Performance Review of Tax Assessors Office Ordered | USPS Audit Uncovers Widespread Mail Delays | Georgia Drops 500,000 from Medicaid | GA Senate Backs $250 Child Tax Credit
Tift County has ordered a performance review of its tax assessors office in response to public backlash over a recent property tax revaluation.
Georgia News
Tift County Orders Performance Review of Tax Assessors Office Amid Public Backlash
Tift County has ordered a performance review of its tax assessors office in response to public backlash over a recent property tax revaluation. The County Board of Commissioners approved the review, which will be conducted by the state Department of Revenue. An independent committee, including two state field agents and two chief appraisers from similar counties, will investigate the office, appraisal staff, and board of assessors.
Once the resolution is signed, the state will have 30 days to assemble the committee. The review is expected to cost the county between $4,000 and $6,000. While the investigation itself may take about a week, the final report could take up to three months, depending on the findings. County officials, including Chief Appraiser Hayward Becton, have expressed readiness for the review.
County calls for performance review of tax assessors office - Tifton Gazette | Tifton Gazette
Georgia Senate Unanimously Backs $250 Child Tax Credit in Costly New Plan
The Georgia Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 89, a proposal led by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to establish a $250 child tax credit for children under age 7. The bill also expands the state’s childcare tax credit, increasing the maximum credit from $900 to $1,200 per child, and raises tax benefits for employers investing in on-site childcare.
The measures are estimated to cost the state over $180 million annually, with the new child tax credit alone accounting for $160 million. The bill now moves to the House for consideration, amid concerns over slowing state revenue growth.
Jones, who is eyeing a 2026 gubernatorial run, has promoted the child tax credit as a way to support families and boost workforce participation. While Republicans back the plan, Democrats have proposed broader credits, including a $200 tax break for all children under 17 and a more extensive childcare credit.
Georgia Senate unanimously backs pricey push for $250 child tax credit | AP News
USPS Audit Uncovers Widespread Mail Delays, Reporting Failures at Central Georgia Post Offices
A USPS audit of four Central Georgia post offices in Warner Robins, Macon, Perry, and Gray uncovered widespread mail delivery issues, including significant delays and reporting failures. The USPS Office of Inspector General found 792 undelivered packages in Warner Robins alone, with local management failing to report the backlog.
The audit, conducted from November to February, revealed that post offices were not following the required "redline process," a system meant to track and document undelivered mail. Residents have long reported missing or delayed mail, with some abandoning traditional mail service after late bill payments resulted in penalties.
USPS has acknowledged the findings and committed to improving service, including training local staff on proper mail handling procedures.
U.S. Postal Service audit reveals Central Georgia plagued with mail delays | 13wmaz.com
Georgia Drops 500,000 from Medicaid and CHIP as Pandemic Protections End
Georgia has removed 500,000 residents from Medicaid and CHIP coverage since the expiration of pandemic-era protections, dropping total enrollment from 2.5 million to under 2 million between March 2023 and October 2024. The state’s 21% decline in enrollment exceeds the 16% national average, and its 45% disenrollment rate is among the highest in the country.
The loss of coverage stems from the national “unwinding” process after the end of continuous enrollment, which was in place from 2020 to 2023. Many were removed for procedural reasons—such as missing renewal notices or delays in processing—rather than actual ineligibility. 74% of those disenrolled in Georgia fell into this category.
Georgia was one of nine states flagged by federal officials for the high number of children losing coverage. Health advocates warn that bureaucratic hurdles have left many without healthcare, with confusion over renewal processes contributing to the mass disenrollments. The unwinding process is now largely complete, according to KFF, a nonprofit health policy group.
Georgia Removes 500,000 People From Health Care Plan - Newsweek
Georgia Court Dismisses Case Against Mom Arrested After Son Walked Alone, But Legal Uncertainty Remains
A Georgia court dismissed the warrant for Brittany "Brit" Patterson, who was arrested in October 2024 for reckless conduct after her 10-year-old son walked less than a mile alone to a gas station in Mineral Bluff. Fannin County deputies claimed she showed a lack of concern for her child’s safety, and she later refused to sign a sheriff’s office safety plan requiring constant supervision of her children.
On Feb. 7, 2025, District Attorney Frank Wood filed for dismissal, citing no new developments. However, since the case wasn’t dismissed “with prejudice,” charges could still be refiled until October 2026.
Patterson’s arrest sparked a national debate over parenting rights vs. government oversight, especially after bodycam footage went viral. In response, Georgia lawmakers introduced the Brittany Patterson Act, aiming to protect parents from legal penalties when allowing children to engage in unsupervised but age-appropriate activities.
Despite the case being dropped, Patterson remains frustrated as her arrest record is not expunged, and she has not received an apology from law enforcement.
Warrant dismissed after arrest of Georgia mom who letting her son walk alone | 11alive.com
Case dropped against Georgia mom arrested after son walked alone, attorney says
Ossoff Criticizes Trump Administration for Denying Georgia’s Hurricane Helene Relief Extension
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) has criticized the Trump administration for denying Georgia's request to extend hurricane relief funding for Hurricane Helene recovery. Gov. Brian Kemp requested an extension for FEMA reimbursements, which was supported by Ossoff and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA). However, FEMA's acting administrator, Cameron Hamilton, denied the request, stating the additional funding was "not warranted."
Hurricane Helene, which hit Georgia in October 2024, caused at least 34 deaths and $5.5 billion in agricultural losses in the state. While Florida and South Carolina received 180-day extensions, Georgia's extension was limited to 120 days and expired on Feb. 3, 2025.
Ossoff called the decision “wrong” and urged the administration to reverse it, while Kemp’s office confirmed that the state budget would cover the remaining 25% of cleanup costs after federal reimbursement dropped to 75%. FEMA’s denial can be appealed within 30 days.
Georgia House Passes Bill Requiring Restaurants to Disclose Seafood’s Country of Origin
The Georgia House of Representatives has passed a new seafood transparency bill requiring restaurants to disclose the country of origin for their seafood. The legislation, which passed with strong bipartisan support (165-7), aims to support local shrimpers by making consumers aware of whether their shrimp is imported or locally sourced.
Rep. Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah) emphasized that consumers have the right to know what they are eating, while Rep. Buddy DeLoach (R-Townsend) warned that imported shrimp is driving down prices, threatening the survival of Georgia's shrimping industry.
The bill now heads to the Georgia Senate for further consideration.
Georgia lawmakers pass new bill involving seafood in restaurants
Georgia Senate Passes Bill Giving Lawmakers Veto Power Over State Regulations
The Georgia Senate passed a Republican-backed bill (SB 28) by a 33-21 vote that would give lawmakers veto power over state agency regulations with an economic impact over $1 million over five years. The bill, a priority of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, now moves to the House for further debate.
Supporters argue that the measure ensures legislative oversight over the executive branch’s rulemaking, preventing excessive regulations that could burden businesses and citizens. Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) stated that the bill aligns with Elon Musk’s government efficiency push, though it is not identical to the controversial DOGE initiative.
Opponents, primarily Democrats, argue that the bill is anti-regulation and could undermine safety, environmental protections, and due process. Sen. Josh McLaurin (D-Sandy Springs) warned that restricting agency rulemaking could have unintended consequences, while Sen. Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain) expressed concerns about cuts to essential services.
Similar laws in Kansas, Wisconsin, and Florida have led to regulatory rollbacks, including abandoned fire safety updates and weakened environmental protections. The bill would also require agencies to review all existing rules every four years and justify their necessity to avoid automatic repeal.
The bill follows a nationwide conservative push for similar legislation, known as the REINS Act, which seeks to limit executive branch authority over regulations. Gov. Brian Kemp’s office has not yet commented on the measure.