Politics

Governor Nathan Deal says he has just learned of yet another delay in the long-planned Rome to Interstate-75 connector along Highway 411, and he is clearly not happy about the situation.

Deal says the federal government is holding up the plan. The reason is the Dobbins Mountain Mine in Bartow County. The governor says the federal government now has about the property’s potential eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.

The Georgia House of Representatives has set up a committee to look into bringing more music to Georgia, and the hope is that jobs will follow.

It seems only natural to State Rep. Ben Harbin (R-Evans), as Georgia has a rich musical history and thriving music culture. So Harbin spurred the creation of the new House Music Industry Study Committee during the 2013 legislative session and now serves as its chair.

In this installment of Valerie Jackson In Conversation, we speak to Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.

Mayor Reed shares stories from his childhood that led him on the path toward public service and discusses his record on a variety of issues, from his relationship to the Atlanta school board, to managing and assisting the homeless population, to his role in securing a new stadium for the Atlanta Falcons.

They also discuss the man behind the office, where his passions lie, and what sort of mark he intends to leave on Atlanta and its future.

State Representative Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta) reiterated his argument Thursday against his federal indictment, telling reporters that he is a “government target.”

Rep. Brooks stood with a dozen supporters at the Moore's Ford Bridge in Walton County. The bridge is the site of the 1946 murder of two African-American couples, a crime that has never been solved and has come to be known as the “last public lynching in America.”

Facing mounting criticism over legal issues, Mike Berlon said Wednesday he plans to step down as chair of the state Democratic Party.

In a written statement issued by the party, Berlon said he’s resigning in order to avoid a larger distraction.

“My goal is, and always has been, to unify Georgia Democrats. We have an important US Senate race in 2014 and our focus should be on winning that seat and others.” 

Former Georgia secretary of state Karen Handel announced today she's running for the U.S. Senate in 2014.

She’s vying for the seat now held by Saxby Chambliss, who has said he won’t seek reelection.

In a written statement, Handel said she’s running so “the next young person who ends up on his or her own at 17 will have the opportunity to prosper and achieve.” She added Washington needed “big changes.”

Handel, who nearly won the GOP nomination for Governor in 2010, joins a field that includes Congressmen Paul Broun, Jack Kingston, and Phil Gingrey.

A federal grand jury has indicted Georgia state representative Tyrone Brooks, Sr. on charges he misappropriated nearly one million dollars in charitable funds from a charity he founded. 

It is alleged that Rep. Brooks solicited donations for issues such as combating illiteracy and to fund other charitable causes.

However, the indictment claims money never went to any charities.

Rep. Tom Price announced today that he will not run to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Saxby Chambliss.  Price, the Republican congressman representing the sixth district, said in a statement (PDF) that “at this point my focus must be on the urgent policy issues and the privilege I have been given of being in a position to effect positive change.”

Speaking before the Atlanta Press Club in downtown Atlanta, Governor Nathan Deal discussed some of the major accomplishments of the past legislative session, including a bill aimed at reducing the influence of special interests at the Capitol.

Deal admitted the ethics bill is flawed, but said it represents progress.

“Even though that [the ethics bill] does not do everything that everybody wants, I think it is a significant step in the right direction.”

It took some last minute help from Governor Nathan Deal, but House and Senate members have come together on an ethics reform bill.

The measure imposes a $75 cap on lobbyist gifts and all citizens compensated more than $250 to advocate at the Capitol will have to register as lobbyists.

Lawmakers called it historic, but William Perry of the government watchdog group Common Cause Georgia says loopholes remain.

Before voting for it, House Speaker David Ralston acknowledged the bill has some issues.

The 2013 legislative session wrapped up a little after midnight. 

Major bills involving ethics reform and video gaming passed muster, while several controversial measures died, including one aiming to expand gun carry areas and another seeking to restrict abortion. 

Voters overwhelmingly showed they wanted ethics reform during last year’s primaries.

Today is the 40th and final day of legislative session. Two major bills have yet to be resolved, but lawmakers are close to a deal on one of them.

The fate of two major bills involving ethics and guns is still uncertain. But on ethics, sources say a deal is close.

A compromise has apparently been reached on a $75 cap on lobbyist gifts. Another key element of a previous version of the bill, which was backed by House Speaker David Ralston, would have required citizen advocates, paid or unpaid, to register as lobbyists. That element has been taken out.