Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 5, 2024
Jan. 5, 2024 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Announces New Staff Updates
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Thursday announced changes to his staff ahead of the 2024 legislative session. Kristyn Long will serve as Executive Counsel, following the departure of David Dove at the end of the month to join the law firm Troutman Pepper as a partner leading their Regulatory and Economic Investment Practice in Georgia.
Jan. 5, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Ups, Downs and In-Betweens
Susan Percy reports, Paying Respects: President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to Atlanta to attend the memorial service for Rosalynn Carter, held at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the Emory campus. Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff were also in attendance, as was every living former first lady.
Jan. 5, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What the December home sales report for metro Atlanta signals for 2024
Michael E. Kanell reports, fewer choices, fewer sales, higher prices — the metro Atlanta housing market in December continued the trajectory it has followed since hitting a peak in number of sales in mid-2021, a trend that will likely persist this year, experts say. In the core 12 counties centered on the city of Atlanta, there were 3,838 homes sold in December, 11.4% fewer than during the same month a year earlier, while the median price of a home sold rose slightly to $391,000, according to initial estimates by Georgia Multiple Listing Services.
Jan. 5, 2024 GPB
Prestigious publications are naming Macon a ‘don’t miss’ travel destination for 2024. Here’s why
Staff reports that Macon, Ga., has come a long way since musicians Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band put it on the cultural map in the 1960s and 1970s. It celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2023 and today boasts the world’s largest indoor pickleball complex, a growing local economy, new hotels and more.
Jan. 5, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal
Democrats and Republicans Propose Dueling Cobb School Board Maps
Jake Busch reports that a Democratic state representative who chairs the Cobb Legislative Delegation and a Republican state senator plan to present dueling redrawn Cobb Board of Education maps for consideration at the start of the General Assembly’s session on Monday. State Rep. Teri Anulewicz, a Smyrna Democrat and the delegation chair, is working on one map.
Jan. 5, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Georgia House hearing on maternal mortality calls for solutions to healthcare deserts
Maya Homan reports, at a public hearing held Thursday to address maternal mortality in Georgia, the consensus among state legislators, healthcare workers and advocates was clear: Pregnancy-related deaths, which disproportionately impact Black and brown women in Georgia, are largely preventable. And the state is doing far too little to address the problem.
Jan. 5, 2024 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Gun violence rises to the top of Columbus residents’ concerns at state rep town hall
Kala Hunter reports that dozens of Columbus and Muscogee County citizens peppered four Georgia legislative delegates at a town hall on Wednesday at the Columbus Public Library with their pressing concerns in the city. Gun violence came in high on their list.
Jan. 5, 2024 Macon Telegraph
Recreational marijuana is still illegal in GA, but what’s the deal with THC vape pens?
Chelsea Madden reports, while recreational pot is still illegal in Georgia, many wonder about the future of THC in other forms. Currently, Delta-8, a compound found in THC, is legal. However, anything with Delta-9 THC contents that exceed 0.3% are illegal.
Jan. 5, 2024 WABE
Georgia lawmakers to again consider Okefenokee mining ban
Emily Jones reports that Georgia lawmakers are set to take up the controversial plan for a mine near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge when the legislative session starts later this month. Opponents of the mine are trying several avenues to prevent it, both in and outside of the statehouse.
Jan. 5, 2024 Gainesville Times
7 big issues legislators may tackle this session
Brian Wellmeier, Jeff Gill and Ben Anderson report that lawmakers from around the state will meet for the first time on Monday, Jan. 8, for the state’s legislative session in Atlanta. The Times spoke to elected officials who represent Hall County about a number of issues that could come up during the session, including transportation, the economy and the state’s budget, healthcare, education, and affordable housing.
Jan. 5, 2024 Clayton News-Daily
Local lawmakers discuss issues ahead of Legislative session
Alice Queen reports that Georgia Senator Brian Strickland, R-McDonough, said Thursday that legislators will be faced with an unusual challenge as they navigate the upcoming session of the General Assembly, which begins Jan. 9. Strickland, whose 17th District includes parts of Henry, Newton, Walton and Morgan counties, said the theme of this year’s session will be “hard choices” over spending some of the state’s $16 billion surplus.
Jan. 5, 2024 State Affairs
Georgia General Assembly 2024: The Basics
Jill Jordan Sieder reports, on Monday, Jan. 8, the Georgia General Assembly will gavel in to begin its new session of work at the Gold Dome. Here’s a primer on our legislators and their official agenda for 2024.
Jan. 5, 2024 Valdosta Daily Times, CNHI News
Election board reviving push to end no-excuse absentee voting in Georgia
Asia Ashley reports, after an unsuccessful 2021 attempt by some Republican lawmakers to end no-excuse absentee voting, the Georgia Election Board is recommending limits for voting by mail. The proposal, submitted by board member and Republican Party appointee Janice Johnston, asks state lawmakers to consider legislation ending or amending no-excuse absentee voting.
Jan. 5, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Latest push to expand Medicaid shows promise
Ariel Hart reports, ever since the 2010 Affordable Care Act offered heavy subsidies to each state that expands Medicaid for the uninsured poor, Georgia’s Republican majority leadership has answered with a resounding “no.” They viewed the offer as classic government overreach by Democrats, expensive and risky.
