Tag: Georgia Lawmakers

Georgia Lawmakers Pass Bill to Update Criminal Data and Allow Proactive Investigation of Voter Fraud

The Center Square

Georgia lawmakers approved a measure to update the state’s criminal data reporting system and allow the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to proactively investigate election fraud.

One part of Senate Bill 441, the Criminal Record Responsibility Act, would form the Criminal Case Data Exchange Board. It would oversee a process for criminal justice agencies, clerks of court and probation and parole supervision offices to electronically report updates to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) database.

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Georgia Department of Public Safety: Salary Increase for Employees Is ‘Mandatory’

The Center Square
officer using radar gun in SUV to check Georgia residents' speed

One of Georgia’s top law enforcement officials is calling on Georgia lawmakers to increase taxpayer-funded pay and benefits for state law enforcement employees.

Georgia Department of Public Safety Chief of Staff Maj. Joshua Lamb told members of the Senate Retirement Security for Georgians Study Committee on Thursday it is “mandatory” to increase pay to recruit and keep current law enforcement employees.

Lamb said the department has a 22% turnover rate and annual job applications have decreased by 60% over the past three years.

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Georgia Lawmakers Say Tax-Credit Audit, Tobacco Tax Hike Could Deepen State Coffers

The Center Square

State leaders and economists believe Georgia’s fiscal outlook is promising despite the economic strain from the COVID-19 pandemic, but some lawmakers say the state can do more to secure additional revenue.

Sens. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome; Jen Jordan, D-Atlanta; and House Minority Leader James Beverly, D-Macon, said the state needs to re-evaluate its tax incentive programs to eliminate waste and ensure tax equity.

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