Sunday Solutions — March 23, 2025
☀️ Good morning! ☀️ The sun is out, and that’s appropriate since March is Sunshine Month — a time to remember that transparency builds trust as it exposes actions. For this day we’ll shine a light on how we all benefit from knowing what’s going on in a democracy so we can make our best decisions. So, we’ve picked our theme for the day, and we’re lighting it up.
“Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman.” – Louis Brandeis, 1913
NEWS: GOVERNING
Beach brings the sunshine
Tybee Island is always a great place to watch when it comes to civic participation. After all, how many cities can pack public meetings twice in two days on very different topics? Citizen engagement there is high; voters take civic engagement seriously and hold their officials accountable. Residents and groups like Forever Tybee work to bring the sunlight to topics that affect everyone. Recently, the mayor started a process to change the way council members are elected without giving anyone a heads-up. Citizens packed public meetings on Thursday to understand why. On Friday, they gathered again to hear the plan for party-heavy Orange Crush weekend and get info on what the event permit would require after months of planning and negotiation.
A note: For the Tybee elections changes to occur, it would require an act of the state legislature via local bills from the elected representative and senator for the city. Legislature 101 for this week explains how that works. You can find it here.
With good info, we all make better choices and flush out actors and actions that don’t meet our expectations with our votes. This past week’s news also reminded us how hard but necessary that road can be for citizens and governments.
- In Savannah, an attorney frustrated in his search for answers sued the city over open records act violations. This case showcases the law and its limitations, even when public servants work to answer requests. Citizens can ask for records any time, in any manner, and taxpayer-funded bodies have to comply with the law. (If you don’t believe there are consequences, ask Fulton County DA Fani Willis who will have to pay a $54,000 fine after a judge said she violated the state open records law.)
- In recent weeks, Glynn County and Georgia open meeting agendas and Department of Natural Resources permit requests provided reporters enough information to help give early notice for St. Simons citizens to have a say in what changes could come for community greenspace and a popular beach. Without early info, those two moves might’ve occurred without any public discussion.
Curious about how your officials make decisions or spend your money? Just ask. It’s your right to see the work in any form.
NEWS: GOVERNING
Headed for the finish line
It’s nearing the end for the 2025 Georgia General Assembly, and committees have been busy considering bills approved on the other side of the aisle. A few pieces are already headed for Governor Brian Kemp’s desk, including a tax rebate and a reduced tax rate. He’s still waiting on a final bill to limit lawsuit damages after the House added a few items to the Senate version. Drivers are still waiting on new rules for speed cameras.
Three bills got tense hearings last Wednesday: a bill that would limit use of puberty-blocking drugs for transgender minors, a measure that would put librarians in the same criminal space as those who pass porn to children, and a religious freedom bill people say could be just the opposite.
🎉 Congratulations to Bryan S. for knowing that last week’s Spyglass was a historical marker on LaRoche Avenue near Majestic Oaks Drive in Chatham County that commemorates the Mercer Auto Camp and the history of the Great Savannah Races in 1908, 1910, 1911. We had 16 correct answers last week — let’s see how you do this week.
Test how well you spy details in Coastal Georgia. Give us the location of the public artwork in the photo above. Some spots may be easier to identify than others; some will be tougher. We’ll collect correct answers each week and draw for a weekly winner.
CLICK HERE TO GIVE YOUR ANSWER
EXPLAINER: GOVERNMENT
What do you want to know?
Every week, data reporter Maggie Lee sends out the Monday Coastal Navigator newsletter with a list public meetings and agendas with a dose of civics process on top. We are gathering those now in one easy-to-find spot, along with other notes that can help us all understand how to follow our local governmental work. Here’s the link to the Government 101 work in progress –– tell us what you’d like to see and learn as this page evolves in content and design. There’s a form there (and here) where you can submit your thoughts on it all. Your questions and ideas will help us build a useful guide.
EXPLAINER: TECHNOLOGY
☕ Your second cup: AI and transparency
The Georgia legislature is considering artificial intelligence issues including privacy concerns and workplace development as the session nears an end. And like any powerful technology in the hands of humans, it can be used for good or for less good. House Bill 147 requires local governments to plan an AI strategy and to be transparent about it. It passed the House 172-0, but is now stuck in a new Senate committee.
The unavoidable technology has roared into daily government activities with very few guard rails as general services, development, drafting of laws, and law enforcement adopt AI to improve efficiencies. Citizens are going to need and want to know how their public servants might store and use AI-gathered facial recognition or personal information on applications for jobs, adoptions or loans. Governing.com leaves us with a story on how tech can improve human and family services in chronically understaffed agencies. And this week, GPB News gave an example of how AI can help us predict threats to our children.
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Down to the wire, Georgia GOP lawmakers prepare to pass trio of culture war bills
By Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder and Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
Georgia legislative committees are considering several controversial bills, including one that would remove protections for librarians from the law against distributing explicit materials to minors and another that would ban transgender girls from school sports.
Georgia Senate approves tax relief measures, reducing income tax rate to 5.19%
By Ty Tagami/Capitol Beat News Service
Georgia taxpayers will receive one-time rebates and the state income tax rate will be reduced to 5.19% following the approval of two tax relief measures by the state Senate.
Sales taxes pass in Chatham, Camden, Liberty but not Bryan
By Craig Nelson
Turnouts low as four counties vote on 1-cent sales taxes. Bryan defeats education tax by 35 votes.
Georgia lawmakers focus on artificial intelligence
By Dave Williams/Capitol Beat
Georgia lawmakers are working to regulate AI, develop plans for its use, and protect consumers’ personal data, while also considering criminalizing the use of AI to generate obscene material depicting children.
Georgia House OKs governor’s priority lawsuit damage award limit bill, easing path to his signature
By Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
Changes are provisions that would limit owners’ liability for injuries that occur on their property, restrict damages awarded for medical bills, and enable trials to more easily be split into multiple stages so that juries can determine liability and damages separately.
Tybee Island mayor pushes for change in election system, sparking controversy
By Craig Nelson
Tybee Island Mayor Brian West has proposed legislation to change the island’s election system to a majority vote system, which would replace the current plurality system, without informing the city council, citing outdated procedures and a lack of voter participation.
Panel gives go-ahead for Coast Guard Beach changes
By Mary Landers
Shore Protection Committee unanimously approved plans to add amenities to St. Simons’ Coast Guard Beach, including a beach volleyball court, removing trees, and filling wetlands, despite public opposition.
Government 101: Public meetings, how things work, making laws
By The Current
This page is a work in progress where we compile information you can use to learn about specific processes in government. After all, the more you know, the more you can make your voices heard on issues you care about.
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