Rideshare company Uber has launched a new program for teenagers in the metro Atlanta area.
Read the full storyNew Uber Program for Teens Launches in Atlanta
Category: Georgia
State Bar of California Begins Trial to Disbar Trump’s Attorney John Eastman Over 2020 Election
The State Bar of California (SBC) began a trial on Tuesday seeking to disbar conservative legal scholar John Eastman over his role advising former President Donald Trump and state legislatures on challenging the 2020 election results. The proceedings arose out of a complaint against him made by the States United Democracy Center (SUDC). SUDC is run by a former Obama appointee, Norm Eisen, and its advisory board includes former Arizona governor and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
The SBC charged Eastman with 11 ethics violations in January. Eastman filed a 100-page response containing thousands of attachments, and published a rebuttal on his Substack. He said the SBC’s complaint “is filled with distortions, half truths, and outright falsehoods.”
Read the full storyAircraft Engine Manufacturer Plans Georgia Expansion, Taxpayer-Funded Incentives Unclear
A company specializing in aircraft and helicopter engines plans to expand its Columbus operations, but it’s not clear how much the state offered in taxpayer-backed incentives.
Pratt & Whitney expects to spend $206 million on the expansion, which should create 400 jobs. The company’s Columbus facility, which opened in 1984, includes the Columbus Engine Center at 8987 Macon Road and Columbus Forge at 8801 Midland Road.
Read the full storyGovernor Kemp Touts Georgia’s Economic Climate While Meeting with Business Leaders at the Paris Air Show
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is meeting with leaders of aerospace industry companies this week at the Paris Air Show to promote economic development opportunities in the Peach State.
Read the full storyFeds Sending Millions to Eliminate Georgia Railroad Grade Crossings
The federal government is sending more than $3.2 million to help close railroad grade crossings in Georgia.
The money is part of more than $570 million in funds from the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program for projects addressing hundreds of grade crossings in 32 states.
Read the full storyPlastic Manufacturer Announces $6.9 Million Investment Project in Georgia’s Washington County
PVS Plastics Technology Corporation officials recently announced that the company will invest $6.9 million to establish its second U.S. facility in Johnson City.
PVS, which describes itself as an “environmentally friendly plastics company,” is based in Niedernhall, Germany. The company specializes in manufacturing electric motor and fan components for the automotive and commercial HVAC industries.
Read the full storyGeorgia Lawmakers Begin Review of State’s Tax Credits
Georgia lawmakers could consider overhauling the state’s tax credits when they reconvene in January, but the specific action they take could depend on what they hear from experts over the next few months.
“The economic reality of tax credits is that when we help to expand an industry that isn’t profitable without our help, that’s bad for the economy,” University of Georgia professor Jeffrey Dorfman, the state’s fiscal economist, told members of the Joint Tax Credit Review Panel, which held its first public meeting this week. “Generally, this is not what you want to do. Thus, tax credits only make sense for business attraction if attracting that plant or employer or industry to the state is going to bring you some spillover benefit, some long-term benefit or some non-economic benefit.”
Read the full storyGeorgia Representative’s ‘Gender-Affirming Care’ Bill on Minors Illegal Included in Republican Committee’s FY 2024 Budget Proposal
Georgia U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA-14) announced this week that her Protect Children’s Innocence Act was included in the Republican Study Committee’s (RSC) FY 2024 Budget Proposal.
Greene’s bill would make performing “gender-affirming care” on minors illegal, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and sex-change surgeries.
Read the full storyGeorgia Man Wins Lawsuit Against Facebook over Account Lockout
A man from Georgia who sued Facebook for denying him access to his personal account has won, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
Read the full storyGeorgia Committee Begins Exploring Certificate of Need Changes
A Georgia Senate Study Committee began exploring what action lawmakers should take on reforming or repealing the state’s certificate of need program.
The committee, created with the passage of Senate Resolution 279, is holding meetings across the state and will make recommendations for lawmakers to consider when the legislative session resumes in January.
Read the full story150,000 Georgians Using Digital Driver’s Licenses
Since the service launched last month, 150,000 Georgians have signed up for the state’s new digital driver’s license option, according to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).
Read the full storyAtlanta Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Scamming Hemp Farmers Across Three States
An Atlanta man received three years in federal prison for his role in defrauding farmers in a hemp business venture, according to the District of South Carolina U.S. Attorney’s Office. Also, he was ordered to pay over $2 million in restitution.
Read the full storyGeorgia Awards $195.4 Million in Transportation Projects in April
The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded 16 projects valued at more than $195.4 million in April.
Of the projects awarded, 61% were for reconstruction, while the rest was for bridge construction (32%), resurfacing (5%), safety (2%) and bridge rehabilitation (1%).
Read the full storyGeorgia AG Sends Letter to Government Agency Urging It to Rescind Credit Reporting Rule for Small Businesses
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has sent a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), urging it to rescind a final rule mandating data collection regarding applications for credit for small businesses.
Read the full storyKari Lake Speaks to Packed Georgia GOP Convention, Defends Trump
Kari Lake gave the keynote speech at the Georgia Republican Party’s annual convention last week after Mike Pence controversially withdrew. Multiple people complained after Pence was announced and after Lake was announced as the replacement, 900 purchased tickets, more than twice as many who bought them last year.
Lake’s speech focused on election fraud and the indictment of Donald Trump. “The two states that have been fighting the hardest to get our sacred vote are Arizona and the peach state of Georgia,” she opened. She thanked Pence for not showing up, “He’s the reason I’m here tonight.” She said when asked if she could fill his shoes, she responded, “I’m more than willing and able to fill Mike Pence’s shoes,” in a subtle reference to possibly being chosen to be Trump’s running mate in 2024 instead of Pence.
Read the full storyGovernor Brian Kemp Announces Overseas Trip to the Countries of Georgia and France
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, and other state officials will travel overseas this week to “focus on reinforcing strategic partnerships while promoting economic development opportunities with industries in Europe,” according to a press release by Kemp’s office.
Read the full storyGeorgia Uses $83.5 Million in COVID Relief Money for Public Safety Grants
Georgia is giving out more than $83.5 million in federal COVID-19 relief money as grants to fund 118 public safety projects across the Peach State.
Departments can use the funds to augment law enforcement staffing and support violent crime reduction initiatives or intervention programs. They can also use the money to invest in technology and equipment to address the uptick in violence and personnel shortages stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the full storyGeorgia Funds over 100 Projects Across the State to Address Public Safety and Law Enforcement Staffing
Governor Brian Kemp recently announced that 118 projects have been awarded grant funding totaling $83.5 million to “improve community-level public safety measures and address law enforcement staffing challenges that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Read the full storyGeorgia Representative Criticizes President Biden for Vetoing Resolution to Halt Student Loan ‘Forgiveness’
Georgia U.S. Representative Rick Allen (R-GA-12) condemned President Joe Biden’s veto of a resolution that would have nullified the suspension of federal student loan payments and discharge of debt.
Read the full storyFormer President Trump Speaks to Enthusiastic Crowd at Georgia Republican Party Convention, Makes Surprise Visit at Local Waffle House
Former President Donald Trump spoke to an enthusiastic crowd at the Georgia Republican Party 2023 State Convention in his first public speech since his indictment.
Before arriving at the Saturday convention, Trump met with police officers on the tarmac after landing and exiting ‘Trump Force One.”
Read the full storyGeorgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Introduces Impeachment Inquiry on Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas
Georgia U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene filed an impeachment inquiry on Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas this week to urge the House Committee on the Judiciary to “launch a comprehensive investigation into his dereliction of duty and violation of border security laws.”
Read the full storyReport Probes the Questions Policymakers Might Not Be Asking About EVs
Whether it’s higher vehicle costs for consumers or pressure on the electric grid, a consumer group hopes its new report gives politicians and policymakers a few questions to ponder.
The thought starters are included in Consumer Energy Alliance’s “Freedom to Fuel: Embracing Consumer Choice in the Automotive Marketplace” report, which noted it is “increasingly clear that policymakers are not fully considering all the implications of aggressively mandating EVs.”
Read the full storyJohn Fredericks Was Fired After Dissing Obama, But Now His Trump Bus Sits at the Republican Convention in Georgia
Its official name is the Trucking the Truth America First Bus Tour. It’s also known as the Mega MAGA Bus or simply the Trump Bus, although other buses have claimed that name. But whatever you call it, John Fredericks just wants you to see it — and hear his message. “We’re here to celebrate what’s going to be the first total takeover of a major state party by the MAGA movement from top to bottom,” Fredericks told the Ledger-Enquirer on Thursday. “Georgia is going to be a launching pad to take over the whole country. … You can’t get elected for president if you don’t win Georgia.”
Read the full storyMexican National Residing in Georgia Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Migrants
A 39-year-old Mexican National residing in Tifton, Georgia pleaded guilty in federal court to the offense of Conspiracy to Transport Unauthorized Aliens, the District of North Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
Rodolfo Arzola-Carrillo pled guilty on June 7 in a North Dakota court before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte, who imposed the sentence of 18 months in Federal Prison, one-year supervised release, and $100.00 Special Assessment.
Read the full storyGovernor Brian Kemp Leads Group of Republican Governors in Pushing Back on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s New Mortgage Rule
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Missouri Governor Mike Parson recently led a group of Republican governors in sending a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in regards to the agency’s changed to the loan level pricing adjustment (LLPA).
Read the full storyElectric Vehicle Parts Manufacturer Announces $18 Million Investment in Dublin-Laurens County
Woory Industrial Company, Ltd., an automotive parts manufacturer, recently announced that it will establish a new manufacturing facility in Dublin as its first U.S. manufacturing location.
Woory is a Korea-based company that develops and produces HVAC auto components for all types of vehicles, including electric and internal combustion engine vehicles, and eco-friendly and hydrogen-fueled cars.
Read the full storyVoterGA’s Garland Favorito Set to Speak at the 2023 Republican Party State Convention
Garland Favorito, head of Georgia-based election integrity group VoterGA, is scheduled to speak at the 2023 Republican Party State Convention this week.
Read the full storyGeorgia Attorney General Chris Carr Announces Indictment of 16 Alleged Members of Outcast Motorcycle Gang
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and a group of law enforcement agencies announced that 16 alleged members of the Southeast Georgia Chapter of the Outcast Motorcycle Gang were arrested and indicted.
Read the full storyGeorgia Senate Committees to Explore Truck Driver Shortage
A series of Georgia Senate study committees will explore various issues, ranging from recruiting medical professionals in rural communities to exploring the shortage of truck drivers to potential changes to local option sales tax agreements.
“Each of these study committees will review current policies and practices within their specific topics,” Lt. Governor Burt Jones said in an announcement.
Read the full storyThree Investment Projects Coming to Georgia Totaling $1.59 Billion Announced Last Month
During the month of May, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that three companies are investing a combined total of $1.59 billion to establish new business operations in the Peach State.
Read the full storyGeorgia Democrat Calls for Lawmakers to Pass School Choice Bill
A bipartisan group of lawmakers made their case for school choice in Georgia, saying parents should have the opportunity to choose better schools for their children.
During this year’s session, Georgia lawmakers killed Senate Bill 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, a measure to create state-funded education savings accounts. Nearly all Democrats and a few Republicans voted against the measure.
Read the full storyGeorgia Officials Say Electric Vehicle Battery Plant Was Planned Before Inflation Reduction Act
A U.S. senator for Georgia has tried to place credit for a new electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility on tax incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act.
The problem, Georgia officials say, is the investment was agreed to before Congress even passed the IRA, and President Joe Biden signed the measure in August 2022.
Read the full storyGeorgia Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal of Challenge to Campus Gun-Free Zones
The Supreme Court of Georgia affirmed a Fulton County judge’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit by five University System of Georgia professors filed challenging a change to campus gun-free zones.
The professors challenged a 2017 amendment to state law removing public colleges and universities from the designated “school safety zones” prohibiting weapons. Before the 2017 amendment, carrying a weapon on campus was a misdemeanor.
Read the full storyGeorgia GOP Convention Replaces Mike Pence with Kari Lake
Kari Lake will be the keynote speaker at the Georgia Republican Party’s annual convention, replacing Mike Pence who was originally scheduled. Former President Donald Trump will also be speaking at the convention. The state party Chair David Shafer sent an email to delegates stating that Pence canceled “because of a televised national town hall at which he will be making an announcement regarding his future plans.”
Read the full storyFinnish Company Picks Ware County for First U.S. Manufacturing Facility
A company specializing in industrialized manufacturing of buildings and homes plans to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Ware County.
ADMARES, which is from Turku, Finland, is relocating its headquarters to the U.S. and plans to create more than 1,400 jobs. According to a news release, the company intends to invest $750 million in its Waycross facility — a 2.5-million-square-foot build-to-suit facility — and has selected a greenfield site on Highway 23 in Waycross.
Read the full storyAudit Reveals Options for Modernizing Georgia Military College Governance
The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts has identified five “options” to modernize the governance and oversight of the Georgia Military College.
Two of the five options included in the audit, performed at the request of the Georgia House Appropriations Committee, would expand the state’s representation on the GMC board, with either some or all voting members appointed by state leaders. Currently, Milledgeville residents elect GMC Board of Trustee members.
Read the full storyGeorgia State Rep. Lauren Daniel Takes on Health Care Issues
State Rep. Lauren Daniel, R-Locust Grove, has a unique knowledge of the medical industry.
She had her first child as a teenager and saw first-hand the dearth of resources available to Georgians experiencing a similar scenario.
Read the full storyMusic Spotlight: Noah Riley Teal
Noah Riley Teal is an Americana singer, songwriter, and guitarist who will be releasing his debut self-titled album on July 7th. His latest single, “I’m Coming Around” is out now.
Read the full storyGeorgia House Committee to Debate Cyber Security
A Georgia House committee will soon debate cyber security enhancements for state agencies.
“Cyber security is a complex and constantly-evolving challenge, and it’s crucial that we have a strong cyber security framework in place to protect our citizens and our businesses,” Rep. Brent Cox, R-Dawsonville, said in an announcement. “Fostering an environment for Georgia to become a leader in this field has been a priority of mine since I first decided to pursue public office, and I am honored to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to study the state’s cyber security needs.”
Read the full storyKemp Says $4.3 Billion EV Battery Plant in Georgia Touted by Ossoff Was ‘Previously Announced’
LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motor Group plan to jointly build a $4.3 billion electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia, an investment U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia, said was possible because of incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act.
However, a spokesman for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp disputed that assertion saying it’s part of a previously announced investment that predates the federal legislation.
Read the full storyGeorgia Proposal Will Help First Responders, Teachers to Buy First Home
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia, says proposed federal legislation will make it easier for first responders and teachers to buy houses in the communities where they work.
Ossoff is co-sponsoring the “Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act of 2023” with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida.
Read the full storyAugusta University Announces Plans to Open a Savannah Medical Campus
Augusta University plans to establish a four-year Medical College of Georgia campus at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus in Savannah.
The school plans to use nearly $1.7 million in bond funding included in the fiscal 2024 state budget to renovate office, classroom and lab space. The campus will be established in the Armstrong Center and the Health Professions Academic Building, part of Georgia Southern’s Waters College of Health Professions.
Read the full storyGeorgia Senate Study Committee to Tackle State’s Foster Care System
A Georgia Senate study committee will explore possible solutions to improve the state’s maligned foster care system.
The move follows reports of widespread, systemic breakdowns within Georgia’s foster care system and questions about the agency’s ability to ensure the safety of the children it is tasked with protecting.
Read the full storyStaffing Shortages Force GDOT to Curtail Atlanta-Area Interstate Patrols
The Georgia Department of Transportation said it doesn’t have enough personnel to maintain 24-hour Highway Emergency Response Operator patrols, a mainstay of metro Atlanta’s busy interstates.
By July 1, the HERO team will “temporarily pause” its active overnight patrols on metro Atlanta interstates, though personnel will remain available for some calls, such as “high-level incidents.” The HERO units currently maintain a 382-mile coverage area.
Read the full storyGroup Disappointed with Georgia Gov. Kemp’s Direct Care Worker Wage Increase Removal
A national organization of family caregivers is disappointed that Gov. Brian Kemp removed a wage increase for direct care workers supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities included in the state’s budget.
But the governor says lawmakers didn’t fund the wage increase, which would have cost $105 million.
Read the full storyGeorgia Freedom Caucus Asks State Treasurer to Oppose Biden Administration’s ‘Unfair’ Mortgage Policy
The Georgia Freedom Caucus blasted the Biden administration’s unfair new mortgage policy in a May 9 letter to State Treasurer Steve McCoy, whom they urged to publicly oppose the change that penalizes Georgians with good credit.
Read the full storyIncentives Unclear for Premium Synthetic Graphite Anode Materials Supplier for Decatur County Battery Plant
A supplier of synthetic graphite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries plans to construct a manufacturing facility in Decatur County.
According to state officials, Anovion Technologies will create more than 400 jobs as part of the more than $800 million Bainbridge project.
Read the full storyGeorgia Libertarian and Presidential Hopeful Calls for Elimination of the U.S. Department of Education
Georgian Chase Oliver, a Libertarian who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 and has launched a 2024 presidential bid, wants to end the U.S. Department of Education and return the money to the states.
Oliver said schools have turned into a political hot potato, and conversations have turned to whether school libraries should allow certain books.
Read the full storyGeorgia Court Revives 2020 Ballot Inspection Case
The Georgia Court of Appeals has revived a lawsuit from a group seeking to conduct an external review of Fulton County’s absentee ballots from the 2020 election.
A superior court judge had previously dismissed the case on grounds of standing, but a recent state Supreme Court decision widened the definition, enabling several of the plaintiffs to pursue the case.
Read the full storyGeorgia’s Certificate of Need Reform Conversation Only Heating Up
How to proceed with a possible repeal or amendment to Georgia’s certificate of need requirement will likely be a hot-button topic for the foreseeable future.
Leading up to this year’s session, Americans for Prosperity-Georgia launched a six-figure campaign to encourage lawmakers to rescind the CON requirement. Now, a Georgia Senate committee will explore whether the state should amend the CON mandate.
Read the full story