01/09/2026
The Macon Melody’s THE RIFF
OUR TOP NOTE: Georgia lawmakers return to Atlanta for this year’s legislative session on Monday — and Macon-Bibb County’s representatives are proposing bills and working on measures that might impact the county’s government structure, remove controversial school zone speeding cameras and more.
THE STORY
We interviewed Reps. Floyd Griffin, Tangie Herring, Anissa Jones, Miriam Paris and Dale Washburn — and Sen. David Lucas — about their session priorities. (Sen. Rick Williams didn’t return our messages, and one Macon Senate seat, previously held by John F. Kennedy, is currently vacant. Kennedy is running for lieutenant governor, and the special election for that post is on Jan. 20.)
There are some big issues at play, including potential revisions to Macon-Bibb’s charter. A bill from Lucas would let Mayor Lester Miller seek a third term as head of the consolidated city-county government. In addition to giving the term-limited mayor a chance for another four years in office, Lucas wants to strip out the three-term limit for county commissioners, too.
Lucas can expect opposition to his bill from at least some of his fellow Macon-Bibb legislators. Griffin, Paris and Washburn are against it, with Paris and Washburn both noting that charter changes are generally off the table for them. Herring said she’d “look at all the information” and then decide. Jones and Griffin said the matter should be decided by voters.
Speeding cameras in school zones are another hot topic for the delegation, with a bill from Washburn proposing a ban on the ability for Georgia’s municipalities to contract with companies for the technology. He said Macon-Bibb citizens are being “victimized” by the cameras — and he wants them gone.
One other thing that might come up this session: County leaders could ask the General Assembly to approve the creation of a local police department, which would operate alongside the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department. Some local lawmakers are skeptical of the idea, with Lucas saying “that ain’t going to happen,” and Washburn again noting his desire to stand by the charter.
WHAT ELSE?
Griffin is looking to repeal the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, which was approved by the General Assembly in 2024. The act created an education savings account option for K-12 students in low-performing public schools. It provides up to $6,500 annually in public funds, which can be used for private school tuition or homeschooling expenses. Private schools in Macon collected nearly $436,000 from the program in 2025.
Lucas wants to give the Macon Water Authority the power to institute a 1% sales tax to help pay for water, sewer and stormwater improvements.
We'll keep you updated on local legislators and their Gold Dome activities throughout the session — and we'll also report on other bills that could affect Macon-Bibb.
Before you go, here’s a plug for this week’s Macon Melody print edition …
Quick note: This newsletter — and our broader reporting — is supported by local advertisers. If you’d like to promote your business or organization in our widely read news products, reach out to Lizzie Bacik at [email protected].
Today’s Friday, so that means release day for another issue of The Macon Melody. Each day, The Riff brings you one story we’ve been working on — plus a little something extra after that — but the print newspaper is packed with more great reporting as well as beautiful visuals and thoughtful columns. Here’s a sampling from this week:
“Power,” a reporting series examining local authorities — quasi-governmental bodies that shape daily life in Macon-Bibb County — continues this week with a detailed look at the Macon Housing Authority.
Features Columnist Michael W. Pannell bids adieu to 2025 with a recap of the area’s arts and entertainment highlights and gives readers a peek at things to come in that space this year.
Executive Editor Joshua Wilson opines that, five years after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, clarity still eludes too many: “What is most troubling … is how aggressively some political leaders and institutions have tried to recast that day.”
Read the e-edition — and make sure you’re signed up for home delivery of the print edition and digital access to all of our content.
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That’s it for The Riff this week. We’ll be back Monday.
In the meantime, tell your neighbors to subscribe to The Riff at maconmelody.com/newsletter.
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