Lawmakers working to reach consensus on budget with two days left
There are two days left in the 2026 legislative session, and lawmakers are still working on the FY2027 budget. The House and Senate have each passed their own versions of the budget, but have not yet reached an agreement. House and Senate leaders are now in conference committee trying to work out a deal before Thursday’s Sine Die (the last day of the session).
Key bills to watch in the Legislature’s final days
The Georgia General Assembly has two more days left— Tuesday & Thursday, with adjournment scheduled for late Thursday night or early Friday morning. In any event here’s where you go to see each chamber’s calendars and links to the bills on tap.
New committee will examine eliminating state income tax
Lt. Governor and gubernatorial candidate Burt Jones has made it clear that he wants to do away with Georgia’s state income tax. Thursday, he announced the creation of the Georgia Senate Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax as “a vital step in that direction.”
National Defense Authorization Act moves out of committee
U.S. Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA 8), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) out of committee by a vote of 55-2.
Reps. Clyde, McCormick work to keep Lake Lanier parks open
Due to staffing shortages, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced earlier in the summer that they were unable to keep all its recreation sites on Lake Lanier open and well-maintained.
Ga. CEO: Aundi Lesley on the upcoming Georgia Downtown Conference
President of the Georgia Downtown Association Aundi Lesley discusses the programs offered by the GDA to promote vibrant and thriving downtowns. She also shares details on the upcoming 2025 Georgia Downtown Conference set for August 25-28 in Gainesville.
Ga. technical colleges get largest federal apprenticeship grant in state history
Officials say a $6.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor is expected to change the way Georgia Technical Colleges support the expansion of apprenticeships across the state.
The Most Influential Readership in Georgia
View our JAMES 2026 media kit and editorial calendar
Another Republican joins race to succeed Raffensperger as state elections chief
The Republican primary to select Georgia’s next Secretary of State just gained another challenger as former Democrat-turned-Republican Vernon Jones entered the race.
Watch the Oct. 12 Georgia gang here!
Guest host Deidra Dukes opens the Oct. 12th show with analysis of Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green’s take on the government shutdown and her message to GOP leaders on healthcare.
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Programs expand at Athens Technical College Satellite Campuses
Athens Technical College’s satellite campuses have recently expanded academic programs adding agricultural science and conservation law enforcement associate degree programs at the Elbert County Campus and associate of science in nursing at the Walton County Campus in Monroe, Georgia.
Trump, Raffensperger could debate ‘perfect phone call’
As former President Donald J. Trump digs deeper into his attacks on Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, it’s becoming more evident that Trump’s claim of an “absolutely perfect phone call” keeps falling flat in the face of evidence.
Building an Effective Commission for Prosecutorial Oversight in Georgia
Georgia’s newly signed legislation to establish a state agency responsible for investigating and addressing prosecutorial misconduct has sparked both optimism and concerns among legal experts and practitioners.
