Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 10, 2020
Jan. 10, 2020 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Appoints Nine to State Boards
Staff reports that Governor Brian P. Kemp, on Thursday, conducted swearing-in ceremonies for nine Georgians to serve on various occupational licensing boards, including the Georgia Board of Dentistry, the Georgia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, the Georgia Composite Medical Board, the Georgia Board of Nursing, the Georgia Board of Pharmacy and the State Board for Registered Foresters.
Jan. 10, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Political Notes
Susan Percy reports that Atlanta businessman Sachin Shailendra is the 2020 chair of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia; James M. Hull, Augusta, is vice chair. Shailendra, a Georgia Tech graduate, is founder and president of SG Contracting and is active in civic endeavors.
Jan. 10, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Troutman Sanders to merge with Philadelphia law firm, double in size
Andy Peters reports that Troutman Sanders, one of Atlanta’s oldest and largest law firms, is set to nearly double in size, potentially climbing into the nation’s top 50. The firm on Thursday approved a merger with Pepper Hamilton, a Philadelphia-based firm, giving the combined firm more than 1,100 lawyers and 23 offices nationwide.
Jan. 10, 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle
New bill would allow college athletes to be paid for name, image and likeness
Eric Jackson reports that the amateur athletics model that the NCAA has defended for decades may be coming to an end. Democratic representative Billy Mitchell is sponsoring a bill that would allow college athletes in Georgia to be paid for their name, image and likeness and the proposed legislation will be considered during a committee hearing soon with the General Assembly session beginning on Monday.
Jan. 10, 2020 Savannah Morning News
Hunter Army Airfield and Chatham County enter first intergovernmental agreement
Nick Robertson reports that military brass and local leaders joined forces Thursday, Jan. 9, at Hunter Army Airfield to honor the enactment of this installation’s first intergovernmental service agreement, established with Chatham County to provide animal-control assistance on an as-needed basis. Hunter Army Airfield’s Garrison Commander, Col. Bryan Logan, welcomed Chatham County Commission Chairman Al Scott and several other county officials to the ceremony.
Jan. 10, 2020 Augusta Chronicle
Georgia Power donates $50,000 to downtown improvements
Damon Cline reports that Georgia Power on Thursday pledged to put $50,000 toward storefront improvements in downtown Augusta, more than twice the amount it has donated during the previous two years.
Jan. 10, 2020 Gwinnett Daily Post
Angela D. Duncan sworn in, becomes Gwinnett’s first openly gay Superior Court judge
Curt Yeomans reports that Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Angela D. Duncan has always been interested in the law and criminal justice, although her father, Bruce, did not exactly support her initial plans for pursuing a career in that field. Bruce Duncan was an attorney, but his daughter — when she was young — wanted to become a cop when she grew up.
Jan. 10, 2020 Brunswick News
Court rules feds must disclose docs in seismic testing case
Wes Wolfe reports that plaintiffs suing the federal government to stop seismic airgun testing off the East Coast won a victory Monday in federal court in South Carolina as the judge in the case ruled the Trump administration must turn over documents into the administrative record so the court could effectively adjudicate the matter.
Jan. 10, 2020 Dalton Daily Citizen-News
Budget cuts will be top priority, say local state legislators
Charles Oliver reports that declining revenue and budget cuts will drive any decisions the General Assembly makes in 2020, according to local lawmakers. “I think any bills that call for new spending are going to have a tough sell,” said state Rep. Jason Ridley, R-Chatsworth, in an interview.
Jan. 10, 2020 The Center Square
Poll: Half of Georgians don’t want budget cuts
Nyamekye Daniel reports that most Georgians don’t want to see state budget cuts, according to a poll released Thursday, but critics say the language used in the survey was overly suggestive. The survey conducted by the left-leaning Georgia Budget & Policy Institute found that about half of Georgians are in favor of more state spending, and most do not support budget cuts.
Jan. 10, 2020 WABE 90.1
State House Speaker Ralston Addresses Budget, Gambling In Session Preview
Emma Hurt reports that balancing state programs and new priorities in the state budget this coming legislative session will not be easy, according to House Speaker David Ralston. “People that haven’t been around for a budget-cutting session are going to be in for a real surprise,” he said.
Jan. 10, 2020 Saporta Report
Top Georgia House Republican: a fan of film tax credit, not so much of Atlanta airport takeover
Maggie Lee reports that one of Georgia’s most powerful political leaders is open to modifying some policies dear to Atlanta. But Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, is not joining any move to completely get rid of the state’s film tax credit or to take over the Atlanta airport.
Jan. 10, 2020 Capitol Beat
Georgia House Speaker Ralston backs another state income tax cut
Dave Williams reports that Georgia House Republicans will push for the second installment of a state income tax cut during this year’s legislative session, despite sluggish tax collections that have prompted Gov. Brian Kemp to order spending reductions. Lawmakers voted two years ago to reduce Georgia’s income tax rate for the first time since the 1930s, from 6% to 5.75%.
Jan. 10, 2020 Georgia Recorder
Three qualify for February special election to fill late senator’s seat
Jill Nolin reports that three candidates will appear on the ballot in the special election called to replace the late state Sen. Greg Kirk. Carden Summers of Cordele and Jim Quinn of Leesburg will run as Republicans, and Mary Egler of Leesburg is the lone Democrat in the special contest set for Feb. 4, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office website.
Jan. 10, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia 2020: Warren hires top state operative for prez bid
Greg Bluestein reports that U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign made a stir earlier this week by hiring a string of Georgia staffers, making her the first Democratic 2020 hopeful with a significant paid apparatus in the state. The Massachusetts Democrat added another Georgia staffer in a national role on Wednesday with the hire of Dasheika Ruffin.
