A.M. ATL: That’s a wrap

Morning, y’all! Aren’t the languid purple wisteria blooms so pretty this time of year? Too bad they’re invasive and suffocate indigenous flora.

Let’s get to it.

THE 2026 GA LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS IN THE CAN

State lawmakers toss papers in the air on Sine Die at the Capitol in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

State lawmakers worked into the night to get as many bills through both the House and Senate as possible. For those select few, the next stop is the governor’s desk, where Brian Kemp will decide whether to sign them into law.

Today’s must-read: Here’s a handy bill tracker showing which pieces of legislation got the double nod during this year’s General Assembly.

A few other notes:

• House and Senate negotiators approved a compromise 2027 budget late on Thursday.
• The Senate approved final passage of an income tax relief bill, a top priority for Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. The bill reduces the state income tax from 5.19% to 4.99% this year, with an end goal of 3.99% over eight years.
• It was Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp’s last legislative session as well. “It has been an honor of a lifetime for our family to represent this great state,” Marty Kemp said during a speech to the House.

🔎 READ MORE: The most important moments of Sine Die

Not signed up yet? What’re you waiting for? Get A.M. ATL in your inbox each weekday morning. And keep scrolling for more news.

COAL ASH COSTS A LOT TO CLEAN UP. YOU’RE PAYING FOR IT ON BOTH ENDS.

Georgia is one of just three states that oversees its ash disposal program, which environmentalists have long criticized. (Kendrick Brinson/The New York Times)

Georgia Power said it will cost more than half a billion dollars above previous estimates to clean up its toxic coal ash ponds across the state.

What is a coal ash pond?

• Coal ash is a byproduct of burning coal, which was Georgia Power’s main energy source for decades.
• The utility stored this literal toxic waste in unlined “coal ash ponds,” where chemicals from the coal ash seep into the ground, poisoning surrounding waterways and sometimes drinking water.

The cost of cleanup

• Georgia Power has spent $2 billion to clean up 29 coal ash ponds in 11 sites across the state. Now, it says “several market factors” have driven the price of the whole project from $8 billion to $8.5 billion.
• The “several market factors” are, more or less, inflation. Guess who gets to foot those extra costs? Georgia Power customers!

How are they allowed to do that?

• An environmental group sued Georgia Power years ago saying shareholders, not customers, should absorb the costs of coal ash cleanup. The Georgia Supreme Court, the Fulton County Superior Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals all rejected the case.
• Remember all the renewed fuss about the Georgia Public Service Commission last year? Yeah, the PSC had previously allowed Georgia Power to pay for the coal ash cleanup through a monthly charge to customers.

🔎 READ MORE: Georgia Power was going to end its reliance on coal, but data centers changed that

ATL CITY LEADER WANTS TO EXPLORE PRIVATIZING AIRPORT SCREENING

After the partial government shutdown led to more than a week of unfathomably long TSA wait times at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International airport, Atlanta City Councilman Byron Amos wants to explore privatizing airport security.

• He wants to introduce legislation seeking a feasibility study on entering the TSA Screening Partnership Program.
• About 20 airports have private companies handling security screening through the program. Through long-term contracts, these companies are able to pay workers even when the government is shut down.

Why the idea is fraught

• Privatizing the TSA is a goal of Project 2025, the ultraconservative blueprint from the Heritage Foundation that aims to dismantle aspects of the federal government during President Donald Trump’s second term.
• TSA workers and the union that represents them are vehemently against the idea, and some experts worry handing such important work over to for-profit companies could compromise security and serve outside interests.
• TSA advocates propose a different solution: Instead of paying other companies, pay more to the TSA — and its workers.

🔎 READ MORE: Experts weigh in on the idea

MUST-KNOW POLITICS AND BUSINESS

🏛️ Pam Bondi is out as attorney general, Trump says. If the president’s social media posts are binding, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is now the acting attorney general. A House committee recently subpoenaed Bondi to answer questions under oath about her handling of the Epstein files. She could still be held to it.

⚔️ Lt. Gov. Burt Jones backed legislation that would make it harder for his rival Rick Jackson to run for governor. The measure would force the health care staffing firm Jackson runs to give up state contracts if he wants to stay in the race.

A financial services firm called Bankers Life has agreed to repay nearly $6.7 million to 40+ investors who lost money in the collapse of First Liberty Building & Loan, the investment firm operated by high-profile Georgia GOP donors.

The announcement comes after Raffensperger’s office levied a $500,000 fine against a former Bankers Life adviser, and referred his case for possible criminal charges over allegations that he played a part in deceiving First Liberty investors.

🔎 READ MORE: Raffensperger’s probe into the First Liberty fallout isn’t over

WEEKEND SPOTLIGHT: 404 DAY

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens poses in front of a large "404" display at a scholarship gala raising funds for Atlanta students on April 3, 2024. (Courtesy of 404 Collective)

It’s just one of those Atlanta things. Saturday, April 4 (4/04), is an unofficial homage to Atlanta’s home area code, and a great time to celebrate our city.

• Atlanta sports teams, political leaders and other movers and shakers often commemorate the day with words of pride.
• What should you do on 404 day? Whatever makes you feel most Atlanta-y. Visit a city park. Eat a peach. Stream your fav Atlanta artists. Visit somewhere you’ve never been before.

I might take a drive on I-285 near my house, so I can get stuck in construction traffic. Ah, there’s no place like home.

🏙️ READ MORE: What’s 404 Day?

NEWS BITES

Jonathan, world’s oldest known tortoise still alive despite death rumors

Fools. Jonathan was around before you were born and Jonathan will still walk the Earth after you die.

McDonald’s tries a simpler approach with its new McValue menu

Just make it not McCost so much.

New Atlanta Falcons home jerseys: red tops, white pants

Love our red, but would have preferred black pants, I think. It’s giving Chiefs/Cardinals.

Artemis II astronauts rocket toward the moon after toilet malfunction delay

A nice humbling moment before heading out of Earth’s orbit for the first time since 1972. No matter how far we venture, we’ll always be electric meat bags with internal plumbing needs.

ON THIS DATE

April 3, 1958

(AJC File)

Pupils here off 5 days. More than 100,000 Atlanta students will begin their Easter vacations Friday. … School Supt. Miss Ira Jarrell asked motorists to remember that the youngsters will be playing throughout the city and caution should be taken by all drivers. Miss Jarrell also said that no out-of-town trips are being sponsored by the school system. Parents are urged to make sure that all group trips are properly chaperoned.

For those looking to skip town this weekend for some sun and fun (possibly unchaperoned 🫢), here’s an AJC travel guide with everything Georgians should know before heading out on a spring break trip.

ONE MORE THING

If we’re talking invasive plants, don’t even get me STARTED on the scourge that is English ivy. I’m not a landscape expert, but if you have English ivy climbing up trees on your property, definitely do some research. It’s not good.