Brian Kemp | The Georgia Star News

Vernon Jones Says Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Wants to Have It Both Ways on Buckhead as a Separate City

December 23, 2021December 22, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and members of his staff on Wednesday would not declare his stance on whether Buckhead should formally remove itself from crime-plagued Atlanta. The Georgia Star News specifically asked whether Kemp and members of his team have met or communicated with members of the Buckhead City Committee, including its leader, Bill White. We also asked whether Kemp and members of his team told White and other Buckhead City Committee members that they support the city of Buckhead.

Brian Kemp Announces Administration Floor Leaders for Georgia’s 2022 Legislative Session

December 19, 2021December 19, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp this week announced his administration’s floor leaders for the 2022 legislative session. Floor leaders generally promote the governor’s interests in the legislative chamber.

Declared Gubernatorial Candidate David Perdue Issues Dire Warning to Georgia About Stacey Abrams

December 14, 2021December 13, 2021 Chris Butler

Former Republican senator and declared Georgia gubernatorial candidate David Perdue said last weekend that incumbent Governor Brian Kemp cannot defeat Stacey Abrams in 2022 and that an Abrams win will have ramifications nationwide. If Abrams wins, Perdue told Breitbart News Saturday, then the GOP will not recapture the White House in 2024.

Brian Kemp Gets Endorsement from Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Said by Some to Work Against Conservatives’ Best Interests

December 1, 2021December 1, 2021 Chris Butler

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce on Monday formally endorsed Republican Governor Brian Kemp’s 2022 reelection campaign.

This, despite certain other members of the GOP previously saying that the Chamber frequently works against conservatives’ best interests.

Members of the Chamber, in a press release, said they believe Kemp “will continue to make effective policy decisions that positively impact free enterprise and job creation across the state.”

Georgia House Votes for New Congressional Redistricting Map That Will Dramatically Change State Political Landscape

November 23, 2021November 22, 2021 Chris Butler

Members of the Georgia House on Monday voted for a Congressional Redistricting Map that removes U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-06) from her current district and paves the way for a Republican to win that seat. The proposal now goes to Governor Brian Kemp to approve.

Georgia Governor Orders Probe into ‘Sloppy’ November 2020 Vote Counts in Fulton County

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021 Georgia Star News Staff

In a rare act for a state chief executive, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has referred the audited November 2020 election results in the state’s largest voting metropolis to the State Election Board after multiple reviews found significant problems with absentee ballot counting that included duplicate tallies, math errors and transposed data.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr Challenge Joe Biden’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers

November 17, 2021November 16, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr on Tuesday announced the state has filed a lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers.

Kemp and Carr announced this in an emailed press release.

Georgia’s October Net Tax Revenues Up Nearly 23 Percent

November 7, 2021November 6, 2021 Chris Butler

The State of Georgia’s net tax collections in October approached $2.48 billion, for an increase of $460.7 million, or 22.9 percent, compared to October 2020, when net tax collections totaled roughly $2.02 billion. This, according to an emailed press release that Governor Brian Kemp’s office emailed Friday.

Brian Kemp to List Actions He’ll Take Against Joe Biden’s COVID-19 Mandate for Federal Contractors

November 3, 2021November 3, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is scheduled to appear alongside the state’s attorney general and agriculture commissioner Wednesday to discuss how President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors violates the law and harms the state. This, according to a press release that member of Kemp’s staff emailed Tuesday. The press release called Biden’s mandate “unlawful” and suggested that state officials would file a lawsuit to fight it.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Might Have to Compete Against Former Senator David Perdue Next Year

October 30, 2021October 29, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp may have another Republican opponent as he vies for reelection next year. The Intelligencer reported this week that former U.S. Senator David Perdue is mulling whether to compete against Kemp.

Georgia Receives Major Investment by Solar Company Plagued by Ethics Issues

October 22, 2021October 21, 2021 Chris Butler

Lee County, Georgia will accept a more than $220 million investment from a Tennessee-based company with a reported history of ethics problems. That company, the Silicon Ranch Corporation, helps finance the construction of solar arrays. Silicon Ranch will invest those millions into the 250-megawatt (MWAC) DeSoto Solar Farm.

Buckhead City’s Fundraising Surpasses $1 Million in Georgia

October 15, 2021October 14, 2021 Chris Butler

Buckhead, Georgia residents and businesses have contributed $1 million to support the initiative to create Buckhead City, members of the Buckhead City Committee said in an emailed press release Thursday.“The Buckhead City Committee expects to raise another million dollars before the end of this upcoming legislative session (April) to further advance Buckhead’s path to cityhood,” according to the press release.

Georgia September Net Tax Revenues Up 30.3 Percent

October 12, 2021October 12, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia’s September net tax collections totaled nearly $2.82 billion for an increase of $655 million, or 30.3 percent, compared to September of last year when net tax collections totaled $2.16 billion. This, according to a press release that Governor Brian Kemp emailed late last week.

Georgia General Assembly Special Session to Feature Hearings on Buckhead’s Proposed Separation from Atlanta

October 1, 2021September 30, 2021 Chris Butler

Members of the Georgia General Assembly are scheduled to convene a three-week long special session starting November 3 where they will hold hearings and discuss whether Buckhead should incorporate as a municipality separate from Atlanta. This, according to a press release that members of the Buckhead City Committee emailed this week.

Gov. Brian Kemp Will Update Georgians About COVID-19 on Thursday

September 30, 2021September 29, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has scheduled a press conference Thursday alongside state Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey to update the public about their efforts to combat COVID-19. This, according to a press release that members of Kemp’s office emailed on Wednesday.

Georgia’s GOP Congresspersons, Along with Pro-Vaccine Governor, Resist Biden’s Vaccine Mandate

September 11, 2021September 10, 2021 Bradley Vasoli

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) is leading the charge among Republican officials to litigate against President Joe Biden’s order that all employers with 100 or more staffers ensure that their workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or that they show a negative test weekly.

“Just ended a call with my fellow Republican governors,” Kemp tweeted Friday. “We are fighting back against @POTUS’ outrageous overreach and attack on individual freedom.”

Brian Kemp to Spend Nearly $6 Billion in COVID-19 Relief Money on Georgia Tourism

September 7, 2021September 7, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp will spend $5.8 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds — taxpayer money — on the state’s tourism industry. This, according to an emailed press release late last week.

Gov. Brian Kemp Wants Afghan Refugees in Georgia

August 21, 2021August 20, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp reportedly has invited Afghan refugees to resettle there, and his announcement has not carried over well with Peach State conservatives. Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Vernon Jones said on his social media pages this week that Kemp’s suggestion is reckless and threatens national security.

Georgia Officials File Motion to Dismiss U.S. Department of Justice’s Lawsuit Against SB 202

July 30, 2021July 29, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia officials have filed a motion to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) lawsuit against the state’s new voter integrity law, Senate Bill 202. Gov. Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr this week released a statement and called the lawsuit “politically-charged” and said it seeks “to intrude into the State of Georgia’s constitutional authority to regulate the time, place, and manner of its elections.”

Georgia Department of Community Health Says COVID-19 Justified No-Bid Contract

July 29, 2021July 28, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia officials rewarded an Alpharetta-based medical company with a generous no-bid contract and cited a provision in state law that allowed them to do so during emergencies — in this case, COVID-19. Jackson Healthcare provides medical staff to several of Georgia’s hospitals and nursing homes through its subsidiary Healthcare Workforce Logistics (HWL). Company CEO Rick Jackson donated generously to Georgia’s top politicians, including Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Jackson’s company subsequently received a $434 million no-bid contract. Company officials said politics “had absolutely nothing to do with it.”

Georgia Campaign Donor Says Politics Did Not Influence Generous No-Bid COVID-19 Contract

July 28, 2021July 27, 2021 Chris Butler

The president of an Alpharetta-based medical company whose CEO donated generously to Georgia’s top politicians and subsequently received a $434 million no-bid contract said Tuesday that politics “had absolutely nothing to do with it.” Rick Jackson, the CEO of Jackson Healthcare, donated roughly $1 million to various statewide political candidates. Jackson donated to, among others, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

Corporate Donor to Brian Kemp, Geoff Duncan, and Brad Raffensperger Got Exclusive No-Bid Contract for COVID-19 Services

July 27, 2021July 26, 2021 Chris Butler

Outside shot of Jackson Healthcare in Alpharetta, GA.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger accepted generous campaign donations from a medical company that got a $434 million no-bid contract with the state to help fight COVID-19. This, according to a new article in The Georgia Health News.

Joe Biden’s FEMA Denies Emergency Tornado Relief for Georgia

July 8, 2021July 8, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA-03) have blasted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for denying the state’s appeal for emergency assistance. This, after a tornado struck the city of Newnan and surrounding areas in March.

Federal Judge Denies Injunction Request to Stop Georgia’s Voter Integrity Law

July 8, 2021July 7, 2021 Chris Butler

A U.S. District Judge on Wednesday denied one group’s request that he issue a preliminary injunction against certain sections of Georgia’s new voter integrity law, Senate Bill 202. The Coalition for Good Governance requested the injunction for the July 13 runoff election for Georgia State House District 34.

Georgia U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams to Co-Chair Commission to Fight ‘Voter Suppression’

July 4, 2021July 3, 2021 Chris Butler

U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA-05) announced she will co-chair the Washington, D.C.-based Congressional Voting Rights Caucus to fight what she calls voter suppression bills in 14 states. In this role, according to a press release, Williams will replace the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis.

Brian Kemp Announces People Who Will Serve on Georgia Jobs and Infrastructure Committees

July 1, 2021June 30, 2021 Chris Butler

Gov. Brian Kemp this week named members of the Georgia Jobs and Infrastructure Committees, responsible for receiving applications and making recommendations regarding federal COVID-19 relief funds allocated to the state through the American Rescue Plan. State government entities and units of local government, as well as industries and nonprofits are eligible to apply, Kemp said in an emailed press release.

Vernon Jones Asks Why Joe Biden’s DOJ Isn’t Suing Other States for Their Voting Laws

June 28, 2021June 27, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Vernon Jones said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is suing Georgia unfairly for its new voting law when officials in other states impose the same standards upon their voters. U.S. Justice Department officials announced last week they will sue the Peach State over its new voting law Senate Bill 202.

Vernon Jones Commentary: Governor Kemp, Georgia Needs an Audit Now

June 26, 2021June 25, 2021 Georgia Star News Staff

For several months, I have demanded that Governor Brian Kemp carry out a full forensic audit of Georgia’s ballots from the election last year. Growing evidence indicates that either fraud or gross negligence occurred that potentially swayed the result of the presidential election. But for one reason or another, Governor Kemp refuses to act. It’s long overdue for him to perform the job that he was elected to do. We simply can’t wait any longer.

On June 17, I held a press conference at the State Capitol in Atlanta exposing irregularities that occurred when ballots were tabulated in the presidential election. As the investigative news outlet Just The News reported, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger received a report in November that his office commissioned with a private contractor. The report exposed the disaster of the election in Fulton County.

Just The News reported that the contractor “recorded troubling behavior like the mysterious removal of a suitcase of sensitive election data known as polls pads, used to authenticate voters.” This contractor “also observed that sensitive election materials were left on a dock at a warehouse without supervision.” The full report documents troubling and revealing events that occurred throughout the entire process of Fulton County officials tabulating votes. It’s a disaster that should never happen again and should have never happened in the first place.

Georgia SOS Brad Raffensperger Issues Challenge to Stacey Abrams and Joe Biden After DOJ Lawsuit Announced

June 26, 2021June 25, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger reacted harshly Friday to news that U.S. Justice Department officials, under Attorney General Merrick Garland, will sue the Peach State over its new voting law Senate Bill 202. “The Biden Administration continues to do the bidding of Stacey Abrams and spreads more lies about Georgia’s election law,” Raffensperger said on Facebook Friday.

Kemp Ends Georgia’s Public Health State of Emergency as of July 1

June 25, 2021June 25, 2021 The Center Square

Georgia’s public health state of emergency will end on July 1 under an executive order signed by Gov. Brian Kemp.

Kemp first declared a public health state of emergency on March 14, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration helps the state easily access supplies and other resources needed to combat the spread of the coronavirus. It lifts certain medical and commercial transportation regulations.

Tuesday’s order extends the declaration by one day and one minute.

Economic Development Roundup: Green Hydrogen Fuel Production Plant Slated for Georgia

June 20, 2021June 19, 2021 The Center Square

Hydrogen solutions provider Plug Power will invest $84 million to open a green hydrogen fuel production plant in Kingsland, Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp’s office said.

The investment is expected to create 24 jobs in Camden County. Plug Power’s GenKey solution combines critical elements to power and fuel and provides services to Amazon, BMW, Southern Company, The Home Depot, Group Carrefour and Walmart.

“With this hydrogen production plant, we are expanding our green hydrogen network to provide zero-emissions fuel to customers in Georgia and across the Southeast,” Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh said. “Investing in Camden County is the right choice to support Plug Power’s continued growth.”

Georgia Unemployment Rate Drops, but Mom-and-Pops Still in Jeopardy

June 20, 2021June 20, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia officials announced Friday that the state’s unemployment rate had dropped for the 13th straight month from 4.3 percent in April to 4.1 percent for the month of May. Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler, however, said more pressing matters remain.

Group Provides Petition to Fight Critical Race Theory in Georgia

June 16, 2021June 15, 2021 Chris Butler

Classroom full of kids, that are being read a book

Members of a group called No Left Turn in Education this month asked Peach State residents to stand up to Critical Race Theory (CRT) and sign a petition asking government officials to ban it. In a press release, No Left Turn in Education Georgia chapter members also said they want K-12 schools statewide to ban the 1619 Project and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Action Civics.

Georgia Economy Strong as Net Tax Collections Up Nearly 70 Percent Versus This Time Last Year

June 13, 2021June 12, 2021 Chris Butler

The State of Georgia’s May net tax collections approached $2.66 billion for an increase of roughly $1.08 billion, or 68.1 percent, compared to May 2020. Net tax collections in May of last year totaled $1.58 billion, according to a press release that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp released this week.

Vernon Jones Accuses Georgia Gov. Kemp of ‘Sitting on the Sideline’ During 2020 Election

June 12, 2021June 11, 2021 Cooper Moran

Former state lawmaker and GOP gubernatorial candidate Vernon Jones released a video on Thursday criticizing Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his actions during the 2020 election process.

“In 2020, I witnessed, firsthand, Brian Kemp abandon the President, costing us two Senate seats and the Oval Office. He chose to sit on the sideline,” Jones said. “While Brian Kemp was on the sidelines, I was on the frontlines — rallying support for the President, criss-crossing the country, and fighting for the integrity of our elections.

GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Vernon Jones Files Amicus Brief in Lawsuit Against MLB

June 8, 2021June 8, 2021 Cooper Moran

Vernon Jones, former state lawmaker and GOP candidate for Governor, filed a Amicus Brief in the Georgia lawsuit against Major League Baseball.

According to a tweet by Jones, the Brief is in support of a lawsuit filed by the Job Creators Network for damages lost in response to the decision to move the MLB All-Star Game from Atlanta. The MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred decided to pull the game because he claimed the new law restricted voting access.

Georgia GOP Censures Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger

June 8, 2021June 7, 2021 Cooper Moran

The Georgia Republican Party passed a motion on Saturday at their state convention to formally censure current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

“A censure is about as strong as it gets out of here, other than our votes at the ballot box which is the most important censure of all,” added Mike Crane, District 3 Chairman of the state party, before reading the language of the censure.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Booed at State GOP Convention in Jekyll Island

June 6, 2021June 5, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp spoke to members of the state GOP at their convention in Jekyll Island Saturday, but few people in the crowd of about 2,000 heard what the governor had to say. That’s because so many people in the room drowned Kemp’s words out with almost-deafening boos.

Georgia Board of Education Formally Opposes Critical Race Theory

June 5, 2021June 4, 2021 Chris Butler

Members of the Georgia Board of Education voted Thursday to formally oppose teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT) in the state’s K-12 classrooms. Board members, according to their resolution, described beliefs such as CRT as “concepts that impute fault, blame, a tendency to oppress others, or the need to feel guilt or anguish to persons solely because of their race or sex.”

Georgia Republicans Demand Brian Kemp Seek Forensic Audit of 2020 Election

June 4, 2021June 3, 2021 Chris Butler

Republicans throughout Georgia have asked Gov. Brian Kemp to convene a special session of the state legislature so that independent parties can conduct a forensic audit of the state’s November 2020 presidential election. These Republicans sent an open letter to the people of Georgia, which they forwarded to The Georgia Star News Thursday.

Vernon Jones Tells Brian Kemp to Investigate Mysterious Fulton County Warehouse Break-In

June 2, 2021June 1, 2021 Chris Butler

The apparent break-in at the Fulton County warehouse where officials were storing ballots for a pending audit has prompted Georgia gubernatorial candidate Vernon Jones to demand an official investigation. “This report, if true, is deeply concerning and needs to be independently investigated at once. I am calling on Governor Kemp to immediately order an investigation into this matter by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation,” Jones told supporters Monday in an emailed statement.

Georgia Lawmakers to Study Crime in Atlanta

June 1, 2021May 31, 2021 The Center Square

Georgia lawmakers will study the rise in crime in Atlanta this summer.

The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee plans to hold a series of hearings to look at the causes and solutions for the increase in crime in the state’s capital city.

“We want to have productive hearings that can get down to exactly what’s going on because, as you all know, the success of the city of Atlanta is directly impacted by the success of Georgia and vice versa,” Committee Chair J. Collins, R-Villa Rica, said.

Georgia Secures AAA Bond Rating in 2021

May 30, 2021May 30, 2021 Chris Butler

Gov. Brian P. Kemp this week announced Georgia has again secured the highest ratings of AAA with a stable outlook from each of the three main credit rating agencies: FitchRatings, Moody’s Investors Service, and S&P Global Ratings. This, according to a press release that members of Kemp’s staff published on his website.

Gov. Kemp Bans Vaccine Passports in Georgia

May 26, 2021May 25, 2021 Cooper Moran

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order on Tuesday banning the use of vaccine passports throughout the state.

The order explicitly states that no state agency, provider of state services, or state property is allowed to implement any vaccine passport program or require proof of vaccination in order to enter the premises of a location or conduct business. Additionally, vaccination will not be required to enter the state of Georgia.

Georgia’s Unemployment Rate Decreases Again

May 23, 2021May 22, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) officials announce this week that the state’s unemployment rate dropped another 0.2 percentage points to reach 4.3 percent in April. Last month, Georgia reported the lowest unemployment rate among the 10 most-populated states.

Brian Kemp Warns Georgia About Critical Race Theory, but Vernon Jones Says He Has a Plan to Get Rid of It Altogether

May 22, 2021May 21, 2021 Chris Butler

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp this week submitted a letter to members of the state board of education and warned about the dangers of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in public schools. But Vernon Jones — Kemp’s declared Republican opponent for next year’s gubernatorial race — also denounced CRT and said, if elected, he’ll do more than just warn about it.

GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Vernon Jones Calls for ‘An Immediate Forensic Audit of the Georgia 2020 Election’

May 20, 2021May 19, 2021 Julie Carr

Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate and former State Rep. Vernon Jones called for “an immediate for an immediate forensic audit of the Georgia 2020 election” at a press conference on Wednesday. Here is a transcript of that press conference: Jones: The integrity of our election is nonnegotiable. It is non-negotiable. Zero…

Georgia Gov. Kemp Officially Launches 2022 Campaign

May 19, 2021May 19, 2021 Cooper Moran

Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia has officially launched his 2022 campaign, according to a press release from his campaign.

“Brian Kemp has a strong, conservative record of fighting for life, standing up for law enforcement, cutting taxes, protecting lives and livelihoods against the COVID-19 pandemic, and defending election integrity,” Kemp’s campaign manager said the statement.

Embattled Secretary of State Raffensperger to Seek Another Term

May 19, 2021May 19, 2021 Cooper Moran

Controversial Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger confirmed on Tuesday that he will seek another term.

Raffensperger has been the focal point of criticism of Georgia’s election from both sides of the political aisle. He routinely ignored the widespread concerns over election security throughout the state.

Trump Releases Statement on Georgia Lieutenant Governor

May 19, 2021May 18, 2021 Cooper Moran

President Donald Trump released a statement on Monday celebrating the decision that Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan will not seek a second term.

“Good news for Georgia and the Republican Party. Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan won’t be running again for office. He was the one who, along with Governor Brian Kemp, stopped the Georgia State Senate from doing the job they wanted to do on the 2020 Presidential Election Fraud,” Trump said.