Lawmakers backing away from ‘birther' bill

At least a dozen lawmakers have removed their names from a proposal in the Georgia House that would require presidential and vice presidential candidates to prove they were born in the country.

Among representatives that removed their names were Jon Burns of Newington, Penny Houston of Nashville, Tom McCall of Elberton, Ann Purcell of Rincon and Ron Stephens of Savannah. All are Republicans.

“It’s just much more in depth than I originally anticipated,” Stephens said of dropping his support for a measure inspired by the “birther” movement, which believes President Barack Obama was not born in the United States.

Sponsor Mark Hatfield, R-Waycross, originally had 93 co-sponsors of House Bill 401. The measure first appeared in an elections subcommittee on Wednesday and is up for debate at the group’s next meeting.

About the Author

April Hunt

Flight delays likely ‘only going to get worse,’ Transportation head says

The U.S. will stop flights if the air traffic controller shortage leads to safety concerns, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says in TV interviews.

Georgia parks raise parking fees — and more price hikes could be on the way

Georgia will boost state park entrance fees in January, and an audit suggests more price hikes could be coming.

Volunteers provide food amid uncertainty over SNAP benefits

Advocates for the hungry across metro Atlanta told similar stories this week as the Trump administration prepared to freeze SNAP benefits amid a federal government shutdown.

The Latest

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Flight delays likely ‘only going to get worse,’ Transportation head says

Georgia parks raise parking fees — and more price hikes could be on the way

Volunteers provide food amid uncertainty over SNAP benefits

Featured

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

6 report injuries after MARTA buses collide at DeKalb station

A MARTA spokesperson says six passengers are claiming they were hurt when two buses collided as one was pulling out of a stall at Kensington Station.

Georgia parks raise parking fees — and more price hikes could be on the way

Georgia will boost state park entrance fees in January, and an audit suggests more price hikes could be coming.

MARTA and Beltline rail two big transportation items on mayor’s agenda

While reaffirming his commitment to building light rail along the Beltline, Mayor Dickens says the first segment should go where transportation needs are greatest: SW Atlanta.