SUMMARY: Hurricane Helene caused Georgia’s tax revenues to drop by 3.4% in October, with income tax collections falling by $119.6 million (8.7%) from the previous year. The decline was mainly due to a 36.5% decrease in individual income tax payments and a 47.4% drop in corporate income taxes. Extensions on income tax filing deadlines likely contributed to the revenue decrease. Fuel tax collections rose by $105.6 million (146.1%) due to the 2023 fuel tax suspension. While gross sales and use taxes saw a slight increase, net sales taxes dropped by 1%. Year-to-date tax revenues are down by 0.6%.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-05 14:41:00
(The Center Square) – Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a social media post Monday he will not run for U.S. Senate in 2026.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., is up for reelection and Republicans are hoping to regain the seat.
The governor said the decision was made after discussions with “friends, supporters and leaders” from across the country.
“After those discussions, I have decided that being on the ballot next year is not the right decision for me and my family,” Kemp said. “I spoke with President Trump and Senate leadership earlier today and expressed my commitment to work alongside them to ensure we have a strong Republican nominee who can win next November, and ultimately be a conservative voice in the US Senate who will put hardworking Georgians first.”
Kemp’s announcement leaves the Republican nominee for the Senate seat wide open. Some candidates discussed are U.S. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Collins.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
The article provides factual reporting on Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s decision not to run for U.S. Senate in 2026, as well as the context surrounding his announcement. It includes direct quotes from Kemp, President Trump, and other Republican leaders, but does not exhibit a clear ideological slant. The language is neutral and focuses primarily on the personal decision and the potential impact on the Republican nomination for the Senate seat. While the article references Kemp’s Republican affiliation and mentions other GOP figures, it refrains from advocating for any particular candidate or political stance, thus adhering to a neutral, factual reporting approach.
State Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Sandy Springs Democrat, announced Monday that he is entering the 2026 race for lieutenant governor.
McLaurin is serving his fourth term in the Georgia Legislature, where he’s become known as an outspoken opponent of Republican lawmakers who he says rubber stamp President Donald Trump’s policies.
“100 days in, the Trump administration is tanking the economy and ignoring court orders. But the Republicans running the State of Georgia are silent about Trump’s needless tariffs and his violations of Americans’ basic legal rights,” McLaurin said.
McLaurin is scheduled to hold a campaign launch event at 3 p.m. Monday at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza in Savannah.
Vidalia Republican Sen. Blake Tillery and Conyers Republican Takosha Swan, a board member of the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, have also filed paperwork to fundraise for what’s expected to be a heavily contested lieutenant governor race next year.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a Butts County Republican, has not announced whether he will seek a second term in office or seek to replace the term-limited GOP Gov. Brian Kemp.
McLaurin said in a statement announcing his decision that if elected as lieutenant governor, he will continue standing up for “hard working” Georgians.
“It’s time to elect state leaders who understand how crazy this moment in history is and are ready to stand up and do something about it,” McLaurin said. “Georgia is my home and my heart. We’ve got amazing people and culture. We’ve got Waffle House. We could be a national example of how best to live, work, and raise a family. But our state is run by Republicans who can’t find the spine to tell the truth about Trump’s chaos – or do anything at all to fight back.”
Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Sandy Springs Democrat, held up a photo of the Doge meme that became popular in 2013 and is the namesake of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder
McLaurin has a reputation as a lawmaker who likes to make jokes. During this year’s session, he held up a picture of the internet doge meme to mock the DOGE government agency named after the meme. He would regularly take to the Senate well and adopt the persona of a newscaster to satirically report the news about the Trump administration.
Rep. Scott Holcomb, an Atlanta Democrat who served alongside McLaurin in the House, said his jokes belie a sharp intellect.
“I’ve known Josh for a very long time,” he said. “I’m fully supportive of his run for lieutenant governor. Josh is substantive. He’s extraordinarily smart and hardworking. He also has a terrific sense of humor. I think the people of our state will really enjoy getting to know him.”
Sen. Jason Esteves, an Atlanta Democrat, is the first Democrat to throw his hat in the ring to run for governor, but others could soon join him — former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has said she hopes to make an announcement soon, and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond is seen as another likely candidate.
State Rep. Ruwa Romman, a Duluth Democrat and ally of McLaurin, quickly endorsed his bid.
“We need people who are willing to fight, do the hard work, and stand up for Georgians because the reality is that a lot of people feel left behind and this is the moment to show them who has actually been fighting for them and who hasn’t.”
This post was updated at 1:20 p.m. on May 5.
Georgia Recorder reporter Ross Williams contributed to this report.
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Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor John McCosh for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Left-Leaning
The content reflects a left-leaning perspective through its portrayal of Georgia State Senator Josh McLaurin, a Democrat, and his criticisms of Republican lawmakers. McLaurin’s outspoken opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies and the Republican establishment, including a critical stance on Trump’s impact on the economy and legal rights, highlights his liberal viewpoint. His comments are framed as a direct challenge to the current Republican leadership in Georgia, suggesting the need for leaders who will “stand up” and “do something about” the political moment. While the article remains fact-based, McLaurin’s rhetoric aligns with progressive values, contributing to a left-leaning tone overall.
www.wsav.com – The Associated Press – 2025-05-05 07:35:00
SUMMARY: Democratic Georgia state Sen. Josh McLaurin announced his 2026 bid for lieutenant governor, vowing to oppose Donald Trump’s policies, especially tariffs he says threaten Georgia’s port. With Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones expected to run for governor, the race is opening up. McLaurin advocates for Medicaid expansion, reproductive rights, and gun safety laws, criticizing GOP obstruction. A former Yale Law classmate of Vice President JD Vance, McLaurin previously served in the Georgia House and now in the Senate. GOP contenders include Blake Tillery, with John Kennedy, Steve Gooch, and Greg Dolezal also expected to enter the race.
