Lawmakers Move to Suspend State Gas Tax

The state House on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to suspend the state’s gas tax for 60 days, offering relief to drivers facing rising prices at the pump.

The bill now heads to the state Senate for expected approval before moving to the desk of Gov. Brian Kemp, who has suspended the gas tax three times during his two terms. Last week, Kemp said he wanted to monitor the markets longer before committing to action.

Georgia’s gas tax adds 33 cents per gallon for gasoline and 37 cents for diesel. Supporters say the state’s budget surplus can cover the estimated $170 million to $200 million monthly cost of the suspension.

The move to pause the tax comes as gas and diesel prices continue climbing nationally amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. You can check gas price trends in your area here.

  GOP Targets Ossoff Amid Airport Delays

Republican candidates seeking to unseat U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff criticized Ossoff for the partial federal government shutdown, now causing worsening airport delays and Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages.

Ossoff and other Democrats in the U.S. Senate continue to block a bill that would fund TSA and other Department of Homeland Security functions, citing opposition to the department’s illegal immigration enforcement tactics.

The shutdown’s impact extends to long checkpoint waits and flight delays at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where TSA callout rates have hit roughly 36%.

Travelers are urged to arrive three hours early.

Warm-Up Coming

Georgians won’t need to wait long to shake off this week’s storms and cold, with forecasters predicting a dramatic warm-up that will push temperatures into the 80s by the weekend.

An upper-level ridge moving east will fuel a steady climb, with Atlanta expected to jump from a high near 55 today to around 82 by Sunday. In parts of south Georgia, forecasters expect highs in the low 80s by Saturday, rising to the mid-80s on Sunday.

Meteorologists say rain chances remain low through the weekend before creeping up early next week.

The timing aligns with the official start of spring on Friday morning.

Overnight Tuesday, freeze warnings were in effect across north and central Georgia, with lows dipping into the 20s in mountain communities.

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➤ Macon: The annual International Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off Friday and runs through March 29, with organizers recommending visitors check parking maps and entry rules, including a requirement for clear bags. (More)

➤ Gainesville: Gov. Brian Kemp suspended Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch for 60 days after a February DUI arrest in which Couch’s blood alcohol level registered at nearly three times the legal limit. (More)

➤ Carrollton: A family says an auto dealership sold a nearly $70,000 SUV to their 83-year-old father with dementia, who did not fully understand the purchase. The family said the dealership offered to return $3,000 in fees but would not take back the SUV. (More)

➤ Jasper: An investigation continued into the shooting of an employee at a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic on Tuesday. The worker was airlifted to a hospital in unknown condition. The suspected gunman was fatally shot by police outside the clinic. The gunman’s motive and any possible ties to the victim were not immediately known, police said.  (More)

➤ Augusta: The city announced new parking rules and traffic changes for Masters Week, including earlier lot closures and a temporary traffic signal at pedestrian crossings on Washington Road. (More)

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➤ March Madness tips off today with Georgia playing Saint Louis at 9:45 p.m., immediately followed by Kennesaw State vs Gonzaga at around 10 p.m. (How to Watch)

➤ Georgia State baseball beat West Georgia 8-2 to secure its 1,000th win in program history. (More)

➤ Developers released a drawing of a proposed 20,000-seat professional hockey arena envisioned at the site of the former North Point Mall in Alpharetta. If approved, built, and used for NHL play, the arena would be among the league’s larger arenas. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ The Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted its inaugural State of Economic Development event on Wednesday, featuring remarks from Gov. Brian Kemp and state economic development commissioner Pat Wilson on strategies for continued growth. (More)

➤ Georgia Ports Authority is preparing for this season’s first citrus imports from South Africa, Chile, and Peru, with a new $4.5 million temperature-controlled inspection site set to open in June at the Garden City terminal. (More)

➤ Business technology provider Sage will expand its North American headquarters at Ponce City Market in Atlanta, adding office space for an additional 200 workers, building on its current staff of 450. (More)

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➤ NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and the sheriffs of Douglas and Henry counties joined in a donation to cover the funeral expenses for a 12-year-old girl who died after a bus stop fight in Villa Rica earlier this month. (More)

➤ Easter egg hunts and festivals will help usher in the spring season across Southeast Georgia and the Lowcountry through early April, with dozens of community events featuring age-group hunts, bunny visits, and family activities. (More)

➤ The Hambidge Center’s 31st Annual Art Auction opens today with a free public reception at The Hive in Uptown Atlanta. The event runs through April 18, featuring more than 200 works of contemporary art and panel discussions. (More)

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