Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 27, 2019

Feb. 27, 2019 Georgia.gov

Kemp Issues Statement on Federal Disaster Relief Legislation

Staff reports, on Tuesday, U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue introduced bipartisan legislation to address federal disaster relief for Georgians and others impacted by Hurricane Michael. Governor Brian P. Kemp issued the following statement: “I thank Senator Isakson and Senator Perdue for their tireless work to secure aid for thousands of hardworking Georgians in dire need,” said Governor Kemp.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Trendsetters: Rural Rock Star

Mary Ann DeMuth reports that Jimmy Parker is a modest, soft-spoken man who’s worked in electrical service businesses most of his life. Six years ago, he opened Scales, Systems and Automation (SSA) in Sylvester, calibrating various types of scales that not only weigh products, but gauge temperature, humidity and other factors vital to the food and agricultural industries.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Home Depot says company sales will outpace U.S. economy

Michael E. Kanell reports that aging housing will help drive Home Depot’s revenue this year, allowing company sales to grow much faster than the overall economy, according its chief financial officer. The Atlanta-based company, which reported end-of-the-year results Tuesday, expects the U.S. economy will expand 2.6 percent, which is modest but sets the stage for Home Depot’s continued success, Chief Financial Officer Carol Tome told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Atlanta Business Chronicle

Chinese tech company relocating US HQ from New Jersey to Alpharetta

Jessica Saunders reports that ZKTeco USA is the subsidiary of ZKTeco, a global developer and manufacturer of RFID and biometric recognition technology.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Georgia Health News

Senate Oks Kemp’s health care waiver plan

Andy Miller reports that the Georgia Senate approved legislation Tuesday to let Gov. Brian Kemp seek health care waivers from the federal government. The party-line 32-20 vote came after Democrats argued that a full expansion of Medicaid, as outlined under the Affordable Care Act, would cover more Georgians and cost less than Senate Bill 106 would provide.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Georgia State University

Researcher Gets $3.86 Million Grant to Develop Universal Flu Vaccine With Microneedle Patch

LaTina Emerson reports that Dr. Baozhong Wang, associate professor in Georgia State University’s Institute for Biomedical Sciences, has received a five-year, $3.86 million federal grant to develop a universal flu vaccine using a microneedle patch that will protect against any strain of the influenza virus.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Saporta Report

The idea of Georgia running Atlanta’s airport gets a state Senate nod – barely

Maggie Lee reports, by a 5-4 vote, and over strong Atlanta objections, a Georgia Senate panel endorsed the idea of a state takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. State Sen. Burt Jones, R-Jackson, said the study committee that he chaired last year to study the issue had great concern about the airport’s procurement and vendor selection process.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Macon Telegraph

Creation of Ocmulgee Mounds National Park awaits President Trump’s signature

Liz Fabian reports, for more than eight years, Macon leaders have been working to create the midstate’s only national park. Their effort will become a reality with President Donald Trump’s signature. Tuesday, the U.S. Congress passed bipartisan legislation to expand the Ocmulgee National Monument from 702 acres to 2,800.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Gainesville Times

Windstream files for bankruptcy, claiming no negative impact on customers

Kelsey Richardson reports that Windstream Holdings Inc., a Little Rock-based rural telecommunications company with customers in Northeast Georgia, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday, Feb. 25.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Gwinnett Daily Post

Media report: Gwinnett Place Mall may be sold, converted to cricket stadium

Curt Yeomans reports that Gwinnett County’s first mall may soon be turned into a cricket stadium, according to a media report that surfaced Monday. Business news site Bisnow reported on Tuesday that a group calling itself CricRealty Company is under contract to buy the indoor retail area at Gwinnett Place Mall for an undisclosed amount.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Rome News-Tribune

Kennesaw Mountain Park expansion passes both chambers

Ross Williams reports that legislation designed to expand Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is awaiting the president’s signature. The bill, which would add eight acres to the park, passed the House Tuesday and was sponsored by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R- Cassville.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Brunswick News

Oyster aquaculture legislation passes despite concerns

Wes Wolfe reports that a bill to legalize and regulate oyster farming in Georgia made it out of a state Senate committee late Tuesday afternoon despite serious reservations voiced about perceived over-regulation of the fishery, the diversity of opinions considered in forming regulatory processes and the ability to harvest shellfish year-round.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Augusta Chronicle

Jones’ bill creating crime of sexual extortion advances

Susan McCord reports that a bill from state Sen. Harold Jones establishing a crime of sexual extortion has advanced in the state Senate. Jones, D-Augusta, said the bill closes a gap not covered by existing laws and makes it a felony to attempt to coerce someone to distribute explicit photos, videos or other images.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Gainesville Times

How Rep. Collins wants to prevent mass violence incidents

Nick Watson reports, with votes scheduled this week on gun control efforts, U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, introduced a bill focusing on stronger penalties for those who steal weapons from federal firearms licensees as well as greater information sharing to prevent mass violence.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 GPB

Georgia House Approves Switch To Ballot-Marking Devices With Paper Trail

Stephen Fowler reports that the state House voted mostly along party lines to advance a $150 million bill that would fundamentally change how Georgians vote in the coming years. HB 316 passed 101-97, with Democrats Carl Gilliard (D-Garden City) and Valencia Stovall (D-Forest Park) voting for the bill and one Republican, Rep. Scot Turner (R-Holly Springs) voting against it.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Brunswick News

Dense breast tissue legislation breezes through Senate

Wes Wolfe reports that legislation to make women aware if they have dense breast tissue, and the risk that carries, easily passed the state Senate 55-0 on Tuesday on a day in which senators spent a healthy amount of time addressing health care bills.

 

Feb. 27, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia U.S. House members vote with parties on Trump emergency

Tamar Hallerman reports that House Democrats’ effort to nullify President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration divided Georgia lawmakers along party lines Tuesday as attention shifted to the U.S. Senate. That’s where several Republicans, including three-term U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, continued to weigh the administration’s move to circumvent Congress to pay for a border wall on the Mexico border.