country started their 2024 legislative sessions in January, and plenty of abortion-related bills have already been introduced, especially in states where the procedure is already banned. It can be hard to monitor them all, so States Newsroom’s Reproductive Rights Today team will track certain bills that could […] The post State legislators aim to restrict abortion pills, ‘trafficking’ next in states with bans appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
U.S. retaliates for killings of troops by launching military strikes at Iraq and Syria
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military on Friday took a first round of retaliatory action following the deaths of three American troops by striking facilities in Iraq and Syria, according to a statement from President Joe Biden. “The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world,” Biden said. […] The post U.S. retaliates for killings of troops by launching military strikes at Iraq and Syria appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
In Trump case filing, Fulton County DA acknowledges relationship with special prosecutor
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis acknowledged Friday that she had a romantic relationship with a special prosecutor overseeing the felony election interference case against Donald Trump. However, she rejected calls for her to be disqualified from the case. In a Fulton County Superior Court filing on Friday, Willis confirmed that she has had a […] The post In Trump case filing, Fulton County DA acknowledges relationship with special prosecutor appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Georgia Senate clears bill to legalize sports betting with constitutional amendment
On Thursday, the Georgia Senate passed a bill which lays the groundwork for the legalization of sports betting in the state after a constitutional amendment that would give Georgia voters the final say was added at the last minute. Senate Bill 386 heads to the House chamber after receiving a favorable 35-15 vote, a large […] The post Georgia Senate clears bill to legalize sports betting with constitutional amendment appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Bill to add to list of misdemeanors that require bond for jail release passes Georgia Senate
Republican Senators in Georgia have passed a controversial measure increasing the likelihood that people arrested for a rash of misdemeanor crimes will be required to post a cash or property bond in order to be released from jail. With a party line vote of 30-17, the Senate approved Senate Bill 63 on Thursday, that would […] The post Bill to add to list of misdemeanors that require bond for jail release passes Georgia Senate appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
National Prayer Breakfast brings Biden, GOP together for brief reprieve from sniping
WASHINGTON — Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli performed inside the U.S. Capitol’s cathedral-like Statuary Hall on Thursday morning for the National Prayer Breakfast, an annual event attended by members of Congress and the president. The ceremony featured numerous prayers, including one that Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn and New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand delivered […] The post National Prayer Breakfast brings Biden, GOP together for brief reprieve from sniping appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Georgia Senate panel advances bill aimed at making the state even less hospitable to union workers
A bill backed by Gov. Brian Kemp aimed at making it more difficult for labor unions to come to Georgia took a step toward becoming law Wednesday, passing through the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee 4-3 on party lines. Brunswick Republican Sen. Mike Hodges’ Senate Bill 362 would bar new businesses opening up in Georgia […] The post Georgia Senate panel advances bill aimed at making the state even less hospitable to union workers appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Child tax credit expanded, business tax breaks get new life in bill passed by U.S. House
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to approve a $78 billion tax package that would expand the child tax credit and reinstate some tax incentives for businesses. The 357-70 vote sends the bill, dubbed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, to the U.S. Senate, where lawmakers are expected to […] The post Child tax credit expanded, business tax breaks get new life in bill passed by U.S. House appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
GOP state lawmakers press for Georgia ballot watermarks in ongoing quest for voter confidence
The Georgia House overwhelmingly passed legislation on Wednesday that would require ballots in future elections to have a visible watermark security feature. On Wednesday, House Bill 976 was passed 167-1, advancing an enhanced security measure to the Senate that has the support of Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. According to state officials, if approved […] The post GOP state lawmakers press for Georgia ballot watermarks in ongoing quest for voter confidence appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
‘A product that’s killing people’: Lawmakers chastise social media giants for harm to kids
Members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee castigated executives at leading social media companies Wednesday, calling for more to be done to shield children from sexual exploitation, drug dealing, self-harm encouragement and other damaging content. In one tense exchange, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley demanded to know if Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, had […] The post ‘A product that’s killing people’: Lawmakers chastise social media giants for harm to kids appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
U.S. House committee advances impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas to floor
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security early Wednesday voted 18-15 along party lines to send articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the House floor. Republicans argue the charges are legitimate. Members of the full House could vote as soon as next week to impeach Mayorkas, who is […] The post U.S. House committee advances impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas to floor appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Will Georgia Republicans embrace full Medicaid expansion by another name?
Republican state Rep. Donny Lambeth backed expanding Medicaid in North Carolina for nearly a decade before it passed in that state last year. But when he would talk about it, the former hospital executive said there was one phrase he avoided: Medicaid expansion. “I never talked about this bill as an expansion bill,” said Lambeth, […] The post Will Georgia Republicans embrace full Medicaid expansion by another name? appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
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The Georgia Recorder is an independent, nonprofit news organization that is focused on connecting public policies to stories of the people and communities affected by them. We bring a fresh perspective to coverage of the state’s biggest issues from our office a few blocks from Georgia’s Gold Dome. Our perch might be near the Capitol in downtown Atlanta, but the communities we care about are found in all corners of Georgia, from the mountains of Blue Ridge to the flatlands of Bainbridge. Just a few years ago, news outlets across Georgia staffed their own capital bureaus and it was common for several reporters to cover the same legislative committee hearings, press conferences on the Capitol steps and other state policy news. Most traditional news organizations now lack the resources to do much more than chase the political outrage of the day. Meanwhile, proposals to shape Georgia’s approach to health care, public schools, community development and other essential ingredients for a good quality-of-life don’t receive the attention they warrant. The Georgia Recorder aims to remedy that. The Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Recorder retains editorial independence.
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