Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 2, 2022
Feb. 2, 2022 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Announces Almost $408 Million in Awards to Provide Broadband Access
Staff reports that Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by members of the Broadband Infrastructure Committee and state leaders, announced almost $408 million in preliminary awards which will provide communities, households, and businesses in 70 Georgia counties access to faster and more reliable broadband.
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Feb. 2, 2022 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
2022 Legislative Guide: Shepherding Legislation
Ben Young reports, the 2022 General Assembly convened Jan. 10 to shepherd Georgia through a legal maze of budget approval and unfinished initiatives. Our 2022 Legislative Guide will help you navigate who covers what territory with an updated list of our 180 representatives, 56 senators, state leaders and congressional delegation.
Feb. 2, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UPS profit soared above $10B in ’21, sales to top $100B in ’22
Kelly Yamanouchi reports that UPS said its profit grew nearly ten-fold in 2021 and that revenue should top $100 billion this year, propelled by e-commerce growth and higher shipping rates. 2020 was a challenging year that required the shipping giant to rapidly adjust to a surge in online shopping at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for vaccine shipments.
Feb. 2, 2022 Emory University
Emory receives landmark gift in support of students and faculty from Rollins Foundation to advance public health
Staff reports that the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation has committed $100 million to Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. The transformative gift, which is the largest in the school’s history, will establish two endowed funds: the Rollins Fund for Faculty Excellence and the Rollins Fund for Student Success.
Feb. 2, 2022 GlobalAtlanta.com
East West Buys Firm With Mexico Factory, Seeks New Investments After Capital Infusion
Trevor Williams reports that East West Manufacturing’s latest acquisition will give the company its first foothold in Mexico as the Atlanta-based firm continues to expand capabilities and footprint throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Feb. 2, 2022 Georgia Recorder
Nearly a year after Georgia mass shootings, bill to loosen gun rules on the move
Stanley Dunlap reports that a Georgia Senate committee advanced legislation that would allow Georgians to carry firearms without a license after hearing testimony from gun rights and gun control activists debating the merits of legislation that’s a stated priority for top Republican officials. Republican Sen. Jason Anavitarte’s so-called constitutional carry act passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 6-3 on a party-line vote, with Democrats denouncing the easing of restrictions on weapons and Republicans arguing for fewer gun restrictions.
Feb. 2, 2022 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Perspectives: Georgia Southern University
Our Perspectives series this month features Dr. Kyle Marrero, President of Georgia Southern University. In this, our fourth video of the series, learn how the university is focused on public impact research. Not only is this Public Impact Research Agenda shaping university activities, but it’s also assisting local communities.
Feb. 2, 2022 Gainesville Times
Democrat moving to Gainesville to run for Agriculture Commissioner, wants to ease restrictions on hemp growing
Conner Evans reports that soon-to-be-local Fred Swann is running for Commissioner of Agriculture for a second time, hopeful that 2022 will be different from his loss to Gary Black four years ago. Swann, 44, plans to move to Gainesville in the next week or two with construction on his house nearly complete. He currently lives in Tucker and works as a mushroom farmer.
Feb. 2, 2022 GPB
Lawmakers expected to revisit medical cannabis system that’s left 20,000 patients empty-handed
Riley Bunch reports, three years ago, families of patients who relied on medical cannabis to manage severe illnesses celebrated when state lawmakers finally signed off on local production of low-THC oil. But the promised path to relief has been marred by a clumsy licensing system — one that faces challenges in court — and lawmakers are under pressure to fix the situation.
Feb. 2, 2022 State Affairs
Meet Mary Margaret Oliver, attorney and longtime Georgia lawmaker
Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon reports that Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur), a native Georgian from DeKalb County was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1987. In 1992 she was elected to the State Senate where she served until running for Lieutenant Governor in 1998.
Feb. 2, 2022 Georgia Recorder
House bills to create state-funded school vouchers advance, draw criticism
Ross Williams reports that bills authored by Woodstock Republican state Rep. Wes Cantrell aimed at giving families a choice of where to send their children to school moved forward in House committees Tuesday, including one that could make taxpayer-funded school vouchers available to all Georgia students.
Feb. 2, 2022 Capitol Beat News
State Senate passes tax incentives for living organ donors
Dave Williams reports that the Georgia Senate passed legislation Tuesday aimed at encouraging more Georgians to become living organ donors. Senate Bill 330 is sponsored by Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, who donated one of his kidneys last July to his son, who suffered renal failure and was forced to go on dialysis at the age of 24.
Feb. 2, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Federal money will help repair Georgia bridges
David Wickert reports that Georgia will receive $225 million in federal money to fix bridges over the next five years — a down payment on billions of dollars the state hopes to collect from the bipartisan infrastructure bill Congress approved in the fall. The money can be used to repair or replace 374 Georgia bridges that are in poor condition and more than 5,300 bridges in fair condition.
