Georgia Legislature

Executive Director James Mills said he wanted to hire his predecessor's wife at a salary of $64,000, despite an online job posting advertising the position at $58,000. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

How the State Election Board hired the former executive director’s wife

Records show the State Election Board's executive director modified job qualifications and hired his predecessor's wife, despite her lack of experience.

The QTS data center complex under development in Fayetteville is expected to consume as much electricity as about a million U.S. households. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Data centers to get regional review, public notice on key Georgia website

Data centers larger than 300,000 square feet in the 11-county metro Atlanta area and more than 500,000 square feet in rural parts of Georgia will now qualify for reviews.

(Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Ex-lawmaker, former Cobb school board member head to Georgia Senate runoff

Two Democrats are top voter getters, headed to runoff in Georgia Senate special election for metro Atlanta seat.

The State Election Board considers investigations of election fraud and misbehavior during a session at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Feud between Raffensperger and the State Election Board heats up

Relations between the State Election Board and the secretary of state's office have frayed after law changes and infighting on the board.

As lawmakers debate eliminating Georgia's income tax, supporters say it will post economic developement and opponents say it will raise sales taxes and other fees. (Hyosub Shin / AJC file.)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Lawmakers debate eliminating Georgia’s income tax

Supporters and opponents of eliminating Georgia’s income tax on Monday aired competing visions of what would happen if the state gave up its largest source of revenue.

State Ethics Commission Executive Director David Emadi testifies before the Georgia Senate Special Committee on Investigations Thursday. (David Wickert/AJC)

Credit: David Wickert/AJC

Investigation into Abrams-linked group could spark new campaign laws

Campaign finance violations linked to Stacey Abrams’ 2018 Democratic campaign for governor may inspire new legislation aimed at curbing illegal election funding.

Sen. Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta) shown in the Senate chambers on day 18 of the Georgia Legislative session on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Crowded field vies for metro Senate seat in Nov. 18 special election

Six candidates are vying to complete the Senate term being vacated by former state Sen. Jason Esteves. The special election is Nov. 18.

Resources

The House Chambers is full of lawmakers and judges as Gov. Brian Kemp delivers the state of the state address in the House of Representatives at the Georgia Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Georgia bill tracker: See the state’s new laws

From tax cuts to social media restrictions, track the noteworthy bills Georgia lawmakers are discussing and see how close they are to passing.

Your guide to the 2025 session of the Legislature

Here’s our guide to how the people of Georgia can participate in the legislative process, such as meeting their legislators and speaking on the issues that matter to them.

Issues to watch during the 2025 Georgia legislative session

Here are some of the top issues that the Georgia Legislature is likely to consider when it returns Jan. 13.

Georgia House speaker talks 2025 agenda, from trans sports to Medicaid expansion

Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns says the Legislature will study an Arkansas-style Medicaid expansion but isn't likely to take further steps.

New Georgia lawmakers vow to listen, learn as first session approaches

Georgia voters elected 22 new members of the General Assembly in November. Here are a few of their stories.

How to speak like a Georgia legislator

At the Georgia Legislature, they don't ask questions. It's a Parliamentary Inquiry. And the bills, the legislation, might be anywhere from a Simple Bill to a Christmas Tree.

AJC Politically Georgia Podcast

Join us every week for the most relevant news and analysis that define the world of politics. Hosted by Georgia’s best political team: The AJC’s Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy.

If Georgia drops income tax, will sales taxes rise?

How could Georgia eliminate its income tax? By relying more heavily on sales taxes to pay for government services, a survey of other states shows.

State Election Board member Janice Johnston is accused in a lawsuit of obstructing public records requests for information about voter eligibility challenges, communications with outside organizations and voter citizenship verification. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2024)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Georgia State Election Board member raises money online for legal defense

A fundraiser has raised more than $30K for Georgia State Election Board member Janice Johnston's legal defense. Critics say it creates potential for conflicts of interest.

Park visitors take in the view overlooking the old paper mill by Sweetwater Creek State Park on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Georgia’s Board of Natural Resources is expected to double the entrance fee at state parks.(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Georgia parks raise parking fees — and more price hikes could be on the way

Georgia will boost state park entrance fees in January, and an audit suggests more price hikes could be coming.

Living in Louisville in rural Jefferson County, Jessica Lewis (back) regularly traveled nearly an hour each way for OB-GYN visits while she was pregnant with her now-11-month-old-son, Desmond. The 35-year-old tax preparer is among many in Georgia forced to make long drives for access to gynecological care. Others are not able to do so, part of why prenatal visit data has gotten worse in recent years. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Georgia women face geographic gaps in prenatal care

Fewer than half of Georgia's counties have a full-time OB-GYN, according to data analyzed by the AJC, and many women lack the time and money to make regular prenatal visits.

Sen. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, scuffles with a staff member as he attempts to enter the state House of Representatives at the Georgia Capitol, Jan. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Moore was detained by Georgia State Patrol and staff for attempting to enter the House. He was banned from it last year after comments he made about the late House Speaker David Ralston. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Georgia state senator pushes for arrest of House lawyer

The House speaker’s general counsel Keith Williams blocked state Sen. Colton Moore from entering the chamber during a joint session, grabbing and pushing him to the ground.

From left, Akbar Ali, Marqus Cole and Jamie Parker are competing for the House District 106 seat in a special election on Nov. 4. (AJC file photos)

Credit: Special

Cost of living tops concerns for candidates in Gwinnett County House race

Two Democrats and one Republican seek to replace former state Rep. Shelly Hutchinson, who resigned this summer to care for a family member.

The husband of the director of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services was arrested on DUI and child endangerment charges after an Oct. 16 hit-and-run crash in Bartow County, authorities said. (AJC file photo)

Credit: AJC

Husband of child services director fled DUI crash with kids in truck, GSP says

Authorities say the husband of Georgia's child protective services director had a blood alcohol level 4 times the legal limit when he left a crash with two kids in his truck.

In this file photo, a woman walks across the parking lot outside of the Planned Parenthood offices in Atlanta. The board of Planned Parenthood Southeast said it is looking into allegations against the organization's interim president. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Planned Parenthood Southeast CEO pushes back on allegations

Former staffers have accused interim President and CEO Mairo Akpose of not supporting Planned Parenthood's stances on abortion and LGBTQ issue.

A sign attached to the sidewalk supporting women's abortion rights sits across the street from the Planned Parenthood offices in Atlanta in 2022. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)