- Apr 20
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2026
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Live Nation Verdict, Blocked Media Merger Show Need for Georgia Anti-Monopoly Law
Sen. Halpern Calls on Senate to Fund SR 890
Atlanta, Ga. — Georgia Senate Democrats are no strangers to fighting corporate interests like insurance companies, private equity, big tech, and the polluting manufacturers who dump forever chemicals in our water.
But Senate Democratic Caucus Vice-Chair Sonya Halpern (D-Atlanta), lead sponsor of SR 890 to study a state antitrust law, says Georgia needs that antitrust law to truly stop corporate excesses.
“Our Caucus fights every day for a more affordable Georgia. But without the tools to ensure free and fair markets, we will fail. Fortunately, the last few weeks show what is possible: state attorneys general froze the $6.2 billion merger of Nexstar Media and Tegna, while also securing the biggest antitrust victory in decades with the Live Nation verdict,” Halpern said. “SR 890 proposes a study committee that will investigate the benefits of a state antitrust law — lowering prices through more competition, jumpstarting entrepreneurship, and curbing the worst excesses of private equity and other corporate actors. In the midst of this years-long cost of living crisis, SR 890 is step one toward passing landmark affordability legislation.”
Antitrust statutes prevent corporate consolidation and monopolistic behavior, both of which make starting new businesses harder and raise consumer prices. Georgia does not currently have a state antitrust statute, limiting our state’s enforcement power to federal law. A state law would allow a more vigorous defense of free and fair markets, creating robust innovation, entrepreneurship, and competition.
SR 890 specifically would examine how a state antitrust law would help prevent monopolistic behavior in agriculture, housing, health care, and other businesses. The Senate typically releases funding decisions in late spring or early summer.
Vice Chair Halpern is available for comment.
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