Online Voter Registration in Georgia

ATLANTA, GA (Press Releases) - Following today's announcement by Secretary of State Brian Kemp that Georgia will begin voter registration online and through the My Voter Page app, Georgia Republican Party Chairman John Padgett released the following statements:

"Online voter registration presents an unmistakable opportunity for the Georgia Republican Party to grow in size and strength this year," said Chairman Padgett. "By using the same technology that enables e-commerce and encourages social networking, we can empower Georgians to participate in the political process and engage in what like-minded conservatives from around the state are doing to advance freedom.

Meet Augusta's Mayoral Candidates

Augusta Mayoral Race 2014 from AnibalShow on Vimeo.

Celebrate Augusta Becoming an Age-Friendly Community

AUGUSTA, GA (Al Dallas) - Celebrate Augusta becoming an Age-Friendly Community at the Boathouse Community Center, 101 Riverfront Dr., on Thursday, Mar. 27, at 10 a.m.  Mayor Deke Copenhaver and Commissioner Bill Lockett will receive the designation certificate from Greg Tanner, AARP Georgia State Director.  The designation is from the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr. Azziz Not Pursuing University of Texas System

AUGUSTA, GA (Press Release) – “While I am appreciative to the University of Texas System for their consideration in the search for an inaugural president of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, I have decided not to pursue the opportunity further. It is an honor to be identified with such an esteemed group of leaders and I am confident that the System will select an individual who will create a university that Texans will be proud to call their own.

I am committed to the success of Georgia Regents University and Georgia Regents Health System and will continue to work with state leaders and our university community to cement our place as the nation’s next great American university. I would like to thank the faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members who are working to propel our university forward as we ‘Aspire to Greatness.’”

Last Day for Georgia Legislature 2014 Session

ATLANTA, GA (Rep. Pedro Marin) - The Senate and House reached final agreement Tuesday on a $20.8 billion state budget for fiscal year 2015. The budget, which takes effect July 1, represents a 5 percent increase over the current year and includes $314 million in additional Quality Basic Education formula funds for public schools, which is only a 4 percent restoration of the $7.6 billion cut from the budget over the past decade. HB 744 now goes to Gov. Nathan Deal, who can sign the budget in its entirety or veto selected line items.

Irish-Americans Want Fair Immigration Reform

Leaders from the Georgia Irish-American Community Send Clear Message to Rep. Doug Collins on Immigration: “Help Us Right a Historical Wrong”

Georgia Delegates Join Group of over 40 Irish-Americans from Across the Country, Remind House of What’s at Stake for the Irish-American Community in the Absence of Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Cat-A-Van Reading Tour in Augusta

AUGUSTA, GA ((Staci Maiers) - The Cat is back in town! Augusta is the next stop on the Cat-a-Van Reading Tour, a multi-state reading tour that is part of NEA’s Read Across America celebrations. For the 17th year, the National Education Association has teamed up with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. for the Cat-a-Van Reading Tour, sponsored this year by Renaissance Dental and designed to get children excited about reading.

Censured Augusta Commissioner Running Unopposed

AUGUSTA, GA (AS) - Official list of qualified candidates through the close of the qualifying period, which ended MARCH 7 at noon.  Barring any withdrawals or disqualifications, these are the candidates whose names will appear on the 5/20 ballot for Mayor, Augusta Commission Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Board of Education Districts 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, and the 2 State Court Judge races.

President Obama Declares Disaster for Georgia

Broad Street and 10th Street, downtown, Augusta, Georgia, three weeks after Storm Pax.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Georgia to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm during the period of February 10-14, 2014.

Protections Against South Carolina Anti-Immigrant Law

Police Asking "Show me your paper" Blocked

Charleston, S.C. (ACLU) – A civil rights coalition that challenged South Carolina’s anti-immigrant law, Act 69 (also known as SB 20), announced -March 3- an agreement with the state that permanently blocks key provisions and provides strict limits on the “racial profiling” provisions of the law. The agreement was also entered into by the U.S. Department of Justice, effectively ending two consolidated lawsuits against Act 69 in the state.

Insurance Commissioner Candidate Against HB 707

First the good news:  I am now officially a candidate to become your Democratic Georgia Commissioner of Insurance.  With supporters standing with me, I was the first candidate to qualify for this critical position.

GRU Chief to Serve as Presidential Facilitator

AUGUSTA, GA (Christen Carter) – Georgia Regents University President Ricardo Azziz will serve as presidential facilitator for the American Council on Education’s Institute for New Presidents during the organization’s 96^th Annual Meeting March 8-11 in San Diego.

EV Tax Credit Under Attack in Georgia

UPDATED 3/7/2014 - As you may have heard, the electric vehicle tax credit elimination bill passed the GA House this week with an effective date change to July 1, and then a promise from the sponsor of major changes when it got to the Senate. Today, he made good on that promise.