Budget cuts have forced Georgia to close its official archives, becoming the first state in the country to take such action. The Secretary of State’s office said a 3% reduction mandated by Republican Governor Nathan Deal left the agency without the necessary funding to keep the Georgia State Archives, located in Morrow, open. It will close November 1. Officials said the public will be able to visit the archives and access its collections of documents, but by appointment only. Even these appointments will be limited because staff will also be reduced.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Georgia Closes State Archives (by Will Nunley, WSAV 3 News)

Georgia To Cut State Archives Access, Lay Off State Workers (by Bill Barrow, Athens Banner-Herald)

Georgia Government Ranked Least Ethical in U.S. (by Noel Brinkerhoff and David Wallechinsky, AllGov)