Tag Archives: Georgia

Arrest of KSU Professor at Capitol Reveals First Amendment Issues

amy donahue

(APN) ATLANTA — Assistant Professor of Philosophy Amy Donahue, of Kennesaw State University, had no intention of engaging in civil disobedience went to the Georgia Capitol with two other philosophy professors with signs stating their opposition to the Campus Carry bill, HB 859, but she wound up in jail nonetheless.   Capitol police told the women they could not carry […]

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Doris Benit, 1927-2016, Grandmother for Peace, !Presente!

doris benit

(APN) ATLANTA — Doris Benit, 88, an activist and Grandmother for Peace, of Kennesaw, Georgia, passed away on, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, after spending time in hospice care in connection with heart issues.   Benit focused not only on peace, in her opposition to U.S. invasions and occupations around the world; but on economic justice issues like health care and […]

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APN 2016 Qualifying Overview Part One: State House Races (UPDATE 1)

donzella

(APN) ATLANTA — Candidate qualifying for  Political Party Candidates, Nonpartisan Candidates, Independent Candidates, and Political Body Candidates for Primary Elections and Nonpartisan Elections was held on March 07 through March 11, 2016.   A second round of qualifying for independent and political body [minor political party] candidates will begin June 27 and end July 01, 2016.   This article will […]

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Bill to Add Requirements for Cityhood Passed State Senate, Pending in House

steve gooch

(APN) ATLANTA — SB 375, a bill to provide stricter requirements for incorporation of new municipalities in Georgia, passed the State Senate on February 29, 2016, in a vote of 55 yeas to one nay.  It is sponsored by State Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) and has been in the House Governmental Affairs Committee since before Crossover Day.   http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20152016/SB/375   […]

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Affordable Housing Advocates Target Georgia Legislature

housing coalition

(APN) ATLANTA — On Tuesday, March 08, 2016, Housing Georgia brought together hundreds of people to advocate and educate legislators about housing solutions and to lobby for several bills working their way through the General Assembly.   Housing Georgia is a diverse statewide coalition that advocates and educates for safe, decent, and affordable homes for Georgians.   Georgia has a […]

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Georgia Considers Grand Jury Changes in Police Killing Cases; Opinions Mixed

hb 941

(APN) ATLANTA — HB 941 would change Georgia’s grand jury process for police officers accused of causing death or bodily harm.   The bill is sponsored by State Rep. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna) ; it has unanimously passed the House of Representatives and is now in the Senate Non-Civil Judiciary Committee.   http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20152016/158453.pdf   It purports to fix Georgia’s Grand Jury […]

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Georgia Senate Hears “Campus Carry” Gun Bill

campus carry

(APN) ATLANTA — HB 859, Campus Carry, sponsored by State Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper), passed the House on February 23, 2016, and had its first Senate Judiciary hearing on Wednesday March 02.   HB 859 is yet another model legislative bill pushed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), along with the National Rifle Association (NRA) and local gun groups […]

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APN Georgia Assembly Crossover Day Overview, 2016

capitol

(APN) ATLANTA — Monday, February 29, 2016 was Crossover Day for the Georgia Legislature.  This is the day that bills must pass from one chamber to another in order to still be active for consideration in becoming a law.   Atlanta Progressive News has provided extensive and comprehensive coverage of the legislative session again this year.   The following is […]

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Hillary Clinton Wins Georgia Primary; Sanders Supporters Vow to Keep Fighting

clinton event 2

With additional reporting by Gloria Tatum and Matthew Charles Cardinale.   (APN) ATLANTA — Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won Georgia’s Democratic Primary for President of the United States on yesterday, Tuesday, March 02, 2016.  She received 71.3 percent of the vote, while U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders received 28.2 percent of the vote.   Atlanta Progressive News had Senior […]

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Senate Hearing Held on Cannabis Penalties; No Vote Taken

senate cannabis

(APN) ATLANTA — On Thursday, February 25, 2016, the Senate Judiciary Non-Civil Committee held a first hearing on SB 254, the Marijuana Misdemeanor Bill.   The bill is sponsored by State Senator Harold Jones (D-Augusta) a former prosecuting attorney.   http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20152016/SB/254   http://atlantaprogressivenews.com/2016/01/24/sen-jones-discusses-bill-reducing-cannabis-possession-charges/   Sen. Jones’s bill would eliminate felony charges for possession of cannabis (“marijuana”) for personal use, regardless […]

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Lifetime TANF Cuts Removed from Georgia House Bill, Advocates remain Wary

tanf cuts

(APN) ATLANTA — HB 1006, or “Georgia State Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” as originally introduced would have shortened the lifetime amount of monetary aid from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for struggling families from 48 months to 12 months.   This draconian language was removed from the House Bill text when it incorporated into Senate Bill 389, […]

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Two Bills Would Protect Georgia’s Bodies of Water

water bills

(APN) ATLANTA — Members of the Georgia Water Coalition from around the State of Georgia lobbied on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at the State Capitol for priority conservation bills,  HB 966 and SB 36.   The Georgia Water Coalition is a group of more than 180 organizations representing over a quarter million Georgians.   HB 966 – Provides a 25 […]

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HB 722, In-State Cultivation, Gutted, but Peake Fights Back with Referendum Proposal

gutted

(APN) ATLANTA — On Monday, February 22, 2016, the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee eliminated  in-state cultivation of medical cannabis from HB 722.   The revised HB 722 still adds several medical conditions to Georgia’s existing medical cannabis immunity laws; and adds one cannabinoid, Tetrahydrocannabinol Acid (THCA).   HB 722 has been gutted from 24 pages down to only seven.   […]

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Legislators Say Some Students “Too Young to Suspend”

wayne howard

By Austin Stewart, Special to the Atlanta Progressive News (APN) ATLANTA — HB 135, or “Too Young to Suspend,” a bill co-sponsored by State Reps. Henry “Wayne” Howard (D-Augusta), Mable Thomas (D-Atlanta), and “Coach” Williams (D-Avondale Estates), would prohibit suspensions and expulsions of students  in pre-kindergarten through the third grade.   During the 2013-2014 Georgia school year, 14,292 children in […]

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City of Stonecrest Passes Out of Committee; Greenhaven is Tabled

greenhaven cmte

(APN) ATLANTA — Two cityhood bills involving DeKalb County are making their way through the Georgia House of Representatives: HB 613, provides for the incorporation of the City of Greenhaven; SB 208, provides for the incorporation of the City of Stonecrest, both in south DeKalb.   Stonecrest passed the House Governmental Affairs Committee, while Greenhaven was tabled in the House […]

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