Most council members skipped the public’s only budget hearing, as Atlantans demand more money for parks, not police

A surprising number of Atlanta council members opted out of the city's only budget hearing this year, showing up only three in total alongside the council president. This was despite a record number of residents showing up to voice their demands. The public overwhelmingly called for increased funding for parks and community spaces rather than for police, highlighting a shift in priorities among Atlantans. This incident underscores a growing disconnect between council priorities and community needs, raising questions about representation and responsiveness in local governance.