Near session's end, lawmakers rush on taxes, education bills

ATLANTA (AP) — State lawmakers worked late into the evening Tuesday, rushing to pass legislation affecting Georgians' income taxes, treatment for opioid addiction and a strategy to turn around the state's lowest performing schools.

"Less than one week after a deadly terrorist attack struck London, and in the wake of countless acts of terrorism - at home and abroad - 83 members of the House declined to approve a measure to enhance Georgia's defense against potential terrorist threats," Cagle said in a statement.

Republicans had to change strategies after voters' firm rejection of a constitutional amendment seeking to let the state take over schools dubbed "chronically failing."

State education officials can take actions including removing staff, turning the school into a charter or allowing parents to enroll their children elsewhere.

The turnaround officer and other state education officials could use other factors, including location, accreditation status and the school's recent performance to select which schools the state will approach.

Senators backed legislation cutting some income taxes while committing to collecting more sales taxes from out-of-state online business.

The Senate also tacked on language from a separate bill that requires online retailers with at least $250,000 or 200 sales to collect and pay state taxes.

House leadership proved that late Tuesday when they gutted an unrelated bill and replaced it with language overhauling colleges' disciplinary processes in reports of sexual assault.

Republicans and Democrats on the panel said they were concerned with requiring campuses to inform law enforcement on reports of crimes, including sexual assault.