Sunday Solutions — April 5, 2026
Good morning! It’s Easter, and we’re going to respect your family time with just a few offerings today. Here are a few things we had to share, including a cute turtle.
PROFILE: COMMUNITY
Box turtle roundup!
A group of volunteers, including veterinarians and animal welfare advocates, spent Friday and part of Saturday working to rescue box turtles from a wooded area on Tybee Island. The area will become a passive nature preserve and required remediation before it could be used. That meant the turtles were at risk of being crushed by heavy equipment used to clear the area. The Current‘s Mary Landers, Justin Taylor and Sarah Harwell were there to document the work to protect the island’s shelled residents.
NEWS: GOVERNING
It’s over. Maybe.
This year’s session of the Georgia General Assembly ended around 1 a.m. Friday after a frenzied week of work. In the end, the results are still being tallied: Sine die was declared as Good Friday began, and all things slowed after that. This much we know: Bills passed to cut the income tax rate while leaving tax breaks for data centers in full force, voted down a bill to protect Confederate monuments, approved access to contraceptives without a prescription, and passed a measure to tackle low 3rd-grade reading scores. All items that passed will now require Goverenor Brian Kemp’s signature.
Another thing: One large deadline wasn’t met. Last session, the legislature set July 1, 2026, to end scannable QR codes on election ballots throughout the state. Lawmakers didn’t, however, fund the technology change. And, they didn’t do it this time, either. So, it’s possible they’ll need a special session to either change their self-imposed deadline or agree on a remedy. And all that really depends on whether Kemp will be willing to call a session at all.
To read more about all of this, you’ll find stories and explainers at the button below.
Corporate, Congressional hobnob at Sea Island
Members of Congress, governors, CEOs, professors, judges, TV stars-turned-federal-officials, and other VIPs convened on Sea Island last month at the invitation of the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative Washington, D.C., think tank that is pro-business and advocates for limited government.
AEI’s agenda included war, peace, regulations and a discussion of the mythology and reality of quarterbacks. The document, stamped “DRAFT” and “Confidential,” appeared in St. Simons Republican Congressman Buddy Carter’s travel disclosure to the U.S. House Ethics Committee. Read the Sea Island conference program here or browse all disclosures of free travel accepted by U.S. House members and staff.
🐰 The Sunday News Quiz is off hunting Easter eggs and will return next week with a basket of chocolate bunnies. 🥚
NEWS: SCIENCE
☕ Your second cup: To the moon!
It’s true, we’re smitten with Artemis II and Orion, and we know we’re not alone. (It’s possible we even bought a dozen Artemis II decorated doughnuts…) While some government web sites are less helpful, nasa.gov is still kicking. You’ll be able to watch the crew’s moon fly-by live on the site starting at 1 p.m. Monday at this link. In the meantime, check out images from Orion’s trip here. This trip, technology and astronauts are accomplishments we can all cheer together as we learn more about the universe.
FROM THE CURRENT
A new editorial partner
We’re happy to announce that The Current GA is now a partner with The Associated Press, a nonprofit news organization that’s been providing news since 1846. The AP has developed rigorous reporting standards for its work and is known for its processes to ensure accuracy. As newsroom budgets across the state have been slashed over the past few years, many have dropped The AP‘s comprehensive coverage. Today, The Current GA is one of only a few outlets in Georgia to access the service. Don’t worry – we won’t lose our focus on Coastal Georgia. With The AP‘s help we’ll be able to give deeper context than ever about how national and world events affect our corner of the world. Our membership, designed for a select group of nonprofit news organizations, is funded by The Associated Press Fund for Journalism.
Enjoy your day.
Volunteers round up box turtles on Tybee
By Mary Landers
A group of volunteers, led by Dr. Lesley Mailler and Jordan Gray, rescued five box turtles from a wooded patch of land on Tybee Island before heavy equipment was scheduled to remove the top layer of soil for the construction of Solomon Park.
Georgia lawmakers failure to act on data center concerns draws community ire
By Jeff Amy/The Associated Press
Georgia lawmakers failed to pass legislation to curb the impact of data centers, leaving local communities to bear the cost of the tax breaks and electricity rate increases, which has sparked outrage among voters and given Democrats an opportunity to gain ground in the upcoming elections.
Georgia passes bill to round cash purchases to nearest nickel
By Mark Niesse/Capitol Beat
The Georgia House has approved a bill that rounds in-person cash transactions to the nearest nickel, in response to the Trump administration’s decision to stop making new pennies.
Camden considers Gilman Paper site proposals
By Maggie Lee
Camden County has received proposals from real estate groups for a mixed-use “live-work-play” destination project to be built on the 700-acre Gilman Paper site, with a marina, and expects to make a decision by May.
Lawmakers approve cuts to Georgia’s income tax rate but property tax plan tumbles
By Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder
Lawmakers passed a tax cut bill late Thursday night, reducing the state’s income tax rate and increasing the standard deduction, while also repealing several tax credits, despite concerns from Democrats about the math used to support the cuts and the potential disproportionate benefit to wealthier Georgians.
Lawmakers’ inaction on voting system overhaul leaves Georgia elections in doubt
By Charlotte Kramon/The Associated Press and Jeff Amy/The Associated Press
The Georgia General Assembly failed to pass a plan to overhaul the state’s voting system by a July deadline, leaving uncertainty about how Georgians will vote in November and potentially requiring a special legislative session or court ruling.
Georgia Republicans push through last-minute income, property tax cuts
By Ty Tagami/Capitol Beat News Service
Georgia House and Senate Republicans passed income and property tax cuts, which would reduce both taxes if signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, despite opposition from Democrats.
Election measures capsize on the final day of Georgia’s 2026 legislative session
By Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
The House and Senate failed to pass a bill to remove QR codes from voters’ ballots before the deadline, leaving some lawmakers calling for a special session to address the issue.
Georgia lawmakers approve access to contraceptives without a prescription
By Mark Niesse/Capitol Beat
Georgia lawmakers have passed a bill that would allow pharmacies to provide birth control medications without a prescription, making contraceptives more accessible to women in the state.
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