As Georgia braces for the impact of Hurricane Helene, we pray that everyone remains safe.
Gov. Brian Kemp directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to activate the State Operations Center in preparation for the hurricane, which made landfall in Florida on Thursday. He declared a State of Emergency for all 159 counties, enabling emergency management teams to make necessary arrangements and position needed resources ahead of the storm’s impact.
Kemp has also asked FEMA to grant Georgia an emergency declaration to further marshal resources and deploy them where most needed before, during and after the major weather event.
Helene was expected to move into Georgia overnight, with tropical storm force winds and heavy rain possible throughout the state, potentially leading to spin-off tornadoes, downed trees and power lines, flooding and other major impacts.
Here is more helpful information:
- Helene: What you need to know, from WSB
- List of school closings, after-school activities canceled in north Georgia
- Cities, counties announce closure of government facilities
The storm, and potential devastation, is top of mind for our team. But we know, whatever happens, Georgians will organize, respond and help their neighbor. That is one of the things I love about our state.
While our attention is on the storm, we also wanted to provide our regular Friday Facts content, including Friday’s Freshest, The Latest and more.
Stay safe,
– Kyle Wingfield
Friday’s Freshest
Rethinking transportation for Georgia’s K-12 schools
There is a disparity among Georgia schools when it comes to transporting students to and from their homes. Rural areas with sparse populations deal with long ride times, urban areas frequently have overcrowded school buses, and a nationwide shortage of bus drivers affects everyone. In addition, the transportation for Georgia’s public schools and public charter schools is also regulated differently.
Report: A Review of K-12 Transportation in Georgia
Where are people in Georgia moving?
People vote with their feet, as numerous studies about migration among the states have shown. But they don’t only do this by crossing state lines. The IRS publishes data every year about migration not only from state to state, but from county to county. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation analyzed the most recent data, which cover people who filed taxes in one jurisdiction in 2021 and another in 2022. What it found about Georgia’s counties is illuminating.
Georgia’s childcare providers say out of control lawsuits could put them out of business
Members of Georgia’s childcare industry say it’s increasingly difficult to find companies that will insure them. Given Georgia’s high demand for professional childcare services, most people might naturally guess the industry is in no danger of going away. But there actually is a danger. A rise in lawsuits and excessive judgments are making insurance for childcare providers too expensive or too difficult to find.
School choice opponents continue to mislead
In a recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, education researcher Josh Cowen is quoted several times making claims about programs that allow families to choose private schools for their children. His claims would almost be convincing, if they weren’t so easily refuted.
How well do colleges in Georgia protect free speech?
How strongly do America’s colleges protect speech? That’s exactly what the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has done with its 2025 College Free Speech Rankings. FIRE surveyed 58,807 students spanning 257 colleges earlier this year, asking about their experiences and perceptions regarding free expression. The news isn’t great.
The Latest
Economy
Georgia Ports Authority reports eighth month of growth as longshoremen’s strike looms
The Georgia Ports Authority announced this week that the Garden City Terminal enjoyed its eighth consecutive month of growth. However, a potential work stoppage on Oct. 1 churns as negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance have stalled
Automotive supplier invests $11.2 million in Toombs County
Gov. Brian Kemp announced that Shinsung Petrochemical, an automotive supplier, will invest $11.2 million in a new manufacturing facility in Toombs County, creating more than 30 new jobs. Established in 1974, Shinsung specializes in products like automotive sealant. The company will be a key supplier for Hyundai Motor Group and the Metaplant in Bryan County.
Georgia labor commissioner calls for ‘bold action’
Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson called for “bold action” after the state’s unemployment rate rose for the fourth straight month. The unemployment rate increased from 3.4% in July to 3.6% in August, according to Thompson’s office. The number of unemployed Georgians increased by 6,933 to 192,612, which is the highest total since July 2021, according to the labor department.
Education
VSU, Hwashin collaboration helps innovative ideas become sustainable businesses
Valdosta State University has partnered with Hwashin Georgia to promote entrepreneurship and small business development by supporting the creation of ventures conceived, managed, and owned by students. Hwashin Georgia recently donated $10,000 to support the J. Donald Lee Center for Entrepreneurship’s annual Business Plan Competition, which is open to all VSU students.
Georgia 9th in education freedom analysis
Even without a top 10 in the four key metrics, consistency across each enabled Georgia to rank ninth overall in this month’s Education Freedom Report Card. The state was 12th in return on investment, 13th in both education choice and teacher freedom, and 16th in transparency according to the Heritage Foundation’s annual analysis.
Georgia students again best the nation on SAT
Georgia students outperformed their counterparts in the nation’s public schools on the SAT this year for the sixth year in a row. The Georgia public school Class of 2023 recorded a mean SAT score of 1045, which is 42 points above the national average for public-school students of 1003. Breaking it down, the Georgia class posted a mean score of 534 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing portion of the test and 511 on the math component.
Government accountability
Landowners appeal decision in Hancock County eminent domain battle
A group of property owners has filed an appeal with the Fulton County Superior Court, asking a judge to overturn a Georgia Public Service Commission order approving a railroad’s plan to take portions of their land for a new spur. The property owners, represented by the Institute for Justice, want the court to rule that this does not constitute a “legitimate public use.”
Atlanta Public Safety Training Center on track to open in December
The Atlanta Public Safety Training Center is on track to hold its ribbon-cutting in December, according to the Atlanta Police Department. The training center has been the subject of protests, including one Monday at City Hall where residents threw thousands of ping pong balls during the Atlanta City Council meeting while chanting, “You dropped the ball!”
Outfitters warn Georgia lawmakers to tread carefully on fishing rights
Allowing canoes and kayaks only on Georgia rivers and streams deemed navigable would ruin an outdoor recreation industry that brings in billions of dollars, outfitters and paddling enthusiasts told a legislative study committee last week. The study committee was formed this year as the next step in a process aimed at guaranteeing Georgians the right to hunt and fish in the state’s navigable rivers and streams without violating private property rights.
Housing
Newton County Commissioners increase impact fees
A change to the impact fee schedule will result in a price increase for potential developers. The Newton County Board of Commissioners voted to increase impact fees to 40% of the maximum allowed by the state of Georgia. The Foundation has written extensively about how impact fees increase the cost of housing in Georgia.
Homeowners tell stories of distrust, fear and financial ruin as lawmakers look to improve HOA laws
It’s not a neighborhood squabble. It’s an abuse of power. That’s the message from homeowners who spoke at a bipartisan Senate committee looking into the state’s laws around home and condo associations. These associations are essentially non-profit boards that function as a mini-government with a lot of power to control what happens in that community.
Coastal communities land state housing grants
Coastal Georgia is the beneficiary of a fifth round of grants through Gov. Brian Kemp’s Rural Workforce Housing Initiative. Brunswick and Chatham County will receive more than $4.8 million for infrastructure supporting 129 housing units, Kemp announced late last week. The governor launched the program early last year during his annual State of the State address to the General Assembly. The grants are overseen by the OneGeorgia Authority.
Bonus
Postponed Mets-Braves games throw NL playoff picture into chaos
The National League playoff picture just got a whole lot more murky. Due to Helene’s approach to the Gulf Coast, Major League Baseball has postponed two games between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. Originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, the games are now set to be made up with a doubleheader on Monday—one day before the MLB playoffs begin on Tuesday.
Poll: Now a bad time to raise taxes
More than three-quarters of Americans say that now is a bad time to increase taxes, a new poll revealed. However, according to the poll from Americans for Prosperity, most Americans have heard very little about portions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expiring at the end of 2025 and what the looming expiration would mean for their families and the economy.
Coca-Cola discontinues Spiced flavor months after debut
Atlanta-based Coca-Cola announced it is discontinuing production of its Spiced flavor just months after it was introduced to consumers. The company added the flavor to its North America slate of soft drinks in February, describing it as having the “classic taste of Coca-Cola with refreshing bursts of raspberry and a curated blend of warm spiced flavors.”
Quotes of Note
“The current forecast for Hurricane Helene suggests this storm will impact every part of our state. We are not taking anything for granted, which is why I have directed appropriate state agencies to work around the clock to ensure we’re prepared for whatever is heading our way. I want to thank them for their diligence and ask that all Georgians make preparations now to keep their families and property safe.” – Gov. Brian Kemp
“We’re either going to be number one or number two for the year. I want to say that Baltimore has been traditionally the number one port. Over the years we’ve caught up and become number two. We’re not going to brag on that in any way, shape or form, because Baltimore obviously had the bridge [accident], which I’m sure hurt their volumes for the year. So, we’ll see how our fiscal year does, starting July 1. We’d like to think we’re closing the gap.” – Griff Lynch, Georgia Ports Authority President and CEO
“If a private company can take people’s land for the benefit of just a few private businesses, then nobody’s property is safe.” – Bill Maurer, Institute for Justice