1. GOP majority in Georgia Legislature passes 'religious liberty' bill.
The Georgia Legislature over the course of a few hours Wednesday unveiled changes to a controversial "religious liberty" bill and gave it final passage, setting off a collision course with corporate leaders and gay rights advocates over charges that it would legalize discrimination in Georgia. House Bill 757 now goes to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature to become law, a culmination of two years of debate, attacks, counterattacks and emotional speeches from both supporters and opponents. Read more.
2. Georgia Senate OKs big income tax cut; fate uncertain in house.
The Georgia Senate took another shot at reducing state income taxes Wednesday, voting to cut the top rate by 10 percent. The Senate's passage of a repurposed House Bill 238 on a 35-17 vote was the second effort its made in recent weeks to cut income taxes. The chamber approved a proposed constitutional amendment about two weeks ago that would lower the top rate if the state meets certain revenue projections and builds up reserves. House Bill 238, which began as a tax break for expanding Atlanta's aquarium,was converted into a 10 percent cut in the top state income tax rate — from 6 percent to 5.4 percent. It would also eliminate many deductions while keeping the full mortgage deduction for most Georgians. In addition, it would increase the personal exemption taxpayers can take and eliminate corporate net worth taxes. Read more.
3. U.S. education secretary talks college completion at Georgia State.
Newly confirmed U.S. education secretary John King visited Georgia State University on Wednesday to get a firsthand look at the the school's methods for getting students graduated. The Georgia State visit was the first stop on the federal education department's "College Opportunity Across America" tour. King, who was confirmed for the position this week, was joined by education department undersecretary Ted Mitchell. They heard from Georgia State students and advisers about the intensive advising, student monitoring and data-tracking system that has helped keep students on track and become a national and statewide model. Read more.
4. Unofficial Business: Panama City Beach puts spring break in headlock.
PCB has yanked the beer funnel from the beak of its golden goose. That's not easy for a community built on making money serving outsiders to crack down on some of those same people. It's mostly college kids in town now, but high school spring break — fed heavily by metro Atlanta — starts soon. The sandy strip that made its name with generations of Atlantans has also become synonymous with spring break debauchery for a much wider area, from the Northeast, throughout the South and over to the Midwest. Read more.
5. Obama's Supreme Court pick ignites partisan acrimony.
President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced his intent to nominate federal Judge Merrick Garland to fill the the late Antonin Scalia's seat on the Supreme Court, formally kicking off a bitter election-year battle with Senate Republicans that could overshadow all other work in Washington in the lead-up to the November races. Garland, 63, is the top judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and is considered a moderate and seasoned legal mind who has earned respect from both sides of the aisle. Obama's selection of him over younger, more liberal or diverse alternatives is designed to inflict maximum political pain on Senate Republicans, who have promised to block any of the president's picks. Read more.
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