On January 26, 1779, a group of Patriots held off British soldiers at the Battle of Burke County Jail, south of Augusta, GA. If you enjoy American History from the colonial and revolutionary period, check out Tara Ross on Facebook, where she posts daily notes about our nation’s history.
On January 27, 1785, a charter was approved by the Georgia legislature for the first publicly-supported state university in America.
On January 27, 1941, Delta Air Lines announced it would move its headquarters from Monroe, Louisiana to Atlanta, Georgia. It was an interesting case of public-money-fueled economic development.
In 1940, the city of Atlanta and Delta had signed an agreement whereby the city agreed to contribute $50,000 for construction of a new hanger and office building for Delta if it would move its headquarters to Atlanta. In turn, Delta agreed to pay the remaining construction costs and then assume a 20-year lease for the new facilities. On Jan. 16, 1941, Delta had secured a $500,000 loan from Atlanta’s Trust Company of Georgia, thus allowing it to make a public announcement of the move.
On January 27, 1965, the Shelby GT 350 was unveiled.
Otis Redding’s “Dock of the Bay” was released on January 27, 1965, seven weeks after his death.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns and Elections
Today is the 11th Legislative Day of the 2016 Session of the Georgia General Assembly.
Senate Committee Meetings
12:00 PM RULES UPON ADJOURNMENT 450 CAP
1:00 PM REGULATED INDUSTRIES AND UTILITIES 307 CLOB
1:00 PM PUBLIC SAFETY 125 CAP
1:00 PM EDUCATION AND YOUTH 310 CLOB
2:00 PM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 450 CAP
2:00 PM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – CANCELED 307 CLOB
3:00 PM HIGHER EDUCATION 406 CLOB
3:00 PM STATE INSTITUTIONS AND PROPERTY -CANCELED MEZZ 1
4:00 PM FINANCE MEZZ 1
House Committee Meetings
8:00 AM APPROPRIATIONS341 CAP
8:00 AM AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS 403 CAP
9:00 AM RULES 341 CAP
2:00 PM CODE REVISION 415 CLOB
2:00 PM STATE PROPERTIES 403 CAP
2:00 PM RETIREMENT 515 CLOB
3:00 PM INDUSTRY & LABOR 506 CLOB
3:00 PM JOINT HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE 406 CLOB
Senate Rules Calendar
SB 137 – Property Insurance; expand the ownership restriction; value of the property covered against loss by fire (Substitute) (I&L-16th)
House Calendar
HB 605 – Georgia Judicial Retirement System; member who was serving in a full-time position on his or her retirement may use prior part-time service for vesting; provide
HB 742 – Revenue and taxation; Internal Revenue Code; define terms; incorporate certain provisions of federal law into Georgia law
Legislation
Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) would like to revisit the $5 per night hotel/motel fee that was part of last year’s Transportation Finance Act, according to WTOC.com.
The $5 per room, per night tax can really put the sting on visitors to places like Savannah. Now, State Senator Josh McKoon wants to put that tax to bed.
Senator McKoon says if this bill can make it through all the necessary channels, he is confident that Georgia legislatures will pass this bill.
“It’s frankly had a devastating impact on hospitality and tourism around the state,” said Sen. McKoon.
“I’m just trying to alleviate that problem by rolling that part of the bill back, obviously it keeps the gas tax in place and the other measures that were taken,” said Sen. McKoon.
“I think the tax is definitely needed and is put to good use, but has it affected travel and the way that guest book rooms, absolutely,” said Ronnie Jones, East Bay Inn. “It makes it that much harder for our convention and visitor bureaus to attract meetings because they’re stuck with a five dollar per night tax around their necks. I understand that taxes are necessary to keep infrastructure going and I, like every business owner, am concerned about Savannah and the tourism in the area.”
Jones showed WTOC a receipt. The guest was charged a four percent state sales tax, three percent local sales tax, a local bed tax of six percent as well as the five dollar state transportation tax.
“So if you’re a budget minded individual, I think it does affect travel,” said Jones.
Sen. McKoon says House Bill 252 just makes sense.
“So my hope with this bill is that we can give our hoteliers and our tourism and hospitality industry a little bit of a relief,” said Sen. McKoon.
State Senator Judson Hill has his own ideas about reforming the state tax structure for economic growth, with an Op-Ed in the Marietta Daily Journal.
It’s no secret that we are in perilous economic times.
Unemployment is almost 10 percent when you consider those who are working odd jobs and need full-time work. The stock market is enduring wild swings. And family and corporate budgets are taking enormous hits from a range of expenses including escalating health care costs.
The one thing Georgia taxpayers would like to see from their elected officials is a reduction in their taxes. Families need more money in their pockets so they can pay their bills and feed their families.
While Washington continues bickering over the federal tax code, here in Georgia I believe we can take steps to do just that with a proposal I introduced last week called the Tax Relief Act of 2016. My ambitious tax reduction plan would reduce the personal income tax rate from 6 percent to a flat 5.25 percent. In addition, I am seeking a constitutional amendment for voters to consider that would drop the rate to 5 percent if we have additional reserves in the state budget.
Considering we haven’t changed the personal income tax rate since 1937, I believe it would bring welcome relief to Georgia taxpayers. The drop to 5.25 percent alone is expected to put more money in each employee’s paycheck — money that will then be spent and help stimulate our economy.
In addition, my proposal would increase personal exemptions on state income taxes by an additional $2,000 per person. Currently the state exemption is $2,700 for individuals and $5,400 for married couples.
Georgia could learn from North Carolina and other great leaders that true economic benefits come from taking bold steps. This is a year of big change. Voters want to see big solutions to our big problems. It’s time to return to our citizens what rightly belongs to them and deliver them some of their hard earned money with a Georgia reform proposal that delivers.
House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones thinks college students shouldn’t have to endanger their HOPE Scholarship by taking harder classes, according to the AJC.
A bill that would boost the GPA for students taking demanding college math and science courses easily passed a House higher education committee Tuesday.
House Bill 801, sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, would give students the same half-point boost to their college grade point averages for the tougher courses that they received for taking advanced classes in high school.
The bill is a way to encourage students to take the tougher math, science, technology and engineering classes that are necessary for some of the hard-to-fill jobs in the state. A study last year found some college students avoid the tough classes and more technical careers in order to keep their grades high and retain merit-based aid, like the HOPE scholarship, to fund their college tuition.
Gov. Nathan Deal will continue to push for education reforms, even though parts of the recommended reforms will be delayed, according to Walter Jones of Morris News.
“We’re going to continue to push forward on education reform,” he said. “I believe that it is the key to improving quality of life for our state, certainly the quality of life for all of us, and especially for our children and grandchildren.”
His comments came during a visit with civic and government leaders from Effingham County visiting the Capitol for two days. He was one of 10 state offers or agency heads addressing the group organized by the Effingham Chamber of Commerce.
Deal had surprised some lawmakers and observers in his State of the State Address the first week of the General Assembly session when he said he wanted to wait until 2017 to consider the legislative changes the Reform Commission is recommending.
Deal only says that the recommendations are lengthy and complicated and deserve plenty of time for consideration. He has also appointed a panel of teachers to offer their input, addressing criticism of the commission which didn’t include any active, classroom teachers among the administrators and lawmakers he handpicked.
He told the Effingham crowd the reforms are vital.
“It’s important to make sure that the children have the skills they need to take the jobs that are coming to Georgia,” he said.
Deal also made a pitch for a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would allow state takeover of schools that fail three years in a row to meet state standards.
Some folks were declaring victory yesterday after news broke about a deal between craft brewers and wholesale distributors.
All sides have agreed to a regulatory solution that will avoid a fight over legislation this year. The deal, according to the Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association, means the Department of Revenue will issue new rules that will:
- Allow brewers again to sell brewery tours at variable prices based on the kind of beer offered.
- Allow special events at breweries and distilleries.
- Let brewers, distilleries and wholesalers use social media to alert the public about where to buy their products or advertise special events.
- Allow third parties to sell tour tickets.
- Let breweries and distilleries sell food on site.
Martin Smith, spokesman for the beer wholesalers said the deal is a victory for all sides.
“We’re thrilled about the compromise and thank our brewer partners and the (Georgia Craft Brewers) Guild for working to make this happen,” Smith said.
But the craft brewers weren’t ready to pop the bottles, declaring the deal less than a victory.
“They’re giving us back the 10-cent lollipop they originally gave us on July 1 and took from us on Sept. 25,” said Scott Hedeen, brewmaster and owner of Burnt Hickory Brewery in Kennesaw.
In a statement, Nancy Palmer, the Guild’s executive director, said the deal will make “regulatory fixes to the brewing industry.”
Many of Georgia craft breweries were on a conference call with the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. The Guild has discouraged members from commenting publicly on the deal.
On the call, the Guild told its members, “This is where we are. We need to fall back,” said Nathan Cowan, CEO of Eventide Brewery in Atlanta. “It’s David versus Goliath.”
Geoffrey Williams, Eventide Brewery brewmaster, said this is “not a victory for breweries.”
The Macon-Bibb Commission will consider 15 blight eradication projects costing $4.5 million dollars.
DeKalb County is suing for a declaration that would allow the County to cleanup trash and debris at the Brannon Hill Condominium Complex.
According to a Jan. 26 press release, “The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the filing of a lawsuit which would allow DeKalb County to utilize county resources to remove debris from the privately-owned common areas in the Brannon Hill Condominium Complex.”
According to the press release, the lawsuit asks a judge to declare common areas of Brannon Hill to be a public nuisance and asks for the authority to remove trash and debris.
The Georgia Ports Authority continues to break records for throughput, moving 3.73 million TEUs of containers in 2015.
With containerized cargo volume for the last two years up 700,000 — a total of 23 percent — Georgia Ports Authority continues to lead container growth in the country, GPA executive director Curtis Foltz told his board Monday.
The port moved a record-breaking 3.73 million TEUs — or 20-foot equivalent units — in 2015, an 11.7-percent increase over 2014, also a record-breaking year for containers.
“The expansion was fueled in part by heightened demand in the Southeast, Savannah’s logistical advantages drawing new customers to Georgia and cargo diverted from the West Coast (due to now-resolved labor issues),” according to Foltz.
The FBI and GBI seized records and computers from the White, GA police department in Bartow County, and all (both) of the department’s full-time police officers have been suspended.
The GBI said they were contacted by the district attorney in late October regarding allegations of extortion and public corruption. Three months later, agents from the GBI and FBI rolled into White. They seized files, records and computers from City Hall and the Police Department. City officials said many of those files pertained to fines and tickets written by police officers.
The following day, the city council suspended Police Chief David King and Officer Blake Scheff with pay. This leaves only one part-time officer in the White Police Department.
Latawsha Little-Hill is running for the Gwinnett County State Court seat currently held by Judge Shawn Bratton. From her website,
[She] served as a Prosecutor for the Gwinnett County Solicitor’s Office for over 5 years. While there, I handled a multitude of cases, giving me the experience and knowledge necessary to handle the various issues that arise in State Court.
Voter Registration Deadline Monday
Noting Monday’s deadline to be registered for the March 1 Presidential Preference Primary, Richmond County also has released absentee and early voting information.
MAIL-OUT ABSENTEE ballots are available on written request. Requests can be delivered by mail, fax, e-mail or to the Board of Elections office. In-person advance voting will begin Feb. 8 in the Board of Elections advance voting center at 535 Telfair St.
SATURDAY VOTING will be held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Feb. 20 at the advance voting center, Henry Brigham Recreation Center, Diamond Lakes Regional Park and Warren Road Recreation Center.
EXTENDED HOURS for advance voting will begin Feb. 22 at all four locations from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and will run daily through Feb. 26. Voters can contact the Board of Elections office at (706) 821-2340 or www.augustaga.gov/boe.
You can also sign in to the SOS website’s MVP to find out more information on your own local early voting locations.
You’re Doing Facebook Wrong
Jeremy Spencer lost his job at the Georgia Department of Education, where he served as Associate Superintendent of Virtual Instruction, after Facebook posts spiraled out of control. From 11Alive,
In a series of Facebook posts, Spencer shared posts from right-winged websites about politics and social issues. In one post, he suggests that U.S. public schools cannot compete with schools in Finland because we don’t have all white students. He also made a comment about gay people and poles after sharing an Atlanta Journal Constitution article.
The most recent post was on January 1, said, “If I read one more thing about the Finland education system….not everybody in the US public schools are WHITE.”
State Superintendent Richard Woods released this statement about his firing Tuesday morning.
“Like most people, I was disheartened and disgusted to see the posts made by Mr. Spencer on his Facebook page. These posts in no way reflect my opinions, or those of the Department of Education. As of this morning, Mr. Spencer is no longer an employee of the Department of Education. My job, and the job of all employees at the Department of Education, is to look out for the educational well-being of all of Georgia’s 1.7 million students, and more than 100,000 teachers and educators.”
11Alive notes sage advice from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, which oversees certification and licensing standards for teachers.
“Don’t post anything on a website that you would not post on the front door of the school,”
For the Birds
Berry College’s bald eagle couple have produced two eggs this year. You can keep up with them on Facebook, or live on the streaming Eagle Cams.
Savannah’s Landings Bird Cam shows that a resident Great Horned Owl has also laid a pair of eggs.
Savannah’s best loved reality show is back. A great horned owl laid an egg in its nest high in a loblolly pine on Skidaway Island on Saturday as two cameras live-streamed the event.
On Tuesday, owl watchers rooting for a second egg got their wish.
“I haven’t seen it yet, but we have egg number two,” said Rick Cunningham, a volunteer instrumental in keeping the project running.
The great horned owl is the most common large owl in North America. Its wings stretch 3 to 6 feet across, and from head to tail it can be 2 feet long; feather tufts on its head give it its name.
A pair of these majestic birds made this nest their home last year and raised two owlets under the watchful eye of the Savannah Bird Cam. Thousands of viewers — both local and from around the globe — were rapt by these raptors.
The Landings Bird Cam also has a page on Facebook with the latest updates. You can also watch live or DVR footage online.
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