Author: T.A. DeFeo | The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a measure authorizing a local referendum to let voters decide whether to create a new city in Gwinnett County. Under Senate Bill 333, voters will decide in November whether to establish a new city of Mulberry, which would cover roughly 25.9 square miles in northeastern Gwinnett County…

(The Center Square) — The state House passed three bills Thursday that they say will provide “major tax relief.” House Bill 1015 would accelerate the state’s income tax cut from 5.75% to 5.39%. HB 1019 would double the homestead exemption, raising it to $4,000, and HB 1021 would increase the child tax deduction to $4,000 from $3,000. Lawmakers passed all three bills unanimously.…

(The Center Square) — South Carolina officially kicks off the Democratic primary season on Saturday after the party rearranged its schedule and replaced Iowa and New Hampshire as the first-in-the-nation states to vote. The Democratic National Committee rearranged its schedule to make the Palmetto State this year’s first official Democratic primary at President Joe Biden’s urging. Political…

(The Center Square) — Georgia Republicans are pushing a series of measures they say will provide “major tax relief.” Among the four bills is House Bill 1015, which would speed up the state’s income tax cut from 5.75% to 5.39%, a process proponents say would return $1 billion to taxpayers. Additionally, with House Bill 1024, lawmakers want…

(The Center Square) — Georgia could soon implement a program that proponents say will lead to more coverage for Georgians who are otherwise ineligible for Medicaid. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services made an “arbitrary and capricious” decision when it rescinded a Medicaid waiver for Georgia Pathways to Coverage program, U.S. District Judge Lisa…

(The Center Square) — Georgia teachers are expected to spend $96 million of their own money on classroom supplies, more than their counterparts in several surrounding states. A new report from MyElearningworld.com revealed that Peach State teachers plan to spend more than teachers in North Carolina ($77 million), Tennessee ($51 million), South Carolina ($42 million)…

(The Center Square) — The Georgia Department of Transportation hopes to secure federal funding to pay for a network of electric vehicle charging stations across The Peach State. GDOT has submitted the state’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan required to tap into federal funding for developing the network. Georgia officials expect to secure $135 million…

(The Center Square) — Georgia’s public schools rank among the worst in the nation, according to a new analysis, which identified low spending as a root cause. According to personal finance website WalletHub, Georgia’s schools are the 36th best in the country. Massachusetts topped the list, while New Mexico ranked at the bottom. “The key…

(The Center Square) — The Cobb County School Board approved a policy that allows some school employees, but not teachers, to carry guns at school. Proponents say the policy will keep students safe and help deter the likelihood of a school shooter. Opponents said the measure would not make students safer. Under the policy, the…