Georgia lawmakers are almost certain to discuss school funding and even school choice legislation during this year’s legislative session.
Read MoreSchool Choice Legislation Is Likely from Georgia Lawmakers this Session
Tag: Gov Brian Kemp
Report: Georgia’s Revenues Exceeded Expenses During the Last 15 Years
Georgia saw its revenues exceed expenses overall during the past 15 years, a new report reveals.
The Peach State’s total revenue as a share of expenses during fiscal 2006-20 was 102.6%, according to a new analysis from Pew Trusts. That’s in line with the 50-state median of 102.7%.
Read MoreGeorgia’s Kemp Extends Gas Tax Moratorium Again
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed an extension of the state’s gas tax moratorium, saying such a move is needed because of a potential diesel fuel shortage.
The extension runs through Dec. 11.
Kemp also extended the locomotive fuel tax moratorium and a supply chain state of emergency. The governor, who is in the middle of a reelection campaign against Democrat Stacey Abrams, squarely placed the blame for high gas prices on President Joe Biden’s policies.
Read MoreGeorgia’s Kemp Receives B Grade for Fiscal and Tax Policies
The Cato Institute gave Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp a B on its 2022 Fiscal Policy Report Card of governors, citing his tax cuts as a reason for the grade.
The libertarian think tank also gave Kemp, a Republican, a B on its 2020 report card. The analysis grades governors on their fiscal policies from a limited-government viewpoint; the higher the grade, the more a governor has cut taxes and spending.
Read MorePoll Has Georgia’s Kemp Out to a Big Lead in Gubernatorial Race
A new poll shows Gov. Brian Kemp widening his lead over challenger Stacey Abrams with less than a month until election day and just days before early voting starts.
The new Georgia News Collaborative poll found Kemp, a Republican, leading Abrams, a Democrat, by a margin of 51% to 40.7%. Libertarian Shane Hazel drew 2.3% of the vote, while 6% were undecided.
Read MoreGeorgia Gov. Kemp Signs Another Extension of the State’s Gas Tax Moratorium
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has extended the suspension of the state’s collection of taxes on motor and locomotive fuel.
The governor also extended the supply chain state of emergency. Both orders will be effective through Nov. 11, shortly after the election.
Read MoreAbrams Says Heartbeat at Six Weeks Is ‘Manufactured’
Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams made an unscientific remark on the topic of abortion during a recent campaign stop.
“There is no such thing as a heartbeat at six weeks. It is a manufactured sound designed to convince people that men have the right to take control of a woman’s body,” Abrams said.
Read MoreNew Georgia Poll Finds Republicans Walker, Kemp Widen Lead over Democratic Opponents
Georgia Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker and incumbent GOP Gov. Brian Kemp are both widening their leads over their Democratic opponents, according to a poll.
Former NFL star Walker is ahead of incumbent Democrat Sen. Raphael Warnock by 47-44%, an InsiderAdvantage/FOX 5 Atlanta poll released Thursday shows. Libertarian nominee Chase Oliver is receiving 4% support with 5% of voters still undecided.
Read MoreTwo Cobb County Sheriff’s Deputies Killed in Line of Duty
Two Cobb County Sheriffs Deputies were killed in the line of duty Thursday night while attempting to serve a warrant, that law enforcement agency said.
“Two deputies died tonight in the line of duty while serving a warrant,” the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said Thursday night. “SWAT and FAST teams are at the scene. The suspect is barricaded. We will release additional information, including the names of the fallen deputies, as it becomes available.”
Read MoreGeorgia’s Kemp to Spend $100 Million in Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds for Law Enforcement
Another day, another dollar dispersed.
Georgia’s governor is again turning to federal COVID-19 relief money to provide grants to another constituency. This time, he plans to give $100 million to law enforcement agencies statewide.
Gov. Brian Kemp is turning to the American Rescue Plan and the State Fiscal Recovery Fund to dole out grants of up to $1.5 million per award. Awardees can put the money toward a range of initiatives, from law enforcement staffing to investing in technology and equipment to respond to the uptick in gun violence.
Read MorePolitiFact Fact-Checks Stacey Abrams’ ‘Gross Lie’ About Brian Kemp
Liberal “fact-checker” PolitiFact denounced a claim made in a Saturday statement by Stacey Abrams (D) that Governor Brian Kemp (R) and Georgia’s House Bill 481 stipulates a warrant for the arrest of women who suffer a miscarriage.
“Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has not said he wants women investigated or punished for pregnancies that end in miscarriage. A six-week abortion law he signed said miscarriages are legal,” PolitiFact said.
Read MoreGeorgia Officials Unable to Say How Much Taxpayer Money Was Spent on School Supply Program for Teachers
Georgia plans to give a $125 supplement to teachers in the state to offset the cost of classroom materials and ostensibly help students rebound from learning losses suffered amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Georgia officials cannot say how much money in total the state plans to give public school teachers as part of the “Back-to-School Supply Supplement” program.
Read MoreSecond Poll Shows Kemp with Slight Lead over Abrams
A second poll released in as many days shows Georgia’s incumbent Republican governor with a slight lead over his Democrat challenger in this year’s gubernatorial race.
A SurveyUSA/11 Alive News poll shows that Gov. Brian Kemp (R) leads Democrat Stacey Abrams by a hair, with 45 percent of the vote. Abrams, according to the poll, has 44 percent of the vote.
Read MoreRNC Reports Gains in Black Voters in Georgia Gubernatorial Race
According to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll, Georgia’s incumbent Republican governor has a slight edge over second-time Democrat challenger Stacey Abrams.
AJC says that Gov. Brian Kemp (R) leads Abrams by five points in the duo’s rematch of the 2018 gubernatorial race in the Peach State.
Read MoreCopper Foil Manufacturer to Invest $430 Million in Richmond County Facility
A high-quality electrodeposited (ED) copper foil manufacturer Denkai America announced Wednesday in a joint statement with Governor Brian Kemp that it will invest $430 million in a Richmond County-based facility that will create 250 jobs over the next five years.
“As Georgia continues to lead in the emerging electric vehicle market & next-gen jobs, I’m proud to announce that Denkai America will invest $430M & create 250 new jobs over the next five years in Richmond County through its new manufacturing facility and North American Headquarters!” Kemp said.
Read MoreKemp Vows to ‘Keep Fighting’ Inflation in Georgia
The governor of Georgia Wednesday said he will continue battling to keep costs down for Georgians after the June Consumer Price Index report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was released.
That report showed 9.1 percent inflation, by far the highest one month increase in more than 40 years.
Read MoreKemp Campaign Responds to Abrams’ Soros-Backed Fundraising Haul
The reelection campaign for Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has responded after gubernatorial challenger Stacy Abrams raised $2.5 million from a George Soros-run Political Action Committee (PAC).
“Far-left radicals from across the country are bankrolling Stacey Abrams’ campaign to bring the failed agenda of D.C. Democrats to Georgia,” Tate Mitchell, a spokesperson for the Kemp campaign, told The Georgia Star News. “Abrams and her liberal allies can – and will – continue to outraise and outspend our campaign, but we will continue to run on Governor Kemp’s record of putting Georgians first and securing historic economic success for our state.”
Read MoreGeorgia State Lawmaker Pitches Private Company’s Casting Call for Films to Be Made in Savannah
A state lawmaker is helping a private company find actors and actresses during an open casting call event for a trio of Savannah-based film projects.
On Tuesday, the Georgia Media Services Office distributed a media advisory on behalf of Rep. Carl Gilliard, D-Savannah. Gilliard is partnering with Bill Marinella Casting to potentially cast actors and actresses in roles on “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Cave Dweller” and “Pax.”
Read MoreGeorgia House Speaker Calls on MLB to Award Atlanta All-Star Game After 2021 Cancelation
Georgia’s House Speaker this week turned the heat up on Major League Baseball (MLB), which moved its All-Star Game from Atlanta to Denver last year in protest of Georgia’s SB 202 election integrity law.
“Earlier this week, I wrote to [MLB] Commissioner [Rob Manfred] and called on him to announce a future All-Star Game in Atlanta,” said Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-District 7). “Georgia’s Election Integrity Act made voting more accessible and secure. False claims to the contrary have been proven wrong. Time for him to make this right.”
Read MoreAbrams Nonprofit Says ‘True Freedom’ Exists for Few Americans
A non-profit founded by gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams Monday bemoaned what it says is a lack of freedom for many Americans.
“Since our nation’s independence, true freedom has only ever existed for a small subset of people,” Fair Fight said on Twitter. “Today, when our basic rights are once again under attack, we’re celebrating those who continue the fight for freedom for every American—no matter their gender, race, or zip code.”
Read More102 Georgia Sheriffs Sign Letter Condemning Stacey Abrams as ‘Soft on Crime’
More than 100 Sheriffs in Georgia signed a letter blasting Democrat gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams as “soft on crime.”
“Over the last four years, Governor Kemp and his family stood shoulder to shoulder with the men and women serving in Georgia’s law enforcement community,” the letter, touted on incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp’s website, says. “Working alongside our departments, Governor Kemp has championed legislation to recruit and retain more officers into the profession, strengthen penalties for criminals and help keep Georgia’s streets safe, and prevent rogue local governments from stripping critical funding and resources from police.”
Read MoreBrad Raffensperger Calls for Federal Amendment on Election Security
In a follow-up tweet that expounded on his letter penned in January on election reform, Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, reiterated his call for a federal Constitutional amendment on U.S. citizenship and election integrity.
“A citizenship amendment is a necessary security measure that will ensure that only American citizens are voting in our elections. We need an amendment now,” Raffensperger said.
Read MorePoll Shows Kemp with Lead over Abrams
An early poll in Georgia’s gubernatorial election shows incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp (R) leading Democrat challenger Stacey Abrams.
The poll, taken by East Carolina University (ECU), was conducted between June 6 to June 9 among 868 registered voters in Georgia.
Read MoreKemp Launches Ad Targeting Abrams over ‘Worst State’ Comments
As the race for Georgia’s governorship intensifies, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) Tuesday launched an ad attacking opponent Stacey Abrams for recent comments she made about living in the Peach State.
“Georgia is the worst, according to Stacey Abrams,” the ad says. “Bless her heart.”
Read MoreAbrams Launches Debut TV Ad Attacking Kemp
Georgia’s Democrat gubernatorial candidate this week launched her campaign’s debut television ad, whacking her Republican opponent.
“For years, Brian Kemp has taken Georgia backwards,” said an ad by Stacey Abrams’ campaign.”
Read MoreAbrams Says Kemp Signed ‘Criminal Carry’ Bill into Law
Democrat gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams in a Friday post accused her incumbent opponent of signing a bill into law that does not appear to exist.
“Our children across Georgia are bearing the heartbreaking consequences of gun violence. Instead of addressing the crisis, Brian Kemp signed criminal carry legislation that will put more guns on our streets and make our communities less safe,” said Abrams on Twitter.
Read MoreKemp Extends Gas Tax Holiday as Prices Continue to Rise
Georgia’s governor Thursday extended the state’s gas tax holiday amid record-high prices at the pump.
“While President Biden continues to enforce an out-of-touch agenda with damaging effects, we’re responding to record-high inflation and addressing supply chain issues by empowering Georgians to keep their money in their own pockets and keep goods flowing,” Gov. Brian Kemp said on Twitter.
Read MoreKemp Ponders Extending Georgia Motor Fuel Tax Suspension
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has not said whether he would seek to extend the state’s motor fuel tax suspension when it expires at the end of May. However, during a Wednesday morning interview with an Atlanta radio station, the governor indicated an announcement might be looming.
“I know Georgians need it; they’re getting killed at the pump right now, and they’re getting killed at the grocery store because of [President Joe] Biden’s 40-year high inflation, and quite honestly, … just bad policies in Washington, DC, like our domestic energy supply policy,” Kemp, a Republican, told WSB Radio.
Read MoreRonna McDaniel Calls for Republican Unification Before Georgia Primary
The Chairwoman of the Republican Party took to “Fox News Sunday” where she called for unification of the Republican Party.
“I think we’re gonna get past this primary season and I’m gonna be so grateful when we do and we really focus on the Democrats,” GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in segment that focused on former President Donald Trump’s endorsements for various offices nationwide.
Read MoreTrump Not Dumping Perdue, NBC Story ‘Fake News’
After NBC published a Friday story citing anonymous sources who said former President Donald Trump had given up his support of former Sen. David Perdue (R-GA), now running for governor, Trump himself dispelled the rumor.
“The Kemp Campaign, together with Fake News NBC, has put out a phony narrative that I have given up on David Perdue in Georgia,” Trump said on his social media outlet Truth Social. “That is completely FALSE.”
Read MorePalin Stumps for Perdue in Georgia
Savannah, Georgia – Former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, a Republican who is currently running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Alaska, joined former Sen. David Perdue (R) at a rally in the closing days of his primary election race.
“The position of governor is so very important when we talk about election integrity, and that should be first and foremost on everyone’s mind what we can do to ensure the integrity in our elections,” Palin said at the rally. “You cannot exercise Democracy within a Republic when you don’t have the fair elections that the electorate deserves.”
Read MoreTrump Not Dumping Perdue, NBC Story ‘Fake News’
After NBC published a Friday story citing anonymous sources who said former President Donald Trump had given up his support of former Sen. David Perdue (R-GA), now running for governor, Trump himself dispelled the rumor.
“The Kemp Campaign, together with Fake News NBC, has put out a phony narrative that I have given up on David Perdue in Georgia,” Trump said on his social media outlet Truth Social. “That is completely FALSE.”
Read MoreGeorgia Issues More than $415 Million in Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds for Nonprofit Recovery
Georgia is doling out more than $415 million in federal relief money as grants to help nonprofits recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The money, which goes to more than 30 recipients, is from the American Rescue Plan’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
Read MoreGeorgia Governor Signs Fiscal 2023 Budget
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed the state’s more than $30.2 billion fiscal 2023 state budget, increasing spending by more than 10% over last year’s budget.
The plan, which takes effect July 1, exceeds $57.9 billion when including other funds, such as more than $17.6 billion in federal money and grants.
Read MorePence to Rally with Kemp on Eve of Primary
In an act of opposition against former President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence will rally with Gov. Brian Kemp (R) on the eve of Georgia’s primary election day.
Kemp confirmed the news on his Twitter account, saying he was “honored” to have Pence’s support.
Read MoreTrump Slams Republicans Supporting Kemp in Re-Election Bid
Former President Donald J. Trump is taking out his frustrations as current and former governors from across the country continue to support Gov. Brian Kemp (R), a political enemy of the former president, for reelection in Georgia.
“Today, the worst ‘election integrity’ Governor in the country, Brian Kemp, loaded the great state of Georgia up with RINOs. That’s right, he had them all,” Trump said in Wednesday statement. “Chris Christie, Doug Ducey from Arizona, and Pete Ricketts from Nebraska. That tells you all you need to know about what you are getting in Georgia—just a continuation of bad elections and a real RINO if you vote for Brian Kemp.”
Read MoreGov. Kemp Signs Betsy’s Law, Expanding Access to Maternity Support Services
Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a bill to allow nonprofits to offer “maternity supportive housing residences” and resources at no cost for pregnant and postpartum women.
Under Senate Bill 116, known as Betsy’s Law, local governments cannot constrain or place occupancy requirements on these residences unless those same restrictions apply to a residence with a single-family living there, according to a news release.
Read MoreFood Trucks Will Be Able to Operate in Multiple Counties Under New Georgia Law
Gov. Brian Kemp signed a trio of bills he says will help small businesses in the state, including a measure that allows food trucks to operate in more than one county without needing multiple permits.
“As a small business owner for more than 35 years, I have always applied a pro-business approach to governing, helping to cut red tape and ensure we have an environment that allows good Georgia companies to thrive and serve their customers,” Kemp said in an announcement.
Read MoreKemp Signs Bills to Ban Vaccine Passports, Ensure Free Speech on Campus
As the COVID-19 pandemic winds down, Georgia’s governor Tuesday signed a bill into law banning state and local governments from requiring vaccine passports.
SB 345 bans “proof of any vaccination of any person as a condition of providing any service or access to any facility, issuing any license, permit, or other type of authorization, or performing any duty of such agency,” and says that state and local governments cannot “through any rule, regulation, ordinance, resolution, or other action … require that any person or private entity require proof of vaccination of any person as a condition of providing any service or access to any facility, or as a condition of such person or private entity’s performance of any regular activity by such person or private entity.”
Read MoreTrump Highlights Story About Kemp’s Net Worth Increase While Governor
Former President Donald Trump released a short statement Friday highlighting a story about the net worth of his political rival Gov. Brian Kemp (R), which has reportedly grown by millions since he took office.
“ICYMI: “Kemp’s net worth grew by more than $3M since he took office” said the headline from Trump’s statement.
Read MoreKemp Signs Bill to Help Parents Challenge Obscene School Library Books
In a victory for parental rights, a bill Thursday was signed into law giving Georgia’s parents the right to challenge books and other school materials that they find offensive.
“No later than January 1, 2023, each local board of education shall adopt a complaint class resolution policy for its local school system to be used to address complaints submitted by parents or permanent guardians alleging that material that is harmful to minors has been provided or is currently available to a student enrolled in the local school system who is a child of such parent or permanent guardian,” SB 226 says.
Read MoreKemp Signs Bill Cutting Taxes on Military Pensions
A new law signed by Gov. Brian Kemp (R) says that a certain amount of income from Georgia veterans’ military pensions will be exempt from income tax.
Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated dictates tax exemptions.
Read MoreKemp Touts Lower Prices at the Pump Month After Gas Tax Suspension
Georgia’s governor is touting lower gas prices one month after he signed into law a bill suspending the state’s tax on gasoline.
“A month ago, I signed HB304 to temporarily suspend the state gas tax and help counter Biden-flation at the pump,” Gov. Brian Kemp (R) said on Twitter. “This week, the price of an avg. gallon in GA was down 57 cents. We’ll keep doing our part to lessen the impact of failed policies on Georgians’ wallets.”
Read MoreTrump’s Save America PAC Donates $500,000 to Defeat Kemp
According to a Federal Elections Commission (FEC) filing, former President Donald Trump’s Save America Political Action Committee (PAC) has donated $500,000 to an effort to take down Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R).
The filing shows that Trump’s PAC donated the money to an anti-Kemp PAC called Get Georgia Right.
Read MoreLoeffler Nonprofit Holds Voter Registration Drive in Metro Atlanta
A voter registration group led by a former U.S. Senator held a registration drive over the weekend at gas stations across the metro Atlanta area.
“Part of Greater Georgia’s broader mission that has already registered tens of thousands of lean-conservative voters, this latest registration drive will continue at a variety of consumer marketplaces over the coming weeks, including at gas stations, grocery stores, and gun stores,” that group said in a press release. “It will also include an accompanying digital and text registration campaign in counties across the metro area.”
Read MoreKemp Signs Constitutional Carry Bill into Law
Georgia’s governor Tuesday signed a bill into law that will allow residents of the state to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
“I certainly want to thank all of those legislators – many of them – that along with us have been pushing to get this bill across the finish line for a long time,” Gov. Brian Kemp (R) said in the bill signing ceremony at Gable Sporting Goods in Douglasville.
Read MoreGeorgia Gov. Brian Kemp Confronted on Election Integrity at Fulton County GOP Event
Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.) was confronted over the weekend about election integrity during a Fulton County GOP event, and he responded by saying he was not responsible for Georgia’s consent decree, which some Republicans claim abolished signature verification and allowed for voter fraud in the state.
Read MoreGeorgia Senate President Pro Tempore ‘Butch’ Miller: Kemp Told Me He Would Have Signed Election Integrity Bill
Georgia Senate President Pro Tempore ‘Butch’ Miller told John Fredericks on The John Fredericks Show that Governor Kemp told him that he did not oppose SB 89, the election integrity bill killed by Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan.
Miller is also a candidate for Lt. Governor in the Republican primary which is slated to occur on May 24. His main opponent is fellow Georgia Senator Burt Jones.
Read MoreGeorgia State Senator Brandon Beach: ‘I Don’t Understand Why the Governor Didn’t Want Us to Address That Outside Money’
Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R), allegedly on the behalf of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, blocked state Senate legislation that addressed ballot chain of custody and would have placed a ban on private donations directly to counties.
Senator Brandon Beach (R-21) told The Georgia Star News, “I don’t understand why the governor didn’t want us to address that outside money, whether it was Zuckerberg or Soros or whoever.”
Read MoreGeorgia Gov. Kemp Used Lieutenant to Block Ban on Zuckerbucks, State Senator Alleges
Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R), the chair of the state Senate, refused to bring up an election integrity bill for a vote on Monday because Republican Gov. Brian Kemp wanted it scrapped, Senate GOP leadership said, according to state Sen. Brandon Beach.
Senate Bill 89 would have dealt with chain of custody for ballots and prohibited private, “Zuckerbucks”-like donations from going directly to counties by routing them first through the State Election Board for distribution.
However, a vote on the bill was blocked by Duncan on Monday, the last day of the 2022 legislative session.
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