Blog Topic: Government

In the Loop: Bill Cowsert Explains His Vote for a Tax Hike

By Lee Becker | June 1, 2015 11:09am

State Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) told a small group of Oconee County Republicans earlier this month that he voted in favor of the tax increases for transportation in March because the bill gave legislators more control over the Georgia Department of Transportation and “capped” the fuel tax—something the tax bill does only in part.

Cowsert also defended the $5 per night fee added to hotel and other lodging bills as part of the transportation act on the grounds that most of those paying the fee will be from out of state.

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In the Loop: Serious Problems Found at Oconee Sewer Plants

By Lee Becker | May 28, 2015 10:28am

Photo Credit: Lee Becker

Melvin Davis.

A month-long investigation of effluent from the county’s Calls Creek sewage plant outside Watkinsville became Tuesday last night when Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis reported that the county had received the resignation of two of the plant’s employees.

The county also released a six-page report by a consultant hired to review the operation of both of the country’s sewage treatment facilities.

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In the Loop: Georgia State Rep Thinks Universities Shouldn't Investigate Sexual Assaults

By Blake Aued | May 22, 2015 11:29am

Photo Credit: House Photo Office

State Rep. Earl Erhart (R-Powder Springs).

State Rep. Earl Erhart (R-Powder Springs) wants to hold hearings on how colleges and universities handle sexual assaults—but not for the reason you might think.

Erhart—chairman of the House subcommittee that handles higher education funding—is not worried about sexual assault survivors seeking justice, but about the rights of the accused.

The Marietta Daily Journal explains:

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In the Loop: Pro-Medicaid Protesters Booted from GOP Convention

By Blake Aued | May 15, 2015 7:09pm

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones

ACC Commissioner Kelly Girtz speaks at a rally for Medicaid expansion outside the Classic Center.

About 100–150 protesters were kicked out of the Classic Center during the Georgia Republican convention this afternoon as they waved signs and chanted slogans in favor of expanding Medicaid to an estimated 650,000 Georgians who lack health insurance.

The rally started outside at about 5 p.m. “There are people dying every day single day just because we’re not expanding Medicaid,” said Tim Denson of Athens for Everyone.

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In the Loop: Medicaid Advocates Are Protesting at the GOP Convention in Athens

By Blake Aued | May 14, 2015 2:26pm

Photo Credit: Michael Rivera

Two progressive groups, Athens for Everyone and Moral Monday Georgia, are organizing a rally for Medicaid expansion at 5 p.m. Friday in front of the Classic Center, where Georgia Republicans will be holding their biannual convention.

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In the Loop: Is ACC Finally Getting Serious About Pedestrian Safety?

By John Huie | May 14, 2015 12:11pm

Photo Credit: Peter Frey/UGA

Hundreds of students cross Lumpkin Street every day.

On a typical day, more than 1,000 students cross Lumpkin Street adjacent to campus every hour on foot, making it the county's busiest pedestrian zone, and setting up potentially dangerous conflicts with car traffic. Accident data from the past five years show Lumpkin's hills to be the most dangerous areas—26 reported bike and pedestrian accidents— followed by Dougherty Street downtown and Prince Avenue between Pulaski and Barber streets, where, Athens-Clarke County Transportation Director David Clark told commissioners last week, car speeds are "still extremely high.”

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In the Loop: Gov. Deal Vetoes the Flagpole Crosswalk Act

By Blake Aued | May 13, 2015 2:01pm

Photo Credit: Porter McLeod

Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have required drivers to stop at crosswalks when beacons are flashing—not because he wants you to get run over, necessarily, but because he's worried about the implications for cyclist safety.

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In the Loop: Fill Out This Survey if You Care About the Eastside

By Blake Aued | May 6, 2015 2:01pm

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

Today is the last day to complete a survey that will help Athens-Clarke County officials determine how to improve Lexington Road.

A committee of commissioners and others has been meeting for almost a year to look at ways to spruce up the Eastside corridor, including traffic, beautification and revitalizing the Willowood shopping center at the corner of Lexington and Gaines School Road.

The survey also includes questions about Athens-Ben Epps Airport. Fill it out here.

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In the Loop: Commission Approves Backyard Chickens in Athens

By Blake Aued | May 5, 2015 8:55pm

Sorry, Commissioner Rooster. You're still illegal.

Peep this: The Athens-Clarke County Commission approved an ordinance allowing backyard chickens tonight by an 8–1 vote.

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In the Loop: Athens Publisher: Gov. Deal Is Arrogant and Dictatorial

By Blake Aued | April 30, 2015 11:29am

Dink NeSmith.

Dink NeSmith, president of the Athens-based Community Newspapers chain and former chairman of the University System Board of Regents, penned a column earlier this week accusing Gov. Nathan Deal of using “dictatorial tactics” and “political meddling” in higher education.

NeSmith was set off by Deal’s remarks at recent a Grady College of Journalism event, in which the governor said that, because his staff uses Twitter and Facebook, they can communicate directly with constituents and don’t need traditional news media anymore.

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