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David Wickert

@david-wickert.bsky.social
134 followers 37 following 529 posts

State government and politics reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 55m
From the beach to the Windy City, special interests pour tens of thousands of dollars into trips for Georgia legislators. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Lobbyists spend big on Georgia lawmakers’ summer travel
Lobbyists who pay for state lawmakers' travel say it allows them to educate public officials. But critics say it gives them an unfair advantage over ordinary Georgians.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 1h
Despite a series of preliminary rulings that the state’s “leadership committee” law is likely unconstitutional, it’s still in effect — and still benefiting a handful of Georgia’s biggest political names. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Libertarian, Green parties challenge Georgia campaign law
Multiple judges have ruled leadership committees are likely illegal because they give an unfair advantage to some candidates. But the law is still on the books.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 17h
Lobbyist spending helped pay for elected officials’ getaways to Florida beaches, Chicago and other destinations. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Lobbyists spend big on Georgia lawmakers’ summer travel
Lobbyists who pay for state lawmakers' travel say it allows them to educate public officials. But critics say it gives them an unfair advantage over ordinary Georgians.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 20h
Lobbyists spend big on Georgia lawmakers’ summer travel. From the beach to the Windy City, special interests pour tens of thousands of dollars into trips for state legislators. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Lobbyists spend big on Georgia lawmakers’ summer travel
Lobbyists who pay for state lawmakers' travel say it allows them to educate public officials. But critics say it gives them an unfair advantage over ordinary Georgians.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Dozens of Georgia lawmakers had their trips to the beach and other locales paid for by lobbyists for some of the state’s most powerful interests. Those interests spent nearly $85,000 on lodging, meals and other travel expenses for elected officials. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Lobbyists spend big on Georgia lawmakers’ summer travel
Lobbyists who pay for state lawmakers' travel say it allows them to educate public officials. But critics say it gives them an unfair advantage over ordinary Georgians.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Federal prosecutors are targeting three alleged noncitizen voters in Georgia as part of the Trump administration’s campaign to seek and prosecute people who are noncitizens ahead of the midterms. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Feds are seeking noncitizen voters. They’ve found three in Georgia.
An Antigua Barbuda citizen charged with illegally voting in three Georgia elections by mail appeared was granted bond.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Rick Jackson drops lawsuits against Burt Jones as he seeks rival’s endorsement. Jackson’s fundraising and defamation suits had been a sticking point for the lieutenant governor after a bruising GOP primary. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Rick Jackson drops lawsuits against Burt Jones as he seeks rival’s endorsement
Jackson and Jones filed lawsuits against each other amid a bitter primary battle as both sought the Republican nomination for Georgia governor.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Republican Rick Jackson has quietly dropped two campaign lawsuits filed against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones during their bitter primary fight; Jackson now seeks his former rival’s endorsement for governor. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Rick Jackson drops lawsuits against Burt Jones as he seeks rival’s endorsement
Jackson and Jones filed lawsuits against each other amid a bitter primary battle as both sought the Republican nomination for Georgia governor.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Raffensperger and other Republicans are a noteworthy addition to the state officials who have urged courts to block Trump’s moves to dictate the rules for the November election. Numerous Democratic officials across the country have taken the lead so far. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Raffensperger urges Supreme Court to reject Trump’s mail-in ballot plan
Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger urges the U.S. Supreme Court to reject the Trump administration’s plans to use the Postal Service to vet voters for November election.
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Reposted by David Wickert
ProPublica @propublica.org · 10/09/2026
NEW: A new audit by the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General found a lack of training for post office staff, deficiencies in how ballots were tracked and errors leading to delays. Experts say it raises questions ahead of the midterms.
propublica.org
U.S. Postal Service Failed to Properly Handle Some Ballots During This Year’s Primary Elections, Audit Finds
An inspector general’s audit found a lack of training for post office staff, deficiencies in how ballots were tracked and errors leading to delays. Experts say it raises questions ahead of the midterm...
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The State Ethics Commission on Wednesday fined two Republican groups linked to the defunct First Liberty Building & Loan nearly $150,000 for violating campaign finance laws. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Ethics Commission fines 2 groups linked to First Liberty nearly $150,000
The Georgia Republican Assembly's political action committee received about $162,000 from the now defunct First Liberty Building & Loan.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Wednesday joined a bipartisan group of elected officials urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject the Trump administration’s plans to use the U.S. Postal Service to vet voters for the November election. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Raffensperger urges Supreme Court to reject Trump’s mail-in ballot plan
Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger urges the U.S. Supreme Court to reject the Trump administration’s plans to use the Postal Service to vet voters for November election.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
State Ethics Commission fines 2 groups linked to First Liberty nearly $150,000. The commission found the Georgia Republican Assembly and its political action committee violated campaign finance laws. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Ethics Commission fines 2 groups linked to First Liberty nearly $150,000
The Georgia Republican Assembly's political action committee received about $162,000 from the now defunct First Liberty Building & Loan.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
How far will Trump go to influence the midterms? The president is already sowing doubt about the November election. Critics fear he’ll do much worse. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
How far will Trump go to influence the midterms?
Trump’s critics believe he will go to great lengths to avoid Democratic control of Congress, from seizing election equipment to deploying immigration officers at the polls.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
So far, the FBI’s January raid hasn’t produced indictments, arrests or any new information about the 2020 election. But it does have Democrats and some local election officials on edge as another election approaches. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
What the raid on Fulton’s election warehouse did (and did not) accomplish
The raid demonstrated how far the administration would go to settle Trump’s 2020 grievances and breathe new life into doubts about elections ahead of November’s midterms.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
President Donald Trump’s critics are sounding warnings that he is laying the groundwork to do the same thing in November that he did six years ago — challenge the outcome of an election. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
How far will Trump go to influence the midterms?
Trump’s critics believe he will go to great lengths to avoid Democratic control of Congress, from seizing election equipment to deploying immigration officers at the polls.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
AJC Politics: How far will Trump go to influence the midterms? The president is already sowing doubt about the November election. Critics fear he’ll do much worse. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
How far will Trump go to influence the midterms?
Trump’s critics believe he will go to great lengths to avoid Democratic control of Congress, from seizing election equipment to deploying immigration officers at the polls.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Georgia has a powerful lieutenant governor. Will it stay that way?
The Republican majority in the state Senate has twice chosen to weaken the lieutenant governor's powers. They could do so again, regardless of who wins in November.
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Reposted by David Wickert
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 30/08/2026
A bear cub in Alaska recently taste-tested the footwear of a photographer, who got a rare close-up. “I didn’t feel anything other than a little tug,” the photographer said. nyti.ms/4qOadAP
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
www.ajc.com/news/2026/08...
ajc.com
MARTA agrees to $52 million settlement in audit dispute
A longstanding dispute between MARTA and the city of Atlanta has been resolved.
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Reposted by David Wickert
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 26/08/2026
As the nation mourned Dolly Parton’s death on Tuesday, the grief was perhaps the most profound in Tennessee, the star’s home state. “She inspired Tennesseans to be better,” one resident said. nyti.ms/45PsDaE
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Jackson suggests Kemp will use National Guard to monitor election
The Republican nominee for governor told a rally attendee that Kemp would use the National Guard to “watch it for us.”
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Reposted by David Wickert
Tia Mitchell, AJC Washington Bureau Chief @tiamitchell.com · 24/08/2026
My latest for the @ajc.com: Digging into recently filed financial disclosures of campaign opponents U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and U.S. Rep. Mike Collins. Collins' is crypto heavy, but doesn't appear to be making him rich. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Ossoff, Collins are millionaires. Here is how they manage their money.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and his challenger, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, both recently filed financial disclosure paperwork that provides insight into how they make their millions.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
www.ajc.com/business/202...
ajc.com
Longtime GOP utility regulator to leave post early
This year’s Public Service Commission races have drawn heightened attention after Democrats flipped two seats on the five-member panel last year.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Republicans did well in 2024 by blaming former Democratic President Joe Biden for soaring inflation. Now, Democrats are trying the same thing. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Georgia Democrats bring in out-of-state stars to push affordability message
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, and his wife, former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, campaigned for lieutenant governor nominee Josh McLaurin.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Georgia Democrats bring in out-of-state stars to push affordability message. U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, a potential 2028 presidential contender, and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords blame President Donald Trump for rising prices. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Georgia Democrats bring in out-of-state stars to push affordability message
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, and his wife, former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, campaigned for lieutenant governor nominee Josh McLaurin.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A group that supported Carr received its biggest contributions after he failed to advance to the Republican primary runoff for governor. It spent the money on ads opposing Burt Jones ahead of his unsuccessful runoff with eventual GOP nominee Rick Jackson. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Sports betting, other special interests spend big on Georgia elections
Independent political committees have spent $25 million to influence Georgia elections. That's more than the total spent during the previous midterm election cycle in 2022.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The group supporting Raffensperger got most of its money from two groups with ties to him. Its biggest contributor was the Election Defense Fund, a nonprofit founded to promote confidence in elections and to defend election workers from lawsuits. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Sports betting, other special interests spend big on Georgia elections
Independent political committees have spent $25 million to influence Georgia elections. That's more than the total spent during the previous midterm election cycle in 2022.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Independent groups spent millions more backing unsuccessful Republican candidates for governor Chris Carr and Brad Raffensperger, with interests ranging from Planned Parenthood to Georgia Realtors rounding out the top spenders. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Sports betting, other special interests spend big on Georgia elections
Independent political committees have spent $25 million to influence Georgia elections. That's more than the total spent during the previous midterm election cycle in 2022.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Sports betting, other special interests spend big on Georgia elections. Independent political spending in Georgia has topped $25 million this year, surpassing the total amount spent during the previous midterm election cycle in 2022. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Sports betting, other special interests spend big on Georgia elections
Independent political committees have spent $25 million to influence Georgia elections. That's more than the total spent during the previous midterm election cycle in 2022.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Democrats believe they have their best chance in years to regain power in one chamber at the Georgia Capitol. If they do, Democratic ideas about taxes could challenge Republican tax-cutting orthodoxy. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Georgia Democrats talk property taxes as they eye a possible House takeover
Democrats have largely opposed Republican-backed tax cuts. Now, they're seeking feedback from the public on what a Democratic majority could accomplish.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Georgia Democrats have largely opposed GOP tax cuts. Now, they’re seeking public feedback on what a Democratic majority could accomplish. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Georgia Democrats talk property taxes as they eye a possible House takeover
Democrats have largely opposed Republican-backed tax cuts. Now, they're seeking feedback from the public on what a Democratic majority could accomplish.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Campaign finance records released late Friday show no new loans or cash infusions from Jackson. Instead, the billionaire healthcare executive received roughly $13 million in donations in his campaign accounts between June 11 and July 31. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Rick Jackson raises $13 million in outside money for Georgia governor bid
Jackson self-funded his Republican primary run, but new reports show he is taking outside money, including $10 million from a Republican PAC.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
As more democratic socialists win, the Georgia GOP looks to capitalize. Republicans hope fears of ‘defunding the police’ and other views can help them win in November. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
As more democratic socialists win, the Georgia GOP looks to capitalize
Republican candidates are warning voters of the dangers of what they say is an extreme left-wing ideology as they seek an advantage in November.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
As more democratic socialists win, the Georgia GOP looks to capitalize. Republicans hope fears of ‘defunding the police’ and other views can help them win in November. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
As more democratic socialists win, the Georgia GOP looks to capitalize
Republican candidates are warning voters of the dangers of what they say is an extreme left-wing ideology as they seek an advantage in November.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
A string of victories by democratic socialists across the country has given new life to the progressive wing of the Democratic Party — and opened another line of attack for Georgia Republicans. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
As more democratic socialists win, the Georgia GOP looks to capitalize
Republican candidates are warning voters of the dangers of what they say is an extreme left-wing ideology as they seek an advantage in November.
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Reposted by David Wickert
Greg Bluestein @bluestein.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The Atlanta home of a top aide to Georgia’s chief elections official was struck by gunfire during an early Thursday shootout, though he said there was no indication the incident was politically motivated. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Atlanta home of top Georgia elections aide struck by gunfire
Robert Sinners, communications director for Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, said there was no sign the incident was politically motivated.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The commission now appears poised to rule next month that the Georgia Republican Assembly and its affiliated political action committee failed to property disclose more than $187,000 in spending to support numerous candidates in recent years. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Ethics commission overrules judge, setting up possible fine for GOP groups
State officials have accused the Georgia Republican Assembly and its political action committee of violating state campaign finance laws.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Once a sleepy administrative body, Georgia's State Election Board has become a partisan battleground jockeying for control over how elections are run. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Georgia State Election Board tests limits ahead of midterms
Once a sleepy administrative body, Georgia's State Election Board has become a partisan battleground jockeying for control over how elections are run.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The Georgia Republican Assembly and its PAC face tens of thousands of dollars in potential fines. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Ethics commission overrules judge, setting up possible fine for GOP groups
State officials have accused the Georgia Republican Assembly and its political action committee of violating state campaign finance laws.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Gov. Brian Kemp ordered agencies to freeze spending as the state’s reserves shrink after income tax cuts and federal spending pressure. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Brian Kemp warns of possible spending cuts as he prepares to leave office
The governor directed state agencies to freeze spending and prepare for potential cuts as the state's reserves continue to shrink.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Georgia's governor ordered agencies to freeze spending as the state’s reserves shrink after income tax cuts and federal spending pressure. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Brian Kemp warns of possible spending cuts as he prepares to leave office
The governor directed state agencies to freeze spending and prepare for potential cuts as the state's reserves continue to shrink.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Gov. Brian Kemp’s administration has directed state agencies to freeze spending next year and prepare for possible budget cuts as the state faces new headwinds after years of post-pandemic surpluses. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Brian Kemp warns of possible spending cuts as he prepares to leave office
The governor directed state agencies to freeze spending and prepare for potential cuts as the state's reserves continue to shrink.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
The judge’s ruling is a victory for the Georgia Republican Assembly, which has come under scrutiny since the collapse of First Liberty last year. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Judge rules for GOP groups in case tied to First Liberty
The State Ethics Commission could still reject the ruling and seek sanctions against the Georgia Republican Assembly and its political action committee.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Judge rules for GOP groups in case tied to First Liberty. The state ethics commission could still reject the ruling and seek sanctions against the Georgia Republican Assembly and its political action committee. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Judge rules for GOP groups in case tied to First Liberty
The State Ethics Commission could still reject the ruling and seek sanctions against the Georgia Republican Assembly and its political action committee.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Emadi made a splash by ramping up an investigation of groups linked to Democrat Stacey Abrams. A voting rights group Abrams founded ultimately paid the largest fine ever assessed in Georgia for campaign violations. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Georgia’s campaign finance watchdog is stepping down
Georgia ethics chief who won record-setting fine against group founded by Democrat Stacey Abrams is stepping down.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Georgia’s campaign finance watchdog is stepping down Emadi oversaw high-profile cases, including an investigation of groups linked to Stacey Abrams. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Georgia’s campaign finance watchdog is stepping down
Georgia ethics chief who won record-setting fine against group founded by Democrat Stacey Abrams is stepping down.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
A look at the Georgia laws that take effect this month. A law restricting cell phone use in schools is among the more than 350 bills that passed in this year’s legislative session that will impact Georgians. www.ajc.com/education/20...
ajc.com
Here are the new Georgia laws set to take effect July 1
New Georgia laws taking effect July 1 will impact cellphones in schools, medical cannabis rules, paid maternal leave and more.
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David Wickert @david-wickert.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
A law restricting cell phone use in schools is among the more than 350 bills that passed in this year’s legislative session that will impact Georgians. www.ajc.com/education/20...
ajc.com
Here are the new Georgia laws set to take effect July 1
New Georgia laws taking effect July 1 will impact cellphones in schools, medical cannabis rules, paid maternal leave and more.
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