Tax Cut Plans & Gaps They Leave

Sunday Solutions — Feb. 8, 2026

Good morning! So, we’re not sure if the groundhog was wrong, but we do know we’ve hit on a sunny weekend and there’s plenty to do and to read. Catch up here and then take advantage of the adventures throughout Coastal Georgia. Enjoy!

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NEWS: TAXES

Without taxes, what fills the gap?

It’s a common topic: Do you feel like they get your money’s worth when it comes to taxes? And at what point are the taxes just too much, no matter what? As we’ve noted in recent weeks, there are dueling plans to cut taxes in the Georgia General Assembly this year. The most recent would end property taxes on homesteads by 2032. Data reporter Maggie Lee has looked at the plan to see the funding gaps the move would leave for schools and municipal and county governments — the prime beneficiaries of those taxes. While changes to the measure are likely, and passage isn’t certain, it’s a good time for all of us to consider the options, the value of what may be lost in funding cuts, and what our legislators need to think about as they work on the plan.

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Air pollution permits

Every week, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division publishes notices of companies that have asked for permits to pollute the air. Read Westwin Elements’ 100-page application for an air permit for a proposed nickel refinery in Richmond Hill, or skip straight to our coverage.

And while we’re at it, let’s stop and cheer for civic engagement in Richmond Hill over the past week where documents played a part in getting people’s attention. Citizens found their voices after using the Georgia Open Records Law to get information on the property and the plans for the nickel refinery — and then they showed up by the hundreds to the Westwin town hall meeting, county commission and city meetings. Some found assurances and some found questions, but there’s no doubt the proactive work by residents brought more light to the discussion.

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FEATURE: GEORGIA HISTORY

Get out: Super Museum Sunday

Today’s the day. More than 100 Georgia historical sites and museums are open from noon to 4 p.m. to all with no admission fee. So you have no excuse. There’s no ice, no snow — just open doors to see amazing art, learn about a hero, explore a historic church, check out old telephones, take a walk back in time or the woods. Just go. Here’s a list of places. The annual free day is part of the Georgia Historical Society’s Georgia History Festival. No matter where you live in Coastal Georgia, you’ve got a spot to explore today. Get out.

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NEWS: LEGISLATURE

Librarians, AI and budgets

Last week, librarians left the stacks and headed for Atlanta to speak out against changes to Senate Bill 74, which would criminalize librarians for distributing books that some might consider harmful to minors. Current laws exempt public school and higher education librarians from the ban on distributing obscene media to people younger than 18. The bill remains in the House and a different version passed the Senate last year. You can read about the arguments here.

Also in the legislature:

• Georgia might criminalize using AI to create obscene images of people: State senators are looking to make it a crime to use artificial intelligence to virtually undress people. From Capitol Beat.

• Overwhelming vote backs efforts to investigate campaign money pumped into Georgia: While some worry the effort will only focus on political opponents, support was strong. From Capitol Beat.

• Georgia bill seeks to address rural doctor shortage by allowing foreign physicians: State Sen Ben Watson led the charge to fill the large physician gaps across the state. From Healthbeat.

• Georgia House trims governor’s budget, allocates funds to rural infrastructure: The tax-bill competition played out as the House passed a mini budget ignoring the governor’s call for tax rebates and adding prisons cells, mental health facilities and medical education. From Capitol Beat.

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☕ Your second cup: Funding, with strings

You’ve already read about the current statehouse debate over librarians and books. But libraries as institutions also have more challenges. This story from ProPublica explains that any federal library funding will require strict adherence to new guidelines that will distort or constrain American history. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle after a year of turnover and shifting priorities sparked by new rules from the Trump administration that challenge local libraries’ freedom to build, restock and educate their communities. Now is a good time to grab a library card and check out some history books.

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