No sign of foul play in Banks County inmate’s death, GBI says

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December 5, 2023

Banks County Jail 2 — Inmate Danny Hardin died less than 24 hours after being booked at the Banks County Jail. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says there is no evidence of foul play in the recent death of a Banks County Jail inmate.

The state’s lead investigative agency Tuesday confirmed that inmate’s identity.

Danny Nelson Hardin, age 69, of Alto, passed away on November 30, 2023. He died less than 24 hours after being jailed following his conviction on child molestation charges.

The GBI is investigating Hardin’s death but has not said how he died.

“Our agents are working to gather details and awaiting lab results,” GBI Director of Public Affairs Nelly Miles tells Now Habersham.

Miles adds, “Preliminary information does not indicate evidence of foul play.”

Hardin was booked at the Banks County Jail on November 29 following his conviction and sentencing in superior court.

Jurors convicted Hardin on two counts of child molestation and two counts of first-degree cruelty to children. He faced another felony count of child molestation, but that case never made it to court.

Banks County investigators initially charged Hardin with the crimes in 2018.

Judge Nicholas Primm sentenced Hardin to 20 years, with 15 to serve and 5 on probation.

After Hardin died, the Banks County Sheriff’s Office turned over the investigation to the GBI and has not publicly commented on his death.

GOP lawmakers advance revamped congressional map over objections

By

Ross Williams

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December 5, 2023

Republican Sens. Steeve Gooch, John Kennedy, Bill Cowsert and Bo Hatchett vote to approve new Congressional maps. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

(GA Recorder) — Georgia’s new GOP-created congressional map is teed up for a vote in the Senate after a committee approved it on a party-line vote Monday.

Georgia lawmakers are back in Atlanta working on the maps because a federal judge ruled the maps for the state House and Senate, as well as Georgia’s 14 Congressional Districts, violated the Voting Rights Act.

U.S. District Judge Steve Jones ruled that the Congressional map should include an additional majority Black district west of Atlanta. The new map has such a district, but Democrats and some good government advocates say there’s a catch.

“It appears that a lot of this is going to come down to how we’re actually going to be defining ‘minority opportunity district’ and whether the assertion that minority opportunity district has to be majority Black, or it can be a coalition district, I think that’s going to be where the debate is going to have to be had,” said Sen. Harold Jones, an Augusta Democrat.

“I think we have eliminated a minority opportunity district, which goes completely against the judge’s order, and that’s one of the principal reasons why I’d be against this particular map,” he added.

Proposed District includes portion of Hall County

The debate comes down to the proposed District 7, which includes Forsyth, Lumpkin, and Hall counties, as well as parts of north Fulton, east Cherokee, and west Hall counties. The current District 7 includes much of Gwinnett County with just a smidge of north Fulton.

Changing the boundaries also changes the racial makeup. The majority of the district’s voting-age population is currently made up of people from different minority groups – 27% of them are Black, 21% Hispanic and 15% Asian, and about 33% white.

The proposed map would bring the white voting-age population up to just over two-thirds while reducing Black voters to 7.7%, Hispanic voters to 9% and Asian voters to 12.4%.

White voters are more likely to support Republican candidates, and Democrats argue the change eliminates a district in which a coalition of minority voters can elect a candidate of their choice and violates Jones’ stipulation that the state cannot solve the problem by “eliminating minority opportunity districts elsewhere in the plans.”

Senate redistricting chair Sen. Shelly Echols, a Gainesville Republican, said the map falls within the letter of Judge Jones’ law.

“Judge Jones was clear on page 510 of the order that we cannot eliminate any existing majority opportunity districts in drawing the new majority Black district,” she said. “While he doesn’t define that term, it’s clear he’s referencing existing majority Black districts.”

Thus, eliminating a majority-minority district is not in opposition to the order if the district is not majority Black, she said.

“This congressional plan does not eliminate any existing majority Black districts,” she said. “Instead, it takes a district that is not a majority Black district and shifts it north where it remains non-majority Black. To be clear, the Voting Rights Act protects distinct racial groups, not coalitions of voters. District 7 was not a majority Black district on the 2021 plan, and it is not a majority Black district on this plan. So there’s no concern about eliminating a minority opportunity district.”

Ken Lawler, chair of Fair Districts Georgia, a non-partisan redistricting organization, said he has concerns.

Critics claim proposed map violates ‘spirit of the court’

“Our issue with the map, and the reason we say it fails the test, is because of the way District 7 has been treated,” he said. “District 7 was a minority opportunity district, in our view. Yes, it was a coalition, but it was a very strong minority coalition at around 67% minority voters. The new map has it up to 33%. So we clearly believe that this is in violation of the spirit of the court.”

Lawler also took issue with a statement Echols made that maintaining the state’s 9-5 partisan balance in favor of Republicans was one of the factors considered in making the map, along with considerations like ensuring equal population across districts, limiting splits among communities of interest and drawing districts that are compact and contiguous.

“Another goal was to ensure the existing partisan balance of the Congressional plan remains the same, so we maintain continuity of representation as much as possible,” she said. “To do that, we utilized election return data from 2018, 2020, and 2022 that had been allocated on the plan to understand the partisan impact of this plan, which retains the same political balance as it was in 2021.”

Before 2021, Georgia’s partisan balance was 8-6 in favor of the GOP. But in that year’s redistricting cycle, Republicans drew her district to be friendlier to a conservative. McBath challenged and defeated fellow Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux for control of the 7th District, where she now finds herself a target once more.

McBath has said she will wait for Jones to weigh in before announcing her plans for the next election.

Republican incentives

Congressional Republicans have plenty of incentive to shore up their seats in Georgia, said University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock.

“If they figure they lost the Santos seat, and they may lose a seat over in Alabama, and you lose a seat in Georgia, and everything else remains constant, then that narrow majority’s slipping away,” he said.

But, if they push past Jones’ limit, they could regret it. If Jones is not satisfied with the map, he could appoint an expert to redraw it without prejudice toward partisan balance or protecting incumbents. That could mean Democrats pick up a seat or incumbent lawmakers get paired in the same district.

“I think there is quite a risk here for Republicans, at least as I read Judge Jones’ opinion,” Bullock said. “They’re going to have arguments that will be made on both sides. They’ve sketched out here what the arguments are going to be on both sides. Republicans will say ‘Hey, we did what you wanted in the new majority Black district.’ Democrats will say ‘Yes, but they didn’t listen to the other part of your directive.’”

Even if Jones likes what he sees, Republicans are hoping for the success of an appeal of his ruling, which could let them reinstate the maps they passed in 2021.

State health officials warn of salmonella infections from pre-cut cantaloupe

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Staff Report

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December 5, 2023

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging Georgians to be cautious about eating pre-cut cantaloupe if they cannot verify its source. At least five people in Georgia have become infected with salmonella, likely due to eating the contaminated cantaloupe. Across the country, 117 people have also been sickened, nearly half requiring hospitalization.

The salmonella cases reported in Georgia range in age from 1-81. The cases are from different areas of the state, not concentrated in any one place. One individual was hospitalized but has since been released, says DPH communication director Nancy Nydam.

The recalled cantaloupe is sold in Georgia at Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe’s, and Kroger stores. The cantaloupe is sold as pre-cut chunks or in fruit mixes. Whole cantaloupes that are also part of the recall may have a sticker that says “Malichita” or “Rudy,” with the number 4050 and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique.” More information about the recall can be found on the FDA website: https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-Salmonella-cantaloupes-november-2023.

Symptoms and steps to take

“CDC is concerned about this outbreak because the illnesses are severe and people in long-term care facilities and childcare centers have gotten sick. Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used.” – CDC

Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps and recover without treatment in 4-7 days. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is concerned about this outbreak because the illnesses associated with it are severe, including fevers higher than 102°F, not being able to keep down liquids, and diarrhea that lasts more than three days without improving. Individuals who may have eaten the recalled cantaloupe should contact their healthcare provider if they have severe salmonella symptoms.

Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupe or whole cantaloupe if you don’t know whether it is Malichita or Rudy brand. If you have any of the recalled cantaloupe, throw it away or return it to the store where you purchased it.

Rinsing pre-cut cantaloupe does not remove all germs if it is already contaminated with Salmonella. Rinsing whole cantaloupes can reduce the number of germs, but it does not remove all germs. Germs on the surface of cantaloupes can then get onto the knife and inside the fruit when you cut the cantaloupe. Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the cantaloupe using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

Tuberville relents on months-long blockade of most military nominees

By

Ashley Murray

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December 5, 2023

Sen. Tommy Tuberville — Republican Alabama U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, gave up on his blockade of hundreds of military nominees. (livestream image Armed Forces Committee hearing March 2023)

WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — After blocking hundreds of U.S. military promotions for most of 2023 in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy, Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama said Tuesday he will lift his holds on all of them except for a handful of four-star general nominees.

The senator, who sits on the Senate Committee on Armed Forces, said he told his fellow Senate Republicans, “It’s been a long fight,” but ultimately, he said Democrats were to blame for stalling hundreds of service members from moving up in the chain of command. Tuberville had said repeatedly that Democrats could bring each of the nominees to the floor for votes, which would take hours of debate.

“We fought hard. We did the right thing for the unborn and for our military, fighting back against executive overreach and an abortion policy that’s not legal,” Tuberville said after announcing his about-face to his fellow Senate Republicans during their regularly scheduled weekly lunch.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that he would move the nominations to the floor “as soon as possible, possibly later this afternoon.”

“I hope no one does this again, and I hope they learned the lesson of Sen. Tuberville. And that is he held out for many, many months, hurt our national security, caused discombobulation to so many military families who have been so dedicated to our country, and didn’t get anything that he wanted,” said Schumer of New York.

Tuberville has blocked hundreds of nominees since the spring because he opposes a recent Pentagon policy that allows armed services members time off and travel reimbursement should they need to seek an abortion in a state where it remains legal.

Roughly 80,000 active-duty female service members are stationed in states where legislatures enacted full or partial bans following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a RAND analysis.

The Biden administration and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin maintain the policy is legal, as did a 2022 Department of Justice opinion.

The list of nominees affected by Tuberville’s months-long hold grew to 451 members of the military as of Nov. 27, according to a Department of Defense official. Majority staff for the Senate Armed Services Committee list 445 affected nominees.

Tuberville’s agreement to halt his protest means that all but 11 of those nominees are expected to clear final Senate approval, according to figures from the committee’s majority staff.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Tuesday that GOP senators are “pleased obviously that that situation seems to have been ameliorated by recent announcements by the senator from Alabama.”

Sen. Jack Reed, chair of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, said in a statement Tuesday he’s “glad that hundreds of our nation’s finest military leaders will finally receive their hard-won, merit-based promotions.”

“They, and their families, have shown us what grace and grit look like in the face of hardship. Senator Tuberville’s actions have been an affront to the United States military and the Senate,” said Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island.

“He has jeopardized our national security and abused the rights afforded to all Senators. No Senator should ever attempt to advance their own partisan agenda on the backs of our troops like this again.”

Threat of Democratic-led procedure change

Tuberville’s change in course arrived as Schumer was poised to bring to the floor a Democratic-led rules resolution to bypass the Alabama senator’s blockade.

The proposed temporary change in the floor process would have allowed senators to quickly approve large blocs of nominations simultaneously on the floor, saving hours and hours that would have been required to vote on each individually.

Tuberville said Tuesday that he and fellow Republican senators decided they did not want to see any changes to Senate floor procedures, and that is the reason he decided to lift his blockade.

“All of us are against a rule change in the Senate, OK. We’re all against it,” Tuberville said.

The Alabama senator’s own Republican colleagues have grown publicly frustrated with his stalling of military promotions.

GOP senators, including Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Joni Ernst of Iowa and Todd Young of Indiana, have on two occasions held the Senate floor into the wee hours bringing forward the names of nominees, only to meet Tuberville’s objections.

Some frustrated Republicans last week mulled whether to support the Democratic-led effort to override Tuberville’s blockade. Democrats would have needed nine of them to pass the change in procedure.

“I have said that right now I support Tommy Tuberville, but if he makes a statement that he’s going to maintain this posture through this Congress, I intend to vote for nominations under the rules suspension,” Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina told States Newsroom Nov. 29.

Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah told States Newsroom on Nov. 29 that he was considering the proposal but that he hadn’t yet taken a position.

“Hopefully, we won’t get to that point,” he said.

Georgia Power again presses case for customer rate hike to pay for bloated Plant Vogtle expansion

By

Stanley Dunlap

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December 5, 2023

Georgia Power customers will be paying higher electricity rates over the next two years as well as more taking on more costs for nuclear expansion at Plant Vogtle and reimbursement for fuel costs. (John McCosh/ Georgia Recorder)

(GA Recorder) — State regulators heard familiar complaints on Monday about Georgia Power customers paying more for electricity after years of being saddled with runaway nuclear expansion costs.

Plant Vogtle’s two nuclear reactors took center stage as the Georgia Public Service Commission began a hearing to determine how to divide the project’s expenses among Georgia Power shareholders and customers.

The five-member PSC is set to have the final say at a Dec. 19 meeting on whether to approve a stipulated agreement reached in August among Georgia Power, PSC staff, and several advocacy groups that would see the utility company cover $2.6 billion of an expected $10 billion in construction costs for the Vogtle project.

If the stipulated agreement is approved by the PSC, Georgia Power’s typical residential customer would begin paying an estimated additional $9 in utility bills the month following the completion of Unit 4. The final reactor is expected to be operational in 2024, according to Georgia Power officials.

The settlement calls for capping the maximum amount paid by Georgia Power customers at $7.6 billion, just north of the $7.3 billion threshold agreed to in 2018 by state regulators and Georgia Power. Under the 2018 order, the company could ask the PSC for the right to recover above-cap expenses from ratepayers if commissioners deemed the charges to be reasonable.

According to the agreement, Georgia Power and its parent, Southern Co., will cover any expenses exceeding $7.6 billion. The Vogtle expansion is just one in a series of rate hikes that Georgia Power customers are expected to see take effect in the next couple of years.

Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund organizing director Michael Hawthorne said he doesn’t think the proposed settlement is a good deal for Georgians.

“As you make these decisions, think about hard-working Georgia families,” Hawthorne said. “Think about the mother who’s raising her kids by herself. Think about our teachers who are severely underpaid, who have to deal with so much and go home and still pay more for energy bills.”

Georgia Power on Monday defended the process of reviewing costs for Vogtle, which led to a stipulated agreement signed by consumer and environmental watchdog groups, such as Georgia Watch and the Georgia Interfaith Power & Light and Partnership for Southern Equity.

Georgia Power executives said the stipulated agreement takes into consideration the impact on ratepayers’ wallets. Lane Kollen, a longtime Vogtle consultant for the PSC, said Monday that Georgia Power’s average customer would see their rates increase by 8% under the agreement.

“This open and transparent process has involved 29 (Vogtle monitoring) reports and proceedings, thousands of pages of testimony and reports, and countless hours of review by (PSC) staff, the independent construction monitor, commissioners and stakeholders,” the testimony reads.

Bryan Jacob, director of solar programs for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, questioned if there was not enough public information about Vogtle’s costs to accurately determine whether Georgia Power should pay more than the proposed $2.6 billion.

“Does the fact that some parties have agreed to stipulate a certain amount as prudent and reasonable relieve the commission itself from the responsibility to independently determine that value,” Jacob asked at Monday’s hearing.

The PSC’s lead analyst for Vogtle, Steve Roetger, responded that the PSC commission is “within its rights to accept or reject it in its entirety or to modify” the terms of the agreement.

During Monday’s public hearing, the president of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, a local union for professional electricians, and a Sumter County teacher commended the nuclear expansion project for creating jobs and its other economic benefits.

Robert Searfoss, who is a stockholder with Georgia Power and Southern Co, urged the commissioners to hold Georgia Power more accountable in paying for what he says are Vogtle’s unreasonable costs incurred over the 14 years that it has been under construction.

“A lot of people here seem to support this Vogtle venture, but not so many have any good ideas of who’s supposed to pay for the staggering, staggering cost overruns of this massive, massive project that will actually, for the money that’s been spent on it, produce a relatively small amount of power,” said Searfoss about the $35 billion project.

The Vogtle expansion is the first new nuclear reactor to be built in the United States in more than 30 years.

On Monday, PSC Commissioner Tim Echols referenced the growing prospects of more nuclear power.

Last week, the U.S. joined more than 20 countries in agreeing to triple nuclear energy capacity in order to help reach zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“Georgia really has jumpstarted a world trend,” Echols said.

Henry Clifton Trinks, Jr.

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Now Habersham

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December 5, 2023

Henry Clifton Trinks, Jr., age 84, of Cornelia, Georgia, passed away on Monday, December 4, 2023, after battling a long-term illness.

Mr. Trinks was born on October 26, 1939, in Rock Hall County, Maryland, to the late Henry Clifton Trinks Sr. and Kathleen Rita Trinks. He was a United States Veteran, proudly serving in the US Air Force. Mr. Trinks will be remembered for spending time woodworking as well as working in his garden, which he enjoyed greatly.

Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Mary Trinks; sister, Mary Ellen Trinks Hilker; daughter and son-in-law, Michelle Trinks Bendler and Mike; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis Trinks and Rosalind; step-son, Lee Wagoner Jr.

A Private Family Memorial Service will be held in Maryland at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel, at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-1700.

Gerald Anthony “Tom” Buffington

By

Now Habersham

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December 5, 2023

Gerald Anthony “Tom” Buffington, age 76, of Gainesville, entered rest Monday, December 4, 2023, at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville.

Gerald was born July 13, 1947, in Gainesville to the late Rudolph & Dot Buffington. He retired from EIC where he worked as an electrician, but also was a self-employed farmer. He was a member of Lebanon United Methodist Church and was preceded in death by his brothers, David Buffington & Dwight Buffington.

Left to cherish amazing memories, wife, Brenda Buffington; daughter, Christy (Rodney) Broome; sons, Robby (Jessica) Buffington & Josh (Angela) Buffington; grandchildren, Mark Broome, Tristan Buffington, Madison Broome, Mackenzie Buffington, Carson Buffington & Josie Buffington; sister, Deborah Stephens; brothers, Doug Buffington & Mike Buffington; a number of nieces, nephews & other relatives also survive.

Funeral services honoring Gerald will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 7, 2023, at the Ward’s Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Marshall Dale & Phillip Gillespie officiating. Burial will be in Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at the funeral home.

You may sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence at www.wardsfh.com.

Ward’s Funeral Home & cremation Services, Gainesville, is honored to serve the family of Gerald Anthony Buffington.

‘Knock and talk’ leads to local drug arrests

By

Joy Purcell

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December 5, 2023

A Cleveland woman and two Gainesville men face charges after a multi-agency drug investigation.

Katlynn Marie Penick, 30, faces three felony counts for possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl and crossing guard lines with drugs. Authorities charged Christopher David Richmond, 28, with possession of meth, and Jonathon Bobby Corum, 28, on a hold from the Danielsville Police Department.

Investigators say the three were at a house at 718 County Line Church Road in Cleveland when agents conducted a “knock and talk” on November 30. Law enforcement went to the house after receiving complaints about drug activity there, says White County Sheriff Rick Kelley.

Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) agents and deputies from the sheriff’s offices in White and Hall counties participated in the investigation.

If you have a drug tip, please call the White County Sheriff’s Office at 706-865- 5177 or ARDEO at 706-348-7410.

Clarkesville resident advocates for additional speed table on Rocky Branch Road

By

Jerry Neace

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December 5, 2023

Kim Jackson addesses Clarkesville council — Clarkesville resident Kim Jackson advocates for second speed table during her address to the Clarkesville City Council during their work session Monday afternoon. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

Kim Jackson, a Clarkesville resident, addressed the Clarkesville City Council during their Monday afternoon work session, expressing concerns about speeding issues on Rocky Branch Road. Jackson appealed to the council for the installation of a second speed table, particularly located between Washington Street and Gabrels Road.

Rocky Branch Road is commonly used as a shortcut from downtown Clarkesville to State Route 17 (Toccoa Highway).

Safety concerns

Jackson highlighted the safety concerns arising from speeding, especially with pedestrians walking on the road and the allowance of golf carts on the thoroughfare. To emphasize the community’s backing, Jackson presented a letter signed by five affected residents, supporting the installation of an additional speed table. While two residents did not sign the letter, they reportedly agreed with the need for council action, and two others did not respond.

The two stars indicate the stretch of Rocky Branch Road affected by speeders and transfer trucks. (Qpublic.com)

Transfer truck disturbances

Jackson underscored the issue of transfer trucks violating road restrictions, creating disturbances with noise as they traverse the speed table. She detailed that the problem intensified during specific hours, notably from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with truck-related disturbances occurring overnight from midnight to 2:00 a.m.

Chief Brad Barrett of the Clarkesville Police Department assured the council of increased police visibility in the area. However, he acknowledged the limitations cities face in speed enforcement compared to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP). Barrett has sought assistance from the GSP to address the situation.

Council proposal

In response to the concerns raised, Council Member Franklin Brown proposed experimenting with a speed breaker on the road to assess its impact.

Concluding the discussion, City Manager Keith Dickerson assured Jackson, “I think your comments have been heard, and I think there will be some more discussion.” The issue is expected to be further deliberated by the council in subsequent sessions.

NGTC Horticulture poinsettia sale

By

Nora Almazan

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December 5, 2023

They are in glorious splendor. The colors of red, white, pink, speckled, or glitter poinsettias are ready to adorn your hearth. It’s the annual North Georgia Technical College’s Horticulture poinsettia sale. The Poinsettias are all $6.00 and if you buy 4, you will get one free.

There is a nice selection of succulents and other colorful plants for the holidays as well. The sale runs from Tuesday, December 5 through Thursday, December 7 from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the NGTC Clarkesville campus greenhouses.

If you have any questions, you can contact Scotty Peppers, Horticulture Instructor, at 706-754-7886.

Kemp, Georgia lawmakers unveil plan to speed up income tax cut

By

Jill Nolin

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December 4, 2023

Gov. Brian Kemp announces a plan to fast track a planned state income tax rate cut. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

(GA Recorder) — Republican state leaders announced Monday that they plan to fast track a planned reduction of the state’s income tax rate.

Lawmakers passed a plan last year to gradually phase in reductions to the state’s income tax rate over time if certain economic markers are met. But with the state sitting on a massive surplus, Gov. Brian Kemp and legislative leaders say they want to jump ahead in the timeline for reductions.

Instead of dropping the rate to 5.49% as planned this coming year, GOP leaders will push to lower it to 5.39%. The proposal will need to go through the legislative process.

Currently, the state’s top rate is at 5.75%. The plan passed last year called for flattening and incrementally reducing the rate to 4.99% by 2029, but the planned cuts would be delayed if revenues are not on track to be at least 3% higher than the previous year.

Accelerating the timeline means foregoing more state revenue more quickly. The state’s income tax is a major source of revenue for the budget, generating about half of all the money collected to fund schools, law enforcement, health care for the poor and disabled, and a host of other services.

Going to 5.39% next year will shave off another $300 million in state revenues, bringing the total cost of next year’s tax cut to about $1.1 billion annually.

“That means in just one tax year will realize a cut of 36 basis points, keeping hundreds of millions of dollars in the pockets of hardworking Georgia taxpayers,” Kemp said. “This is what happens when you budget conservatively. This is what happens when you think long term rather than make knee-jerk fiscal decisions without consideration of the impact it will have on the state.”

The governor, who also took several shots at federal spending in his remarks, called the tax cut plan a “long-term commitment.”

Kemp stood with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and House Speaker Jon Burns at the state Capitol during a press conference held as lawmakers meet for a special session to redraw Georgia’s political maps after a federal judge ruled that district lines created in 2021 dilute the voting strength of Black Georgians.

Monday’s press conference was billed as a “major announcement.” But some long-time critics of the plan said the proposed change will not make a significant difference for the average Georgia household.

For people earning between $42,000 and $73,000 a year, the proposal amounts to about another $27 in savings a year, said Danny Kanso, director of legislative strategy and senior fiscal analyst at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.

“That’s just a tiny drop in the bucket,” Kanso said Monday. “If we want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of most Georgia families, cutting the top income tax rate is just not the way to do it.”

Overall, with changes to the standard exemption factored in, middle-income earners stand to save about $200 a year. The state’s top 1% of high-income earners will save about $4,800 a year, according to GBPI’s analysis.

The state has wrapped up the last three fiscal years with a plump surplus and has socked away an eye-popping $16 billion in reserves. Revenues, though, have shown some signs of slowing.

Kemp has sent chunks of money back to taxpayers through one-time refunds this year and last year, a one-off property tax break and a tax suspension for people who drive gas-powered vehicles.

For the first time in years, the governor’s budget writers have given state agency heads the green light to ask for spending increases. The governor is set to unveil his budget next month when lawmakers return for the regular legislative session.

Hitchhiker wanted for kidnapping, robbery arrested in Northeast Georgia

By

Staff Report

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December 4, 2023

A hitchhiker who authorities warned was “armed and dangerous” is now in custody. Jordan Hedden was arrested in Union County, Georgia, officials say.

Over the weekend, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina warned Georgia residents that Hedden was on the loose after allegedly kidnapping a woman in North Carolina and breaking into a home in Tennessee.

The sheriff’s office did not say how Hedden was located, but social media posts and news reports asking the public to be on the lookout were widely shared. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office thanked members of the public for their assistance.

Multi-state search

On November 30, a Cherokee County resident picked up Hedden and Stephanie Neace while they were hitchhiking. Officials say Hedden then kidnapped the woman, forcing her into the backseat while he drove.

Hedded traveled to Tennessee, where, on December 2, he allegedly broke into a home with a gun. He then hitchhiked his way to Georgia, officials say.

Law enforcement in North Carolina and Tennessee issued arrest warrants for Neace and Hedden. Georgia officials arrested Neace, but Hedden remained on the run, with officials warning he posed an “immediate threat” to public safety.

Law enforcement issued a description and asked the public to remain vigilant and keep on the lookout for Hedden. They instructed anyone who saw him to avoid contact and call 911.