WABE's Week In Review: Buckhead City effort and "Don't Say Gay"-style bill fail for now at the Capitol

March 3rd, 2023

Two bills with a lot of attention both came up for a vote in the state Capitol on Thursday: a bill allowing residents of Buckhead to create their own city and a bill legalizng certain types of sports betting. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

BREAKING: Georgia senators torpedoed an effort to let the affluent Buckhead neighborhood secede from Atlanta on Thursday, with 10 Republicans breaking ranks and voting with Democrats to doom the measure.https://t.co/aMp97Ft7WJ
— WABE News (@wabenews) March 2, 2023

WATCH & LISTEN to the reaction in the Georgia State Senate Chamber as Buckhead Cityhood legislation fails.

Senate Bill 114 would allow Buckhead residents to vote on separating from the City of Atlanta and creating a new city. #gapol #atlpol pic.twitter.com/emSAl5ws0s

— Rahul Bali (@rahulbali) March 2, 2023

The Georgia State Senate rejects SB 114, one of two bills related to the City of Buckhead City movement. SB 114 sponsor Senator Robertson walks the floor after the vote, at the rear of the chamber, and Rep. Holland and Senator McLaurin react to the results. @wabenews pic.twitter.com/FVdvPrMVp8
— Matthew Pearson (@justmattphotoj) March 2, 2023

Georgia’s version of a controversial Florida bill fails…

Packed room for hearing on SB-88, which initially would have stopped teachers and other adults from discussing sexuality and gender identity.

Bill got tabled and given today’s deadline to get it moving to the Senate, it won’t make crossover day. pic.twitter.com/tZfQT22zUq
— Sam Gringlas (@gringsam) March 1, 2023

Plans to expand Atlanta’s urban forest…

Supporters of the South River Forest vision say it’s still one of Atlanta’s best chances to preserve its famous urban forest, even as controversial decisions in the area about "Cop City" and DeKalb County’s land swap have become flashpoints. https://t.co/Mznk9L0Ruh
— WABE News (@wabenews) March 3, 2023

Also in this episode…

–Emily Jones tells us why Georgia Power is raising rates on most customers again.

–Chamian Cruz looks at what Latino advocates say are a priority for their community at the state Capitol.

–Emily Wu Pearson has more on efforts at the Capitol to help “new Americans” and what advocates are doing to help lawmakers here be more engaged with the growing community.