Talk of Georgia-style full Medicaid expansion spurs bipartisan buzz at state Capitol
Speaker Jon Burns (left) and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones have both signaled an openness to an Arkansas-style Medicaid expansion, which purchases private insurance for individuals on the marketplace instead of adding more people to the state-run Medicaid program. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder The Gold Dome was aflutter during the first week of the legislative session over…
With partial government shutdown a week away, Johnson says he’ll stick to spending deal
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, reads a statement about government spending to reporters inside the Capitol building on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson committed Friday to following the topline spending agreement he struck with Democrats less than a week ago, following a day…
State set to roll out more money to help school districts pay to bus students to school
Georgia school districts could be getting new money to pay for pupil transportation under Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposed budget. Pixabay Every weekday morning and afternoon, a fleet of yellow buses rolls out all over the state, picking up and dropping off Georgia students. Keeping all those wheels turning isn’t cheap – Georgia’s school districts combined…
Georgia governor aims to get down to business with school voucher legislation this year
Gov. Brian Kemp delivers his 2024 State of the State speech. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Gov. Brian Kemp gave a full-throated shoutout to school vouchers in a major speech Thursday, boosting the odds of action on the controversial measure. “As a small business owner for almost 40 years now, I believe – like many of you…
Kemp trumpets job growth, pushes for government worker pay raises in 2024 State of State speech
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, center, is flanked by House Speaker Jon Burns, left, and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, right, during the governor’s 2024 State of the State Address delivered Thursday inside a packed House chamber. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Republican Gov. Brian Kemp called for higher salaries for teachers, police officers and other state employees, as…
New turmoil over possible shutdown in D.C. amid warnings of a WIC food program shortfall
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, walks back to his office following a vote in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. Earlier in the day, House Freedom Caucus members left a meeting in the speaker’s office saying that they were talking to the speaker about abandoning the spending agreement that Johnson announced…