Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 12, 2024
Jan. 12, 2024 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Delivers 2024 State of the State Address
Governor Brian P. Kemp delivered his sixth State of the State Address to a joint session of the Georgia General Assembly. You can watch his annual address in its entirety HERE. A full copy of his address is available HERE.
Jan. 12, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Event Recap: Georgia Chamber Eggs & Issues
Ben Young reports, Gov. Brian Kemp shared plans to spend some of the $5 billion surplus in state coffers at the Georgia Chamber Eggs and Issues event. His 2024-2025 budget will include the following: $1.5 billion to Georgia Department of Transportation, including a fund for freight infrastructure; $250 million to Georgia Environmental Finance Authority for water and sewer infrastructure; $200 million to cities and counties for roads and bridges; $56 million to the Workforce Housing Fund; $178 million to establish a second dental school at Georgia Southern University; and $50 million to expand the medical school at University of Georgia.
Jan. 12, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Delta reports record 2023 revenue, $4.6 billion profit for the year
Kelly Yamanouchi reports that Delta Air Lines brought in a record $58 billion in revenue in 2023, and posted a $4.6 billion profit for the year as millions of travelers took to the skies. The strong financial results also mean the Atlanta-based airline will pay $1.4 billion in profit sharing payments to its employees in February.
Jan. 12, 2024 Covington News
Amazon purchases land in Newton County, plans unclear
Evan Newton reports that Amazon Data Services Inc. has purchased land in Newton County with the potential of opening a data center in the area. According to a deed obtained by The Covington News, Amazon Data Services inc. purchased several parcels of land totaling 429.5 acres.
Jan. 12, 2024 Rome News-Tribune
Downtown Rome Seeks To Capitalize On 2023 Successes
David Crowder reports that record-breaking attendance for Fiddlin’ Fest and more than $2 million in residential investment helped to make 2023 a banner year for downtown Rome. Jennifer Bailey, administrative coordinator for the Rome Downtown Development Authority, presented the DDA’s annual report for 2023 and said that there were 11 residential rehabs.
Jan. 12, 2024 Valdosta Daily Times, CNHI News
Georgia Senate committee gives another push to sports gambling proposal
Asia Ashley reports that one of many proposals to allow sports betting in Georgia has made its way out of a Senate committee for the second time. Senate Bill 172, which would authorize and regulate sports betting in Georgia, was favorably reported out of the Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee last year; however, it was tabled on the Senate floor days later after it did not receive the required votes to advance it to the House.
Jan. 12, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal
Judge Extends Deadline for New Cobb School Board Map
Jake Busch reports that the Georgia General Assembly now has until Jan. 22 to pass a new Cobb County Board of Education map after a federal judge extended the deadline. Judge Eleanor Ross had set the initial date for the map to be passed as Jan. 10, but on Wednesday extended that deadline, in addition to setting Feb. 9 as the latest date for the court to approve a new map.
Jan. 12, 2024 Savannah Morning News, Athens Banner-Herald
State of the State: Kemp emphasizes education, public safety, tax cuts in 2024 address
Maya Homan reports, in his sixth State of the State address, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp delivered a resounding message to residents: Georgia is moving in the right direction and is gearing up for more growth in 2024. Kemp outlined plans for the 2025 state budget in his address Thursday in the chambers of the state House in Atlanta, prioritizing investments in education, healthcare and public safety.
Jan. 12, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Kemp trumpets job growth, pushes for government worker pay raises in 2024 State of State speech
Stanley Dunlap reports that Republican Gov. Brian Kemp called for higher salaries for teachers, police officers and other state employees, as well as increased investments in public education and mental health during his State of the State Address on Thursday. Kemp’s recommendations for the upcoming year were highlighted by a 4% cost of living increase for more than 300,000 state employees, a $2,500 pay raise for public school teachers and $3,000 pay hike for state law enforcement officers and case workers with the Division of Family and Children Services.
Jan. 12, 2024 WABE
Medicaid expansion could get more bipartisan debate at the Gold Dome this year
Jess Mador reports that Georgia’s state legislative session is just getting started. And already there are signs Medicaid expansion could continue to be a hot topic during the session. But this year for the first time, it’s not just among Democratic lawmakers.
Jan. 12, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Kemp endorses school vouchers push
Dave Williams reports that Gov. Brian Kemp called on Georgia lawmakers Thursday to pass a private school vouchers bill, a perennial issue before the legislature that has failed to make it through the General Assembly. “I believe we have run out of ‘next years,’ ” Kemp said during his annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Georgia House and Senate.
Jan. 12, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Analysis: Kemp still campaigning — this time to be a ‘national voice’ in GOP
Greg Bluestein reports, when Gov. Brian Kemp recently extended a gas tax break he took a shot at President Joe Biden in his order. When he unveiled plans to attend a ritzy Swiss conference next week, he promised to “fight the good fight” for conservatives on the global stage.
