Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for June 9, 2025

Bridget Bishop was the first person hanged after being convicted of practicing witchcraft in the Salem witch trials on June 10, 1692.

Georgia’s colonial charter, signed by King George II was witnessed on June 9, 1732.

Click here for the full text of Georgia’s Royal Charter from 1732.

Click here to see the oldest copy of Georgia’s Royal Charter, which was presented to Georgia by South Carolina.

The Battle of Bloody Marsh was fought between Spanish forces and colonists under James Oglethorpe on St Simons Island, Georgia in 1742 on a date that is variously cited as June 9 or June 7, 1742. Thus began the rivalry between Georgia and Florida.

On June 9, 1772, the first naval attack of the Revolutionary War took place near Providence, Rhode Island, as HMS Gaspee, a British tax enforcement ship was baited into running aground and attacked by a boarding party the next day.

On June 10, 1793, Washington, DC officially replaced Philadelphia as the Capital of the United States. To honor Washington, today we will adopt a smugly superior attitude, name-drop constantly, and speak condescendingly to those who currently live in the states we used to live in.

Rebecca Latimer Felton was born on June 10, 1835 in Decatur, Georgia and later became the first woman to serve in the United States Senate after being appointed by Governor Thomas Hardwick to fill a vacancy in 1922.

The United States Naval Academy graduated its first class on June 10, 1854.

On June 9, 1864, Gen. W.T. Sherman moved his troops to Big Shanty, Georgia, now called Kennesaw, and beginning a four-week period sometimes called the Battle of Marietta.

The Girl Scouts of America were incorporated in Washington, DC on June 10, 1915.

The Republican National Convention in Cleveland became the first political convention broadcast on the radio on June 10, 1924.

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded on June 10, 1935.

President John F. Kennedy signed the 1963 Equal Pay Act on June 10, 1963.

I am delighted today to approve the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which prohibits arbitrary discrimination against women in the payment of wages. This act represents many years of effort by labor, management, and several private organizations unassociated with labor or management, to call attention to the unconscionable practice of paying female employees less wages than male employees for the same job. This measure adds to our laws another structure basic to democracy. It will add protection at the working place to the women, the same rights at the working place in a sense that they have enjoyed at the polling place.

While much remains to be done to achieve full equality of economic opportunity–for the average woman worker earns only 60 percent of the average wage for men–this legislation is a significant step forward.

Cream was formed on June 9, 1966 by Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce.

On June 9, 1973, Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, the first to win all three of the Triple Crown races since 1948. Secretariat was bred by Christopher Chenery, a graduate of Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, whose jockeys wore blue-and-white silks in honor of Chenery’s alma mater.

Apple Computer shipped the first Apple II computers on June 10, 1977.

Coca-Cola introduced Classic Coke on June 10, 1985.

Ray Charles, who was born in Albany, Georgia died on June 10, 2004.

A new Georgia Historical Marker commemorating the Congregation Children of Israel in Augusta was unveiled, according to WJBF.

“We knew it was an exciting time and opportunity to tell not only the history of Augusta’s Jewish community but also the history of Jews in America. There were so many immigrants that came over to Georgia and the U.S. They are the oldest congregation in Augusta and the synagogue is the oldest standing one in Georgia so it’s an exciting day,” said Breana James, Historical Marker and Program Associate at the Georgia Historical Society.

The museum originally applied for the marker in 2021; after they were approved this time around, they hope it will bring more people to the museum to learn about its history.

“It’s incredibly important to the Jewish community, specifically in Augusta. I feel that a lot of people aren’t aware of the Jewish community, they’re not aware of any cultural groups outside of their own, so it’s good to share that history in any way we can,” Russo said.

If you wish to see the marker it is at the Augusta Jewish Museum located at 525 Telfair St.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Police Blotto Blotter: Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams wants to arrest County Commissioners over a budget impasse, according to WRDW.

Embroiled in a yearslong budget battle with county commissioners, Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams now wants to arrest them.

He’s tried meeting with them, asking the governor for help and taking them to court twice.

Now he’s calling their actions criminal.

He even wrote up an incident report outlining alleged offenses, including:

• Violation of oath by a public officer.
• Malpractice, misfeasance or malfeasance in office by a public official.
• Obstructing law enforcement officers.

At the center of the battle is Williams’ budget, which he says commissioners are trying to exert too much control over, while they say he needs to spend within his means. He says as an elected official, the budget is his to control.

In an email to the Burke County Board of Commissioners and County Manager Merv Waldrop, Williams wrote:

“I will not continue to be subjected to your criminal scheme to undermine my constitutional authority and duties to keep this county safe.”

He directed them to read the incident report, which he attached to the email.

“You do not have authority to control the funding in my budget. If I am only able to govern based on your projections — I am left to operate on your whim,” he wrote. “Your false projections are a part of your criminal scheme. These are not matters where you have discretion. These are flagrant criminal violations and this is my last attempt to have you cease and desist the overreach and malpractice. Your unethical conduct is not permissible.”

As far as we know, no arrest warrants have been issued and no arrest has been made.

The incident report says Waldrop “has refused, and still refuses, to stop, cease and desist from enacting, voting, creating budgetary schemes that unconstitutionally restrict the sheriff’s sole discretion concerning administrating the Office of Sheriff.”

He elaborates that among other things, Waldrop and commissioners:

• Repeatedly and unconstitutionally usurped Williams’ control over his office’s budget by substituting and implementing their own decisions on budgetary priorities. He says this has directly resulted in budgetary deficits and kept him from hiring and retaining personnel and making the adjustments needed to safely operate in law enforcement, courthouse security and detention operations.

• Denied his power to decide which fund to use for body cameras and budget amendment to facilitate the purchase to the extent necessary.

• Insisted that body camera funding be taken from the “drug funds.” However, the Sheriff says he proposed taking the funding from the speed camera enforcement funds, which the board voted down and later voted to use $722,000 in school zone speed camera funding to pay for detention center renovations.

• Reduced his budget for fiscal year 2024 to below the budget for fiscal year 2023 despite the insufficiency of the budget that year. He said the board also during the 2024 fiscal year removed $306,364.37 from his fiscal year 2024 budget to pay for expenditures incurred during 2023.

• Created a specific revenue fund designated for placing the funds from speed camera enforcement funds, but placed the funds into a “contingency” account, subject to secondary approval by the body, and required the sheriff to seek secondary approval from the board, “thereby unconstitutionally subjecting the Sheriff to the control of the board’s discretion over his budget, resources, spending priorities, and any surplusage of funds that the Sheriff could otherwise use to cover any unexpected budgetary shortfalls or increases in costs.”

• Appropriated his $215,486.31 budget surplus from fiscal year 2021 for their own purposes, rather than allowing him “to utilize the funds he saved through sound fiscal management and operational efficiency.”

• Usurped his ability and power to make decisions on vehicle maintenance/parts/servicing, building janitorial services, and inforational technology services. He cited the board’s change in payments from an annual lump sum to monthly funding and a requirement that county personnel be used instead of contracting out for services.

“The orchestrated criminal practices described herein are contrary to good order, peace, and dignity, and are enacted criminal schemes that unconstitutionally restrict the Sheriff’s discretion concerning administrating the Office of Sheriff,” he wrote.

He then cites which laws he thinks the board and Waldrop are violating.

This all comes as the sheriff is actively seeking to sue the board of commissioners over his budget. He lost another legal effort a few years ago, but has now embarked on a new one.

Also, on June 10, commissioners are deciding whether they will accept a settlement between the sheriff and Brenda Johnson for sexual harassment and retaliation.

That came after commissioners voted to table funding for inmate housing costs and declined to allocate school speed camera funds toward the purchase of body cameras for detention officers.

Police Blotter: Camilla Mayor Kelvin Owens, who has been arrested and charged in connection with a canceled 2024 election, spoke in a City Council meeting, according to the Albany Herald.

The meeting’s intent, Owens said, was to keep the public informed on the ongoing legal situation involving himself, City Clerk Cheryl Ford and Election Superintendent Rhunette Williford. The three were arrested on election interference and other charges on May 28 then released on bond last Friday.

At Monday’s meeting, an Atlanta-based transactional attorney spoke over Zoom and shared her legal opinion that under a Camilla ordinance, the city is obligated to pay for the trio’s legal fees. The mayor confirmed that a written request for this payment was submitted to the city attorney.

“The basis of it (the ordinance) is that if you are a city official, or an employee, an elected official, and you’re operating within your job and your title, then there should be some degree of support if you’re doing that particular job,” Owens said during the press conference. “No employee or elected official should feel threatened in operating within the scope of their job.

Dozens showed up in support of the mayor and to speak out against what they believe is systemic racism plaguing the city. A smaller minority showed up and rebutted racist accusations. They expressed concerns over corruption, citing November’s canceled – and then resumed – special election among other matters.

Despite the mayor’s attempt at transparency to Camilla citizens, the meeting ended with a clear divide – one that Camilla’s black residents say is ingrained in the city’s history.

“The reason we are here today is because the Camilla massacre continues in Mitchell County,” Dixon said. “It started in 1868, and it hasn’t ceased yet. It’s carrying on because of racist white people in this community.”

The so-called “Camilla Massacre” took place on Sept. 19, 1968. It was a violent episode of Reconstruction in Georgia. Hundreds of black people and a few white people marched from Albany to Camilla to attend a Republican political rally. As the marchers entered the courthouse square, white people opened fire on the group, shooting and killing about a dozen and wounding nearly 30. White people reportedly continued to assault the group as they marched back to Albany.

This violence intimidated many black people who remained home on Election Day, and white leaders reportedly misplaced black votes through fraud at the polls, therefore sweeping the election.

Camilla’s council consists of a black mayor, three black councilmen, two white councilmen and a white councilwoman.

Owens said when he took office, along with three black councilmen, in 2022 that they formed the “first progressive, black voting block” in a city where 68% of its roughly 5,000 residents are black. Owens told The Albany Herald in November that not everyone was happy about this voting power of four black men.

Owens said showing up for Camilla’s citizens is what he plans to continue doing, “until something changes.” He maintains that the indictment is just an accusation. Owens told The Albany Herald in November that he used emergency powers to cancel the November special election after the elections superintendent resigned the night before.

Williford and Ford cited “mental duress, stress and coercion experienced by recent court decisions” regarding their role in elections and a “requirement to violate our oath of office” as reasons for resignation in a November letter.

Two council members challenged the city’s obligation to pay legal fees.

“In my opinion, the allowance of paying city attorneys and fines and penalties and so forth to individuals that are voting for this to enrich themselves is totally and absolutely against the law,” Councilman W.D. Palmer said.

Councilwoman Azalee Vereen said her priority is what’s in the best interest of the city, and court costs approaching $123,000 would create a financial burden.

“I love this city. I’ve been living here for 34 years, and it makes me sad that we are here today,” Vereen said. “But this is not racial in the eyes of the district attorney, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Mitchell County grand jury. This is a criminal prosecution.”

Early voting in the Statewide Special Primary Elections for Public Service Commission:

Republican – 13,336 – 37.52%
Democrat – 22,020 – 61.95%
Non-partisan – 187 – 0.53%
TOTAL – 35,543

From The Brunswick News:

Turnout for the primary election for open Georgia Public Service Commission seats has been low, perhaps the lowest in recent memory.

“I feel that if people are concerned about the public utilities and their public utilities pricing, this is their chance to have a say in that. Really and truly, if your cell phone bill and your power bill can’t get you motivated to vote, I don’t know what else I can say,” said Christina Redden, Glynn County assistant elections and registration supervisor.

Glynn County Board of Elections and Registration officials said they expected low interest in the statewide primary election for two PSC seats — which led to its decision to open only one polling place at the main office in downtown Brunswick for early voting instead of the usual three — but not as low as it’s been.

As of 5 p.m. Friday, only 203 Brunswick residents had cast a ballot.

“I don’t think I have ever, in my time living in Georgia, seen turnout this low,” Redden said.

Last day to vote early is June 13. All precincts will be open on Election Day, June 17.

From Georgia Recorder:

For the first time since 2020, voters are electing representatives for both District 2 in the eastern part of the state and District 3 in metro Atlanta. All registered voters in Georgia are eligible to vote for each commissioner, no matter where they live.

Incumbent Commissioner Tim Echols is running for reelection in District 2. He is challenged by Lee Muns on the Republican ballot. The winner will go on to face Democratic candidate Alicia M. Johnson in the fall.

In District 3, appointed Commissioner Fitz Johnson is the only candidate on the Republican ballot. There are currently four Democratic candidates hoping to win the party nomination. Candidates include Peter Hubbard, Robert Jones and Keisha Sean Waites. Daniel Blackman is the fourth candidate who is currently fighting to appeal a residency based disqualification

Early voting is available through June 13. Voter registration, polling places and sample ballots can all be checked online at the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

Traditionally, the commission has a staggered election schedule and each commissioner serves a six-year term. This year’s election was delayed after a lawsuit challenged the statewide nature of the election, arguing the process diluted the voting strength of Black voters.

Despite the ability to vote across the state, voter turnout remains relatively low. So far, voter turnout sits at 0.5%. According to the Secretary of State’s data hub, this accounts for about 35,000 voters.

Voters have been vocal about various issues surrounding this year’s election. Some are singing the praises of incumbents, while others question if the all-GOP panel has done enough to combat rising utility rates and be a check on the state’s largest electric utility, Georgia Power.

Confusion has also lingered for some voters amid Democratic candidate Daniel Blackman’s potential disqualification. Blackman’s name is set to remain on the ballot while a Fulton County judge considers Blackman’s appeal  of a successful challenge to his residency within District 3. A hearing is set for June 10, and the shadow hanging over his candidacy has forced some to rethink their election choices.

Georgians still hoping to participate in early voting have the opportunity to do so through Friday, June 13, and the official election day will follow on June 17. If no one receives at least 50% of the vote this month, a runoff election will be held on July 15. Primary winners will advance to the general election on Nov. 4.

From the AJC:

The only statewide races on the ballot this year are for two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission. The stakes are high, as the commission approves electricity rates for Georgia Power customers — rates that have continued to go up.

Just 35,602 people have cast ballots as of this morning, for a measly turnout of 0.5%.

The lone bright spot is Washington County, where more than 10% of registered voters have already cast ballots. But that’s mostly because the chair of the county commission is stepping down, prompting a special election to replace him. The only other county with even a modest turnout is Wheeler County, where a local race for tax commissioner has gotten some attention.

The June 17th election for Public Service Commission is a primary, meaning it will set the stage for the general election in the fall. There might be more interest then, given several metro Atlanta cities will have elections for mayor and other local seats on the ballot.

Governor Brian Kemp remains in exile Canada, on a trade mission, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Savannah Morning News.

Kemp, joined by Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp and state Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson, will attend the 2025 Southeast U.S.-Canadian Provinces Alliance conference in Saint John, New Brunswick, which will run from June 8-10.

The alliance was established in 2007 to enhance trade and investment, promote cross-border business collaboration between the two countries, and create new trade opportunities through connections between the member Southeastern states and Canadian provinces.

That collaboration is being sorely tested by the tariffs Trump has slapped on Canadian imports into the U.S. and the retaliatory tariffs Canada has imposed.

Canada was Georgia’s fifth-largest trading partner last year, with $13.9 billion in total trade, including $7.4 billion in exports from the Peach State.

Congratulations and condolences to Josh McKoon, who was reelected Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. From the AJC:

Georgia GOP chair Josh McKoon, wielding Trump’s endorsement, easily defeated a challenger, reinforcing the power of the president’s blessing.

McKoon swept to victory by pointing to GOP gains last year on his watch — and warning that internal feuds could hand Democrats an opening.

“My opponent spent the last two years attacking other Republicans,” he said, adding: “If we spend the next two years attacking other Republicans, we are going to lose.”

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was the subject of a GAGOP resolution purporting to prevent him from qualifying for office as a Republican. From the AJC:

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger might wind up running for governor or U.S. Senate next year. But last weekend’s Georgia GOP convention was a reminder he still must contend with an angry activist base.

The delegates approved a resolution calling on GOP officials to block him from qualifying on the Republican ticket and to “fully defend against any future litigation or legal action” taken by his team.

It appears to be mostly symbolic. Legal experts say Georgia law requires the party to qualify contenders who meet “procedural rules.” And Georgia GOP chair Josh McKoon told us the party intends to follow law.

“I said throughout the campaign that I would not purchase a lawsuit by refusing to qualify people that meet the legal standard set forth in Georgia law,” he said.

Still, there’s a legal gray area. Bryan Tyson, an election law expert, noted appellate courts haven’t ruled definitively on the issue yet. He pointed to the Georgia Republican Assembly, the far-right group behind the resolution, which unsuccessfully fought in court to let local GOP officials in rural Catoosa County decide who can qualify as a Republican.

“The challenge is that once this kind of approach of a small group choosing candidates instead of voters applies to one candidate, no one is safe,” he said.

Activists also dinged House Speaker Jon Burns by passing a resolution that condemned him for blocking ultra-conservative state Sen. Colton Moore of Trenton from the House chambers. Burns, who took the House Republican caucus on a timely retreat to Jekyll Island over the weekend as the Georgia GOP met in Dalton, shrugged it off. His spokesman, Kayla Roberson Green, said the House leader is “not concerned.”

“The Speaker and the entire House caucus are focused on productive things like passing more historic conservative legislation and winning elections,” she said.

United States Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Extreme NW GA) discussed whether she’s interested in running for Governor, according to the AJC.

Greene spoke to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about her next political step, making clear that a bid for governor is on her radar.

She criticized Carr for not joining 40 other attorneys general who urged Congress to reject a federal measure that would bar states from governing the use of artificial intelligence systems for the next 10 years. Carr spokesman Neil Bitting noted that Greene voted in favor of the moratorium in the Trump-backed tax bill.

And she knocked state Republicans for not eliminating the state income tax and approving tax credits for green energy companies that have helped fuel Georgia’s electric vehicle and battery manufacturing boom.

On whether she’s inching closer to a run for governor

“It’s definitely something that I think is smart for me to consider, but it’s not a decision I take lightly. I absolutely love my district. I cannot say that enough times. I think Georgia’s 14th District is wonderful. and I have a very powerful position in Congress. But I love my state. I really do.”

On whether she’s happy with the current GOP field

“I’m not throwing criticism on any of them, but I am not overly impressed at this time. The only declared governor’s candidate is Chris Carr, and I was very shocked and disappointed to see that he did not sign on with 40 other attorney generals across the country on the letter they sent to Washington about the moratorium on AI … It’s a deal breaker.”

On a pro-Trump strategy

“I don’t think anybody should run on their relationship with President Trump, because I certainly could run on that probably better than anyone. I think they should run on their track record, and I think they should run on their own platform — and what they’re going to do for the people and the businesses of Georgia.”

On the potential of a Kemp-Trump joint endorsement in a Senate campaign

“I’ve always thought there’s tremendous power between President Trump and Gov. Kemp. And you know, I’ve supported the governor, I’ve supported him a long time. And, of course, I absolutely have always supported President Trump. So I think that, that unity is a good thing. I don’t know about which candidate yet. … But the people of Georgia need to pick who they want.”

From the AJC at the GAGOP State Convention:

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who is preparing a campaign for governor, boasted of his close ties with Trump and flaunted his frequent calls with the president and his early endorsement of Trump’s 2016 run.

“I’ve taken all the battle scars and everything else. I know who ran and hid during 2020 and everything else. The circle was small,” he said. “So if you want to run, run as yourself. Run on what you believe in. And I’m a big Trump supporter.”

It was a not so subtle jab at his rival, Attorney General Chris Carr, who was opposed by Trump in 2022 but has tried to get back into the president’s good graces. Carr swung by the convention Friday, though he didn’t speak, holding a nearby fundraiser instead.

The two most prominent GOP Senate contenders in the race, Insurance Commissioner John King and U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, also voiced strong support for Trump — and made clear they planned to stay in the race regardless of whom he backs.

King said his goal is to provide Trump “backup in the Senate,” while Carter echoed his campaign ads branding himself a “MAGA warrior.”

“Georgians voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump for president last year,” Carter said. “They deserve someone who supports him in the Senate.”

Then there was Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, a candidate for lieutenant governor, who labeled himself a “Trump Republican” — and dismissed his rivals as “country club” Republicans.

At least three State Senators are running for Lieutenant Governor, according to the AJC.

[Last] week, Senate President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy announced his campaign for the Republican nomination. The Macon attorney joins two of his chamber colleagues in the race: Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, a Dahlonega Republican, and state Sen. Josh McLaurin, an Atlanta Democrat.

Republican state Sens. Greg Dolezal of Cumming and Blake Tillery of Vidalia both have had their names floated as potential lieutenant governor candidates. And both have indicated they plan to run for the office.

Tillery has also filed paperwork with the state to begin raising money for his expected lieutenant governor candidacy, although he said he is waiting on current Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to announce his plans for 2026 before launching his campaign. Jones is expected to announce a run for governor in the coming months.

“Burt Jones isn’t just the lieutenant governor, he’s my friend,” Tillery said. “I feel I owe him the respect of letting him announce his decision before I publicly start measuring for new drapes. That doesn’t mean I can’t prepare for what I expect him to do, though.”

Kennedy and Gooch hold top leadership positions, and Tillery is chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senate rules require Kennedy to step down from his position as the chamber’s second in command. And Senate Republican Caucus rules require Gooch to leave his post as the majority leader.

Elections for a new majority leader are expected to happen before the end of the month. Senate rules say the chamber will select a new pro tem when they reconvene in January.

But the changes would also play out in the two-year legislative cycle beginning in 2027 since politicians who seek higher office must also vacate their current seats. That means leadership would have to replace Tillery as appropriations chair, which writes the state budget. Dolezal would also need to be replaced as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

Sticker Shock: Monroe County property owners may receive shocking news when their property tax assessments arrive, according to 13WMAZ.

Monroe County homeowners will face steep property tax increases after a recent reassessment sent some property values soaring by as much as 90%, with rural residents hit the hardest, county officials said.

Gary Pyron, a Monroe County resident, said his property tax bill jumped by more than $1,000 this year, though he was unsure of the exact percentage.

Monroe County District 2 Commissioner Eddie Rowland said the county anticipated an overall valuation increase of about 18%, but did not expect nearly all of that increase to fall on residential properties.

“We knew there was gonna be a valuation increase overall of about 18%. What we didn’t know was that almost that entire increase was gonna be borne by residential properties, which made those properties go up 40, 50, even 80% to 90%,” Rowland said.

Rowland said rural properties were long undervalued compared to homes in higher-density areas, and this reassessment brought them up to market value, resulting in larger increases for those homeowners.

In response, Rowland said the county commission is moving to freeze property taxes at 2024 levels, giving officials time to revalue commercial properties and consider a millage rate cut for 2026. Rowland added that the freeze won’t significantly impact the county’s $55 million budget, as it simply shifts where tax revenue comes from.

Many residents, including Pyron, have held off on appealing their property values after the county advised against sending in appeal letters due to the volume already received and the planned freeze.

Rowland also addressed House Bill 581, the Save the Homes Act, which went into effect statewide in January.

The law establishes a floating homestead exemption, capping annual increases in taxable home values at the rate of inflation, with 2024 as the base year. Monroe County initially opted out of the law, but Rowland said leaders now plan to opt in for the coming year, calling it “the best game going right now” for property tax relief.

The proposed tax freeze and changes still require approval from the Monroe County Commission and the Department of Revenue before taking effect.

For now, Rowland is urging homeowners to prepare documentation in case next year’s property values rise again and are promising more transparency as the process continues.

Sticker Shock: Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Robert Busbee submitted a budget request including 78% more from Bulloch County, according to the Statesboro Herald.

District Attorney Robert Busbee of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, who took office in January, has requested increased funding from the circuit’s four counties, including initially a 78% increase in funding from the government of the largest county, Bulloch.

Bulloch County’s funding to its Animal Services agency, he notes, has been more than what it provides the D.A.’s Office, which prosecutes all of the county’s felony criminal cases. What the county administration and commissioners have offered so far, in the county’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, which opens July 1, is a 20% increase.

“The budget has been probably our biggest problem since I’ve gotten into the office. We’ve made a lot of structural changes to try to address our lack of funding,” said Busbee, previously a private-practice defense attorney. “When I first come in, of course, I’ve got no idea how much money it would take to run the office. Neither did my predecessor, it would seem.”

So he went online and found census data, figured out which Georgia judicial circuits were similar in size, and created a comparison with four circuits ranking just above and four just below to the Ogeechee Circuit, and looked at counties’ budgets – most but not all of which are available online – for the D.A.’s office line item. Of the four Ogeechee Circuit counties he used only Bulloch County, population 81,099 as of 2020, and Effingham County, population 64,769, in his comparison. They are by far the largest counties in the circuit, which also includes Jenkins and Screven counties.

The chart he produced of 18 counties’ fiscal 2025 D.A. budgets showed Bulloch, with $688,058 funding to the D.A.’s office, or $8.48 per capita, and Effingham, with $637,510, or $9.84 per capita, at the very bottom among the roughly similar-size counties from various circuits. Topping the chart was Catoosa County, population 67,872, with over $2 million funding to its district attorney’s office, or $29.74 per resident. Liberty County, at Hinesville, was fifth, with 65,256 people, and almost $1.26 million D.A.’s office funding, or $19.29 per resident. Glynn County, at Brunswick, which with 84,488 people is very similar to Bulloch in population, was shown with $1.3 million in D.A.’s office funding, or $19.29 per capita.

One consideration missing from this comparison is the fact that departments such as Bulloch County Animal Services are one-county, county-funded agencies. District attorney’s offices receive state funding for at least some of the attorneys’ salaries. The Statesboro Herald is seeking further information on this.

A related question, not researched by the newspaper at this point, is whether some of the higher-budgeted counties include state funding as a pass-through in their totals. Bulloch and Effingham show only the allocations of county money to the D.A.’s Office. What Busbee had requested was that those two counties increase their funding shares for his agency to $15 per capita. That would have made Bulloch County’s share $1,216,485, a 78% increase, and Effingham’s share $971,535.

New State Law: The “Georgia Survivor Justice Act,” HB 582 by State Rep. Stan Gunter (R-Blairsville) goes into effect next month, according to WTVM.

A new Georgia law offers hope for domestic violence victims, part of it involving changes in punishment.

It’s called the Survivor Justice Act. It’s designed to help victims of abuse as they go through the court system, and it can help reduce sentences for survivors already serving time in prison.

It’s justice for survivors, essentially that’s what this bill is all about, giving victims of crimes like sex trafficking or domestic violence, protection if they had to protect themselves in order to survive or escape abuse. The best thing about this new law is that it’s retroactive.

With this new law, survivors of abuse can present evidence of past abuse to get reduced sentences, even if they’ve already been convicted.

“50 to 74 percent of the women who are currently incarcerated in Georgia are in there based on domestic violence.” Said researcher for House Bill 582, Jaketra Bryant.

Georgia House Bill 582 would allow survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and other crimes to have the full context of their situation considered at both trial and sentencing. In contrast, it was not before, according to researcher Jaketra Bryant.

New State Law: The “Protecting Georgia’s Children on Social Media Act,” SB 351 by State Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas) (introduced 2024, signed by Gov. Kemp in 2024) also becomes effective next month, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

A new Georgia law will go into effect July 1 which will impact a range of Internet uses, including a big one.

Signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in April, Georgia Senate Bill 351 is also known as the “Protecting Georgia’s Children on Social Media Act.” Its overall goal is to promote “safe and appropriate” use of technology, especially to young people.

Here are a few things it requires:

• The Department of Education will develop model programs for educating students regarding online safety while using the Internet.
• Local school boards must implement programs in all grade levels discouraging bullying and promoting responsible digital citizenship.
• No social media platform will permit minor users without a parent or guardian’s express consent.

One of the items of this bill requires public websites with “a substantial portion of material that is harmful to minors” to use an age verification system. The most common form of this would be the submission of a government ID (like a driver’s license).

The bill has some specific language defining “material that is harmful to minors.” It also has more broad language: “Any material that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find, taking the material as a whole and with respect to minors, isdesigned to appeal to, or is designed to pander to, prurient interest.”

“Prurient” is defined as “Having or encouraging an excessive interest in sexual matters.”

Child safety advocates and state legislators argue that more needs to be done to keep children safe online and away from adult material.

Free speech advocates and adult entertainment lobbyists say the laws are hurting adults who have the right to access such content and warn that the definition of “adult material” can be weaponized against sex education sites, medical advice sites, and sites with LGBTQ+ content whether it is erotic or not, and say the requirement to share personal information is both excessive and ineffective.

The Association of County Commissioners of Georgia presented State Rep. Sam Park (D-Gwinnett) with their ACCG 2025 Legislative Service Award, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Association of County Commissioners of Georgia Government Affairs Director Todd Edwards presented the organization’s ACCG 2025 Legislative Service Award to Park during the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday. ACCG hands out the award to Georgia representatives and senators for “going above and beyond” to work with counties, according to Edwards.

“Since you were elected to office, Rep. Park, you’ve always been a phone call away or a text away,” Edwards told Park during the presentation. “We were always able to get in, have meetings with you and I really appreciate that.”

One of the reasons Park was recognized this year because of his work to oppose a bill that dealt with service delivery negotiations between counties and new cities.

The bill, which was introduced by Sen. Clint Dixon, passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, was crafted as statewide legislation. It was written in such a way, however, that it only applies to a dispute between Gwinnett County and the new city of Mulberry.

Gwinnett County is now suing the state of over the legislation.

“This year, Rep. Park took the lead in opposing legislation that set a dangerous new precedent statewide for county and city service delivery as well as the waiver of sovereign immunity for counties,” Edwards said.

Federal ICE Agents made arrests, possibly at Mexican restaurants in Bulloch County, according to WTOC.

ICE made several arrests in Bulloch County Friday, according to the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office.

BCSO tells us they assisted ICE on multiple traffic stops early in the morning.

Less than 10 people were arrested and all of them were sent to Savannah.

At the same time, at least three separate Mexican restaurants in Bulloch County announced temporary closures Friday.

We checked with the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office said they cannot confirm if the closures are linked to the ICE arrests, some are still closed.

The Dalton Board of Education is expected to vote today on their proposed FY 2026 budget, according to the Dalton Daily Citizen.

The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education adopted a tentative budget, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Budget Director Paige Cooley shared at Wednesday’s Informal Board Meeting that the Chatham County Board of Assessors had not yet officially provided the local tax digest information. The data has typically been supplied by this point in years past. She said she understood that House Bill 581 processing was causing the delay, even though the school district opted out. The county commissioners, though, opted to remain in.

During its proposal to opt out back in March, the school district had cited the county’s existing homestead exemption, Stephens Day, and uncertainties about how H.B. 581 could evolve due to, at the time, pending H.B. 92. Since the school district’s vote, Governor Brian Kemp signed H.B. 92 into law, which allows local municipalities to reverse their choice to opt out.

The tax assessors office delay has prevented Cooley and the district’s budget team from officially factoring local tax revenue into the budget. She reminded the board that the district had projected growth in Chatham County to be 10%, however, she said unofficially via email the tax assessors office informed the district that growth was 7.05%. She said that “made quite a bit of difference in the projection that we had on the last budget update.” She has since factored in 7.05% growth, though the district still awaits the official count.

Three candidates for Albany City Commission Ward 2 met with residents, according to the Albany Herald.

Albany City Commission candidates for Ward II spent the evening mingling and answering questions of the ward’s constituents last week..

Muarlean Edwards, Henry Mathis and Willie Weaver met with Historic Rawson Circle and Palmyra Heights residents at the Garden Center at Historic Rawson Circle. Julie Miller with the Rawson Circle Garden District said the event wasn’t a debate but an opportunity for the candidates to meet residents one-on-one and to address constituent concerns. About 20 residents filled the Garden Center to hear from candidates.

The candidates each gave four-minute introductions in which they touched on their campaign priorities.

Georgia’s shrimping season opens tomorrow, according to WTOC via WALB.

Shrimpers in our area are already working to prepare supplies and their businesses for the long season ahead.

Shrimpers in the area like Bill Harris are preparing for the eight-month-long season ahead.

“The state waters open up Tuesday at 8:00,” said Harris.

His dock is in McIntosh County.

He’s the owner of Sapelo Shrimp Company and boats are already lining up for the approaching season.

“The guys have been catching shrimp since April. As we get into spring and the water temperatures warm up, the shrimp start moving offshore and they guys are allowed to troll three miles off shore and so far they’ve been getting some great catches,” said Harris.

Harris said he’s hoping this year will bring a better season.

Last year shrimpers faced weak prices, making it a slow season for him and many others in the industry.

“We didn’t have the boats traveling down, they didn’t feel it was feasible to come here and work. This year we’ve got a much better prices, the boats are taking profits and you can see we’ve got a lot of boats in the area working,” said Harris.