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Peach Tree Times

Sunday, December 22, 2024

News from May 2024

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Sen. Sonya Halpern delivers commencement address at University of Hartford

By Peach Tree Times | May 14, 2024

On Sunday, May 12, Sen. Sonya Halpern (D–Atlanta), Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, delivered the commencement address at the University of Hartford’s 2024 graduation ceremony. Sen. Halpern, a proud alumna of the university, expressed her gratitude for this opportunity.

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Rep. Marcus Wiedower appointed to committee on licensing issues

By Peach Tree Times | May 14, 2024

State Representative Marcus Wiedower (R-Watkinsville), chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, has been appointed by House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) to serve on a joint Blue-Ribbon Committee. The committee is tasked with investigating licensing issues within the Georgia Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division (the Division).

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61% of Georgia voters think Biden border policies contribute to crimes like illegal alien’s murder of Laken Riley, says new poll

By Peach Tree Times | May 14, 2024

61% of Georgia voters think President Joe Biden’s border policies are to blame for crimes like an illegal alien’s February 22 murder of University of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.

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Sen. Emanuel Jones commends FY 2025 funding for Malachi Project

By Peach Tree Times | May 14, 2024

Sen. Emanuel Jones (D–Decatur) has expressed his approval for the $50,000 allocation to the Malachi Project, an after-school discipleship program based in Decatur, Georgia. This funding is part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget. The Malachi Project has earned recognition for its significant contribution to shaping young lives in the community.

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Tooga Theater in Summerville receives $250k grant from state budget

By Peach Tree Times | May 14, 2024

State Representative Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), chairman of the House Insurance Committee, has announced that Tooga Theater in Summerville, Georgia will receive a one-time grant of $250,000. The funding is allocated under House Bill 915, the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The Special Project funds are awarded through the Georgia Council for the Arts, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development tasked with empowering the arts industry in Georgia and artists across the state to foster healthy, vibrant communities rich in civic participation, cultural...

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Joint committee formed to probe professional licensing issues in Georgia

By Peach Tree Times | May 13, 2024

Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R-Newington) and Lt. Governor Burt Jones have announced a joint Blue-Ribbon Committee to investigate licensing issues within the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division in Atlanta.

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Georgia enhances retirement benefits for public school employees

By Peach Tree Times | May 13, 2024

On May 13, 2024, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed into law Senate Bill 105 (SB 105), a measure aimed at revising the minimum and maximum allowable benefit multiplier for current and future retirees in the Public-School Employees Retirement System (PSERS). This significant development underscores Georgia's commitment to ensuring the financial security and well-being of its dedicated classified public-school employees.

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Governor Kemp signs legislation dissolving Camden County Spaceport Authority

By Peach Tree Times | May 13, 2024

Representative Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys) has announced that his sponsored bill, House Bill 1489, has been officially signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp. The legislation repeals the 2019 act that established the Camden County Spaceport Authority.

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Trump leads Biden by ten points in Georgia, poll shows

By Peach Tree Times News Service | May 12, 2024

Former President Donald Trump (R) leads President Joe Biden (D) by ten points among Georgia voters in the 2024 race for the White House.

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Average VA Purchase Loan amount in Georgia declines from Q4 2023 to Q1

By Peach Tree Times | May 10, 2024

The average VA Purchase Loan amount for Georgia in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 was $336,360, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index

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Georgia's net tax revenues decrease by 5.4% in April

By Peach Tree Times | May 10, 2024

The State of Georgia reported a decrease in net tax collections for April, totaling $3.96 billion. This figure represents a decline of $225.7 million or 5.4 percent compared to the same period in FY 2023, when net tax collections reached nearly $4.19 billion.

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New Georgia Law Criminalizes Bail Funds, Requires Cash Bonds

By Peach Tree Times | May 10, 2024

Last week, Georgia Governor Kemp signed Senate Bill (SB) 63 into law. This legislation criminalizes bail funds and necessitates cash bonds for over 30 offenses, including acts such as criminal trespassing. The new law significantly broadens the number of individuals required to post a cash bond for release from jail prior to appearing before a judge. It also slows down the process for release on misdemeanors and ordinances.

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Georgia legislators propose plan for regional literacy coaches

By Peach Tree Times | May 9, 2024

ATLANTA (May 9, 2024) – This week, the Georgia General Assembly held a meeting with executive directors from all sixteen of Georgia’s Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs). The assembly and the directors proposed a plan to implement literacy expectations established in House Bill 538 and House Bill 916, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget. The plan includes drafting job descriptions for regional literacy coaches, creating a hiring process, initiating an Advisory Design team for training literacy coaches, and implementing an evaluation tool for coaches.

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New Anti-Voter Law Signed in Atlanta Raises Concerns

By Peach Tree Times | May 9, 2024

Governor Kemp of Atlanta recently signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 189, an omnibus elections bill combined with HB 976. The bill was expedited through the legislature at the last minute. This new law mandates that unhoused voters use the county registrars’ office as their mailing address, a requirement that may make it difficult for them to receive mail effectively.

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Rep. Mesha Mainor delivers keynote speech at Underwood University commencement

By Peach Tree Times | May 9, 2024

State Representative Mesha Mainor (R-Atlanta) recently had the honor of serving as the keynote speaker at the Underwood University Commencement Ceremony in Suwanee. The representative expressed her gratitude for being chosen to address the 2024 graduating class.

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Rep. Mesha Mainor to host Fulton County sheriff's debate today

By Peach Tree Times | May 9, 2024

State Representative Mesha Mainor (R-Atlanta) is set to host a Fulton County sheriff's debate on May 9, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at Lindsay Street Baptist Church in Atlanta. The event aims to foster a candid conversation with the candidates and will include a question-and-answer session from the audience.

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Governor Kemp signs SB 189; critics warn of voter barriers

By Peach Tree Times | May 9, 2024

Earlier this week, Governor Kemp signed Senate Bill (SB) 189 into law. This omnibus elections bill, combined with HB 976, was expedited through the legislature.

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Senator Max Burns Celebrates Enactment of Bill Enhancing Georgia's Election Integrity

By Peach Tree Times | May 8, 2024

Yesterday, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 189 to strengthen election integrity in Georgia. The measure, sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics Sen. Max Burns (R–Sylvania), restricts the use of QR codes to count ballots, reforms the process to challenge a voter’s eligibility, and expands ballot access for third-party candidates. Additionally, this legislation removes Georgia’s Secretary of State from the State Election Board and establishes additional conflict of interest provisions for statewide and local elections officers, officials, and...

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Senate Republicans Celebrate Successful Session with Key Legislation Signed into Law

By Peach Tree Times | May 8, 2024

Senate Republicans Celebrate Successful Session with Key Legislation Signed into Law

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Senate Committee on Public Safety to Hear Public Testimony at Fulton County Jail Subcommittee Meeting

By Peach Tree Times | May 8, 2024

The Senate Committee on Public Safety’s Fulton County Jail Subcommittee is set to hear public testimony on May 10, 2024, at 9 a.m. Chaired by Majority Whip Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), the event will take place at 450 State Capitol and is open to the public. Those interested can also watch the live stream on the Senate website. Media personnel are encouraged to confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jackson Fuentes at the Senate Press Office. Sen. Randy Robertson, representing Senate District 29, can be reached for further information.