ATLANTA (AP) — Two groups have sued to block public school authorities from expressing their opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand state authority over independent charter schools.
Georgia law bars spending public money on campaigns. The question is whether that extends to a public official's time and travel. State Superintendent John Barge continues to publicly state his opposition to the amendment, while Gov. Nathan Deal continues his public support.
There is a long history of Georgia's leaders mixing it up in referendum debates.
Gov. Zell Miller won passage of a lottery amendment in 1992. Gov. Sonny Perdue pushed for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in 2004. And Deal earlier this year urged voters to back a tax hike for transportation projects.