Georgia Trend Daily – Sept. 24, 2019

Sept. 24, 2019 Albany Herald

Report: Georgia second in growth of women-owned businesses

Staff reports that Georgia has an estimated 533,030 women-owned businesses, employing 285,237 and attributing roughly $57,120,180,000 to the state’s economy, according to the ninth annual State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, commissioned by American Express, a comprehensive report analyzing data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners and factoring in relative changes in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Sept. 24, 2019 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Trendsetters: Pollinating a Business

Mary Ann DeMuth reports that when she was a kid, Jo Ann Goldenburg raised caterpillars and butterflies in her house. As an adult, the former TV video producer followed her dream of educating people about the colorful creatures and opened North Georgia’s only butterfly farm in June. “I’ve always been an advocate of the environment,” she says, “and I just really wanted to do something to teach people about how important pollinators are.”

Sept. 24, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta ranks among top 10 cities for worker visas

Crystal Villarreal reports that the H-1B visa program brings 85,000 people a year into the United States to fill positions for which their employer cannot find a qualified American, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The legal website Lawsuit decided to look into how many H-1B holders already work in the U.S., including how much money they earn, where in the country they’re located, and by which companies they’re employed.

Sept. 24, 2019 Atlanta Business Chronicle

UPS takes step forward toward commercial package deliveries with drones

David Allison reports that the Federal Aviation Administration on Monday OK’d United Parcel Service Inc. limited authority to begin making small deliveries using drones. In July, UPS (NYSE: UPS) applied to the FAA to operate commercial drone flights in the UPS network under a subsidiary business, UPS Flight Forward Inc.

Sept. 24, 2019 Marietta Daily Journal

Cobb eyes ARC grants for $52 million in trail and road enhancements

Rosie Manins reports that a $7 million trail extension project in Kennesaw allowing safer passage for pedestrians and cyclists across Cobb Parkway is one of several concepts Cobb County commissioners will consider for funding by the Atlanta Regional Council. The ARC is accepting applications for funding through its Transportation Improvement Program, and Cobb commissioners have projects worth a combined $52 million on the county’s wish list to receive part of this money.

Sept. 24, 2019 Athens Banner-Herald, University of Georgia

UGA law school creates First Amendment clinic

Lona Panter reports that the University of Georgia School of Law will create a First Amendment Clinic thanks to a $900,000 gift from the Stanton Foundation, an organization established by former television broadcasting executive Frank Stanton. The clinic will support First Amendment rights by focusing on regional cases involving free speech, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly and petition.

Sept. 24, 2019 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Auburn embraces agribusiness future

Mary Ann DeMuth reports that the City of Auburn, west of Athens, recently hosted its first NextGen Ag conference, bringing together agribusinesses and nonprofits to learn from each other about resources, economic considerations and innovative ways to strengthen agriculture in the region. Roundtable discussions on a range of topics such as ag technology implementation were complemented by informative presentations.

Sept. 24, 2019 Valdosta Daily Times

Ga. high court rules against Lowndes tax assessors

Terry Richards reports that a Georgia Supreme Court decision handed down Monday against Lowndes County tax officials could have an effect on the state’s affordable housing market, according to an attorney involved in the case. In the case of Heron Lake II Apartments, LP, et al v. Lowndes County Board of Tax Assessors, the high court reversed a lower court ruling involving low income housing tax credits and how they should be valued in the calculation of property tax values, court documents show.

Sept. 24, 2019 The Center Square

Lawmakers look to streamline indigent health care in Georgia

Nyamekye Daniel reports that Georgia is considering ways to make charitable health services more widely available. A House study committee has been launched to examine the management of the state’s uncompensated health care system. “More than 1.3 million Georgia residents lack health insurance coverage, which can be a burden on hospitals, and for this reason, I am eager to join this study committee to look at ways to better allow hospitals with higher indigent care expenses to be able to absorb those,” said Rep. Penny Houston, R-Nashville.

Sept. 24, 2019 Albany Herald

Campaign in full swing for Nov. 5 special election for state House seat

Alan Mauldin reports, with the special election to fill a House District 152 seat fast approaching, four candidates seeking to fill the unexpired term of Rep. Ed Rynders got their campaigns in full swing after qualifying last Wednesday. Mary Egler was hitting the road, putting out campaign signs and picking up a granddaughter from school when she was contacted.

Sept. 24, 2019 New York Times

Can Someone Be Fired for Being Gay? The Supreme Court Will Decide

Adam Liptak reports, the Supreme Court has delivered a remarkable series of victories to the gay rights movement over the last two decades, culminating in a ruling that established a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. But in more than half the states, someone can still be fired for being gay.

Sept. 24, 2019 Georgia Recorder

U.S. House passes Rep. Johnson’s bill to ban forced arbitration

Robin Bravender reports that the U.S. House on Friday passed a Georgia Democrat’s legislation that would eliminate forced arbitration clauses in employment, consumer and civil rights cases. If enacted, the bill would empower more workers and consumers to challenge employers and corporations in court.

Sept. 24, 2019 Daily Report

Federal Judge Hears Abortion Law Arguments in Packed Courtroom

Katheryn Tucker reports that nothing was decided, but plenty was said Monday during the first hearing in Atlanta’s federal court over a challenge to Georgia’s new law restricting abortion. Activists challenging the law were asking for a temporary injunction blocking it while their lawsuit is pending.

Sept. 24, 2019 Georgia Health News

Commentary: Many Georgia hospitals’ lifeline in danger

Andy Miller reports that the Disproportionate Share Hospital program isn’t widely known among the public. But among hospital leaders, it’s a crucial factor in the financial health of their facilities. The DSH program helps hospitals cover the costs of care not paid for by insurance.

Sept. 24, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

‘We have to start now.’ Ossoff plans major voter registration rally

Greg Bluestein reports that Georgia Senate candidate Jon Ossoff will launch what he calls the “biggest voter registration drive this state has ever seen” on Saturday with U.S. Rep. John Lewis, one of his most prominent supporters. Ossoff, one of four Democrats challenging Republican U.S. Sen. David Perdue, also on Monday rolled out the endorsement of a second Democratic congressman: U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, whom he once worked for as a congressional aide.