Last updated 9:25PM ET
May 18, 2013
Atlanta All Things Considered
Atlanta All Things Considered
Key Lawmaker Says Transit Governance Bill Shelved Until Next Year A key lawmaker says legislation that would create a new umbrella transit board for metro Atlanta will not come up for a vote this year. Jonathan Shapiro reports.
Bill Attracts First Amendment Concerns New legislation would place a hefty fine on individuals and organized groups that demonstrate outside of private homes and businesses. It has first amendment attorneys deeply concerned. Jonathan Shapiro reports.
The financial impact (or not) of Black History Month Some black history attractions see the numbers rise in February. Others don't.
Santorum's Georgia Volunteers Look to Seize Opportunity Since a string of largely symbolic victories in Colorado, Missouri, and Minnesota earlier this month, former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum has surged in national polls. Now in position as Mitt Romney's chief rival, Santorum has done anything but play it safe. Tonight, the nation's attention will be zeroed in on the Michigan and Arizona primaries, but Santorum's Georgia supporters are quietly laying the groundwork for a strong Super Tuesday. Jonathan Shapiro reports.
Dozens Protest Measure to Ban Undocumented Students from Georgia's Public Colleges Dozens gathered in front of the state capitol Tuesday to protest legislation that would ban illegal immigrants from all of the state's public colleges and universities.
T-SPLOST Battle Continues: DeKalb NAACP Announces Opposition In a conversation with WABE broadcast on Friday, Feb. 24th, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed made the case for the regional transportation sales tax, or "T-SPLOST," which goes before voters in July. But also last week, the DeKalb County Branch of the NAACP announced it will campaign for a "no" vote. Branch president, and former DeKalb County Commissioner, John Evans spoke with WABE's Denis O'Hayer.
Stalled Solar Bill Gets New Life in Different Committee A stalled Senate bill that would make it easier for Georgians to finance the installation of solar panels appears to have regained momentum. Jonathan Shapiro reports.
Bill Reducing Unemployment Benefits Clears Senate The Georgia Senate has voted to approve a bill that could cut in half the length of time Georgians are paid for jobless benefits. Jonathan Shapiro reports.
Interview with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Part 2: Transportation Sales Tax This July, voters around the state will decide whether they want to tax themselves a penny on the dollar, to pay for regional transportation projects. The "T-SPLOST" is very controversial; polls show it might not pass in the metro Atlanta area. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is a strong supporter of the T-SPLOST. In part 2 of a conversation with WABE's Denis O'Hayer, Reed defended the tax, and rejected calls for a delay in the vote.
APS Educators Connected To Cheating Given Ultimatum Part 2 Resign or be fired. That was the message for more than one hundred educators involved in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal. The district has been paying the employees while they're on administrative leave. This ultimatum for the educators is based on evidence given to APS from Fulton County district attorney Paul Howard's office. WABE's Rose Scott reports on whether these actions will finally legally rid the school system from those connected in the cheating.
Romney's Georgia supporters promote tax plan Conference calls in Georgia and across the country came after Romney announced a plan to cut all tax rates by 20%.
Interview with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Part 1: Sewer Tax Vote and Atlanta's Water Future On March 6th, Atlanta voters will decide whether or not to extend the city's penny-on-the-dollar sales tax, to pay for the major overhaul of the Atlanta sewer system. Mayor Kasim Reed is campaigning hard for a "yes" vote. He took questions about the "MOST" tax, and about Atlanta's water future, in part 1 of a conversation with WABE's Denis O'Hayer.
City Council prepares for budget On the first day of its winter retreat, the Atlanta City Council talked about the upcoming budget.
Atlanta Ranks Among Top Cities for Cybercrime Risk A new study ranks Atlanta fourth in the nation for potential cybercrime risk. The study was performed by online security firm Norton and Sperling's BestPlaces. The companies based the rankings on lifestyle habits and cybercrime data.
Bill To Loosen Restrictions on Privately-Owned Solar Panels Likely Dead A key lawmaker says legislation that would loosen restrictions for homeowners and small businesses to install solar panels will probably die in committee this year. Jonathan Shapiro reports.
Providers Welcome Governor's Proposed Payment Bump of Medicaid Reimbursement Rates The governor's proposed budget for 2013 includes the addition of about $7 million in state funds to raise Medicaid and PeachCare payment rates for physicians and hospitals. The pay bump is a welcome development for providers, who say it will allow for more patient access to care. Jonathan Shapiro reports
Bill to Ban Illegal Immigrants in State Colleges Gets New Life in Senate WABE's Denis O'Hayer reports supporters of a measure to ban illegal immigrants from admission to Georgia's state colleges and universities are trying to revive the measure in the Senate, after it stalled in the House. The Senate bill, SB 458, is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 22nd.
Georgia Lawmaker Proposes Anti-Vasectomy Legislation New legislation proposed by a Democratic House Representative would make it illegal for Georgia men to have a vasectomy except to avert death or avoid serious bodily injury.
Occupy Atlanta and Union Reps Protest AT&T Layoffs Today the first of about 500 workers at AT&T were offered severance packages or possible transfers within the company. Union representatives and Occupy Atlanta demonstrators continued their protests outside the AT&T building in midtown Atlanta. Jonathan Shapiro reports.
Ga. House Expected to Vote on Charter School Amendment The Georgia House is expected to reconsider a proposed constitutional amendment to allow the state to create charter schools on Wednesday. The potential vote comes after a Georgia Supreme Court ruling which declared charter schools approved by a state commission unconstitutional.