Bartow officials pushing tax allocation district legislation
Bartow County officials are pushing legislation that would allow local voters to approve the creation of a special tax allocation district — possibly with a project in mind. The Rome News-Tribune is reporting that Jacoby Development, the company behind Atlanta's Atlantic Station, wants to build a major mixed-use development on property south of Cartersville once slated to house a major high-tech theme park. The theme park project was dropped about a year ago. Steve Taylor, a Bartow County commissioner, told the newspaper that local legislation has been introduced to enable local residents to vote on a tax allocation district to enhance county development opportunities. Taylor would not discuss specifics of the Jacoby Development, known as the Villages at Red Top.
Georgia English-only proposal draws attention
In Tuesday's Washington Post, a story appeared with the headline: "Democrats blast push for English-only communications in Georgia." It came from The Associated Press and discussed a bill that would abolish Georgia's status as one of 40 states that currently communicate with taxpayers in languages other than English. Its sponsor, state Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, says his proposal "definitely has a taxpayer benefit, but there's also a benefit for non-English speakers, since a key to economic success is adopting the language quickly." Democrats said if they stay united, they should be able to stop the bill.
Are state’s foster children being used as political pawns?
A column published this week at macon.com says Georgia's foster children are being used as political pawns. Columnist Dick Yarbrough puts the blame on Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who's running for governor. At issue, the state Senate, headed by Cagle, has allowed legislation that Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed last year to be attached to what most agree is an overdue measure to update Georgia's adoption process. The revived vetoed bill would give a parent the right to transfer a child to a family member or faith-based organization for up to a year. As such, it plays to voters that Cagle is courting, the column suggests. "I like Casey Cagle personally," Yarbrough states, "but I don't like what he's doing."
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