Latest news with #JasonAnavitarte
Associated Press
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Georgia Republicans choose new Senate leaders to replace those seeking higher office
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's Republican state senators chose new leaders Tuesday after rules required the chamber's former leaders to step down because they're running for higher office in 2026. Republicans, who hold a 33-23 majority in Georgia's upper chamber, nominated Sen. Larry Walker III of Perry as president pro tem and elected Sen. Jason Anavitarte of Dallas as majority leader. Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Macon stepped down as president pro tem, the second-highest ranking post in the Senate, because he's running for lieutenant governor. The full Senate will have to vote on whether to elect Walker when it next meets, which is scheduled to be in January, but Walker will win the office with the support of the majority party. Until then the office will be vacant. Anavitarte becomes the majority leader as of Tuesday because that post only requires a vote of Republicans. He had been the majority caucus chair. Like Kennedy, Sen. Steve Gooch of Dahlonega had to step down because he's running for lieutenant governor. Republicans enacted a rule that senators could not hold a leadership position and run for higher office after 2022, when then-President Pro Tem Butch Miller, a Gainesville Republican, ran for lieutenant governor while serving as the chamber's highest ranking member against Burt Jones, then a senator from Jackson who held no leadership position. Miller forced votes on a number of bills to try to appeal to Republican voters, making a number of senators uncomfortable, even though Miller and Jones did not come into open conflict on the Senate floor. Miller lost the Republican primary to Jones, who was elected lieutenant governor in 2022. David Shafer, who served as president pro tem from 2013 to 2018, voluntarily stepped down from the post when he made an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor that year. Along with the lieutenant governor, Walker and Anavitarte will be steering a chamber where a large number of senators may be seeking higher office. Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves of Atlanta is running for governor and Jones is expected to seek the Republican nomination to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp, who can't run again after two terms. Five senators have expressed interest in running for lieutenant governor, with Republicans Blake Tillery of Vidalia and Greg Dolezal of Cumming eyeing the GOP race along with Gooch and Kennedy. Sen. Josh McLaurin is running as a Democrat. Two Republicans are running for attorney general — Sens. Bill Cowsert of Athens and Brian Strickland of McDonough . And Democrat Emanuel Jones has announced he's running for Congress.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Doraville awarded $400,000 to build new public library as part of downtown redevelopment
A new public library is on its way to Doraville after the city was awarded $400,000 from the Georgia Public Library Service According to Doraville officials, the new library will be part of the city's downtown redevelopment project. As Channel 2 Action News previously reported, Doraville is set to bulldoze their current city center, including the police headquarters and city hall, to build a new one. The $400,000 comes from a Capital Outlay Grant funded by the Georgia General Assembly to support new library construction, full facility renovations and other additions to library infrastructure across Georgia, officials said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: 'This is political punishment:' South Fulton mayor reacts to criminal trespassing charges Metro Atlanta mother says insurance will only cover fraction of son's international ATV accident Insurance Commissioner's office plans to hire more elevator inspectors after $4M budget shift State Sen. Jason Anavitarte said he was proud of the funding being secured, especially as a previous Doraville resident and member of the city council. City officials said the new library, once completed, will be "a modern library with a dedicated creator space," to accompany the other changes coming to downtown Doraville. 'Doraville is deeply grateful to the Georgia Public Library Service and to our legislative champions for securing this support for our city. This grant, combined with the $10 million bond Doraville has already secured, brings us one step closer to realizing our vision for a vibrant new city center—where public space, education, and creativity intersect," Doraville Mayor Joseph Geierman said in a statement. 'Our new library will be more than a building; it will be a cornerstone of opportunity, connection, and community for generations to come.' More details on the downtown redevelopment plans can be found online here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A ban on cell phones in Georgia Schools heads to the governor's desk
A statewide ban on cell phones in the classroom for Georgia students will now head to the governor's desk for final approval. On Tuesday, House Bill 340 passed the Senate with overwhelming support. Sen. Jason Anavitarte, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, spoke with Channel 2's Richard Elliot just moments after the bill was passed. 'Simply put - phones need to put away and we must be sensitive to what parents and teachers want,' Anavitarte said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Marietta Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera, who helped spearhead the statewide effort after implementing a similar ban in the district's two middle schools, told Channel 2′s Brittany Kleinpeter that the positive impact was undeniable. 'For us we've got children telling us even though they don't like it, they need it,' Rivera said. RELATED STORIES: A bill banning cell phones in school for kids in K-8 is one step closer to becoming law Georgia student phone, tablet ban passes House vote, heads to state Senate Ban on student phones in Georgia public schools back up for review in House Education Committee Schools participating in cellphone lock-up pilot program says discipline issues are down The school superintendent adding that over the last year, 68% of the teachers at Marietta Middle School reported being less stressed and 22% of 8th grade students reported an increase in their ability to learn. 'The teacher could teach better, and they could learn better as a result of a phone-free classroom,' Rivera added. Marietta Middle School parents like Kayla Sargent told Channel 2 Action News that they've seen the positive impacts of a cell ban. 'My middle school's functioning academically and socially has improved greatly since the ban,' Sargent said. 'I know teachers really appreciate it as well, so I've been very enthusiastic about the tech progress the district has made.' However, some parents like Bryan Williams say they're apprehensive about the ban due to security concerns. 'I would want my kid to have their cell phone in school for those dangerous moments and those moments where they need me,' Williams said. The Distraction-Free Education Act prohibits public school students in grades kindergarten through eight from accessing personal electronic devices during the school day. That includes smartphones, headphones, tablets and smartwatches. School-issued electronic devices can still be used, and school districts also would have come up with policies on storing devices and consequences for violations. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
More states move to ban cellphones in school as Georgia is latest to act
ATLANTA (AP) — More states are moving to ban or restrict cellphones in school, a trend that continues to win bipartisan support in legislatures. Senators in Georgia voted 54-2 on Tuesday to give final approval to a bill that would bans students in grades K-8 from using phones or other personal electronic devices during the school day. The measure goes to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature or veto. Currently, nine states ban phones in school, but that number will likely soon rise. Similar bills this year have passed by wide margins in New Mexico, Tennessee and Utah and await action by those states' governors. Measures are also progressing rapidly in other states. The push for cellphone bans has been driven by concerns about the impact screen time has on children's mental health and complaints from teachers that cellphones have become a constant distraction in the classroom. 'This bill isn't just about academics, it's about students' well-being,' Republican Georgia state Sen. Jason Anavitarte of Dallas said during debate Tuesday on House Bill 340. 'Studies link excessive phone use to mental health issues, decreasing social skills, and an increase in bullying. We want students engaged in school, socializing with friends during lunch and focusing in the classroom.' Nationally, 77% of U.S. schools say they prohibit cellphones at school for nonacademic use, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. But that number is misleading. It does not mean students are following those bans or all those schools are enforcing them. Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia have enacted measures banning or restricting students' use of cellphones in schools. The specifics of the measures vary widely. Georgia's bill says students can't access their personal devices at any time during the school day, but enforcement is up to local school districts. Some Georgia districts are already using locking pouches, but schools could also just tell students to leave their phones in their locker, to turn them in to a teacher, or disable them using an online application. Students who need devices to monitor medical conditions or to help overcome intellectual disabilities would still be able to use them. Some other states would still allow phones or other devices to be used in some situations. For example, the Utah bill lets schools permit classroom use under local policies. Georgia isn't providing any extra funding, although supporters suggested districts might be able to use yearly school safety grants if they need to buy pouches or other equipment. New Mexico's bill sets aside $10 million in aid for local schools to help fund adoption Objections to the proposal often center around concerns that students and parents won't be able to contact each other in case of emergency. In September, when a student killed two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School northeast of Atlanta, many students communicated with their parents and with emergency services using their phones. Sen. Rashaun Kemp, an Atlanta Democrat, said he was voting for the bill. But he pleaded with Republican colleagues to restrict guns to stop school shootings. 'What if that phone could save lives in an active-shooter situation?' Kemp asked 'These are true concerns as a parent that all of us will typically think about. What if that phone is the last opportunity for my child to communicate with me?' But supporters of the bans have noted that students' phones could pose additional dangers during an emergency by distracting students or by revealing their location during an active-shooter situation. Republican Sen. Randy Robertson of Cataula said a parent's job is to 'sit down, be responsible and trust the school to follow their emergency action plan. Their calls will go unanswered because their children's phones will be locked away.' For others, though, the bill doesn't go far enough. They want to see the ban extended to high school. Republican Rep. Scott Hilton of Peachtree Corners, the bill's sponsor, said that was likely in a future session. 'This bill is a step in the right direction, but let it be the beginning and not the end,' said Democratic Sen. Jason Esteves of Atlanta. 'Let's ensure that every student from kindergarten to 12th grade has the opportunity to learn free from unnecessary distractions.'
Associated Press
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
More states move to ban cellphones in school as Georgia is latest to act
ATLANTA (AP) — More states are moving to ban or restrict cellphones in school, a trend that continues to win bipartisan support in legislatures. Senators in Georgia voted 54-2 on Tuesday to give final approval to a bill that would bans students in grades K-8 from using phones or other personal electronic devices during the school day. The measure goes to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature or veto. Currently, nine states ban phones in school, but that number will likely soon rise. Similar bills this year have passed by wide margins in New Mexico, Tennessee and Utah and await action by those states' governors. Measures are also progressing rapidly in other states. The push for cellphone bans has been driven by concerns about the impact screen time has on children's mental health and complaints from teachers that cellphones have become a constant distraction in the classroom. 'This bill isn't just about academics, it's about students' well-being,' Republican Georgia state Sen. Jason Anavitarte of Dallas said during debate Tuesday on House Bill 340. 'Studies link excessive phone use to mental health issues, decreasing social skills, and an increase in bullying. We want students engaged in school, socializing with friends during lunch and focusing in the classroom.' Nationally, 77% of U.S. schools say they prohibit cellphones at school for nonacademic use, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. But that number is misleading. It does not mean students are following those bans or all those schools are enforcing them. Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia have enacted measures banning or restricting students' use of cellphones in schools. The specifics of the measures vary widely. Georgia's bill says students can't access their personal devices at any time during the school day, but enforcement is up to local school districts. Some Georgia districts are already using locking pouches, but schools could also just tell students to leave their phones in their locker, to turn them in to a teacher, or disable them using an online application. Students who need devices to monitor medical conditions or to help overcome intellectual disabilities would still be able to use them. Some other states would still allow phones or other devices to be used in some situations. For example, the Utah bill lets schools permit classroom use under local policies. Georgia isn't providing any extra funding, although supporters suggested districts might be able to use yearly school safety grants if they need to buy pouches or other equipment. New Mexico's bill sets aside $10 million in aid for local schools to help fund adoption Objections to the proposal often center around concerns that students and parents won't be able to contact each other in case of emergency. In September, when a student killed two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School northeast of Atlanta, many students communicated with their parents and with emergency services using their phones. Sen. Rashaun Kemp, an Atlanta Democrat, said he was voting for the bill. But he pleaded with Republican colleagues to restrict guns to stop school shootings. 'What if that phone could save lives in an active-shooter situation?' Kemp asked 'These are true concerns as a parent that all of us will typically think about. What if that phone is the last opportunity for my child to communicate with me?' But supporters of the bans have noted that students' phones could pose additional dangers during an emergency by distracting students or by revealing their location during an active-shooter situation. Republican Sen. Randy Robertson of Cataula said a parent's job is to 'sit down, be responsible and trust the school to follow their emergency action plan. Their calls will go unanswered because their children's phones will be locked away.' For others, though, the bill doesn't go far enough. They want to see the ban extended to high school. Republican Rep. Scott Hilton of Peachtree Corners, the bill's sponsor, said that was likely in a future session. 'This bill is a step in the right direction, but let it be the beginning and not the end,' said Democratic Sen. Jason Esteves of Atlanta. 'Let's ensure that every student from kindergarten to 12th grade has the opportunity to learn free from unnecessary distractions.'
