Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 16, 2020
Jan. 16, 2020 Albany Herald
Georgia added 165,000-plus new businesses in 2019
Staff reports that Georgia surged to a new record for business formation in 2019 with more than 165,000 new businesses formed, according to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. This marks the first time new business formation surpassed 150,000 in a calendar year, a significant milestone for Georgia businesses.
Jan. 16, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Business Casual: Come Together
Susan Percy writes, the word gets bandied about a good bit, but real bipartisanship seems to be in pretty short supply these days. When it shows up, it’s usually a watered-down version in the form of legislation endorsing safe boating or puppy adoption.
Jan. 16, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New panel to advise Lt. Gov. Duncan on growing tech in Georgia
Christopher Quinn reports that Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan wants to build on Georgia’s success in growing high-technology businesses and bring more jobs to the state. Duncan appointed a panel that includes retired U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, former Georgia Tech president G.P. “Bud” Peterson and 10 others to advise him on developing policy or legislation that could accelerate the growth.
Jan. 16, 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle
Blank, Marcus, and Home Depot Foundations pledge $5.7M to expand Georgia construction education
Staff reports that the leaders of nonprofits linked to The Home Depot hope a grant can expand interest in construction jobs among the state’s youth. The Home Depot Foundation, the Marcus Foundation, and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation pledged a $5.7 million grant for the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia, aimed at creating a model that addresses the nation’s need for skilled workers in the construction trades, according to the CEFGA.
Jan. 16, 2020 Savannah Morning News
Savannah restauranteur to chair state board
Staff reports that Jamie Durrence, managing partner of Savannah-based Daniel Reed Hospitality, has been selected as the 2020 chair of the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) Board of Directors, the organization announced this week. A restaurateur for more than 20 years with a tenured work history in some of Savannah’s favorite venues, Durrence was raised on a working farm and has been a resident of Glennville since 1998.
Jan. 16, 2020 Georgia.gov
Kemp Nominates Jannine Miller for State Transportation Planning Director
Staff reports that Governor Kemp announced his nomination of Jannine Miller, Senior Advisor to U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Elaine Chao, to serve as State Planning Director at the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Once confirmed by the State House and Senate Transportation Committees, Miller will assume the role vacated by Jay Roberts last September.
Jan. 16, 2020 Augusta Chronicle
Army Cyber looking for talent locally and to grow the workforce
Tom Corwin reports that the U.S. Army Cyber Command will complete a move of its headquarters into a gleaming and well-equipped building later this year but its biggest need will be filling it with the right personnel, the commanding general said. “It truly is all about the people,” Lt. Gen, Stephen Fogarty said, and some of them will be from the area.
Jan. 16, 2020 11 Alive
Georgia caregivers earning less than $10 an hour pushing state leaders for higher pay
Hope Ford reports that hundreds will head to the state Capitol, Thursday, to advocate for higher pay for Georgia caregivers. According to They Deserve More Georgia, a statewide coalition of supporters of people with developmental disabilities, caregivers make less than fast-food employees in the state.
Jan. 16, 2020 Capitol Beat, Savannah Morning News
Dual enrollment in Georgia targeted for tightening in bill
Beau Evans reports that changes to Georgia’s dual enrollment program could be in the offing that would nix free college-level classes for freshman high schoolers. Costs for the program allowing high-school students to take post-secondary classes have swelled from around $23 million in 2015 to around $140 million projected for the 2021 fiscal year.
Jan. 16, 2020 Georgia Recorder
Georgia Dems push new GOP U.S. Senator to oppose Obamacare repeal
Stanley Dunlap reports that a Georgia health care coalition and a group of state legislators are pushing U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler to publicly oppose the ongoing dismantling of the Affordable Care Act, which they say provides important protection for women’s health care. Pro-Obamacare advocate Protect Our Care, Sen. Jen Jordan, Rep. Pat Gardner, Georgia Democratic Party Chair Nikema Williams were among those at a Tuesday press conference at the state Capitol pleading for the newly appointed Republican senator to make a public statement against the health care law’s repeal, a stance that would put her at odds with President Donald Trump.
Jan. 16, 2020 The Center Square
Georgia lawmakers propose legislation to block ‘surprise’ medical bills
Nyamekye Daniel reports that Georgia lawmakers have proposed a bill that could stop insurance companies from denying medical benefits for out-of-network services. Senate Bill 293, dubbed the Balance Billing Consumer Act, includes 22 provisions aimed at securing fairer billing practices for patients. The legislation protects patients from what lawmakers call surprise bills.
Jan. 16, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What to watch at Kemp’s State of the State address
Greg Bluestein reports that after weeks of dropping hints about his legislative priorities, Gov. Brian Kemp will deliver a State of the State address on Thursday that will detail his agenda and help define his second year in office. The governor has already spelled out his vision for overhauling Georgia’s foster care system, and he’s said that new crackdowns on violent gang members and sex trafficking will be at the top of the list.
