Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 28, 2019

Feb. 28, 2018 WABE 90.1

Bill In Congress Would Bring Relief To Ga. Farmers Hit By Hurricane Michael

Molly Samuel reports that financial aid could be coming to Georgia farmers who are struggling to recover from Hurricane Michael. On Tuesday, U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue introduced a bill that would bring billions of dollars in relief to farmers in the state and also to people affected by other natural disasters around the country.

Feb. 28, 2018 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Our new website launches

Mary Ann DeMuth reports, check out Georgia Trend’s brand-new website that’s mobile friendly and easier than ever to navigate. All the regular components are there, like the digital magazine, which you can receive each month at no cost; the Latest Trends blog; and the Georgia Trend Daily newsletter – also free. Back issues of the magazine are archived and searchable, and you can read our annual publications, including the Small Business Guide, Business Georgia and Georgia Grown magazine.

Feb. 28, 2018 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bankrupt company will continue rural Georgia internet service

Christopher Quinn reports that Windstream Holdings, which gets federal subsidies to provide internet service to Georgians in rural areas, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but says it will continue to provide service during its reorganization.

Feb. 28, 2018 Atlanta Business Chronicle

Housing starts drop in Atlanta for first time since recession

Mark Meltzer reports that construction starts in metro Atlanta slowed in the fourth quarter by 6.9 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2017, the first year-over-year drop in nearly 10 years.

Feb. 28, 2018 Georgia State University

Rate hikes On Hold Until September, Global Economic Breather Affects U.S. Growth Momentum

Jennifer Shockley reports that the 35-day partial government shutdown was likely economically insignificant except for those who suffered delayed paychecks, according to Rajeev Dhawan of the Economic Forecasting Center at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business. “The real bad news was the severe drop in retail sales in December,” Dhawan wrote in his “Forecast of the Nation” released today (Feb. 27). “With job growth in the 200,000-plus monthly range for the year, why did people scrimp on holiday spending?”

Feb. 28, 2018 Kennesaw State University

Survey reveals Georgia construction industry outlook

Staff reports that the third annual Georgia Construction Outlook Survey indicates that labor shortages and reliability from sub-contractors continues to be a looming concern for 83 percent of the state’s privately-held construction companies.

Feb. 28, 2018 Rome News-Tribune

Tourism board approves purchase of trolley

Doug Walker reports that a new-to-Rome trolley is expected to roll into Rome and Floyd County in time for rentals during the Spring and Summer wedding season. Office of Tourism Board of Directors approved the purchase of the used trolley on Wednesday from a business in Baltimore at the cost of $131,900.

Feb. 28, 2018 GlobalAtlanta.com

First Exported Kia Telluride SUVs Head From Georgia to the Middle East

Trevor Williams reports that the first Georgia-made Kia Tellurides to be exported started their journey overseas Tuesday as the eight-seater SUVs  were loaded at the Port of Brunswick en route to buyers in the Middle East.

Feb. 28, 2018 Gainesville Times

Poultry lab funding fix falls short of $4 million needed

Joshua Silavent reports that nearly $1.5 million has been approved to start fixing problems at the Georgia Poultry Lab in Hall County by the state House Appropriations Committee, but it’s far short of an estimated $4 million needed for a full remedy. The funding is part of a $27.5 billion statewide spending package for the 2020 fiscal year, which begins July 1, that House legislators are expected to pass this week.

Feb. 28, 2018 Mercer University

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to Provide Keynote Address at Mercer Law School Courtroom Dedication

Billie Frys reports that Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Clarence Thomas will provide the keynote address as Mercer University School of Law dedicates its first-floor courtroom in honor of noted alumni Griffin Bell, ’48, and Frank Jones, ’50, on Monday, March 11.

Feb. 28, 2018 WABE 90.1

Georgia House Passes Sweeping Election Overhaul

Johnny Kauffman reports that the state House of Representatives on Tuesday passed what would be the most substantial overhaul in nearly two decades of how Georgia voters cast their ballots in person. The bill, HB 316, would require the use of electronic machines that print paper ballots by 2020.

Feb. 28, 2019 GPB

Republican Lawmakers In Georgia Aim For Most Restrictive Abortion Law in The Country

Robert Jimison reports, if passed, a law proposed this week in Georgia’s house of representatives would make the state the most restrictive when it comes to abortion regulations. Republican lawmaker Ed Setzler filed HB 481 titled the “Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act” or the Life Act.

Feb. 28, 2019 Brunswick News

Legislative maneuvering follows House speaker fallout

Wes Wolfe reports that State Rep. Jeff Jones, in emails to local news media Wednesday, announced he removed his name from his coal ash bills — H.B. 93 and H.B. 94 — in hopes they were able to continue forward without hindrance from the political fallout that occurred since the St. Simons Island Republican signed on to a resolution last week calling for state Speaker of the House David Ralston to resign from the chamber.

Feb. 28, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Religious rights debate reignited with bill introduced in Georgia Senate

Mark Niesse and Greg Bluestein report that a bill introduced in the Georgia Senate on Wednesday would give stronger legal protections for religious beliefs, a proposal similar to what Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has said he would sign into law. The measure, Senate Bill 221, renews a contentious yearly debate over religious rights in Georgia.