Georgia Trend Daily – March 11, 2025
March 11, 2025 Georgia.gov
February Tax Revenues Up 4.6%; Adjusted YTD Down 0.4%
Staff reports that the State of Georgia’s net tax collections in the month of February approached $2.13 billion, for an increase of $94.2 million, or 4.6%, compared to February 2024, when net tax collections totaled $2.03 billion for the month. Year-to-date, net tax revenue collections totaled $21.53 billion, for an increase of $379.2 million that was driven chiefly by the collection of the state’s motor fuel excise tax, which was suspended by Executive Order for a period of two and a half months during FY 2024.
March 11, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Ups, Downs and In-betweens
Kenna Simmons reports that veteran journalist Bill Nigut, a Chicago native who covered politics for WSB-TV from 1983 to 2023, co-hosted his last episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution podcast Politically Georgia on January 31. Nigut retired after a career that spanned leading two nonprofits, one of them the Atlanta-area Anti-Defamation League, and nearly a decade hosting Political Rewind on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
March 11, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How Coca-Cola, Delta and other top Georgia stocks have fared since Inauguration Day
J. Scott Trubey reports that on Monday, Delta Air Lines halved its forecast for revenue growth in the first quarter to 3%-4%, down from its previous prediction of 7%-9%. The company in an SEC filing cited “the recent reduction in consumer and corporate confidence caused by increased macro uncertainty.”
March 11, 2025 The Brunswick News
Wallenius Wilhelmsen GM expects ‘exponential’ port growth
Gordon Jackson reports that the Port of Brunswick’s focus on roll-on/roll-off cargoes is what convinced the largest shipping companies in the world to ship all its roll-on/roll-off cargo to the Golden Isles. Matt Henderson, general manager of the Wallenius Wilhelmsen, said the port has seen “exponential growth” in recent years.
March 11, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Endangered Right Whale, other flora and fauna get new look in 10-year Georgia wildlife plan update
Leon Stafford reports that over the next 10 years, the North Atlantic Right Whale, the Chattooga River crayfish and the Sicklefin Redhorse fish may get some outsized attention from conservationists. The aquatic creatures are among more than 1,000 plants, animals and habitats that are being included in Georgia’s 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan or SWAP.
March 11, 2025 Athens Banner-Herald
Three Georgia restaurants, including a Savannah favorite, make Southern Living’s bucket list
Vanessa Countryman reports that Georgia’s culinary scene is shining, with three restaurants making Southern Living magazine’s coveted “15 Southern Restaurants At The Top Of Our Readers’ Bucket List.” The three restaurants are in Atlanta, Savannah, and St. Simons Island, and range from barbecue to southern soul.
March 11, 2025 GPB
Georgians could get screened for HIV meds prescribed in pharmacies if this bill passes
Ellen Eldridge reports that public health experts say Georgia Senate Bill 195 could help stop thousands of new HIV diagnoses by allowing pharmacists to dispense medications used to prevent HIV. Natalie Crawford, an associate professor in Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, said people at high risk of contracting HIV would also be able to get screened locally — and privately.
March 11, 2025 Rome News-Tribune
Compensation For Wrongfully Convicted Floyd County Men Awaiting Senate Action
Diane Wagner reports that a resolution to compensate two Floyd County men who spent decades in prison for murders they did not commit passed the state House by the deadline and is in the hands of the Senate. The awards to help Joey Watkins and Lee Clark get back on their feet — along with funding for three other Georgians — were folded together into House Resolution 128, the last piece of legislation voted on before Thursday’s Crossover Day deadline.
March 11, 2025 WSB Radio
Consumer advocacy group Georgia Watch calls on Congress to safeguard CFPB
Staff reports that the local consumer advocacy group Georgia Watch is calling on Congress to safeguard the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from plans to weaken its authority. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was established following the 2008 financial crisis.
March 11, 2025 State Affairs
Tort reform in Georgia: What it means and where it stands
Beau Evans reports that a massive overhaul of Georgia’s lawsuit system is poised for final votes in the coming weeks as lawmakers eye the end of the 2025 legislative session. Backed by Gov. Brian Kemp, the overhaul effort — known as tort reform — stems from two bills that aim to rein in huge court payouts, shield businesses from costly lawsuits and admit evidence on whether seat belts were worn during car accidents.
March 11, 2025 Savannah Morning News
Could Georgia ban cell phones in classrooms? Senators to consider bill for K-8 students
Miguel Legoas reports that last week, the Georgia House passed a bill that, if passed by the senate and signed into law, would impact some students’ access to phones. Also known as the “Distraction-Free Education Act,” Georgia HB 340 prohibits public schools students in grades K-8 from accessing personal electronic devices including, but not limited to, smartphones, headphones, tablets, and smartwatches.
March 11, 2025 Clayton News-Daily
Bell Introduces HB 464
Staff reports that Georgia District Rep. Eric Bell, D-Jonesboro, recently introduced House Bill 464, which would protect individuals who seek help from law enforcement as victims of certain crimes and would ensure they are not prosecuted for unrelated offenses in the process. “We must create an environment where victims feel safe coming forward without the threat of prosecution hanging over their heads,” said Bell.
March 11, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Legislation would make the driver’s license on a smartphone official for Georgia police
Ty Tagami reports that drivers in Georgia would be able to leave home without their wallet, so long as they bring their smartphone, if legislation that seeks to require police to accept a digital version of drivers’ licenses becomes law. House Bill 296 passed the Georgia House of Representatives by a wide bipartisan majority last week, and on Monday a Senate committee hit the accelerator on the bill.
March 11, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sex trafficking victims testify against Brian Kemp’s litigation overhaul
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, an emotional hearing about Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposal to overhaul civil litigation rules underscores just how tough the vote could be in the Georgia House. Over five hours on Monday, House lawmakers heard wrenching testimony from sex trafficking victims who warned the proposal could make it impossible to hold hotels and businesses accountable for turning a blind eye to their abuse.
