Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 13, 2020
Feb. 13, 2020 Georgia.org
Gov. Kemp Celebrates Georgia Made Day
Staff reports that Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp on Wednesday joined Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Commissioner Pat Wilson, state officials, and Georgia companies to celebrate Georgia Made Day at the State Capitol. The event featured an exposition of products from Georgia manufacturers as well as the launch of the Georgia Made logo.
Feb. 13, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
From the Publisher: Georgia Media’s Cultural Influence
Ben Young writes, it’s inspiring to me how culture has endured through the changes in technology that have rocked the world over the past 20 years. As Georgia Trend celebrates its 35th anniversary year, it’s made me think about how the media in general has shaped my own Georgia experience.
Feb. 13, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One Georgia hospital ranks in country’s top 50, according to Healthgrades
Nancy Clanton reports that one Georgia hospital has been named a top 50 facility in the United States. Healthgrades, which cites its mission as providing “trusted information that helps consumers and providers make meaningful connections,” analyzed the performances of nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide across 32 conditions and procedures, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, respiratory failure, sepsis and stroke.
Feb. 13, 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle
Delta plans major expansion at New York’s JFK airport
Chris Fuhrmeister reports that Delta is partnering with JFK on a transformational renovation at the New York City airport. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc., the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and JFK International Air Terminal will expand JFK’s Terminal 4 with 16 new gates on the terminal’s Concourse A.
Feb. 13, 2020 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Fort Benning won’t house Army leadership headquarters. Here is where it’s going.
Nick Wooten reports that Fort Benning will not serve as the Army’s next corps headquarters, the U.S. Army has announced. The Army has chosen Kentucky’s Fort Knox as the site of its additional corps headquarters, called the Fifth (V) Corps.
Feb. 13, 2020 Macon Telegraph, Miami Sun-Sentinel
Publishing company McClatchy files bankruptcy to shed costs of print legacy and speed shift to digital
Kevin G. Hall reports that McClatchy Co., (the publisher of the Macon Telegraph, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer and) more than two dozen other newspapers, filed for bankruptcy Thursday, a move that will end family control of America’s second largest local news company and hand it to creditors who have expressed support for independent journalism.
Feb. 13, 2020 Brunswick News
Isles prep for noises from Golden Ray’s removal
Larry Hobbs reports that it was a balmy February afternoon at the Pier Village on St. Simons Island Wednesday. All was quiet. That is not expected to hold for long — the quiet afternoons, that is. Things could get noisy as early as next week when towering piled-driving cranes begin work on a 33-acre environmental construction barrier around the shipwrecked Golden Ray.
Feb. 13, 2020 GPB
Higher Algae Levels In Lake Lanier Draw Concern
Sophia Saliby reports that last ear saw higher algae levels in Lake Lanier and that’s concerning environmentalists, but it might be temporary. Algae levels are an indicator of a lake’s health. It’s part of the natural ecosystem, but too much can grow when nutrients are released during storm runoff from things like fertilizers and industrial pollution.
Feb. 13, 2020 Dalton Daily-Citizen News, CNHI
Farmers defend partnership with university systems
Riley bunch reports that partnerships between Georgia farmers and universities have contributed to globally renowned agricultural improvements like water irrigation efficiency and drought tolerant turf grass. But research may be put on pause with millions of dollars in cuts to the Agricultural Experiment Stations and Cooperative Extension Service programs.
Feb. 13, 2020 Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News, Capitol Beat News
Prescription drug prices face tighter third-party rules in Georgia Senate bill
Beau Evans reports that third-party companies with a large say in setting prescription drug prices would face tighter regulations in Georgia under a bill state lawmakers discussed this week. Companies called pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) act as go-betweens for prescribers and insurance companies that contract with health insurers to negotiate lower drug prices for patients.
Feb. 13, 2020 WABE 90.1
Georgia Senate Committee Hears From Supporters Of Bill To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags
Emil Moffat reports that eight states across the country have banned single-use plastic bags. A bill under consideration by the state legislature could make Georgia one of the next to do so. Supporters of the legislation spoke in front of the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee on Wednesday.
Feb. 13, 2020 Union-Recorder, CNHI
Lt. Gov. launches tech task force
Riley Bunch reports that Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan launched his Georgia Innovates Task Force Monday flanked by politicians and technology moguls. Co-chaired by former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson and G.P. “Bud” Peterson, president emeritus of the Georgia Institute of Technology, the committee is hoping to make the state the “technology capitol of the East Coast.”
Feb. 13, 2020 Gainesville Times
Matt Gurtler announces run for 9th District seat in U.S. House
Megan Reed reports that State Rep. Matt Gurtler, R-Tiger, will run for Georgia’s 9th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Gurtler was first elected to the state House in 2016 and represents House District 8, which includes Union, Towns, Rabun and White counties.
Feb. 13, 2020 The Center Square
Georgia Democrats challenge state budget cuts
Nyamekye Daniel reports that Georgia Democrats have launched a campaign against Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposed budget cuts. The Democratic Party has created a website with a petition calling on lawmakers to fight the governor’s proposed cuts. Democrats also took to the state capitol for a news conference to discuss their opposition.
Feb. 13, 2020 Georgia Recorder
Rural Georgia fury over power plants burning railroad ties spurs legislation
Maggie Lee reports that folks in a pair of northeast Georgia counties knew two new wood-burning power plants might mean nuisances or pollution — but they also knew the plant owners could be valuable taxpayers. But the noise, the chemical-laced logs and state environmental citations angered people enough in a rural area north of Athens that now some influential Georgia legislators are ready to change state law.
Feb. 13, 2020 Capitol Beat
Panel approves first round of Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act projects
Dave Williams reports that a variety of land conservation, restoration and parks projects across the state would land the first round of funding through the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act voters approved in November 2018. A state House subcommittee Wednesday approved 14 projects to be funded with $20 million raised through a new tax on purchases of sporting goods. More than 83% of Georgia voters ratified a constitutional amendment creating the tax.
Feb. 13, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New analysis says cost of second Georgia income tax rate cut could hit $615 million
James Salzer reports that last summer, an analysis put the cost of Part 2 of the General Assembly plan to cut the state income tax rate at $550 million. That cost to the state – and savings for some Georgians – might have been low-balling it.
