Capitol Beat: Kemp announces funding for retention, school safety

Gov. Brian Kemp is aiming for state employee retention and school safety. Kemp announced Monday that the fiscal 2024 midyear budget will include $330 million for one-time pay supplements of $1,000 for each of about 112,000 state employees and 196,000 teachers and school support staff.

Capitol Beat: Foster care study committee makes recommendations

A combination of legislation and spending increases are needed to improve Georgia’s foster care system, according to a report a legislative study committee adopted Monday.

Lawsuit looking to block ban on gender-affirming care

A group of parents has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Georgia legislation limiting medical care for transgender children, two days before the law is due to take effect.

Georgia anti-gangs bill, other laws to take effect July 1

Controversial legislation imposing mandatory minimum prison terms for gang recruitment in Georgia will take effect July 1. Senate Bill 44 is one of the dozens of bills the General Assembly passed this year that will become law with the start of a new fiscal year.

Capitol Beat: updates from around the state

Georgians are eligible to treat their chronic illnesses with cannabis oil and soon will have a lot more choices of places to get the medicine.

Tourism industry predicts strong summer

After taking some hits during the pandemic, Georgia tourism is poised for a record summer. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport expects to handle about 2.1 million passengers during the Memorial Day holiday period, which began Thursday and extends through next Wednesday.

General Assembly session the usual combo of triumphs, defeats

The General Assembly passed much of Gov. Brian Kemp’s legislative agenda for 2023 during the 40-day session that ended on March 30.

Study finds big bucks in early presidential primaries

Moving up Georgia’s presidential primaries to put the Peach State fourth in the primary calendar would reap huge economic benefits, according to a new study.

Georgia’s education funding formula: It’s complicated

The General Assembly is unlikely to change Georgia’s education funding formula this session, legislators have told Capitol Beat. A state Senate study committee chaired by Sen.

‘Tripledemic’ on decline in state

Georgia’s “tripledemic” — the simultaneous outbreaks of flu, COVID, and respiratory synctical virus (RSV) — is on the decline, state epidemiologist Cherie Drenzek said Wednesday.