Whether measured by population or business, Georgia is one of the fastest growing states in the country. A big reason for that has been the cultivation of business-friendly policies that make the state an attractive destination for families, start-ups and established companies.
Recently, this has been especially true for the tech industry. While not quite at the level of Silicon Valley, Atlanta can be frequently found near the top of lists ranking cities for categories like tech innovation, talent pools, educational pipelines and successful startups.
To many observers, the influx of new businesses – and the novelty of the innovations that come with them – are exciting prospects, and it’s just as exciting to see Atlanta getting into the mix.
The tech industry is constantly evolving, and there are many areas of science and business that fall under “tech.” Partly for that reason, Americans have mixed views on what is commonly referred to as “Big Tech.” For example, most Americans believe that social media companies wield too much power over politics, and that they have a general negative effect on the country.
So how should we view tech and what should the response from government look like?
We talk about that in this week’s commentary. We also have the latest news and analysis from the last week, including:
- Georgia Milestones test scores show post-pandemic improvement
- Northwest Corridor Express Lanes have led to faster trip times
- Delta CEO says CrowdStrike outage cost airline half a billion dollars
- 70% of college students say speech can be as damaging as physical violence
Have a great weekend,
– Kyle Wingfield
Friday’s Freshest
Back to school looks different these days
Children across Georgia either already have or will soon be returning to school. Recently, however, “back to school” has begun to look a little different for a growing number of students. That is because the delivery of education across the country is evolving to meet changing needs. And Georgia lawmakers have already begun to respond to this change.
Unplugging should be more than a luxury
This isn’t to say you should ignore the news all the time (especially our weekly email). It’s important to be an informed citizen. But unplugging every now and then should be more than a luxury. Even when the world around you is losing their heads.
Supreme Court returns checks and balances to governing
For four decades, the judiciary has ceded the important power of reviewing executive agencies’ rules and regulations to the agencies themselves. Reasserting the court’s preeminence in interpreting the law is a key step toward more constitutional balance with the executive branch, which is merely meant to carry out laws.
Atlanta residents pay too much to get busted water mains
Atlanta residents pay some of the highest water and sewer rates in the nation. One recent nationwide study backs that up. So imagine how irate Atlanta residents felt in June after a major malfunction deprived them of the most basic of things, H2O.
Nontraditional homes face maze of regulations in Georgia
Many people are interested in nontraditional homes because of their unique look or because they are trying to save money. But in Georgia, unique housing types often clash with a maze of government regulations that make constructing them difficult and costly. Innovative housing solutions often face substantial regulatory challenges that hinder their feasibility.
The Latest
Economy
Brunswick sets cargo record while Savannah suffers decline
The Port of Brunswick had a better year than the Port of Savannah, the Georgia Ports Authority reported. Brunswick handled a record 876,000 units of Roll-on/Roll-off cargo, including autos and heavy machinery, during fiscal 2024, which ended June 30. That represented a 21% increase over the previous fiscal year. On the other hand, containerized-cargo volume at the Port of Savannah was down 2.3% in fiscal 2024.
Hyundai pursues adding hybrid car production to Georgia EV plant
Electric vehicles may not be the only cars coming off assembly lines at Hyundai Motor Group’s sprawling factory near Savannah. The Korean automaker recently asked state environmental regulators to amend permits to allow for gasoline storage and fuel filling equipment at the 3,000-acre factory site in Bryan County, documents show.
Education
It is now easier to pass AP tests
More students are getting high scores on Advanced Placement tests, long seen as a gateway to elite college admissions as well as a way to earn college credit during high school. Changes by the tests’ maker in recent years have shifted scores upward. This has led to hundreds of thousands of additional students getting what’s considered a passing score.
Georgia Milestones test scores show post-pandemic improvement
Students showed continued improvement in the latest Georgia Milestones tests that cratered during the pandemic, the state Department of Education reported. The 2023-24 results showed scores increased or held steady in 10 of 13 assessments in English/language arts, science and social studies. Milestones math scores will be released this fall.
Housing
‘Low-intensity’ residential growth biggest threat to Georgia farming
The Peach State lost about 2.6 million acres of farmland and 2 million acres of forest between 1974 and 2016, Katherine Moore, president of the Georgia Conservancy, told members of a state Senate study committee meeting on the campus of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. Most of that acreage has been turned into “low-intensity” residential properties, single-family homes scattered on large lots across former farmland, she said.
Georgia is investing the 14th most in more affordable housing
Despite home price growth stabilizing, becoming a homeowner remains largely out of reach for many Americans. A recent Cato Institute housing affordability survey, conducted after the record-breaking rise in home prices during 2021 and early 2022, found that 87% of Americans are worried about housing costs.
With rising property taxes, Georgians can vote to freeze values for assessments
While property taxes continue to rise in many jurisdictions across Georgia, voters will have a chance to cap how much home values can rise for property tax purposes. As part of House Bill 581 and House Resolution 1022, when Georgia voters head to the polls in November, they will decide on a constitutional amendment to cap the annual rise in home values for property tax purposes.
Transportation
Six years after opening, have I-75 Express Lanes eased your commute?
Officials’ solution to Cobb’s traffic woes, especially at the state level, has mainly been to invest in roads. No project in recent history illustrates that better than the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes on Interstates 75 and 575. When they were built, the nearly 30 miles of reversible toll lanes were the largest transportation project in Georgia history, costing $834 million. Nearly six years after opening, the express lanes have been effective at providing faster trip times, according to the state.
Ford loses nearly $50k for every EV sold
On July 3, Ford published its second-quarter sales numbers. Its electric vehicle sales totaled 23,957 units, up 61% from the same period in 2023. But the money numbers are sobering. Yes, the company sold 23,957 EVs during the quarter, but it lost $1.14 billion while doing so. Thus, Ford lost $47,585 for each EV it sold.
Delta CEO says CrowdStrike outage cost airline half a billion dollars
Delta CEO Ed Bastian said that the massive CrowdStrike tech outage that disrupted operations cost the airline $500 million. Bastian pegged the negative impact that the carrier faced at “half a billion dollars in five days.” He linked the $500 million hit to both lost revenue and compensation the carrier doled out to “take care of our customers” during the disruptions.
Bonus
Three Coca-Cola directors stepping down
Three longtime Coca-Cola board members are retiring, according to company officials. Barry Diller, Alexis Herman and Marc Bolland will step down as directors after serving a combined 48 years on the board of the Atlanta-based beverage giant, the company said in a press release. James Quincey, the company’s chairman and chief executive, said “all three of these strong business leaders have made important contributions in their own, distinct ways.”
The fast food minimum wage effect: higher prices, reduced hours
After California implemented a new law boosting the minimum wage for fast-food workers earlier this year, a majority of restaurants increased prices and cut employee hours, according to a recent report from the Employment Policies Institute. Some are considering expanding outside the state now more than ever.
70% of college students say speech can be as damaging as physical violence
Seven out of 10 college students say that speech can be just as damaging as physical violence, according to a new survey from the Knight Foundation, a journalism and free speech nonprofit. The survey, which polled more than 1,600 college students, also found that since 2016, college students’ faith in the security of free speech rights has declined.
Since Olympics, Atlanta’s population has more than doubled
Whether you were born or not, let’s envision the pre-1996 Olympics version of Atlanta. The famous Atlanta BeltLine wasn’t even a kernel of an idea. Ponce City Market was municipal offices and a lot of dust. The architectural feat that was the Georgia Dome was shiny, new—and teal. Centennial Olympic Park was just being transformed from blighted low-rise into the communal and cultural centerpiece it remains today. And metro Atlanta was substantially less than half the size it is right now.
Quotes of Note
“In the long run, you make your own luck — good, bad or indifferent.” – Loretta Lynn
“John ‘Doc’ Pemberton’s whole life was dedicated to finding the perfect medicine. Instead, he created the perfect soda drink. If he had not sold his formula, the drink may have stayed in obscurity like the countless other patent medicines of the time.” – James “Zach” Zacharias
“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” – C.S. Lewis