Kemp administration deals blow to Buckhead cityhood push

Gov. Brian Kemp’s administration raised sharp concerns that the Buckhead cityhood effort could violate a range of Georgia laws, delivering a devastating blow to the secession movement as lawmakers consider a renewed push to split Atlanta into two municipalities.

Kemp executive counsel David Dove outlined nearly a dozen questions about the constitutionality of the two bills that cleared a Senate panel this week, warning in a memo late Tuesday they could reshape local governments in ways that “ripple into a future of unforeseen outcomes.”

Writing that they “demand evaluation for the unique constitutional and statutory challenges they pose,” Dove challenged lawmakers to “meaningfully” resolve the issues before taking further action.

It was the first time Kemp’s office raised serious issues about the breakaway push this year, and it could lead Senate leaders to delay a vote on the tandem of Buckhead cityhood measures ahead of a critical legislative deadline.

The memo came just after supporters of the Buckhead divorce achieved a minor victory. With the tacit support of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a Senate committee approved Senate Bills 113 and 114 on Monday, giving Buckhead City boosters their first legislative success.

The rapid-fire votes set off alarms among the broad coalition of Atlanta officials, corporate leaders, community activists and lawmakers who staunchly support a unified city. They have long highlighted many of the concerns that Kemp’s administration raised in the two-page letter.

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