Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 8, 2024
Jan. 8, 2024 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Appoints State Elections Board Chair
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Friday announced that John Fervier has been appointed as the new Chair of the State Elections Board, effective immediately. He fills the vacancy created by the resignation of the William Duffey, Jr.
Jan. 8, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
2024 Most Influential Hall of Fame Inductees: Gary Black & Robert L. Brown, Jr.
Stephanie Kalina Metzger reports, during his 12-year term, former Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black rejuvenated the Georgia Grown brand – a program for agriculture producers to unite and bring their products to agribusinesses, institutions and consumers. Robert L. Brown, Jr. is well known in the state of Georgia as a “citizen architect.”
Jan. 8, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Delta does not fly 737 MAX 9 jet temporarily grounded by FAA
Kelly Yamanouchi reports that Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines does not fly the Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets that have been temporarily grounded by regulators after an incident involving an Alaska Airlines plane of that type. Part of the fuselage of the Alaska Airlines MAX 9 jet blew off during a flight Friday evening.
Jan. 8, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Savannah metro saw “subdued growth” in Q3 of last year, recent GSU analysis shows.
Evan Lasseter reports that the Savannah metro economy finished quarter three with modest growth, a slight rebound from the previous quarter, according to the most recent Coastal Empire Economic Monitor by Georgia Southern University. The “subdued growth” last quarter was led by gains in regional employment, sustained port activity and electricity sales that reflect activity from the area’s residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
Jan. 8, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal
Optimism Running High for 2024 South Cobb Business Scene
Jake Busch reports that Ray Thomas, president of the Mableton Improvement Coalition, does not expect modest economic growth for the south Cobb area, as well as Cobb’s newest city, in 2024. “We are on the move,” Thomas said. “We’re growing.”
Jan. 8, 2024 Augusta Chronicle
Augusta ‘liquid glass’ factory announces new furnace construction by 2025
Joe Hotchkiss reports that the Augusta factory that produces “liquid glass” for myriad industrial uses has announced plans to build an onsite furnace in 2024 designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. PQ Corp., with south Augusta facilities at the corner of Doug Barnard Parkway and Newsprint Road, plans to have the sodium silicate furnace operational by 2025.
Jan. 8, 2024 The Brunswick News
Groups want more community engagement in marshland protection rule change
Michael Hall reports that environmental groups and individuals say a proposed rule change to how the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act is applied could open the door to widespread and long-term damage to Georgia’s salt marshes by developers. The Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources says the proposed amendment will clarify a rule that has become more difficult to navigate and ensure it is applied as originally intended.
Jan. 8, 2024 Gwinnett Daily Post
Legislation To Create City of Mulberry In Eastern Gwinnett Will Be Filed On Monday
Curt Yeomans reports that the legislation to create a new city in Gwinnett County has been released, and it includes a new name for the proposed municipality: Mulberry. Late Friday afternoon, Georgia House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, R-Auburn, and state Sen. Clint Dixon, R-Buford, released the proposed legislation as well as a study looking at the feasibility of what would be Gwinnett’s second largest city if it is approved by legislators and voters.
Jan. 8, 2024 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Governor to appoint new Columbus Superior Court judge as one of seven in circuit resigns
Tim Chitwood reports that one of Columbus’ seven Superior Court judges in the six-county Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit is resigning this month, with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to appoint his replacement. Judge Ron Mullins notified the governor he will leave his current position on Jan. 31, and asked Kemp to appoint him a senior Superior Court judge, who is semi-retired and serves only when needed in any judicial circuit in the state.
Jan. 8, 2024 11 Alive
State leaders share what to expect at legislative session
Tresia Bowles reports that Sunday, state lawmakers gathered around the table for the 61st Annual Wild Hog Supper. It’s not only a time to commune over smoked pork, but it’s also the unofficial kick-off of the legislative session.
Jan. 8, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Georgia lawmakers return to the Gold Dome with election-year politics on their minds
Ross Williams and Jill Nolin report, will school voucher supporters try again after a searing defeat in 2023? How will lawmakers spend billions of dollars of budget surplus? Are Republicans really eying Medicaid expansion?
Jan. 8, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Good problem for General Assembly – what to do with surplus
Dave Williams reports that the 2024 session of the General Assembly starting Monday is expected to feature renewed debate over issues lawmakers have wrestled with for years, including private school vouchers, legalized gambling, and tort reform. What’s different this year is that Georgia is sitting atop a $16 billion budget surplus and another $11 billion undesignated funds.
Jan. 8, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Legislature likely to get down to business quickly in election year
James Salzer reports, it used to be said that this was the time of year when you needed to lock up your homes and families because the Georgia General Assembly was returning to Atlanta for its annual session … starting today at 10 a.m. That might be a little harsh — a little — but as with every session, you really never know what laws the General Assembly will pass before House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones gavel the session to a close shortly after the first day of spring.
