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…
Atlanta City Council moves closer to Inspector General approval
On Tuesday, the Atlanta City Council moved forward with legislation that would amend the city’s charter and create an Office of Inspector General. As a charter-changing amendment, the ordinance requires three reads and two adoptions by the Council. Tuesday’s...Hearings get underway after Kemp introduces proposed budget
It is the second week of the Georgia General Assembly and that means budget talks are underway. This year talks could get more intense as lawmakers look for ways to trim the budget and meet the challenge by Governor Brian Kemp to cut spending by 4 percent this...Another record year for Georgia Tourism
The State Capitol Tuesday played host to the state’s annual Tourism, Hospitality and Arts Day, which celebrates and recognizes the tourism and hospitality industries and the massive impact they have on the Georgia economy. Explore Georgia, the tourism arm...Two bills impacting elections filed by Georgia lawmakers
We are only a week into the 2020 legislative session and two different bills impacting Georgia elections have already been filed. A bill pre-filed in the Georgia Senate would make Election Day a state holiday, and another bill filed in the House would codify...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...
