WABE's Week In Review: New school rules and immigration laws could be coming to Georgia

March 23rd, 2024

Georgia state Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, applauds in celebration after the Senate passes SB 233 on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. The school vouchers bill would offer $6,500 to families that want to send their kids to private school, or have them study at home. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Georgia senators gave final approval Wednesday to a plan to create a $6,500 voucher funding for private school tuition and home schooling, sending the measure to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature. #gapol https://t.co/Aip509oFCW
— WABE News (@wabenews) March 21, 2024

Immigration was a major topic in the state Capitol this week. #gapol

Laken Riley's father spoke out against undocumented immigrants.

Meanwhile, Georgia lawmakers passed three controversial bills related to immigration in response:
-HB301
-HB1105
-SB240 https://t.co/0BFFnURJ2E
— WABE News (@wabenews) March 22, 2024

#ICYMI: The Georgia Senate on Thursday pushed through bills aimed at forcing local governments to help deport immigrants. #gapol https://t.co/IgMPM1RSYt
— WABE News (@wabenews) March 22, 2024

Democratic state lawmakers say they will cotinue fighting to expand Medicaid in Georgia after a majority Republican committee rejected the latest proposal. WABE's health reporter has more. #gapol https://t.co/RhQVT1tRJC
— WABE News (@wabenews) March 22, 2024

Stay in the know about this year’s legislative session in Georgia with WABE's Under The Gold Dome page. The latest news, the biggest bills, the balance of power, the latest Gold Dome Scramble episode, how to contact your local lawmakers and more. #gapol https://t.co/QrdNpsIVxq
— WABE News (@wabenews) January 8, 2024

First execution in four years…

A Georgia man convicted of the killing of his former girlfriend three decades ago was put to death Wednesday in the state’s first execution in more than four years. Willie James Pye, 59, was pronounced dead at 11:03 p.m. at the state prison in Jackson.https://t.co/Gq5MNmjhZl
— WABE News (@wabenews) March 21, 2024

Also in this episode…

–Rahul Bali reports on the battle in Atlanta’s City Council over filling a vacant seat.

–Sam Gringlas has more on how former President Donald Trump and defendants in the Georgia election fraud conspiracy case can appeal the decision to keep District Attorney Fani Willis on the trial.

–Emily Jones reports on Georgia lawmakers possibly reviving an office to advocate for utility customers as Georgia Power bills have increased repeatedly this year and elections for the state’s utility regulators remain on hold.