The Atlanta City Council this week submitted a request to the state legislature asking them to repeal the state’s prohibition on rent controls. Citing rising housing costs, the Atlanta officials hope that allowing for rent control might lead to more affordable housing within city limits. However, 81% of economists agree that rent control is a bad policy, one that decreases stock of rental units, driving the average price up not down, and actually further fuels gentrification rather than limiting it. With a legislature that figures to be very reluctant to institute such a policy, the bid for rent control in Atlanta is SINKING…
Georgia ranked at bottom for boozing
Teetotalers. Abraham Lincoln was one. George W. Bush became one. President Trump is as well, likely one of few things he shares with his possible eventual-opponent Joe Biden. It’s not too common a trait but about one-third of Americans say they abstain from...Ott era ends; Cobb Co. politics in constant flux
The announcement by District 2 Cobb County Commissioner Bob Ott that he won’t seek re-election this year further stirs the political pot in Georgia’s third largest county. While the Delta Air Line pilot’s east Cobb district is a Republican bastion, the rest of...State’s Chief Turnaround Officer hands in resignation
For a little more than two years, Eric Thomas has served as Georgia’s chief turnaround officer — charged by legislation to turn around the state’s chronically failing schools. He was hired as the first CTO in late 2017 under former Gov. Nathan Deal as a...Governor Kemp delivers State of the State
In a packed Joint Session in the Gold Dome’s House chamber, Governor Brian Kemp delivered the annual State of the State address on Thursday. Kemp discussed a number of issues central to his campaign and administration in the last year and gave a preview of...Georgia leaders want to reform foster care system
Georgia’s foster care system should be a hot topic among state lawmakers during this session of the General Assembly that kicked off Monday morning. Both Governor Brian Kemp and Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan have begun laying out their plans for revamping foster...
