Opponents of sales tax on period products ready to push Georgia lawmakers to end levy
Rep. Debbie Buckner, a Junction City Democrat, makes the case for eliminating the state sales tax on period products at a press conference held Thursday. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder A national tax policy group last year ditched the phrase “feminine hygiene products” and adopted “menstrual discharge collection devices” as its go-to term for tampons and other…
Congress speeds through short-term government funding bill before Friday shutdown deadline
Congress on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 cleared a short-term spending bill that will temporarily keep federal departments and agencies under current spending levels. Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom WASHINGTON — Congress will have until early March to finish work it was supposed to complete last fall — and will avert a partial government shutdown — under a…
Judge in Georgia 2020 election interference case sets hearing on accusations of prosecutor misconduct
On Aug. 14, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis unveiled a grand jury’s charges against former President Donald Trump and 18 others as part of a wide-ranging RICO case. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee has scheduled a Feb. 15 hearing to discuss accusations that District Attorney Fani Willis was involved in a…
State spending to prosecute – and defend – gang members on the docket for Georgia General Assembly
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed during the 2023 legislative session street gang crackdown legislation that creates a five-year mandatory prison sentence for gang-related offenses and adds five years for recruiting minors into gangs. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder (File) Several state agencies are seeking millions more in state funds to handle the growing caseload resulting from the…
State agency heads outline spending plans for Georgia’s child welfare, safety-net, mental health
A parade of state agency heads is appearing before legislative budget writers this week. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Lawmakers continue to spend this week digging into the governor’s budget plans, which include billions of dollars more in spending increases. Gov. Brian Kemp has proposed a $37.5 billion amended budget for the current year, which is a…
No deal on Ukraine, Israel aid after White House meeting with top congressional leaders
.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, center, speaks to reporters after a White House meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, about supplemental aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and U.S. border security. At left is Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio, and at right is Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas. Ashley Murray/States Newsroom WASHINGTON — President Joe…