Georgia Trend Daily – March 3, 2022
March 3, 2022 GlobalAtlanta.com
Georgia Secretary of State Urges Businesses to Boycott Russia, Sanctions or Not
Trevor Williams reports that Georgia’s secretary of state is hoping companies won’t wait for sanctions to force them to sever business ties with Russia. Instead, Republican Brad Raffensperger is urging all firms, even those who haven’t yet been impacted by the historic raft of measures designed to punish Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, to voluntarily boycott the country in solidarity with a fellow democracy under siege.
March 3, 2022 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
40 Under 40 Nominations open
Mary Ann DeMuth reports that nominations for Georgia Trend’s annual 40 Under 40 honors are now being accepted. Friends, work associates, family members and eligible honorees can submit nominations through Friday, April 22 at 5 pm. Ideal 40 Under 40 candidates are successful in their professions and equally, if not more, passionate about community service.
March 3, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Watching warily: Georgia companies with ties to Russia and Ukraine
Michael E. Kanell reports that some of the highest profile U.S. companies — along with a handful in Georgia — curtailed or suspended business in Russia because of its attack on Ukraine. But as Gov. Brian Kemp announced that Georgia would divest its investment and pension money from Russia, most Georgia companies contacted have expressed caution or ducked a reporter’s inquiries about their actions.
March 3, 2022 Brunswick News
Spaceport supporters make their case
Gordon Jackson reports that a former NASA official conducted a presentation Tuesday to explain the benefits of a spaceport in Camden County. David Rainer Jr., a retired test director and convoy commander at Kennedy Space Center, called his presentation attended by about 75 people at the Camden County High School auditorium “Spaceport 101.”
March 3, 2022 Augusta Chronicle
Augusta redistricting fight not over
Susan McCord reports that Augusta’s redistricting fight raged on outside the municipal building Tuesday with a heated speech from Commission Alvin Mason and supporters ready to be plaintiffs in pending federal litigation. Gov Kemp already signed the district lines into law and they will be in effect when qualifying for Mason’s District 4 seat and four other commission posts starts Monday, barring some sort of court action.
March 3, 2022 State Affairs
Lack of Virtual Access to Public Meetings Denies Millions of Georgians a Voice
Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon reports that nearly a third of Georgia’s largest state government agencies and departments don’t provide virtual or dial-in access to the public for board meetings, according to an investigation by State Affairs. And the vast majority do not keep video or audio records of those meetings.
March 3, 2022 Gainesville Times
Why Rep. Andrew Clyde voted against federal anti-lynching legislation
Conner Evans reports that Congress overwhelmingly passed anti-lynching legislation, 422-3, Monday, Feb. 28, that would designate lynching as a hate crime, but three Republicans opposed the bill, including U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Athens. Clyde, who represents the 9th Congressional District, including Hall County, said in a statement that H.R. 55 was unnecessary.
March 3, 2022 Georgia Recorder
Georgia House panel advances bill to broadly expand mental health services
Jill Nolin reports that a House panel backed the speaker’s wide-ranging mental health plan, but not before hearing from him directly first. Speaker David Ralston’s role as the first signer on the bill is mostly symbolic – he’s called it his top priority for the session – but even so, the lead sponsor typically shepherds the bill through the legislative process.
March 3, 2022 The Center Square
Horse racing measure earns Georgia Senate committee approval
Nyamekye Daniel reports that measure that would allow state residents to decide whether to legalize pari-mutuel horse race betting in Georgia cleared its first hurdle Wednesday in the Georgia Senate. Pari-mutuel betting allows participants to place bets against each other with taxes on the bets going to the state. Senate Resolution 53 would create a voter referendum allowing Georgia voters to decide whether the state should authorize horse race wagering at racetracks “by or on behalf of the state.”
March 1, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia lawmakers hear plan to aid low-income college students
Eric Stirgus reports that a chair of the state House of Representatives’ Higher Education Committee made his pitch Wednesday to the group for legislation that would provide financial aid up to $2,500 to some undergraduate college students in Georgia who can’t pay their tuition. House Bill 1435, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, is the latest attempt by Georgia lawmakers to provide a more robust need-based aid program for students attending the state’s public colleges and universities.
