Georgia Trend Daily – July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025 Capitol Beat News

Georgia maintains highest bond ratings

Dave Williams reports that the “Big Three” bond rating companies again have given Georgia the highest rating of AAA, praising the state’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and record of economic growth and job creation. “The ‘AAA’ long-term rating reflects our view of Georgia’s demonstrated resilient budgetary performance across credit cycles, coupled with responsible fiscal management that has enabled the state to make timely adjustments to general fund expenditures,” wrote S&P Global Ratings, which gave Georgia its highest credit score along with Moody’s and Fitch Ratings.

July 17, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

The Nature of Belief

Tharon Johnson writes, why do we believe what we believe? It’s a philosophical question that has been asked for millennia, one that doesn’t have a simple answer. There are countless forces that tie into it – where we were born, who our parents are, how we were raised, what we read, what we see, what we hear, who we spend time with, and even the chemical composition of our brains.

July 17, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Why has a Georgia agency paused reviews of new data center proposals?

Zachary Hansen reports that as data center development in Georgia surges, one type of regional review for the power-hungry projects is being shelved — at least temporarily. A Georgia agency has ordered regional planning commissions to pause reviews of new data center proposals because of an unprecedented wave of projects being pitched across the Peach State.

July 17, 2025 Georgia Ports Authority

Georgia Ports and Konecranes celebrate 30-year partnership on yard cranes

Staff reports that Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) and Konecranes are celebrating 30 years since the purchase of GPA’s first rubber tire gantry crane, marking a significant milestone in port operations and yard crane innovation. “Konecranes has played a defining role in our growth and productivity with customers and port users,” said Griff Lynch, President and CEO of Georgia Ports.

July 17, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal

LOUD Security Systems closes on purchase of new headquarters

Staff reports that LOUD Security Systems, a leading low-voltage security provider, closed on the purchase of its new headquarters in Kennesaw. The property, located at 1990 Vaughn Rd. in Barrett Summit Office Park, will undergo phased upgrades to prepare for a full transition in the coming months, according to John Bennett, the company’s marketing director.

July 17, 2025 GlobalAtlanta.com

Costa Rica Courts Atlanta Buyers in Bid to Raise Profile in Southeast U.S. 

Trevor Williams reports that Costa Rica’s top trade promotion agency is courting Atlanta companies for a key September fair in San Jose, offering on-the-ground assistance and cost mitigation for local buyers or investors looking to deepen ties in the Central American nation. The move by PROCOMER, or Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica, is part of a broader effort to expand the organization’s reach in the Southeast U.S.

July 17, 2025 Gainesville Times

Bill in Congress could free up how counties use fees they receive at Lake Lanier parks they manage

Jeff Gill reports, governments managing recreation areas on Lake Lanier – including Hall County – could have more freedom in how they spend the entrance fees they receive. The governments now can only use revenues from a specific site for that site.

July 17, 2025 Rome News-Tribune, Staten Island Advance

Greene blasts Trump on Kyiv weapons deal: ‘No one’s walking around thinking about Ukraine’

Tom Wrobleski reports that one of President Donald Trump’s top loyalists is slamming the White House after it was announced that the U.S. would send weapons to Ukraine to help that country battle Russia. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Rome, told the New York Times that the move shows that Trump is reneging on his “America First” campaign pledge.

July 17, 2025 WABE

Lessons from Georgia’s ‘Pathways’ as new bureaucratic hurdles come for millions with Medicaid nationwide

Jess Mador reports, now that Republicans’ big tax-and-spending bill has become law, there will be new bureaucratic hurdles for millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid for health coverage. The new law contains a provision that in most states, for the first time, low-income adults will have to start meeting work requirements to keep their coverage.

July 17, 2025 State Affairs

Election process changes discussed ahead of 2026 session

Devyn Woodard reports, as next year’s elections beginning to heat up, lawmakers have set out to tackle some of the state’s most important election-related matters. The Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedure, chaired by Rep. Tim Fleming, R-Covington, kicked off the first of its six meetings this week.

July 17, 2025 Georgia Recorder

Hubbard wins Democratic PSC primary, setting up showdown with governor-appointed incumbent

Amber Roldan reports that Peter Hubbard, a clean energy advocate, secured the Democratic Party nomination for the District 3 Georgia Public Service Commission seat Tuesday evening.  His decisive victory allows him to advance to November’s general election where he will face GOP incumbent Commissioner Fitz Johnson.

July 17, 2025 Capitol Beat News

Ossoff pushing for long-awaited Hurricane Helene relief

Dave Williams reports, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., is calling attention to months-long delays by state and federal agriculture agencies to deliver relief to farm communities devastated by Hurricane Helene last September. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper dated Wednesday, Ossoff asked why a federal block grant agreement still hasn’t been finalized more than nine months after the storm struck and more than six months after Congress appropriated disaster aid.

July 17, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Power can keep some financial details hidden from public, PSC rules

Drew Kann reports that Georgia Power will be able to keep certain cost, power generation and transmission information shielded from public view for now, after state energy regulators denied a challenge to the practice Tuesday. But the Georgia Public Service Commission signaled that it might consider changing what it allows the state’s largest electricity utility and others under its jurisdiction to keep hidden.