Hatchett: Week 11 Under the Gold Dome

With just one week left under the Gold Dome, we are not slowing down. We are fulfilling our responsibility to lower costs, protect your family and make sure Georgia continues to lead in responsible government. This week, the Senate took up House Bill 974, a $38.

Going back to a hometown that is no longer home

The American novelist Thomas Wolfe wrote, “You Can’t Go Home Again.” He was correct. You can’t. I tried it along with my friend, Philip. A near-fatal attack of sepsis has made driving an automobile a challenge for me and a firm no-no to my kids.

The fight against red tape continues in Georgia

Georgia is one of many states that has recently begun to look critically at its growing regulatory code.

TSPLOST paves way for community partnership

Patrons to Rabun County businesses will see a sales tax increase by one penny to 8 percent beginning April 1 and for the next five years following the passing of the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) in the Nov. 4, 2025, election.

Doubt, uncertainty and NOT knowing what the answer is

Richard Feynman said that he could live with doubt and uncertainty when faced with a problem, a mental challenge, or a research issue. Today there is immense attention and uncertainty as to what should be done about the war in Iran.

April showers us with future flowers & important awareness opportunities

For as long as I can remember, the phrase “April showers bring May flowers” announces the beginning of April for me. I don’t know when I first heard that saying, but it is now as embedded in my mind as the idea that the earth is round and that Georgia weather just might be bi-polar.

State House bills fail to address most pressing issues

Recently, we heard from State Rep. Victor Anderson about the Crossover Day push. It is clear to me that these bills fail to address the most pressing matters affecting Georgians. If bills benefitted the majority, then they would pass quickly. Now these bills are off to the state Senate for debate.

Hatchett: Week 10 Under the Gold Dome

With just days remaining in the 2026 Legislative Session before Sine Die on April 2, we are in a full sprint to deliver on the promises we made to you.

It’s The Law: ‘Tis the season for tax scams

Filing taxes can be stressful, and to make it worse there are unscrupulous people who are trying to take your money. Robocalls, texts, and phishing emails from scammers are up this tax season compared to previous years, with artificial intelligence likely increasing fraud attempts.

A eulogy to a friend and neighbor who made a difference

I received a note from a reader last week chiding me for writing about the Okefenokee so much and that he and others were tired of it. In fact, I have done only two columns on the Okefenokee this year, but I did allow mining proponents and opponents to express their positions on the subject.