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Georgia State Senate not taking up Buckhead Cityhood in 2022 session
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston said he "respects" the Senate's decision but noted the crime issue within Buckhead has yet to be resolved.
ATLANTA - The push to split Buckhead from the city of Atlanta will not move forward this year.
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, said he "respects" the Senate's decision not to take up the issue of Buckhead cityhood this session.
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Ralston's comments come a day after Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he hit the pause button on legislation to create the new city.
The lieutenant governor said there are too many unanswered questions about things like crime mitigation, schools, and finances.
Speaker Ralston said it takes two chambers to pass a bill and the senate has been very clear, but he stressed that the crime problem that started this conversation has not been solved.
"I'm hopeful that Mayor [Andre] Dickens recognizes the importance of the problem and I'm inclined to believe that he does, but you know, we'll be back next year if things haven't changed a lot. So, I'm looking for some forceful, vigorous action on the part of the city to tackle that problem," Ralston said.
FOX 5 reached out to the Buckhead City Committee. Organizers said they plan to hold a press conference next Wednesday to discuss their next steps.
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