ATLANTA (AP) - House Speaker David Ralston is turning up the heat as state lawmakers consider whether to extend a high-profile hospital industry tax that generates more than $600 million for state health care spending.
In an interview Thursday, the Blue Ridge Republican did not explicitly endorse the details of a proposal from the hospital industry to tweak but continue the tax on net patient revenue. It expires this year.
However, Ralston endorsed the concept, and says lawmakers should not be swayed by political pressure from groups threatening to campaign against legislators for raising taxes. The General Assembly convenes Monday for its annual session.
The financing scheme uses the hospital money to secure federal support for Medicaid. Ralston says without that arrangement, several hospitals in Georgia would have to close.
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A national atheist group says it will place its literature in cabins and lodges in Georgia's state parks after the governor's recent decision to allow Bibles in them.
A national atheist group says it will place its literature in cabins and lodges in Georgia's state parks after the governor's recent decision to allow Bibles in them.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:02 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:02:13 GMT
It's just hair—so why not share a little for a great cause? Monday marks the 7th Annual It's Just Hair Cut-a-Thon at the Taylor Brooks Salon in Alpharetta, and you can help!
It's just hair—so why not share a little for a great cause? Monday marks the 7th Annual It's Just Hair Cut-a-Thon at the Taylor Brooks Salon in Alpharetta, and you can help!
Monday, May 20 2013 8:25 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:25:27 GMT
It's the time of year when high school students are graduating and getting ready to begin their college years.
It's the time of year when high school students are graduating and getting ready to begin their college years. Twelve Gwinnett County seniors honored with the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship will go to college for free, and five of them are from Mountain View High School.
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