Politics
Politics

House delays vote on sentencing legislation

By
March 21, 2012

The House has delayed its vote on an overhaul of the state's criminal sentencing laws until Thursday.

House Bill 1176, approved Tuesday by the Special Joint Committee on Georgia Criminal Justice Reform, was expected to be considered Wednesday by the House. A top legislative priority of Gov. Nathan Deal, the bill would create new categories of punishment for various types of crimes, such as drug possession, burglary, theft, forgery and shoplifting, and it is intended to stem projected spending increases in prison spending.

About the Author

Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.

Follow Bill Rankin on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Credit: AP

Fired CDC director tells Senate panel RFK Jr.’s policies have chilling effects

Former CDC chief Susan Monarez said during a U.S. Senate hearing she was fired for failing to support HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to overhaul vaccine policy.

Who could replace Fani Willis in the Trump case?

The head of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia will decide who inherits the election interference case involving President Donald Trump and 14 of his supporters.

OPINION

Geoff Duncan giving Democrats headaches, and a chance

After 28 years of losing governor’s races, Democrats in the state may want to try something different if they want a different result the next time around.

The Latest

Fani Willis, district attorney of Fulton County, speaks to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Atlanta. (Brynn Anderson/AP)

Credit: AP

Who could replace Fani Willis in the Trump case?

Fired CDC director tells Senate panel RFK Jr.’s policies have chilling effects

Ethics Commission sanctions 5 of 7 Georgia Senate candidates

Featured

The city of Atlanta opened Azalea Fresh Market downtown to help residents find affordable groceries. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Metro Atlanta consumers grapple with higher prices on food, other goods

Inflation recently reached its highest level this year, with prices increasing for food, housing and other necessities.

Raffensperger, who rebuffed Trump in 2020, runs for Georgia governor

He was the Republican who told Donald Trump no. Now the secretary of state is telling Georgia voters he wants to be their next governor.

South Georgia football coach resigns after 0-5 start

Wayne County’s John Mohring resigned Tuesday afternoon, becoming the third GHSA football coach to step down since the season began.