Georgia Trend Daily- June 9, 2022
June 9, 2022 Georgia.gov
May Net Tax Revenues Up 1.6 percent
Staff reports that the State of Georgia’s net tax collections for May totaled almost $2.70 billion, for an increase of $41.8 million, or 1.6 percent, compared to May 2021, when net tax collections approached $2.66 billion. Year-to-date, net tax collections totaled nearly $30.24 billion, for an increase of $5.84 billion, or 23.9 percent, compared to fiscal year 2021, when net tax revenues totaled almost $24.40 billion as of the end of May.
June 9, 2022 Georgia Trend
Political Notes: Ups, Downs and In-betweens
Susan Percy reports, Columbus Democrat Calvin Smyre, dean of the House of Representatives, who served from 1975 through this year’s session – longer than any other lawmaker – was honored on his last day with standing ovations, tributes and the unveiling of a portrait that will hang in the Capitol. In his farewell address, Smyre noted that he had witnessed a lot.
June 9, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coalition wants to bring regional hydrogen hub to Georgia
Drew Kann reports that a coalition of Georgia business, academic and political leaders is pitching Georgia to the federal government as a potential hub for the development of hydrogen as a viable energy source. The hub would be part of a network of research facilities that the U.S. Department of Energy wants to create to explore using hydrogen for industrial, residential and transportation uses.
June 9, 2022 WABE
Sun could be setting on new solar business in Georgia
Jim Burress reports that Georgia is among the top solar-producing states in the nation. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) cites the state captures twice the energy it would take to power every home in the city of Atlanta for a year. But lately, installers have watched the sun go down on new business.
June 9, 2022 The Center Square
Georgia to receive $9.1M in federal funds for state-owned railroads
T.A. DeFeo reports that the federal government is sending more than $9.1 million for a pair of rehabilitation projects on Georgia-owned Class III railroads. The Federal Railroad Administration will provide nearly $6.2 million to the Heart of Georgia and roughly $2.9 million to the Georgia Southwestern Railroad.
June 9, 2022 Gainesville Times
Carroll Daniel made this decision to address supply-chain disruptions
Conner Evans reports that Carroll Daniel Construction is planning a new steelwork fabrication facility in midtown Gainesville that could help alleviate supply shortages. Brian Daniel, president and CEO of Carroll Daniel, which is based in Gainesville, presented the project to the Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee Tuesday, June 8, saying it could add 60 jobs over the next five years. Jobs would start at $25 an hour, up to $50 an hour, and high-level positions would command six-figure salaries, Daniel said.
June 9, 2022 Georgia Trend – Perspectives
Perspectives: Regions Bank – Private Wealth Management
Julia Roberts reports, this month, Georgia Trend’s Perspectives Video Series is coming to you from Regions Bank – Private Wealth Management. In video two of this Perspective series, Ty Smith, Regional Executive with Regions Private Wealth Management, discusses adding value to a business ahead of retirement, what critical decisions to consider and what types of professional assistance to retain to help prepare.
June 9, 2022 Capitol Beat News
Telecom providers, EMCs renew dispute over broadband in rural Georgia
Dave Williams reports that telecom providers are complaining that financial incentives the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) offered them a year and a half ago to expand broadband service into rural Georgia aren’t working. But representatives of the state’s electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) say the fact that 20 EMCs serving mostly rural areas have entered the broadband business proves there’s no need for changes.
June 9, 2022 State Affairs
Georgia Primary Runoffs will Decide Democratic Candidates for Key Statewide Offices
Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon reports that Primary Election Day made clear who the Republican nominees are for the November general election. For Democrats, four offices will be decided by a runoff election that pits the top two vote-getters for each office from the crowded field of the primary.
June 9, 2022 WABE
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff on mistreatment of military families in privatized housing
Lisa Rayam reports that while U.S. House committee members present their investigation of the Jan. 6 insurrection, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia has been leading an investigative committee in the Senate. The April 26 hearing dealt with a military housing provider who senators say defrauded the government out of unearned incentive fees and failed to provide necessary maintenance to service members living in conditions with environmental and health risks.
June 9, 2022 GPB
Rep. Nikema Williams introduces $20B bill to boost local election administration
Stephen Fowler reports that U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Atlanta) has introduced a bill that would give states $20 billion over a decade to help hire poll workers, expand early voting access and take other steps to strengthen local election administration. The “Sustaining Our Democracy Act” would create a ‘‘Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program’’ that would dole out money for elections offices to “promote innovation to improve efficiency and smooth functioning in the administration of elections for Federal office” like upgrading voting equipment, boosting cybersecurity capabilities and increasing access to the ballot.
June 9, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Shunned by top officials, Georgia GOP pivots to Marjorie Taylor Greene
Greg Bluestein reports, as Gov. Brian Kemp and other top Republicans distance themselves from the Georgia GOP, the state party is moving to the far-right fringe for a significant upcoming event. Once a regular draw for governors and party elders, the state GOP is heralding U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as the headliner for its June 29 Foundation breakfast.
