Georgia Trend Daily – April 24, 2024
April 24, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Georgia getting $156 million for rooftop solar
Dave Williams reports that Earth Day has brought an influx of federal dollars to boost the development of solar energy in Georgia. The Biden administration awarded $156 million Monday to regional nonprofit Capital Good Fund to help residents of low-income communities in Atlanta, Decatur, and Savannah install solar panels on their rooftops.
April 24, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Douglasville | Douglas County: Lights, Camera, Action!
K.K. Snyder reports that Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Medline and dozens of other big names already call Douglas County home, and the list continues to grow. The county’s location in the Metro Atlanta region, just 25 minutes from the world’s busiest airport with access to interstates, is also a draw for newcomers, including residents, businesses and industries.
April 24, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PulteGroup announces 10% jump in revenues, earnings up 32%
Michael E. Kanell reports that PulteGroup last quarter had revenues of $3.8 billion, a 10% jump from the same period a year ago, as the nation’s housing shortage promises to fuel more construction, the company announced Tuesday. The Atlanta-based homebuilding giant reported a 32% bounce in earnings, an 11% increase in the number of homes sold, as well as a higher profit margin and a surge in the number of new orders for homes during the first three months of this year.
April 24, 2024 Georgia Ports Authority
Georgia Ports CEO: We are Preparing for Growth
Staff reports that the Georgia Ports Authority hosted their 55th annual 2024 Georgia International Trade Conference. The event brings customers, business partners and industry leaders together to discuss the latest maritime and logistics industry developments and trends.
April 24, 2024 WSB Radio
Delta bumps up its starting minimum wage, gives pay raises to 80,000 employees
Staff reports that one of Georgia’s largest employers is giving more than 80,000 employees a pay raise. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines announced on Monday that non-union employees will get a 5% raise. The airline is also raising its minimum starting wage to $19 an hour.
April 24, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal
Secretary of State Upholds Disqualification of Rep. Wilkerson’s Challenger
Annie Mayne reports that the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office has upheld a ruling that disqualifies a Democrat challenging state Rep. David Wilkerson, D-Powder Springs, in this year’s primary. The state administrative law judge ruled Friday that Martine Maignan, who qualified in early March to run for House District 38, did not provide sufficient evidence that she lived in the district and thus cannot represent the south Cobb seat.
April 24, 2024 State Affairs
In hot water with your HOA? A new law buys you time to fix the problem
Tammy Joyner reports that Georgia homeowners living in communities governed by homeowners’ associations now get time to fix a covenant violation before the HOA can take legal action, thanks to legislation signed into law Monday. Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 220 at the Capitol, continuing his flurry of bill-signings across the state.
April 24, 2024 Augusta Chronicle, Savannah Morning News
Charter schools, vouchers and bus stops: Kemp signs seven education bills into law
Maya Homan reports, seven bills that could transform education in Georgia were signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp at the state capitol Tuesday, ushering in changes to public, private and charter schools throughout the state. “Each of these bills works toward a common goal, ensuring that our next generation can grow up and have the opportunity to succeed in our great state,” Kemp said at the bill signing ceremony.
April 24, 2024 Athens Banner-Herald
Kemp signs bill restricting children’s access to social media, ignites concerns over privacy
Maya Homan reports that a controversial bill that would impose new restrictions on minors’ internet use was signed into law by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday, unleashing concerns about how to ensure children’s safety online while protecting students’ right to freedom of expression. SB 351, which was introduced by state Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), mirrors legislation passed in states like Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Utah that would require parental consent before allowing minors to create social media accounts.
April 24, 2024 WABE
Georgia governor signs private school vouchers into law, a long-awaited triumph for school choice advocates
Juma Sei reports, at long last, Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a controversial school voucher program into Georgia law. Senate Bill 233 establishes the “Georgia Promise Scholarship,” a fund to subsidize private school tuition – or costs associated with homeschooling – for families who choose to leave their local public school.
April 24, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Critics brand newly-signed bill anti-union
Dave Williams reports that Gov. Brian Kemp has signed controversial legislation prohibiting businesses seeking state economic development incentives from voluntarily recognizing unions if a secret-ballot election option is available. Senate Bill 362, which cleared the General Assembly’s Republican majorities largely along party lines, was part of Kemp’s agenda for the 2024 legislative session and was backed by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
April 24, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PG A.M.: ‘Haley voters for Biden’ target Georgia for anti-Trump effort
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Van Brimmer report that former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley captured more than 77,000 votes in Georgia’s Republican presidential primary last month, an election held after she dropped out of the race. Last night in Pennsylvania, she tallied more than 156,000 votes in that state’s primary.
