#CostOfLiving | AM 1180 Radio

June 15, 2026

Nearly Half Of Chattooga County Households Struggle To Afford Basic Needs, New ALICE Data Shows

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A newly released report from United For ALICE paints a sobering picture of financial hardship in Chattooga County, showing that many local families are struggling to make ends meet despite being employed.

June 3, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Rising Housing Costs Continue To Squeeze Chattooga County Residents

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Finding affordable housing has become increasingly difficult for many families in Chattooga County as rent prices continue to rise while wages struggle to keep pace with the cost of living.

May 19, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Proposed Georgia Power Deal Promises Small Savings After Years Of Rising Bills

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Georgia Power customers could see slightly lower electric bills later this year under a proposed agreement now headed to the Georgia Public Service Commission for approval.

April 24, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Auto Insurance Costs Climbing Across Georgia, Impacting Drivers Statewide

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Drivers across Georgia are continuing to feel the pinch as auto insurance costs remain among the highest in the country.

April 20, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Power Bills Strain Families as Summer Heat Approaches

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As temperatures begin to climb across Northwest Georgia, many residents are bracing for another season of high Georgia Power bills — and for some families, the financial strain is already being felt.

April 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Families Feeling The Pinch As Health Insurance Costs Continue To Climb

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Health insurance costs continue to put pressure on family budgets in Georgia, and even when premiums are not the highest in the country, many households here still feel the strain more sharply than families in other states. Nationally, the average annual premium for employer-sponsored family coverage reached $26,993 in 2025, with workers paying an average of $6,850 of that total out of pocket. At the same time, workers’ wages rose 4% while family premiums rose 6%, meaning insurance costs are still growing faster than paychecks.

April 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Rising Costs Forcing Families To Rethink Summer Vacation Plans

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As summer approaches, many families across Georgia are reworking their vacation plans as rising costs continue to strain household budgets.

April 4, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Lawmakers Approve Income Tax Cuts As Property Tax Plan Falls Short

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Georgia lawmakers have approved a plan to cut the state’s income tax rate, but a broader effort to overhaul property taxes fell short before the end of the legislative session.

March 31, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County Approves Five-Year Water Rate Increase

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Chattooga County residents will soon see changes to their water bills after Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen approved a plan to gradually increase rates over the next five years.

March 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Lawmakers Advance Bipartisan Bill to Remove Sales Tax on Diapers, Formula and Menstrual Products

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A bipartisan measure moving through the Georgia General Assembly would eliminate the state’s 4% sales tax on diapers, baby formula, and menstrual products, classifying them as essential goods rather than taxable items. Supporters say the change would ease financial pressure on families, noting that while groceries and prescription drugs are already exempt in Georgia, diaper and feminine hygiene products are not.

Advocates point to long-term costs, with estimates showing the average woman spends about $18,000 on period products over her lifetime — plus roughly $1,000 in taxes. Government assistance programs like SNAP and WIC do not cover diapers, and the Georgia Diaper Bank Coalition estimates ending the diaper tax could save families about $80 per child. Diaper banks statewide distribute more than 1.4 million diapers each year to families in need.

The effort is being led this session by Republican State Sen. Randy Robertson, who says the issue is about prioritizing families despite the potential loss of millions in state revenue. The bill must pass committee before heading to the Senate floor ahead of Crossover Day, and supporters say it has bipartisan backing. If approved, Georgia would join a growing number of states that have eliminated sales taxes on menstrual and baby care products.