Georgia Trend Daily – March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024 Georgia Ports Authority
Savannah container volumes up more than 14 percent in February
Staff reports that Georgia Ports Authority handled 451,670 twenty-foot equivalent container units in February, for an increase of 56,880 TEUs or 14.4 percent compared to the same month last year. Loaded import containers gained 19 percent for 219,000 TEUs, while export loads increased 10 percent to 121,930.
March 5, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
CID Synergies Build Teamwork
Don Sadler reports, if you live or work anywhere around the Metro Atlanta area where I-285 and Georgia 400 meet, you’ve been affected by the Transform 285/400 improvement project, which will be substantially- complete this summer. The project, which began more than seven years ago, includes 10.5 miles of improved highway (including new flyover ramps) and 12 miles of collector-distributor lanes (barrier-separated exit and entrance lanes) along Georgia 400 and I-285, resulting in eight fewer merge conflict areas within the interchange.
March 5, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For long-term care, premiums rise and Georgians’ choices shrink
Michael E. Kanell reports, insurance for long-term care is designed to cover the sometimes crushing expense of paying for help with daily living, perhaps at home, perhaps in a facility. It can be crucial. It can be expensive. It is getting harder to find. And the older you are, the more it could matter.
March 5, 2024 Savannah Morning News
‘A monumental milestone’: Firearm parts manufacturer breaks ground in Richmond Hill
Latrice Williams reports that Buck Holly remembers the days when he barely had two nickels to his name. Monday morning, he stood on what would soon be the expansion of his firearm parts facility C&H Precision.
March 5, 2024 Albany Herald
Albany State awarded Clean Energy Education Prize grant
Staff reports that Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr., D-Ga., announced last week that Albany State University has been awarded a $100,000 Clean Energy Education Prize grant that will support partnerships between HBCUs and other universities, government agencies, and industry leaders to build new programs and provide professional opportunities to succeed in the clean energy industry.
March 5, 2024 Rome News-Tribune
Rome Looking At Initially Self-Funding SPLOST Projects
David Crowder reports, in the past, bonds have been issued to kick start special purpose, local option sales tax projects in Rome and Floyd County. However, with increased interest and finance costs, officials are looking at other options for the new SPLOST.
March 5, 2024 The Current
Liberty County to consider impact fee at March 5 public hearing
Robin Kemp reports that as Liberty County continues to add infrastructure and warehouses, many citizens are complaining about the pace of development and the impacts those projects are having on their quality of life. On Tuesday residents will have a chance to tell their elected officials their thoughts about a proposal that would force such commercial projects to chip in for costs to improve infrastructure like roads or water and sewer service.
March 5, 2024 WABE
Lawmakers set their education priorities for the remainder of the session, including a controversial library law
Juma Sei reports that among the bills to survive Crossover Day with bipartisan support, the legislation would support charter schools, offer mental healthcare for student-athletes, increase the limit on college savings accounts and even prepare schools for dealing with opioid overdoses. Republican State Senator Clint Dixon is the sponsor of that last one, also known as “Wesley’s Law,” a bill named after his wife’s cousin, Wesley, who passed away after taking a substance laced with fentanyl.
March 5, 2024 Dalton Daily Citizen, CNHI News
House passes film, TV credit bill
James Swift reports that proposed legislation seeks to overhaul the requirements for companies to qualify for Georgia’s film and television tax credits. House Bill 1180 was introduced to the Georgia General Assembly on Feb. 7. The bill is sponsored by one Democrat and five Republicans, including District 4 Rep. Kasey Carpenter of Dalton.
March 5, 2024 GPB
‘Lawmakers’: Day 29 features light work, qualifying for 2024 election season
Sarah Kallis, Tristan Smith and staff report, qualifying week kicked off today with major candidates visiting the Gold Dome. They must register and pay a fee in order to appear on the May primary ballot.
March 5, 2024 Dalton Daily Citizen, CNHI News
‘Swatting’ bill passes Georgia Senate
James Swift reports that the Georgia Senate voted 53-0 on Feb. 27 to pass Senate Bill 421, a legislative proposal that would create stiffer penalties for “unlawful requests for emergency services” — i.e., the act of “swatting.” Numerous elected officials — among them District 14 U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — have fallen prey to “swatting” incidents recently, in which 911 calls are made that falsely claim that emergency situations, like a suicide or homicide attempt, are taking place at their respective residences.
March 5, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Georgia House to consider bills to toughen penalties for fentanyl distribution
Stanley Dunlap reports that the Georgia House is expected to consider criminal justice legislation designed to toughen penalties for people who sell fentanyl that causes an overdose and a bill that gives police officers more pay while recovering from severe injuries sustained on the job. A bipartisan Senate majority supported legislation voted to create the crime of aggravated involuntary manslaughter for those convicted of delivering or selling drugs laced with fentanyl that cause the death of another person.
March 5, 2024 Capitol Beat News
3rd District congressional race drawing a crowd
Dave Williams report that nine of Georgia’s 14 members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed up to seek another two-year term Monday on a busy opening day of Qualifying Week at the state Capitol. But not surprisingly, the only race that doesn’t feature an incumbent drew the most interest.
March 5, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In Georgia, Republicans and Democrats line up to run for office
Greg Bluestein reports, the battle for the White House will get top billing, but on Monday hundreds of hopeful Georgia candidates filed paperwork to enter down-ballot races as both parties prepared for a November clash. Prominent politicians and long shots crowded the halls of the Georgia Capitol to formally declare their candidacies at the beginning of the five-day qualifying period.
