Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 18, 2024
Jan. 18, 2024 Capitol Beat News
New program to provide emergency funding to rural hospitals
Dave Williams reports that a nonprofit health-care organization announced plans Wednesday to help financially struggling rural hospitals in Georgia in danger of closing. Ohio-based CareSource will contribute $5 million in emergency funding to hospitals and hospital-owned nursing homes in rural communities suffering critical cash deficits.
Jan. 18, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Economy: Georgia’s 2024 Economic Forecast
Jeff Humphreys writes, thanks to Georgia’s recent economic development successes and strong demographics, our economy will perform better than the nation in the coming year. Nationally, I expect an economic slowdown in 2024 but not a recession. I estimate the probability of a 2024 recession at 33% for Georgia compared to just under 50% for the United States.
Jan. 18, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Army attorney rips Georgia Power for seeking greater fossil fuel use
Meris Lutz reports that an attorney for the U.S. Department of Defense accused Georgia Power executives Wednesday of ignoring opportunities to develop clean power for existing customers — instead chasing new business by burning more planet-warming fossil fuels. John McNutt spoke on behalf of federal agencies at a regulatory hearing on Georgia Power’s request to increase the utility’s electricity capacity, which it said was needed for it to remain competitive for industries looking to come to Georgia.
Jan. 18, 2024 PeachPass
Peach Pass now accepted in 10 more states with E-ZPass partnership
Staff reports that the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) announced today Peach Pass customers can now seamlessly access E-ZPass tolling facilities in 10 more states – increasing its interoperability to 18 states total. Last fall, six new states were added to the network through the E-ZPass partnership, in addition to the two states (Florida and North Carolina) where Peach Pass previously operated.
Jan. 18, 2024 Savannah Morning News
From a new library to Wawa, here are projects underway in Pooler
Destini Ambus reports that Pooler has experienced an explosive amount of growth in the last decade, growing at a rate of 5% annually with a population of 25,601 as of the 2020 census. With new businesses popping up on every corner, and bumper-to-bumper traffic on Pooler Parkway in the mornings and evenings, it’s a sharp contrast to the one-stoplight town of 30 years ago.
Jan. 18, 2024 Gwinnett Daily Post
Gwinnett Commissioners One Step Closer to Transit Expansion Referendum
Curt Yeomans reports that Gwinnett Commissioners are one step closer to asking voters to consider a sales tax to support transit expansion in the county. The commission voted unanimously to declare their intent to vote in May on whether to call for a referendum on a 1% special purpose local option sales tax.
Jan. 18, 2024 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
New Columbus gamebar unveils new mural in former Vertigo location ahead of opening
Brittany McGee reports that Columbus’ first gamebar, Bytes and Brews, opens Thursday in the former Vertigo location featuring a new mural by the same artist who painted the original mural that was removed. Bytes and Brews offers food, drinks and arcade games, pinball machines and other games and entertainment.
Jan. 18, 2024 The Current
Proposed DNR rule change could threaten marshes
Robin Kemp reports that the public has until Friday, Jan. 19, to submit written comments to a new proposal to change the amount of buffer homeowners must leave between coastal marsh and upland. It would limit buffers to commercial developments and relax them for others.
Jan. 18, 2024 State Affairs
Agency department heads jockey for more funding on day 2 of budget hearings
Jill Jordon Sieder and Tammy Joyner report that the head of the state Department of Human Services gave lawmakers on Wednesday an emotional overview of how the beleaguered agency finally found temporary homes for foster children living in hotels. Commissioner Candice Broce was brought to the verge of tears as she talked about the problem that threw her agency into near-crisis and drew criticism most of last year.
Jan. 18, 2024 11 Alive
Never-ending fees, bad HOA boards: Georgia senator proposes new office to help resolve disputes
Rebecca Lindstrom reports that a state senator wants Georgia to hire a point person to help those who live in a homeowners association when problems arrive. She’s put forward a new bill this session to help make it happen.
Jan. 18, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Raffensperger: No time to take QR codes off Georgia ballots this year
Dave Williams reports that there isn’t time to remove QR codes from paper ballots in Georgia, as Republican legislative leaders have proposed, before this year’s elections, GOP Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Wednesday. “I would support moving to human-readable text,” Raffensperger said during the second day of legislative hearings on Gov. Brian Kemp’s budget recommendations.
Jan. 18, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PG A.M.: Georgians oppose law change that would limit local referendums
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Van Brimmer report that the Georgia Supreme Court upheld a 2022 Camden County referendum that grounded plans for a controversial spaceport, several justices warned it could pave the way for a series of special ballot initiatives that “thwart the will of a fatigued majority” if lawmakers don’t intervene. It’s still unclear whether the Legislature will take any action.
