Metro Atlanta’s population rose to more than 5.7 million residents last year, according to new U.S. Census estimates. The Atlanta area remained the ninth-largest metropolitan statistical area in the country, according to the AJC. The region grew by about 1.7 percent between 2014 and 2015.
Following Gov. Nathan Deal’s veto of the so-called “religious liberty” bill, some lawmakers are calling for a special session to override that veto. However, experts say it’s doubtful there is enough support for a special legislative session, since it would require 3/5 of both the Georgia House and Senate. An estimated special session could cost taxpayers up to $41,000 per day. Read more at CBS46.
Atlanta Public School officials are asking parents to turn out for the May 24 election to support an extension of the special local option sales tax, according to Reporter Newspapers. “We believe [the tax is] important to provide safe and vital places for our children to learn,” School board member Cynthia Briscoe Brown told about 40 people attending a recent meeting of the North Atlanta Parents for Public Schools. “We need you to get the word out.” The 1-cent-on-a-dollar sales tax is expected to raise about $465 million for the schools over the next five years, Brown said.