Monthly Archives: April 2015

City of Atlanta Annexation, South Fulton City Efforts Clash, Fail, for now

south fulton annexation map

With additional reporting by Matthew Charles Cardinale   (APN) ATLANTA — The first year of the 2015-2016 legislative session featured a heavily contentious debate over whether to make South Fulton its own city, out of the remaining portions of unincorporated Fulton County; or whether to allow part of that area to annex into the City of Atlanta.  As proposed, both […]

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Georgia Transportation Bill Ignores Public Transit

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(APN) ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal is expected to sign an historic transportation spending bill, HB 170, that lawmakers approved toward the end of the 2015 legislative session.   This bill has come a long way from the original version, which would have sharply reduced revenues for local governments in order to boost funding for the Georgia Department of Transportation […]

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What We’re Reading – Thursday, 04/09/2015

State Rep. LaDawn Jones Says She Won’t Run for Reelection in 2016 Georgia Unfiltered http://www.georgiaunfiltered.com/2015/03/state-rep-ladawn-jones-says-she-wont.html   Tesla Set To Unveil Home Battery That Can Store Electricity Construction Dive http://www.constructiondive.com/news/tesla-set-to-unveil-home-battery-that-can-store-electricity/381773/ Transgender Woman Cites Attack & Abuse in Men’s Prison New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/06/us/ashley-diamond-transgender-inmate-cites-attacks-and-abuse-in-mens-prison.html?_r=1 Georgia Settles In Food Stamp Lawsuit Times-Herald http://www.times-herald.com/local/20150405-food-stamp-lawsuit-settlement-31-inch Mayor 1% Takes Chicago but the Grassroots Effort Still Remains […]

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APN Legislative Wrap-Up: Georgia General Assembly 2015

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With additional reporting by Anna Simonton and Matthew Charles Cardinale.  Photograph by Steve Eberhardt.   (APN) ATLANTA — The Georgia General Assembly wrapped up the 2015 legislative session on Thursday, April 02, 2015.  There were a few progressive highlights in the majority-Republican Legislature, including a solar power lease agreement bill; a limited medical cannabis bill; and more flexibility for MARTA […]

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Georgia Cities Maintain Right to Ban Plastic Bags, Despite Legislative Efforts

plastic bags

(APN) ATLANTA — The plastic bag lobby was active in Georgia this Legislative Session, but despite its influence, a bill to prohibit municipalities from banning plastic bags ultimately failed.   Underlying the legislative push was a proposed ordinance to ban plastic bags in Tybee Island, Georgia.   Supporters of the ban say that plastic bags are increasingly being ingested by […]

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Early Voting Laws Narrowly Escape Sine Die Intact (UPDATE 1)

house governmental affairs cmte

With additional reporting by Matthew Charles Cardinale, News Editor (APN) ATLANTA — On Sine Die, the last day of the Georgia Legislative Session, on Thursday, April 02, 2015, Georgians’ already-reduced early voting period hung in legislative limbo with the possibility of it being further reduced from twenty-one to twelve days.  But ultimately the effort to reduce early voting failed.   […]

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1,000 Demand Justice for Nick Thomas, Slain by Smyrna PD

smyrna

(APN) ATLANTA — An estimated one thousand people gathered outside of Smyrna City Hall on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, to hold a vigil for Nicholas Thomas, the latest Metro Atlanta victim of police homicide.   On March 24, 2015, Mr. Thomas, age 24, was working at a Goodyear Tire Shop near Cumberland Mall, when Smyrna police arrived to serve him […]

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Georgia Legislature Approves Solar Power Financing Bill

mike dudgeon

(APN) ATLANTA — The Solar Power Free Market Financing Act of 2015, HB 57, was passed by the House by a vote of 165 yeas and 0 nay on February 09, 2015.  It passed the Senate by a vote of 51 yeas and 0 nays on March 27, 2015.  It now waits Gov. Nathan Deal’s signature.   The bill was […]

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ACLU, DeKalb County Settle Debtor’s Prison Case

dekalb teenager

(APN) ATLANTA — The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and DeKalb County have reached a settlement in the federal lawsuit brought on behalf of Kevin Thompson, a DeKalb County teenager.   The lawsuit alleged that people were being improperly jailed who could not pay court-ordered fines in traffic cases.   As earlier reported by Atlanta Progressive News, Thompson spent five […]

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Medical Cannabis Oil Bill Headed to Gov. Deal’s Desk

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(APN) ATLANTA — On Tuesday, March 24, 2015 the Georgia Senate passed HB 1, Haleigh’s Hope Act, by a vote of 48 to 6.  On Wednesday, March 25, the Georgia House passed HB 1 by a vote of 160 to 1.   Gov. Nathan Deal signed an executive order on Friday, March 27, directing state agencies to begin preparing for […]

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