(The Center Square) – The Georgia Lottery collected $30 million more for education in fiscal year 2020 than the previous fiscal year despite the economic downturn caused by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Georgia Lottery Act for Education, net proceeds from the Georgia Lottery help support educational programs in the state. Georgia Lottery Corp. officials said Tuesday that it collected $1.23 billion for the state’s pre-K and HOPE Scholarship programs for fiscal year 2020. The...

(The Center Square) – Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a bill into law to protect Georgians from unexpected medical bills. Kemp signed House Bill 888, dubbed the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act, which stops patients from being charged for out-of-network health care services. "This is an historic step forward for Georgia when it comes to health care, and, frankly, it couldn't come at a better time as our state and country face the greatest public health challenge we have seen in the 21st...

(The Center Square) – Some officials in Georgia said they are shocked and confused about Gov. Brian Kemp's executive order that blocks local governments from requiring residents to wear masks. Senate Minority Whip Harold Jones II, D-Augusta, said when he voted to allow Kemp to have more authority during the COVID-19 pandemic, he thought it would ensure blanket safety precautions for all Georgians. "Local governments have to act in a way that is consistent to make sure citizens are safe,"...

(The Center Square) – North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper sent a letter to the state's Congressional leaders Friday asking for more federal coronavirus aid. Cooper urged them to provide direct funding for the state and local governments, money to secure personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies for schools and to extend the federal contribution to the state's medical assistance programs, among other things. "We cannot beat this crisis if we do not ensure our economy can survive the...

(The Center Square) – The Georgia Power Co. has received state approval to recoup $7.7 million in COVID-19-related losses from its customers. The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), which oversees utility rates, authorized Georgia Power to resume service suspensions and to recover the losses from consumers. PSC voted 3-2 earlier this month in favor of allowing Georgia Power to get back the money it spent on personal protective equipment, overtime pay and cleaning supplies in response to...