Monthly Archives: February 2013

(IPS) Notorious Former Super-Lobbyist, Abramoff, Urges Ethics Reform

This article first appeared on the Inter-Press Service website at: http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/02/notorious-former-super-lobbyist-urges-ethics-reform/   ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb 28 2013 (IPS) – Notorious former Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who spent more than three years in federal prison for tax evasion, conspiracy to bribe public officials and fraud, is now touring the U.S. urging ethics reform at the federal level. During a visit Wednesday […]

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(IPS) ALEC-Backed Laws Promote Controversial Charter Schools

This article first appeared on the Inter-Press Service website at: http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/02/alec-backed-laws-promote-controversial-charter-schools/   ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb 27 2013 (IPS) – The right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and private education management firms are pushing for new “parent trigger” laws in states across the U.S. by lobbying many Republican and some Democratic legislators to make it easier to convert more traditional public […]

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(IPS) Activists Converge on High Court for Challenge to Voting Rights Act

This article first appeared on the Inter-Press Service website at: http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/02/activists-converge-on-high-court-for-challenge-to-voting-rights/ ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb 26 2013 (IPS) – The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday in a challenge to the constitutionality of key sections of the historic Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965.  Numerous organisations are rallying in support of the VRA. Activists across the nation, including Dr. Charles Steele, CEO […]

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Todd Robinson Withdraws Candidacy for Atlanta Council District 2

Todd Robinson, who had announced his candidacy to challenge incumbent Councilman Kwanza Hall (District 2), in the 2013 Municipal Elections, has withdrawn his candidacy, Atlanta Progressive News has learned. “After further consideration and discussions with my family, I have come to the realization that the timing of my effort is not quite right. I will continue to serve my community in […]

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Mayoral Candidate, Luna, Made False Statement about Open Records Request

(APN) ATLANTA — In an interview with Atlanta Progressive News, Paul Luna, chef and mayoral candidate, made a false statement regarding the City of Atlanta and a City employee with respect to an open records request he made late last month. Luna told APN that he had not received any response to an open records request that he made on […]

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Winslow Draws Challenger, Torry Lewis, in Atlanta District 4 Race

(APN) ATLANTA — Atlanta City Councilwoman Cleta Winslow (District 4) has drawn a challenger in this year’s Municipal Elections, Torry Lewis. Winslow has a current score of 35.71 out of 100 on the APN Atlanta City Council Scorecard, which is based on over thirty Council votes, and she is one of the least progressive Members of the Council, in 11th […]

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Hall Draws Two Challengers in Atlanta District Two Race

(APN) ATLANTA — Two candidates, Jon Jones and Todd Robinson, have announced their plans to challenge Kwanza Hall for the District 2 seat on the City Council of Atlanta. Kwanza Hall was elected in 2005 to the seat that was formerly held by Councilwoman Debi Starnes (District 2).  In 2009, he faced no challenger. On the APN Atlanta City Council […]

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Mayoral Candidate Luna Demands Apology from APN

(APN) ATLANTA — In a bizarre email, chef and Mayoral candidate Paul Luna requested that APN apologize to a City employee on behalf of Luna relating to a recent article published by APN.   Earlier this month, APN interviewed Luna at his downtown restaurant and published an article based on that interview on Sunday, February 17, 2013. In the article, […]

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Rep. Gardner Hopeful Gov. Deal will Support Medicaid Expansion

With additional reporting by Gloria Tatum, Kevin Moran, and Matthew Charles Cardinale. (APN) ATLANTA — State Rep. Pat Gardner (D-Atlanta) says she is hopeful that Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, will change his mind over whether to expand Medicaid in Georgia pursuant to the Affordable Care Act of 2010. Currently the U.S. states are split completely in half on the […]

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APN Chat with Paul Luna, Chef and Mayoral Candidate

(APN) ATLANTA — Paul Luna, an Atlanta chef and business owner, is one of two candidates who have announced their intentions so far to challenge incumbent Mayor Kasim Reed in this year’s mayoral election.  As previously reported by Atlanta Progressive News, the other candidate is activist Al Bartell. Luna started two restaurants around 1992 called Eclipse Di Luna and Loca […]

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Cheshire Bridge Rezoning Debate Heats Up, with Op-eds in Georgia Voice Magazine

(APN) ATLANTA — Georgia Voice Magazine ran dueling op-eds online and in its print edition yesterday, February 15, 2013, from Atlanta City Councilman Alex Wan (District 6) and APN’s News Editor, the present writer, regarding the proposal to sunset adult entertainment establishments and other so-called nonconforming establishments, on Atlanta’s Cheshire Bridge Road. Two ordinances, 12-O-1599 and 12-O-1600, introduced by Councilman […]

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House Bills Would Reshape, Reform Fulton County Commission

(APN) ATLANTA — There are three bills concerning Fulton County currently pending in the Georgia Legislature that would drastically reshape the County’s governance structure, tax base, and employee benefits to meet the wishes of North Fulton Republicans, while a fourth bill threatens to break off North Fulton and re-form Milton County. House Bills 170, 171, and 172 deal with reforming […]

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SEC Complaint Filed over City of Atlanta Pension Investment

(APN) ATLANTA — Angela Green, a former City of Atlanta employee and member of the Board of Trustees of the City of Atlanta General Employees’ Pension Plan, has filed a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Atlanta Progressive News has learned. The complaint, filed on January 18, 2013, alleges that the investment consultant for the Pension Fund, Larry […]

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City of Atlanta, APN Editor Settle Open Meetings Lawsuits (UPDATE 1)

(APN) ATLANTA — The City of Atlanta and the News Editor of Atlanta Progressive News have reached a settlement in two lawsuits, bringing an end to three years of open government litigation. The first lawsuit, filed in 2010, sought for the Atlanta City Council to disclose their secret vote regarding limiting public comment taken at the February 2010 Council Retreat. […]

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State Bar: Willis Stole Thousands from Child; Special Master Appointed

(APN) ATLANTA — Atlanta City Councilman Lamar Willis (Post 3-at-large) has a second State Bar of Georgia matter that is currently pending before a Special Master appointed by the Supreme Court of Georgia, Atlanta Progressive News has learned.  In the case, the State Bar of Georgia has filed a complaint charging that Willis “converted”–that is, stole–settlement funds intended for a […]

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