Georgia Trend Daily – April 10, 2023
April 10, 2023 WABE
Thousands of Georgians could lose Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids as COVID-19 rules phase out
Jess Mador reports that health officials are urging Georgians with Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids to confirm that all of their contact information is updated in the state’s online Gateway system. On April 1, Georgia and other states began the so-called Medicaid unwinding, a nationwide process to recertify Medicaid recipients’ continued eligibility for coverage through the program.
April 10, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Economic Development Around the State
Christy Simo reports that Georgia broke another record, this time for international trade – for the second year in a row. In 2022, the state’s total trade exceeded $196 billion across 221 countries and territories. Exports broke the 2021 record by nearly $5 billion.
April 10, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Five reasons the massive Qcells solar panel deal is big for Georgia
Zachary Hansen reports that Vice President Kamala Harris toured an expanding solar panel facility in northwest Georgia on Thursday, where she announced a historic order for millions of Georgia-built panels and credited federal policies for new clean energy jobs. The visit is part of President Joe Biden’s “Investing in America” tour where Biden and Harris are highlighting green technology facilities across the county to tout their legislative agenda in blue-collar communities.
April 10, 2023 GlobalAtlanta.com
Atlanta’s Growing Asia Links Get High-Level Nod at Kennesaw State Conference
Trevor Williams reports that Atlanta may not be the first city that comes to mind in the context of U.S. economic relations with Asia. The Southeast sits much farther away geographically than the Pacific Coast, and while the Asian American population here is becoming a vital political bloc as it grows, it’s proportionally smaller than in other locales.
April 10, 2023 Valdosta Daily Times, CNHI News
Study to assess hospital certificate of needs
Asia Ashley reports that state lawmakers debated the necessity of health care certificates of need this legislative session and are now leaving it to a committee to study the issue. CON requirements were signed into federal law in the mid-1970s as a way to assess the availability and duplication of health care services within a certain radius.
April 10, 2023 Gainesville Times
Another part of The National project in downtown Gainesville could get tax incentive
Jeff Gill reports that the company redeveloping the historic Walton Jackson building in downtown Gainesville could get a $1 million tax break from Gainesville. A committee has recommended that sum to Gainesville City Council, which could take up the matter April 18.
April 10, 2023 The Brunswick News
More spaceport records released
Gordon Jackson reports that Camden County officials have agreed to release all its spaceport records — sort of. A Camden County grand jury is still reviewing documents that have not been released until its probe is complete.
April 10, 2023 GPB
New grant helps Children’s Hospital meet families’ emotional needs after pediatric cancer diagnosis
Ellen Eldridge reports that Augusta is likely better known for its Masters Tournament than as the home of the state’s second-largest children’s hospital. But for families of kids with cancer, the hospital is everything, and now, thanks to a grant from the Dallas, Texas-based Jordan Spieth Family Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Georgia will soon be able to hire a new social worker.
April 10, 2023 Albany Herald
Albany Mall area could become first commercial improvement district in the city
Alan Mauldin reports, with Albany, Columbus and Valdosta all joining the ranks of cities looking to create commercial improvement districts this year, the concept may not be limited to the big city anymore. The Georgia General Assembly approved CID initiatives during the legislative session this year, granting permission for those three cities to potentially establish commercial districts, which have proved popular in the Atlanta area, that would allow private companies to invest in a business district.
April 10, 2023 Georgia Recorder
Georgia lawmakers try to wrap heads around regulating hemp-based recreational products
Ross Williams reports, in the final days of this year’s Legislative session, a bill aimed at regulating hemp products fell short after lawmakers tried to insert language banning Delta-8 THC and similar products that are often used recreationally. House Bill 458, sponsored by Ashburn Republican Rep. Clay Pirkle, aims to restrict sales of these products to anyone younger than 21 and set testing requirements to weed out contaminants.
April 10, 2023 Capitol Beat News
Affordable housing: Lots of talk, little action under the Gold Dome
Rebecca Grapevine reports that despite agreement among lawmakers and advocates that Georgia needs more quality affordable housing, the General Assembly this year took few steps to address the shortfall. Most of the bills aimed at housing problems failed to pass, foundering on the shoals of inter-chamber disagreements and controversy about the extent to which the state government can limit local housing regulations.
April 10, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sonny Perdue’s next test: Supporting Georgia’s public colleges
Vanessa McCray reports that after his first year as chancellor, Sonny Perdue has served as the University System of Georgia’s lead salesman. His product? A college degree. After years of growth, the University System, which he’s overseen since his contentious appointment last spring, has lost students at most of its 26 public colleges and universities the last two years.
