Stay informed about politics news and updates in Atlanta, GA.
Ukrainian Georgians in Atlanta are expressing their concerns following a tense standoff between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Local lawmakers have responded with mixed reactions, highlighting the significance of U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, particularly concerning Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.
Stacey Abrams and the New Georgia Project are under investigation by a GOP-led Georgia Senate committee concerning campaign finance violations and the use of federal funds. The inquiry follows a significant ethics fine imposed on the New Georgia Project and aims to scrutinize Abrams' management of federal Infrastructure Act funds. Supporters argue the investigation lacks merit, citing previous rulings by the state ethics commission.
Georgia Tech is shutting down several groups for marginalized students, including the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center, Women’s Resource Center, and Black Culture, Innovation, and Technology, as announced by the Pride Alliance. This decision is linked to recent legislative measures aimed at restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the state. The groups will be transitioned to the Arts, Belonging, and Community Department, with the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center's online presence ceasing on Friday.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr joins 16 other state attorneys general in a lawsuit aiming to declare Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 unconstitutional. This pivotal law, which protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination, is under threat following amendments by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that recognize gender dysphoria as a disability. Advocates warn that dismantling this law could severely impact access to essential services for people with disabilities.
Atlanta City Councilmember Amir Farokhi announced he will not seek reelection and will step down from his position, effective July 31, 2025. Farokhi, who has represented District 2 since 2017, will transition to become the Head of School at The Galloway School in Atlanta. His decision marks a significant change in local governance, impacting key neighborhoods in the city.
The Justice Department has dropped a lawsuit against Cobb County, Georgia, regarding alleged discriminatory hiring practices for firefighters that affected Black applicants. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the importance of merit-based hiring, while the Biden administration's claims highlighted concerns over the use of credit history and written exams in the hiring process.
The Georgia House has passed House Bill 267, which prohibits transgender women from participating in women’s sports and mandates separate facilities for transgender girls. Named the Riley Gaines Act after a swimmer who tied with a transgender athlete, the bill has sparked significant debate, drawing both support and opposition from various lawmakers and advocacy groups.
Georgia lawmakers are expressing serious concerns over significant job cuts at the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control (CDC) due to the actions of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk. Many affected employees, including those who received no prior warning of their termination, gathered at the state Capitol to protest the layoffs, which they fear will jeopardize public health efforts in the region.
A Georgia bill aimed at limiting third-party funding of lawsuits is progressing after Governor Kemp made concessions to Republican senators. This development reflects ongoing legislative efforts within the state regarding tort reform and its implications for legal funding. The discussions are part of a broader political landscape as various stakeholders propose solutions to complex legal and insurance issues.
Georgia's Senate has voted 33-21 in favor of Governor Brian Kemp's legislation designed to limit lawsuits, particularly addressing premises liability issues that have burdened property owners. This bill seeks to reform the tort system in Georgia by defining liability parameters and reducing unnecessary legal costs for businesses and healthcare providers. As the bill moves to the House, it has sparked debate over its potential impact on insurance rates and compensation for victims.