Local Government

Early voting begins on Monday, February 24th allowing Bulloch County voters to decide on whether to renew the 1% SPLOST, which is projected to generate $138 million over six years for infrastructure, public safety, and municipal projects. The penny sales tax continuation will fund key projects like the $51 million jail expansion and $9.6 million landfill project, with remaining funds distributed based on population.

Governor Brian P. Kemp has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Josh Lamb as the new director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), following the departure of former director Chris Stallings.

Mayor Jonathan McCollar will deliver the 2025 State of the City address on February 25, outlining Statesboro’s recent achievements and future vision as the city experiences historic growth and transformation.

Momentum for Medicaid expansion in Georgia is growing as bipartisan support begins to emerge, with advocates hopeful that Senate Bill 50 could help bridge the state's health insurance coverage gap for low-income residents.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has lifted its suspension of poultry activities statewide after extensive testing confirmed no further cases of avian influenza, allowing poultry producers and enthusiasts to resume normal operations.

Sen. Billy Hickman provides an update on recent legislative activities, highlighting key education initiatives, including mandatory kindergarten (SB 65) and a ban on the three-cueing reading system (SB 93), as well as opportunities for students to engage in government through the Senate Page program.

Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) announced priority legislation, sponsored by Rep. Lehman Franklin (R-Statesboro), for the 2025 session to protect access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), ensuring Georgians struggling with infertility can continue receiving this vital treatment.

Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) announced that former Gov. Nathan Deal's chief of staff, Chris Riley, will serve as interim chief of staff in the House speaker's office while Terry England recovers from a recent accident.

This week at the Capitol, the Georgia House of Representatives advanced the Amended Fiscal Year 2025 budget, prioritizing disaster relief, education, healthcare, and public safety while also recognizing the vital contributions of first responders and service members.

House Bill 581 introduces a statewide floating homestead exemption to cap property tax increases at the rate of inflation and allows local governments to implement a sales tax to offset property tax reductions. Statesboro officials must decide by March 1, 2025, whether to opt out of the exemption, while discussions on a potential sales tax referendum continue.