Unemployment rates across Chattooga, Floyd, and Walker counties remained relatively stable in recent data, reflecting continued steady job conditions in Northwest Georgia heading into the spring.
A proposed bill in Georgia could help return billions of dollars in unclaimed money to residents, but the effort is facing challenges at the State Capitol.
Lawmakers say the state is currently holding more than $3 billion in unclaimed property, which includes things like uncashed checks, old bank accounts, refunds, and other funds that belong to individuals.
The legislation would allow the Georgia Department of Revenue to automatically match records and send checks directly to residents, especially for smaller amounts, without requiring people to file a claim.
Supporters say the goal is to make it easier for Georgians to get their money back faster, cutting down on paperwork and making the process more efficient. However, the proposal has raised concerns among some lawmakers because parts of the bill could allow the state to take ownership of certain funds if they remain unclaimed for long periods of time.
The bill has already passed the State Senate but has stalled in a House committee, leaving its future uncertain as the legislative session continues.
The housing market in Chattooga County remained steady in February, with modest price increases and continued low sales volume reflecting broader trends seen across Northwest Georgia and the nation.
The U.S. Postal Service is warning that the price of a first-class Forever stamp could rise as high as 95 cents as the agency tries to address mounting financial problems and avoid running out of cash. The current price remains 78 cents following the most recent increase in July 2025, with additional adjustments expected in the coming months.
As fuel prices continue to rise amid fighting in Iran, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says he is not ready to suspend the state gas tax just yet.
Kemp told reporters Tuesday that previous gas tax suspensions were “targeted and strategic,” and he does not want to overreact to what could end up being a short-term spike in prices.
The latest jump in fuel costs follows military strikes in Iran on February 28 involving U.S. and Israeli forces, which pushed oil prices sharply higher.
Kemp noted that oil briefly climbed to around $115 a barrel before falling back to about $90 a barrel. He also said the United States is producing record levels of oil and gas, which he believes provides strong long-term energy security even while prices remain vulnerable to global events.
The governor said he plans to keep watching the markets for several more days before making any decision on whether to suspend the gas tax.
Kemp has taken that step three times before. In 2022, he suspended the gas tax as prices climbed during the war in Ukraine. In 2023, he again suspended the tax as inflation hit a 40-year high. In 2024, Kemp suspended the gas tax in response to Hurricane Helene.
For now, Georgia drivers will have to wait and see whether the recent rise in gas prices becomes severe enough to prompt another temporary tax break.