In a newly-passed state budget increase, Georgia teachers and state employees will get pay raises. It’s the fourth pay raise since Governor Brian Kemp took office. While this extra money could help with teacher retention, the Georgia Association of Educators believes that there is still work to be done when it comes to teacher burnout in the state. According to the Georgia Department of Education, 47% of teachers leave the profession within five years.
One felony arrest Saturday in Walker County. 56-year-old Sandra Lynn Gracy was charged with obstruction, simple batter of a police officer and other charges.
One person died in a house fire in Ringgold on Friday. Catooa County officials said four firefighters also received burn injuries while battling the flames. First responders transported them to the hospital for treatment. Catoosa County firefighters were battling the fire on Starlite Lane just off of Highway 41. Authorities are investigating to determine the cause of the fire. The identities of those involved have not yet been identified.
Georgia’s two-year legislative session ended early Friday, after lawmakers stayed past midnight on Thursday pass some bills and reject others as the term ended. Lawmakers rejected legalizing sports betting, but agreed to tighten rules on law enforcement cooperation with immigration officials. Some key proposals had already passed before Thursday, including a plan to cut income taxes and a bill that would loosen Georgia’s rules for permitting new health care facilities. Others failed, such as a proposal to expand Medicaid health insurance to more lower income adults and an effort to overhaul Georgia’s tax incentives for movie and television production. Gov. Brian Kemp will have 40 days to sign, veto, or allow legislation to become law without his signature after the session ends, and many lawmakers will turn their focus to reelection, with all 56 Senate seats and 180 House seats on the ballot this year.
