by Dave Williams | Jan 23, 2025 | Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA – Georgia’s unemployment rate held steady last month at 3.7%, four-tenths of a point lower than the national jobless rate, the state Department of Labor reported Thursday.
The number of jobs rose by 9,900 in December to a record-high 4,994,900, just short of the 5 million mark.
“Georgia is just 5,100 jobs away from making history,” said Louis DeBroux, the state’s interim labor commissioner. “This historic milestone is undeniable proof of the strength of our economy.”
Job sectors with the most month-over-month gains included health care and social assistance, which created 5,500 more jobs; information – which includes the motion picture and sound recording industries – with a gain of 3,300 jobs; and retail trade, which gained 2,900 jobs.
On the down side, jobs in durable goods manufacturing fell by 1,800 last month; followed by the local government sector, which lost 1,500 jobs; and non-durable goods manufacturing, which was down by 1,400 jobs in December.
Georgia’s labor force declined last month for the first time in 12 months, falling by 4,875 jobs to 5.4 million.
The number of employed Georgians also fell by 4,973 to 5.2 million, while the number of unemployed increased by 108 to 198,492.
Initial jobless claims rose by 11,727 in December to 31,046.
by Dave Williams | Jan 22, 2025 | Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Agriculture has detected a positive case of bird flu in a second commercial poultry flock in Elbert County.
The discovery of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has prompted the agency to suspend poultry activities in Georgia. However, retail sales of poultry products including meat and eggs have not been affected.
“HPAI remains a serious threat to our state’s economy, Georgia’s No.-1 industry, and the health and safety of poultry in our state,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said Wednesday. “Our team at the Georgia Department of Agriculture responded immediately to start depopulation, disposal, and cleaning and disinfecting operations.”
Harper said the close proximity of the two cases of bird flu – including the first case discovered late last week – allowed the his agency and law enforcement officials to set up a secure perimeter to prevent further spread of the disease.
All commercial poultry operations within 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of where the two cases occurred remain under quarantine and will continue to undergo increased surveillance testing for at least two weeks.
The suspension of poultry activities including auctions, flea markets, shows, and exhibitions involving live birds will remain in effect until further notice.
by Dave Williams | Jan 22, 2025 | Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA – This week’s winter storm in Georgia has forced the cancellation of three days of legislative hearings on Gov. Brian Kemp’s budget requests for the remainder of this fiscal year and fiscal 2026.
But when lawmakers reconvene under the Gold Dome next week, they will begin examining an ambitious list of building projects fueled by the huge budget surplus the state has been built up during the last several years.
Here are highlights of the capital spending proposals across the state:
- Design and construct research building on Augusta University’s Health Sciences campus – $99.8 million
- Additional design and construction of 80-bed expansion, Department of Juvenile Justice facility in Macon – $82.7 million
- Remove QR code from paper ballots – $47.2 million
- Furniture, fixtures, and equipment for Washington State Prison, Washington County – $46.5 million
- Construction and equipment to complete renovation of the Agriculture Building in the state Capitol complex – $44.5 million
- Construction of Central Medical Examiner Building, Bibb County – $43 million
- Design new state prison – $40 million
- Renovations and repairs to Atlanta Farmers Market, Clayton County – $37.4 million
- Design, construct, and equip recovery center for adult victims of human trafficking – $35.8 million
- Renovate and expand Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron Academic Complex, Atlanta Technical College – $23.4 million
- Poultry Science Building renovation at University of Georgia, Athens – $23 million
- Design, construct, and equip for Skiles Classroom Building, Georgia Tech campus – $20 million
The General Assembly will reconvene on Monday for Day 6 of the 40-day legislative session.
by Dave Williams | Jan 22, 2025 | Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA – The winter storm that hit large parts of Georgia Tuesday is over, but state Department of Transportation crews were continuing to treat and plow roads Wednesday in areas that haven’t seen significant snow in decades.
Travel conditions Wednesday morning south of Interstate 20 and south and east of I-85 were hazardous to very dangerous.
“Georgia DOT asks for the public’s patience right now,” state Commissioner of Transportation Russell McMurry said. “This is a highly unusual winter weather event impacting nearly three-quarters of the state, and our crews cannot be everywhere at once. Georgia DOT will need time, ability to access the roads to treat and plow, and warmer temperatures working in our favor to help restore and maintain passable conditions.”
While snow in Georgia typically occurs in the northern mountains south into metro Atlanta, Tuesday’s storm stretched from portions of the metro region south into Middle, South, and Coastal Georgia. Numerous vehicle crashes were reported in those areas, particularly on sections of I-75 south of Atlanta and around the I-16/I-95 interchange in Chatham County.
Schools were closed in the affected areas Wednesday, and the state Capitol complex in downtown Atlanta was closed for the second day in a row.
Motorists were advised to drive with extreme caution and to stay off the roads if possible. Those who do drive were advised to stay at least 100 feet behind DOT trucks treating and plowing the roads.
Temperatures aren’t expected to warm up enough to begin melting the snow and ice until Thursday.
by Dave Williams | Jan 21, 2025 | Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA – In a reversal of the usual pattern, the latest winter storm is expected to dump more snow on Middle and South Georgia than the northern half of the state.
A winter storm warning posted for Middle and South Georgia is predicting up to five inches of snow in those regions starting Tuesday afternoon, while metro Atlanta and North Georgia are expected to get no more than two inches, Will Lanxton, a meteorologist with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) told reporters Tuesday morning during a briefing at the State Operations Center in southeast Atlanta.
Georgia Commissioner of Transportation Russell McMurry said DOT crews have shifted some of their 448 snowplows further south to treat roadways with brine after the weather forecast called for the southern half of the state to get more snow and ice than originally anticipated.
“We have done what we can to get ahead of this very large impact,” he said.
The state Capitol complex will be closed both Tuesday and Wednesday, forcing the cancellation of two days of hearings on Gov. Brian Kemp’s budget requests. Schools and universities across the state also were closed on Tuesday.
A statewide state of emergency will be in effect through Jan. 28, which prohibits price gouging, suspends hours-of-service limitations for commercial vehicle operators involved in the storm response, and temporarily increases weight, height, and length limits for commercial vehicles transporting emergency supplies.
McMurry said motorists appear to have learned the lesson of “Snowmageddon,” the snowstorm that paralyzed the metro region in 2014. Traffic in the region was about 20% below normal on Tuesday morning, he said.
Warming stations are open across the state for residents who lose power. A list of locations can be found on GEMA’s website at GEMA.georgia.gov.
GEMA Director Chris Stallings advised motorists to stay off the roads for the next 36 to 48 hours to allow crews to clear the roads.
“Give us space to work,” he said.
With temperatures remaining below or near freezing across Georgia for the next couple of days, any snow that falls is expected to remain on the ground. Wednesday’s forecast calls for a sunshine, with warmer temperatures expected to return Thursday.
by Dave Williams | Jan 20, 2025 | Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA – For the second time this month, Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency in Georgia, with snow expected across the state.
A winter storm watch is in effect in 128 of the state’s 159 counties, with forecasts calling for up to two inches of snow between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.
“Before the full force of the incoming winter weather arrives, many Georgians are already experiencing dangerously low temperatures ahead of expected freezing precipitation on Tuesday,” Kemp said Monday. “As we continue to coordinate with state and local officials throughout the state, I urge everyone to make their own preparations to ensure they and their families are safe over the coming days, especially if road conditions prevent travel.”
With Kemp’s emergency declaration, the State Operations Center in southeast Atlanta has been activated, and the Georgia Department of Defense has been authorized to deploy up to 250 Georgia National Guard troops should they be needed for preparation, response, and recovery efforts.
State offices in Atlanta, including the Georgia Capitol, will be closed on Tuesday, and agency officials outside of Atlanta will have discretion to close and have their employees work from home. The first two of three days of hearings on Kemp’s budget proposals to the General Assembly that had been due to start on Tuesday have been canceled.
Wintry precipitation is expected to begin in Southwest and West-Central Georgia late Tuesday morning or early Tuesday afternoon and cover most of Central and South Georgia by sunset. Low temperatures will be in the teens across North and Central Georgia Wednesday morning and in the 20s across South Georgia.
Any precipitation that falls is likely to remain through at least Wednesday. But afternoon highs should reach the low 40s on Thursday, allowing the snow and ice to melt.
Power outages and tree damage are possible, especially in South Georgia where the highest ice accumulations are expected.
The state Department of Transportation began treating roadways with brine on Sunday morning, focusing on pre-treating interstates, state routes, bridges, and overpasses. For those who must travel, motorists are advised to leave room for DOT crews to continue treating and clearing roads.
Like the earlier emergency declaration, the governor’s executive order prohibits price gouging, suspends hours-of-service limitations for commercial vehicle operators involved in response activities, and temporarily increases weight, height, and length limits for commercial vehicles transporting emergency supplies.
