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...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...One last prefile preview: Military spouses licensure
Today is the big day. The 2020 legislative session gets underway. No more pre-filing. Only filing. One last pre-file that is worth a look comes from Senator Bruce Thompson (R-14 White). Thompson has filed Senate Bill 285, Military Spouses and Veterans...Atlanta testing new “participatory budgeting”
For one more week, interested parties can weigh in on a “participatory budgeting” experiment in the City of Atlanta. Amir Farokhi, City Council Member from District 2 – which includes much of the historic downtown of Atlanta, is seeking the best ideas on how to...
