Hatchett: Week Seven under the Gold Dome

Crossover Day — the deadline for bills to pass out of their original chamber and stay in consideration for this session — is quickly approaching, with committee hearings and legislative debates in full swing. This week, we passed HB 67, the Senate’s version of the 2025 amended fiscal year budget.

A ‘thank you’ to a community who supports our paper

The Clayton Tribune received hundreds of votes in its annual “Best of Rabun County Readers’ Choice Awards” in dozens of categories. Voting was tight, but the community was passionate about their choices.

Joining those who are saying goodbye to DEI

Uh. Oh. This column as you read it may never be the same again. I’m not talking about finally figuring out where commas go. That will never change. No, I am talking about my Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. I am afraid I am going to have to dismantle that sucker.

Answering how a bill would affect premiums is difficult

Gov. Brian Kemp’s push to curb abusive lawsuits cleared a significant hurdle this past week. The state Senate approved a comprehensive reform bill on a mostly party-line vote (one Republican voted against it, and one Democrat for it).

Hatchett: Week Six under the Gold Dome

With Legislative Day 20 behind us, we have officially reached the halfway mark of the 2025 Legislative Session. One of our primary legislative priorities this session has been hurricane relief.

It’s The Law: Is their debt, your debt?

When a celebrity dies, most of us mourn the loss of a star, or athlete, who has given us so much pleasure and excitement during their lifetime.  It is only later, that it is reported that at their death, many of them had debts that were never fully paid back.

County, municipalities, BOE, decide on HB 581

Community members showed up to public hearings and forums to share their opinions about whether the Board of Education, county and certain municipalities should stay in or opt-out of HB 581.

Georgia congressman’s name game a bit lame

Georgia’s 1st Dist. Rep. Buddy Carter is a pharmacist. I can’t be sure, but I’m guessing he may have had a sip or two of Robitussin AC while back home. Why else would he have introduced a bill last week in the U.S. House of Representatives to rename Greenland, “Red, White and Blueland?

Wise to stay recent course of state budgeting, trimming tax rates

Elon Musk’s DOGE squad has dominated headlines during the early weeks of the second Trump administration, with more sure to come.

Hatchett: Week Five under the Gold Dome

Five weeks into the Legislative Session, the Senate remains hard at work protecting Georgia families, safeguarding taxpayer dollars and upholding our conservative values. This week, Senate members met in their respective Appropriations Subcommittees to discuss the House’s budgetary recommendations.