Latest news with #HouseBill344
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GA State Rep. roasted online after posting about reducing fine for passing stopped school buses
A Georgia lawmaker's post on social media explaining why he wants to lower the fine for passing a stopped school bus came under fire in the comments section. Addy's Law has stiffened penalties for passing a stopped school bus. But House Bill 344 would reduce the current $1,000 fine to $300 for a first offense. State Rep. Don Parsons wrote in a Facebook post that he disagreed with the $1,000 fine because it puts a burden on families. The mother of Adalyn Pierce said there's no greater burden on a family than losing a child. And many people commented online and agreed with her. Ashley Pierce said at least 96 angry emojis and dozens of negative comments on Parsons' post says a lot. 'I mean it says a lot about how people feel about what he's doing,' she told Channel 2′s Tom Jones. 'He made that post to actually find supporters and look for supporters.' In the first 24 hours since Parsons posted it, many people have roasted him. He filed House Bill 344. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Ashley helped pass Addy's Law, named after her daughter who was killed when police say a driver passed a stopped school bus last year. Addy's Law increased the fine for doing so to $1,000. Parsons wrote in a Facebook post that $1,000 is too high and would burden families. One comment replied 'Honestly, this post makes me sick to my stomach.' Another wrote, 'Shame on you.' And another stated, 'You are talking about a thousand dollars versus a child's life.' 'I encourage him to read those comments,' Ashley said. 'To actually read every single one of them.' Channel 2 Action News contacted Parsons to get his response. We are still waiting to hear back from him. Ashley's father, Russ Dingess, said he wants to hear from the co-sponsors of HB 344, who also voted for Addy's Law. 'His own sponsors for the bill won't answer emails. They're not responding to phone calls,' Dingess said. Ashley said the commenters made it perfectly clear how they feel about fines for passing a stopped school bus. 'They should be higher,' she said. Parsons' bill was scheduled to be heard during a hearing on Tuesday, but it was taken off the agenda. TRENDING STORIES: Clayton County police officer rushed to hospital after being shot Gwinnett couple charged with taking $1 million from dead mother's pension 5 arrested in murder of 11-year-old shot at Paulding County home [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia lawmakers file bill to change penalties for passing stopped school buses
Georgia lawmakers filed new legislation to change how much you'll pay in fines for passing a school bus. According to House Bill 344, if a driver is caught on video overtaking or meeting a school bus on the road while it is stopped, there will be newly revised monetary penalties. The bill sets a civil penalty if a driver is caught passing a stopped bus or staying next to it on a camera on the bus. Specifically, the owners of vehicles caught on bus cameras passing or meeting the bus in violation of the statute would face hundreds of dollars in fines, up to $1,000 for multiple violations. First-time violations will result in $300 fines, followed by a $500 fine for a second violation and each time after $1,000 each for subsequent acts, according to the bill text. The bill will be before a committee for discussion on Tuesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Hundreds of FAA employees fired by Trump administration Atlanta Inspector General resigns: 'I hate that it's come to this' Sheriff: 'Other matters' investigated amid Lake Oconee search for missing teacher [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmaker wants to prevent ‘sanctuary cities' in Kentucky
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Kentucky lawmaker has filed a bill to prohibit local governments from obstructing the repatriations or identification of people living in the country illegally. 'The federal government has a clear mandate from the American people to enforce our nation's immigration laws,' Rep. Jared Bauman of Louisville said. 'HB 344 will be our commonwealth's promise to uphold federal law and to support federal law enforcement agencies as they identify and detain illegal aliens who have violated our nation's sovereign borders. Above all, we are committed to supporting federal law enforcement agencies as they pursue illegal aliens who have committed violent crimes against innocent Kentuckians and pose an active safety threat to our communities.' Legislature limiting governor pardoning power moves forward in Frankfort Petition emerges to remove all London City Council members following hostile meeting Lawmaker wants to prevent 'sanctuary cities' in Kentucky A Kentucky House of Representatives news release said Kentucky law enforcement agencies do not keep data related to people living in the country illegally, but federal agencies estimate that about 650,000 have criminal convictions or pending charges. 'Since January 20, federal agencies have increased ongoing repatriation efforts to enforce national immigration laws. In 2023, the federal government oversaw 142,580 repatriations of individuals from the United States to their home countries,' reads the release. In 2024, the American Immigration Council, a nonprofit that advocates for immigration reform, estimated that 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States, about 3.3% of the population. The news release said House Bill 344 would prohibit state agencies, law enforcement agencies, and local governments from adopting sanctuary policies. The bill would also require law enforcement agencies to use all resources reasonably available to support federal immigration law. The bill also allows county governments to make agreements with federal agencies for the detainment of people living in the country illegally and would wave sovereign, governmental, and qualified immunity for any local government or law enforcement agency that releases an illegal alien who subsequently commits a violent offense, permitting the victim or victim's family to file a civil action for compensatory damages and punitive damages, as well as attorney fees. Lexington ranked 10th worst large city for football fans: WalletHub Kentucky receives failing grades in tobacco control report Kentucky ranks as 2025's worst state to retire in: WalletHub 'We have a responsibility to the people of Kentucky to ensure that our government enforces federal law,' Bauman added. 'When local governments or state agencies establish sanctuary policies to undermine law enforcement, it signals to our citizens that our government does not take public safety seriously, and it suggests to criminals that they can act without consequence. We must ensure that federal agents are supported when operating in our communities. Collaboration and communication between local, state, and federal agencies will make the repatriation process safer for everyone involved, including our law enforcement officers and community members.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
