Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 26, 2021

Feb. 26, 2021 Georgia Health News

Kemp adds educators, other groups to COVID vaccination list

Andy Miller reports that Gov. Brian Kemp, as expected, is adding educators to the state’s COVID vaccine priority list. But the governor also is expanding eligibility for other groups: adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers; and parents of children with complex medical conditions.

Feb. 26, 2021 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

$552 million coming to help Georgians with rent, utilities

Mary Ann DeMuth reports that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will soon be distributing $552 million to help landlords and tenants who are behind on rent and utility payments. The funds come from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program appropriated to help offset financial burdens resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Feb. 26, 2021 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Forecaster sees Georgia economy about to surge

Michael E. Kanell reports that the state’s economy will surge this spring as more people are vaccinated against COVID-19, though a sustained recovery won’t come until next year, according to a report Thursday from the Georgia State Economic Forecasting Center. The pace of growth this quarter, which ends March 31, will be a solid 3.2%, said center director Rajeev Dhawan.

Feb. 26, 2021 Capitol Beat News

Initial unemployment claims in Georgia continue downward slide

Dave Williams reports that first-time unemployment claims fell again in Georgia last week, mirroring a decline in jobless claims nationwide as more and more businesses shut down by the coronavirus pandemic reopen. Georgians filed 25,447 initial unemployment claims last week, a decrease of 1,085 from the previous week, the state Department of Labor reported Thursday.

Feb. 26, 2021 Brunswick News

Camden officials optimistic of spaceport approval

Gordon Jackson reports that Camden County Administrator Steve Howard believes spaceport skeptics will be proven wrong. Howard, confident the county will be awarded a spaceport license in the coming weeks, said the county has successfully shown the Federal Aviation Administration that a small launch vehicle can be safely launched from the site.

Feb. 26, 2021 Savannah Morning News

New I-95 interchange to increase economic development in Richmond Hill

Steve Scholar reports that the recently opened Belfast Keller I-95 interchange is going to be the gateway to increased economic development, residential housing and industrial growth in what will likely become the new face of Richmond Hill. Local government and private officials expect the residential portion of the development to begin as early as next month.

Feb. 26, 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle

New distribution center planned on I-85 in Suwanee

David Allison reports that a new distribution center is planned on Interstate 85 in Suwanee. The new 332,500-square-foot development would be located on 26.5 acres on Sawmill Drive near Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, just west of and adjacent to I-85.

Feb. 26, 2021 GlobalAtlanta.com

Atlanta Braves Great Andruw Jones to Launch Cannabis Farm, Extraction Facility in Georgia 

Trevor Williams reports that Atlanta Braves great Andruw Jones is working on setting up a cannabis farm and extraction facility to produce low-dose THC oil in Georgia. Fytiko Farms Georgia is co-owned by the Curaçao native, a centerfielder who won 10 straight Gold Glove awards, and local attorney Humberto Izquierdo Jr.

Feb. 26, 2021 WABE 90.1

Georgia Democrats Vow To Challenge Voting Bills They Say Are ‘Born Of Prejudice And Fear’

Emil Moffat reports, as Georgia Republican lawmakers continue to advance legislation that would remake the state’s voting laws, opponents are pushing back – both inside and outside the Capitol. Despite barricades surrounding the state Capitol building, dozens of protesters got as close as they could Thursday morning to wave signs, chant and make speeches.

Feb. 26, 2021 The Center Square

Probation reform bill to streamline early termination process advances from Georgia Senate

Nyamekye Daniel reports that the Georgia Senate has approved a bill that makes it easier for Georgians on probation to seek early termination of their sentence. Senate Bill 105 would simplify the process for early termination for people who have served at least three years on probation and met certain requirements.

Feb. 26, 2021 Georgia Recorder

Ga. House schools panel passes voucher plan that could cost $250M

Ross Williams reports that a scaled-back version of Woodstock Republican state Rep. Wes Cantrell’s school voucher bill narrowly passed the House Education committee Thursday despite resistance from Democrats and representatives of Georgia teacher groups. The bill, which passed out of committee 12-10, would create an education savings account using state money, which participating families could tap for private school tuition, home schooling or other educational expenses.

Feb. 26, 2021 Clayton Crescent

HB 62: Ban private funds for elections boards and superintendents

Staff reports that House Bill 62, if passed, would prevent elections boards and superintendents from accepting private funding. This bill came out of the House Special Committee on Elections Integrity and was listed under House Second Readers on January 14.

Feb. 26, 2021 Capitol Beat News

Georgia sports betting backers switch to constitutional amendment

Dave Williams reports that legislation to legalize online sports betting in Georgia gained momentum in the state Senate Thursday just as it appeared to get sidetracked in the Georgia House of Representatives. A Senate committee passed a constitutional amendment that would put sports betting on the statewide ballot next year for Georgia voters to decide.

Feb. 26, 2021 GPB

President’s COVID-19 Relief Bill Means Millions In Direct Aid To Georgia Cities

Ellen Eldridge reports that on Friday, the U.S. House is expected to vote on a nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill including direct payments to those making less than $75,000 a year, help for small business and money for local governments. GPB’s Ellen Eldridge reports that’s good news for many towns and cities in Georgia.

Feb. 26, 2021 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia delegation splits along party lines on LGBTQ protections in Equality Act

Tia Mitchell reports, every Democrat in the U.S. House, including all six from Georgia, voted in favor of a bill to extend federal civil rights protections to the LGBTQ community. The Equality Act passed on a mostly party-line vote with just three Republicans in favor.