Georgia Trend Daily – March 19, 2024
March 19, 2024 Augusta Chronicle
Report: $23 billion in clean energy projects ranks Georgia second in nation for creating jobs
Erica Van Buren reports that a recent report ranks Georgia second in the nation for clean energy projects, creating nearly 30,000 clean energy jobs. Throughout the state, new clean energy projects have spurred $23.12 billion in investment, the second highest in the nation, in four sectors − solar, batteries, electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies − according to the Climate Power Clean Energy Boom report.
March 19, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
The 2024 Georgia Technology Summit for Innovation in the South
Julia Roberts reports, the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state’s largest tech-focused industry association, will host the 2024 Georgia Technology Summit on March 28, Thursday, at the new Signia Hotel in downtown Atlanta. “The Georgia Technology Summit is the place where innovators and leaders come together,” said TAG President & Chief Executive Officer, Larry K. Williams.
March 19, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
City council looks to honor Air Atlanta founder at Hartsfield-Jackson
Kelly Yamanouchi reports that Atlanta officials love to rename roads and airport terminals to honor local luminaries, turning downtown street signs into a who’s who of the city and resulting in Hartsfield-Jackson’s double-barreled name. Now, City Council members are working to rename part of the airport for a Black entrepreneur who once started an airline — but they ran into some stumbling blocks.
March 19, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal
Cobb Expects Shortfalls in Excess of $165M for Sales Tax Projects
Jake Busch reports that Deputy Cobb County Manager Jimmy Gisi was frank with the Cobb Board of Commissioners Thursday: Budget shortfalls for the most recent set of special 1% sales tax projects are expected to exceed $165 million. However, Gisi told commissioners at this week’s retreat that the county was conservative in its estimates for special-purpose, local-option sales tax (SPLOST) revenue from 2022-2027, projecting $750 million.
March 19, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Owner of world’s largest wood pellet plant files for bankruptcy
John Deem reports that the owner of a southern Georgia facility considered the world’s biggest producer of wood pellets used for fuel has filed for bankruptcy following months of uncertainty. The announcement comes on the heels of criticism by environmental groups about Maryland-based Enviva’s Waycross plant, which they say has been releasing up to three times its permitted limit of hazardous pollutants, and ongoing scrutiny of the company’s claim that its production is a “carbonneutral” process that does not contribute to climate change.
March 19, 2024 Fox 5 Atlanta
Georgia grapples with nation’s second worst nursing shortage
Christopher King reports that a nationwide nursing shortage is hitting Georgia especially hard. Right now, there just aren’t enough nurses to go around. The state is expected to have the second-worst shortage in the nation over the next decade.
March 19, 2024 Macon Telegraph
Farming drives billions in GA’s economy, but workers suffer from mental health problems
Myracle Lewis reports that the work required to drive an industry that produces tens of billions of dollars in Georgia’s economic impact isn’t easy on your body or your brain. Just ask Todd Harris, the owner of Three Lakes Ranch in Crawford County, who said a full day’s work from sunup to sundown can drive anyone insane.
March 19, 2024 Georgia Recorder, The Current
Georgia Senate OKs bill to loosen limits on health care facilities, but talks ongoing
Jill Nolin reports that a proposal to loosen up Georgia’s health care business regulations cleared the Senate Thursday with some bipartisan support, but Democrats say they will withhold support next time unless the bill includes full Medicaid expansion. Republicans in the GOP-controlled chamber may not need Democrats to send the measure to the governor’s desk, but the final form of the bill is destined to be hashed out in a conference committee and there were already some signs of unease among GOP lawmakers.
March 19, 2024 CNHI News, Dalton Daily Citizen
House resolution addresses ‘regulatory overreach’
James Swift reports that a Georgia House resolution addressing “regulatory overreach” in both the state and national chemical industries made it to a scheduled House Regulated Industries Committee hearing on March 19. House Resolution 1356 was introduced on March 7. All six sponsors of the legislation are Republican lawmakers, including District 4 Rep. Kasey Carpenter, of Dalton.
March 19, 2024 GPB
‘Lawmakers’: Senate and House take up cow tipping, trucking accidents, loan repayments on Day 36
Sarah Kallis and Tristan Smith report that Georgia lawmakers are hard at work to pass as many bills as possible before the clock runs out on the 2024 legislative session. If you are a cattle rustler, or enjoy a good cow tipping, then House Bill 827 may ruin your day. Sen. Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell) spoke about the bill, which deals with trespassing or theft of livestock.
March 19, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Georgia lawmakers advance bills aimed to give convicts of minor crimes easier path to work, housing
Stanley Dunlap reports that two Georgia legislative panels on Monday approved bills that criminal justice reform advocates contend will help thousands of people with minor criminal convictions improve their chances to find good jobs and housing. The House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 157, intended to relieve Georgians convicted of minor offenses more access to professional licenses needed to work in one of every six jobs in Georgia.
March 19, 2024 State Affairs
Bill to create all-inclusive, community-based care program for seniors awaits governor’s approval
Jill Jordan Sieder reports that the Legislature passed a bill this month to create a new long-term care program for seniors that would help them live at home while receiving comprehensive medical care, meals and other community services. If signed by the governor, it’s expected to save the state money on health care costs and decrease emergency room visits and nursing home care for many elderly residents.
March 19, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Georgia House passes school voucher bill that promises $6,500 per student for tuition, more
Maya Homan reports that a bill that would effectively cut funding for public K-12 schools across Georgia and allow families to apply public funds towards private school tuition this week passed in the Georgia House of Representatives in a 91-82 vote. Senate Bill 233 was amended in the House Education committee on Wednesday to include a provision that would create a new Georgia Education Savings Authority.
March 19, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Georgia House committee takes up sports betting
Dave Williams reports that a proposed constitutional amendment the state Senate passed late last month letting Georgia voters decide whether to legalize sports betting got its first hearing in the state House of Representatives Monday.
March 19, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Geoff Duncan passes on No Labels presidential bid
Greg Bluestein reports that former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he won’t launch a third-party presidential bid with the No Labels movement, ending speculation that the Republican could mount a campaign with the well-funded organization. “It was an honor to be approached, and I am grateful to all those who are engaged in good-faith efforts to offer Americans a better choice than the Trump vs. Biden rematch,” Duncan said in a statement Monday.
