SUMMARY: The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute has identified 86 cities and counties that excessively rely on fines and fees for revenue, impacting taxpayers significantly. In cities like Leonia, Norcross, and Snellville, over 10% of local revenue comes from fines, with Norcross at 29%. This reliance disproportionately affects low-income individuals and communities of color. The Institute advocates for tax reform, including state Earned Income Tax Credits, to promote economic mobility. The trend of budget balancing through fines raises concerns about the fairness and sustainability of such practices in local governance.

A nonprofit policy organization has determined too many cities balance their budgets on the backs of taxpayers. The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute says some cities are abusive when it comes to levying fines.

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SUMMARY: Former President Barack Obama joined Vice President Kamala Harris for a significant rally in Georgia, alongside celebrities like Bruce Springsteen, Spike Lee, and Tyler Perry. The event drew 23,000 attendees who were urged to vote in the tight race leading up to the November 5 election. Obama emphasized the dangers of a second Trump presidency, highlighting critical issues like women’s rights. The rally aimed to energize supporters in the face of fierce competition, with Harris’s team already planning another star-studded event in Houston featuring Beyoncé. In response, the Trump campaign dismissed the celebrity endorsements as ineffective among the working class.

A long list of celebrities including director Spike Lee, actor Samuel L. Jackson, filmmaker Tyler Perry, and musician Bruce Springsteen, not to mention former President Barrack Obama came out in support of Vice President Kamala Harris in Atlanta.

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SUMMARY: Nineteen Atlanta Public Schools have been recognized as literacy leader schools by the Georgia Department of Education for exceptional growth in literacy, as evidenced by the Georgia 2024 Milestones. State School Superintendent Richard Woods attended a ceremony at Carver High School, emphasizing the importance of reading for students‘ future success. He encouraged these achievements to serve as motivation for all schools across Georgia, highlighting that while there is still progress to be made, many schools are performing well. In total, 324 schools statewide earned this special honor for their literacy achievements.

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