#georgianews | AM 1180 Radio

March 14, 2026

Georgia Net Tax Collections Dip Slightly in February, Remain Up for Fiscal Year

Local News, Local News Items #atlanta, #CorporateTax, #FiscalYear2026, #GeorgiaEconomy, #GeorgiaFinance, #georgianews, #GeorgiaTaxes, #IncomeTax, #MotorFuelTax, #MotorVehicleTaxes, #RevenueReport, #SalesTax, #StateBudget, #StateRevenue, #TaxRefunds, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Georgia’s net tax collections totaled $2.12 billion in February, a slight decrease of 0.1% compared to February of last year.

Even with that small monthly decline, the state remains ahead overall for the fiscal year. Through the first eight months of the budget year, Georgia has collected about $21.88 billion, an increase of 1.6% over the same period a year ago.

The biggest drop in February came from individual income tax collections, which fell 4.1%. Higher tax refunds were a major factor in that decline, even as withholding payments showed a slight increase.

At the same time, sales tax collections moved higher, providing one of the brighter spots in the report. Motor fuel tax revenues also increased from the same month last year.

Meanwhile, corporate income tax collections posted a sharp decline for the month. The state also reported smaller decreases in motor vehicle tag, title and fee collections.

Despite the mixed results in February, Georgia’s overall revenue picture remains positive for the year so far, with collections continuing to run ahead of last fiscal year’s pace.

March 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Kemp Discusses Fuel Tax Suspension Amid Rising Fuel Prices

Local News, Local News Items #briankemp, #chattoogacounty, #ConsumerCosts, #EconomicNews, #EnergyMarkets, #FuelPrices, #GasPrices, #GeorgiaDrivers, #GeorgiaGasTax, #georgianews, #georgiapolitics, #Inflation, #IranConflict, #MiddleEastTensions, #northwestgeorgia, #OilPrices, #PumpPrices, #statenews, #wzqznews 0

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.

March 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Lumsden Reports Busy Week in Georgia House as Key Bills Advance on Crossover Day

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #eddielumsden, #EducationPolicy, #GeorgiaFamilies, #georgiahouse, #GeorgiaLegislature, #georgianews, #georgiapolitics, #LegislativeReport, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicPolicy, #PublicSafety, #StateCapitol, #StateGovernment, #TaxRefund, #wzqznews 0

State Representative Eddie Lumsden of Armuchee says the Georgia House experienced one of the busiest weeks of the 2026 legislative session as lawmakers worked toward Crossover Day, the deadline for bills to pass out of their original chamber in order to remain eligible for final passage before the session ends. By the end of the week, the House had passed 97 bills and resolutions, sending many measures to the Georgia Senate for further consideration.

March 10, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Advocates Warn of Urgent Need for Disability Support Services in Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #CommunitySupportPrograms, #DisabilityAdvocates, #DisabilitySupportServices, #GeorgiaDisabilityServices, #georgianews, #GeorgiansWithDisabilities, #georgiapolitics, #HealthcareInGeorgia, #MedicaidWaivers, #wzqznews 0

Advocates for Georgians with disabilities say the state faces an urgent need for expanded support services, warning lawmakers that many families are struggling to access essential care.

March 9, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Summerville City Council to Meet This Evening With Budget, Equipment, and Community Items on Agenda

Local News, Local News Items #BRAG, #BudgetOrdinance, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyGA, #CityCouncil, #CityCouncilMeeting, #CommunityNews, #GarbageService, #georgianews, #LocalGovernment, #LocalNews, #MunicipalGovernment, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGA, #PublicHearing, #publicmeeting, #SummerInternships, #summervillecitycouncil, #summervillega, #wzqznews 0

The Summerville City Council will hold its regular monthly meeting this evening at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, with a full agenda that includes budget matters, equipment purchases, appointments, and several community-related requests. (See complete agenda below).

March 9, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County Voters Head to the Polls Tuesday in Two Special Elections

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CongressionalDistrict14, #District53, #ElectionDay, #gapolitics, #georgianews, #georgiapolitics, #GeorgiaSenate, #LocalPolitics, #northwestgeorgia, #SpecialElection, #StateGovernment, #USCongress, #VoteGeorgia, #wzqznews 0

Voters in Chattooga County will head to the polls Tuesday to take part in two important special elections, one for Georgia State Senate District 53 and another for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District. Both races were triggered by recent political changes and will determine who fills the remaining terms in those seats.

March 9, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Several Georgia Bills With Potential Impact on Northwest Georgia Survive Crossover Day

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CrossoverDay, #EducationPolicy, #floydcountyga, #GeorgiaBills, #GeorgiaLegislature, #georgianews, #georgiapolitics, #LocalGovernment, #northwestgeorgia, #PropertyTaxes, #PublicSafety, #RomeGA, #SchoolSafety, #StateCapitol, #StateGovernment, #WalkerCountyGA, #wzqznews 0

Several measures that could affect residents in Northwest Georgia are still alive in the Georgia General Assembly after lawmakers met last week’s Crossover Day deadline, one of the most important milestones of the legislative session. Crossover Day marks the point when most bills must pass either the House or Senate in order to continue moving forward this year, and a number of proposals tied to schools, taxes, public safety, and the courts made it through.

March 8, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Lawmakers Race Against the Clock on Crossover Day

Local News, Local News Items #AtlantaGA, #CapitolNews, #CrossoverDay, #georgiageneralassembly, #GeorgiaLawmakers, #GeorgiaLegislature, #georgianews, #georgiapolitics, #GoldDome, #GovernmentNews, #Lawmakers, #Legislation, #LegislativeSession, #PoliticalNews, #PublicPolicy, #StateCapitol, #StateGovernment, #statenews, #wzqznews 0

Georgia lawmakers worked down to the final hours on Crossover Day, one of the most important deadlines of the legislative session, as they rushed to move bills through the House and Senate before time ran out.

March 8, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Summerville City Council to Review Budget, Backhoe Bid, and Internship Positions Monday

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyGA, #chattooganews, #CityCouncil, #CityCouncilMeeting, #CommunityNews, #CommunityUpdates, #georgianews, #LocalDecisions, #LocalGovernment, #LocalNews, #MunicipalGovernment, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGA, #publicmeeting, #summervillecitycouncil, #summervillega, #SummervilleGeorgia, #wzqznews 0

The Summerville City Council will meet Monday, March 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. with several action items on the agenda, including the mid-year budget ordinance, a bid award for a Caterpillar backhoe, and approval of five part-time summer internship positions.

Council members will also consider appointing Maisha Ludy to fill an unexpired term on the Sara Hightower Regional Library board, along with requests involving a mobile home at 92 Hill Avenue, sign permits, and a proposal for BRAG riders to camp at the Summerville Recreation Center and serve alcohol on May 31.

Another discussion item will focus on whether city customers should be allowed to opt out of garbage service.

The meeting will be held in the council room at Summerville City Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.

March 7, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Clocks “Spring Forward” Tonight as Daylight Saving Time Begins

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CommunityReminder, #DaylightSavingTime, #DST2026, #georgianews, #LocalNews, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #SetClocksForward, #SpringForward, #summervillega, #TimeChange, #trionga, #wzqznews 0

Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will need to set their clocks forward one hour tonight as Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 8, 2026.

The time change officially occurs at 2:00 a.m., when clocks move forward to 3:00 a.m. This means people will lose one hour of sleep, but evenings will have more daylight in the coming months.

Daylight Saving Time is used across most of the United States to make better use of daylight during the warmer months. With the change, sunsets will occur later in the evening, giving residents more daylight after work and school.

Fire officials also remind residents that the time change is a good opportunity to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing batteries if needed to ensure they are working properly.

Daylight Saving Time will remain in effect until Sunday, November 1, 2026, when clocks will “fall back” one hour.