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Articles by Express Telegraph
Georgia
Lawmaker: No ‘nontax fees’ on tax bills
ATLANTA – A state lawmaker wants to ban “nontax fees” from appearing on property tax bills. Rep. Brett Harrell, R-Snellville, introduced HB 291, which would ban the non tax fees, such as waste removal and storm water fees, from appearing on tax bills. Harrell estimates 15-20 percent of some people’s tax bills come from nontax fees. “Too often citizens across Georgia experience increased property tax bills, higher month mortgage payments, and in some cases even
Georgia
Ga. rolls out criminal justice reform council
ATLANTA — Citing disconcerting numbers about Georgia’s prison population, state leaders on Wednesday announced the 2011 Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform for Georgia. Georgia’s prison population, which has grown by 4.6 percent during the past two years, is the fourth largest in the country, according to state officials. “With this new commission in place, we hope to uncover new approaches to make Georgia communities safer while increasing offender accountability, improving rehabilitation efforts and lowering
Georgia
Measure would require use of federal verification system
ATLANTA – A new measure introduced today in the state Senate would require Georgia businesses to use the federal government’s E-Verify system to determine whether someone is in the country illegally. Under SB 40, law enforcement officers in Georgia would also be allowed to ask for immigration documents from anyone stopped for probable cause of a crime. The proposed law is similar to one that Arizona authorities passed last year. “I do not want to
Georgia
Georgia
Murphy: Immigration reform bill offers tweak to existing laws
By Sen. Jack Murphy My colleague, Sen. Bill Heath, possibly said it best. Georgians, he said, are known world wide for our hospitality and common sense. But when we look at the rising rates of illegal aliens and the staggering financial burden it places on our residents, it is time for our common sense to take precedence over our hospitality. This week, I am submitting legislation intended to make it more difficult for illegal aliens
General
Deal appoints liaisons for Atlanta public schools
ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed liaisons between his office and Atlanta Public Schools, which is in danger of losing its accreditation. As liaisons, Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and Atlanta attorney Beth Beskin will attend Atlanta school board meetings and report back to Deal on any progress made during those meetings. “I am calling on these two leaders to work on behalf of Atlanta’s children,” Deal said in a statement. “This week
Georgia
Politics
Deal: ‘Let us be frugal and wise’
Rebuking a growth in government, Gov. Nathan Deal in his inaugural address called on Georgians to assume personal responsibility, saying he will continue to fight Washington over the healthcare reform Congress passed last year. “The evolution of society has infringed on much of the elbow room our ancestors enjoyed and government has been asked to regulate our actions as we bump into each other in our frantic search for success,” the governor said. Deal, who