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February, 2012
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City leaders oppose broadband bill
February 3, 2012
Leaders from eight municipalities told the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee that Sen. Chip Rogers’ broadband bill would impede broadband access to residents and business owners in their communities and negatively impact their ability to attract economic development to their cities.
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Industry Estimates 100,000 Jobs from Public Safety Communications Network
Mitchel Herckis, National League of Cities
February 2, 2012
Congress is closer than ever before to passing legislation that would lay the groundwork for a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband communications network.
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January, 2012
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Trendsetters Stand Out Among Georgia’s Cities
January 27, 2012
Six Georgia cities are featured in the February issue of Georgia Trend, the state’s largest business and political magazine, as the newest Trendsetters in municipal government.
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Deal releases Georgia Competitiveness Initiative report
January 25, 2012
Gov. Nathan Deal today released comprehensive recommendations to ensure the short- and long-term success of job creation and business growth in Georgia.
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Governor Says Energy Tax Exemption Should Be Local Option
January 24, 2012
During his comments to city officials during GMA's 2012 Mayors' Day Conference, Gov. Deal indicated that local governments would have the choice in eliminating local sales taxes on energy used in manufacturing.
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GEFA Now Soliciting State Revolving Fund Projects
January 20, 2012
The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) recently announced that it is opening the solicitation period for projects interested in receiving financing from either the Clean Water or Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) program for the coming year.
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Tax overhaul to be done in bits and pieces
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
January 20, 2012
After fumbling a comprehensive tax overhaul last year, legislators are trying to salvage bits and pieces of it at the risk of falling back into business as usual.
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NLC to Focus on Jobs, Growing the Economy and Infrastructure Investment in 2012
Stacey Levitt, National League of Cities
January 17, 2012
In 2012, the NLC and city leaders will press Congress and the President to put aside their partisan differences, stop their political gamesmanship and take action to create jobs, grow the economy and invest in the nation’s infrastructure.
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Governor's Water Supply Program Application Period Now Open
January 11, 2012
GEFA and DCA recently announced that the application period is now open for the initial funding through the Governor's Water Supply Program.
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Deal aims for No. 1 business climate
January 10, 2012
At the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues breakfast this morning, Gov. Nathan Deal put forth a list of agenda items to distinguish our state as the best place in the nation to do business.
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Lawmakers: Traffic tax measure may be altered this session
Marietta Daily Journal
January 8, 2012
In previewing the 2012 session of the General Assembly, which starts Monday, the proposed transportation tax dominated conversation among several members of Cobb’s delegation who visited the Journal this week.
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Tax Revision Could Dominate the Legislative Session
Tom Crawford
January 5, 2012
The legislative leadership has indicated it will make a strong attempt in the 2012 session to pass a tax revision bill that would increase sales and excise taxes in return for cutting the state income tax.
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December, 2011
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2012 Mayors' Day Conference Highlights
December 29, 2011
The 2012 GMA Mayors’ Day Conference offers an important opportunity for city officials to become engaged on the issues that shape the environment in which cities must operate on behalf of their constituents
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Recent golf carts stories contain inaccuracies
Georgia Municipal Association
December 29, 2011
Recent media reports on a new Georgia law creating a definition for “personal transportation vehicles,” commonly known as golf carts, contain inaccurate information.
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Deal approves Water Supply Task Force report
Office of Gov. Nathan Deal
December 28, 2011
Gov. Nathan Deal has approved the final report of the Water Supply Task Force, which outlines water supply initiatives and recommendations for the Governor’s Water Supply Program.
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NLC Testifies on Integrated Planning, Water Infrastructure Financing
Carolyn Berndt, National League of Cities
December 19, 2011
Joe Reardon, mayor and CEO of the Unified Government of Kansas City and Wyandotte County, testified last week on behalf of NLC before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment about the need for a modern policy framework and resources to invest in the nation’s water infrastructure systems.
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State Looks to Crack Down on Metal Theft
Fox 5 Atlanta
December 16, 2011
Fox 5 Atlanta recently ran this report on efforts to crack down on metal theft.
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Congress Wrangles Over Transportation Legislation
Leslie Wollack, National League of Cities
December 14, 2011
As Congress gets ready to leave for the year, lawmakers from both the House and Senate promoted their own solutions to the two-year impasse regarding a long-term surface transportation program for the nation.
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House, Senate Not Likely to Agree on Long-Term Transportation Bill This Year
Leslie Wollack, National League of Cities
December 5, 2011
In remarks at a transportation meeting in Washington, D.C., last week, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) announced that the House would not move on a long-term surface transportation bill before the end of the year
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Deal nominates Jud Turner to head EPD
December 1, 2011
Gov. Nathan Deal has nominated Jud Turner to serve as the next director of the Environmental Protection Division.
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November, 2011
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October, 2011
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Federal Board Proposes New Guideline for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way
Leslie Wollack, National League of Cities
October 31, 2011
The U.S. Access Board has released for comment proposed guidelines that would impose new standards for new construction of and alterations to public rights-of-way covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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Search Committee Recommends Norton for Executive Director Position
October 19, 2011
Lamar Norton, who has served as GMA’s director of Governmental Relations for nearly 10 years, has been selected by a search committee to replace Executive Director Jim Higdon when Higdon retires at the end of the year.
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Congressional Leaders Continue to Push for Long-Term Transportation Bill
Leslie Wollack, National League of Cities
October 17, 2011
Seeking to avoid another short-term extension of federal transportation programs when the current (and eighth short-term extension) expires next March, House and Senate transportation leaders are working hard to gain sufficient support to move their respective transportation proposals.
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Electronic Submission of Identification Allowed for New Immigration Law
October 14, 2011
A recent letter from the Attorney General in response to a question from a state representative on the issue indicates that cities will be allowed to accept faxed or emailed copies of identification.
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Ethics Commission Provides Opinion on Use of City Equipment and Staff for Ethics Filings
October 6, 2011
The State Ethics Commission has provided an opinion on the use of city equipment and city staff to complete ethics filings.
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September, 2011
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Cities Cut Jobs and Infrastructure as Finances Continue to Weaken
National League of Cities
September 27, 2011
The nation’s cities are cutting personnel and infrastructure projects as the economic downturn continues to take its toll on city finances according to the National League of Cities.
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NLC Calls for Continued Tax-Exempt Financing of Municipal Bonds
Stacey Levitt, National League of Cities
September 26, 2011
More than 20 national organizations are warning the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction not to eliminate tax-exempt financing of municipal bonds to pay for deficit reduction.
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Supreme Court Requires Garnishment Answers to be Filed by Attorneys
September 23, 2011
The Supreme Court of Georgia has adopted an Advisory Opinion issued by the State Bar’s Standing Committee on the Unlicensed Practice of Law concluding that a non-lawyer who answers for a business garnishee is engaged in the unlicensed practice of law.
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Expert: Downtowns and "Walkable Urban Places" Important
September 20, 2011
Chris Leinberger, Visiting Fellow with the Brookings Institute, stressed the importance of downtowns, rail transit and "walkable urban places" when he recently spoke to GMA's Legislative Policy Committee.
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Dallas Mayor Talks About His Role on Georgia's Immigration Enforcement Review Board
September 19, 2011
Dallas Mayor Boyd Austin comments on his appointment by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle to the Immigration Enforcement Review Board.
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Beating deadline, Congress approves transportation bill
John Gramlich, Stateline.org
September 16, 2011
Congress has approved a six-month extension of transportation funding, temporarily easing states' concerns that money for infrastructure projects would expire.
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Federal transportation reauthorization deal in the works
Leslie Wollack, National League of Cities
September 12, 2011
A Senate panel has cleared the first hurdle for another short-term clean extension of federal surface transportation programs before the September 30 expiration date
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Gov. Deal Appoints Three Mayors to Transit Governance Task Force
September 7, 2011
Gov. Deal appointed Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker and Riverdale Mayor Evelyn Wynn-Dixon to the newly created Transit Governance Task Force on Wednesday, September 7.
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Cyber cafe gambling gets close scrutiny
Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.com
September 6, 2011
States are starting to take a look at Internet cafes that offer games with prize money to see if these operations are actually illegal gambling parlors in disguise.
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Local Officials Appointed to Immigration Enforcement Review Board
September 2, 2011
Dallas Mayor Boyd Austin is one of three local officials appointed to Georgia's Immigration Enforcement Review Board.
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City leaders call for federal transportation reauthorization
National League of Cities
September 2, 2011
The National League of Cities has issued a statement calling on Congress to enact an extension of federal surface transportation programs when they return to Washington D.C. after Labor Day.
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$8.9 million approved for environmental infrastructure projects
September 1, 2011
Over $8.9 million in financing for environmental infrastructure projects has been approved for the cities of Dillard, Donalsonville, Pooler and Winder.
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August, 2011
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Federal Highway Administration announces changes in traffic sign regulations
August 31, 2011
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced it will eliminate or extend the majority of compliance dates for replacing street signs based on complaints from state and local governments over the cost of complying with the rules.
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$38.8 million in CDBG awards announced
August 29, 2011
Gov. Nathan Deal recently announced that more than $38.8 million in federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was awarded to the state’s Community Development Block Grant Program.
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Local Flexibility for SPLOST Election Dates Maintained
August 26, 2011
A proposal to limit the dates on which SPLOST referendum could be placed before the voters was floated during the 2011 Special Session of the Georgia General Assembly.
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Congress Will Need to Address Transportation Legislation, Gas Tax After Recess
Leslie Wollack, National League of Cities
August 22, 2011
Advocates are stepping up the pressure for action on a new transportation bill that will put people back to work and get the economy moving
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Transportation deadlock worries states
Daniel C. Vock, Stateline.com
August 19, 2011
At the end of September, the law providing for a federal gas tax expires. So, too, does the law that authorizes aid for building and repairing roads, subways and bridges.
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Response to S&P Statement on Municipal Credit Ratings
National League of Cities
August 11, 2011
S&P's announcement that cities and states may keep their AAA bond ratings despite the recent downgrade of the US federal government demonstrates the difference between U.S. federal debt and the municipal bond market.
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Legislation Introduced to Allow Cities to Collect Taxes From Internet Sales
Lars Etzkorn, National League of Cities
August 10, 2011
Bills were introduced in both houses of Congress last week to require the collection of sales taxes by out-of-state Internet sellers.
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