Another page of Georgia’s environmental history is turning at the state Capitol. Joe Tanner, a former commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, is turning the keys to his lobbying and consulting firm over to former House Majority Leader Jerry Keen – who has lobbied for the firm’s clients since 2012.
Category: David Pendered
Articles by David Pendered
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Trump’s offshore drilling proposal eliminates 50-mile buffer between coastline, drill rigs
The continental waters off Georgia’s coast are to opened to drilling for oil and natural gas in leases to be signed in 2020, 2022, and 2024, under a draft proposal released Thursday by the Trump administration that would open most of the nation’s seabed to drilling. Environmental groups have announced their opposition to the plan.
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Federal judge rules in case of fired Atlanta fire chief; both sides claim victory
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s administration claimed a victory Wednesday in the legal battle over his decision to terminate the employment of then Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran. As did Cochran’s attorney. But the case won’t conclude until after Reed has left office
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Final construction funding earmarked for PATH400; construction to begin in January
The last bit of money needed to complete PATH400 has been earmarked in city and federal funding, which is a significant win for Livable Buckhead, the non-profit entity overseeing development of the linear park.
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In metro Atlanta, futures hang in balance as Congress debates immigration, deportation
His story would make any parent proud: The child prodigy earns a degree in fine arts while on a scholarship to Georgia State University, and goes on to open his own studio along Buford Highway. The problem is, he’s in the country illegally and is subject to deportation.
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Report on ‘nuclear, climate injustices in U.S. South’ released as PSC weighs fate of Plant Vogtle
A new report names the South as the nuclear hub of the United States and calls for an end to all federal funding for Plant Vogtle, along with greater protections for women and the minority, typically low-income communities where nuclear facilities have been built.
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Atlanta Audubon Society adds four board members in effort to expand outreach
The Atlanta Audubon Society has added four board members as part of its ongoing effort to expand its outreach and restore habitats so they are pleasant places for birds and people to spend time.
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Stonecrest to unveil guerrilla digital program on Wednesday to woo Amazon
The DeKalb County city of Stonecrest is doubling down Wednesday morning on its nationally recognized bid for Amazon’s second headquarters, with the unveiling of a guerilla campaign to deliver its marketing message directly to every mobile device in Amazon’s offices in Seattle.
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Buckhead CID’s executive director refutes parts of story about Ga. 400 park project
Jim Durrett, executive director of the Buckhead Community Improvement District, strongly refuted Tuesday the notion that plans are afoot to tax condo owners in Buckhead to raise money for a planned park above Ga. 400, as reported in SaportaReport. Durrett also said the park’s financial model has been made public.
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Taxing condo owners in Buckhead to pay for a planned park to be built above Ga. 400?
As preparations advance for a park that’s to be built over Ga. 400 in Buckhead, indications are emerging that backers may ask the Georgia Legislature to authorize a new property tax on condo owners in Buckhead to help pay for the project – priced at $250 million and mounting.
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Census says commute time in metro Atlanta up 30 seconds in seven years, transit usage dips
The typical one-way commute time between home and work in metro Atlanta has grown by 30 seconds in the seven-year period ending in 2016, according to the latest report from the U.S Census Bureau. The proportion of workers who commuted by public transit declined during the period in Fulton and DeKalb counties, the core of MARTA’s service district, the report showed.
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Effort begins to restore habitat of imperiled Canby’s dropwort plant, in SW Georgia
Federal and state efforts are underway to save a plant in southwest Georgia that’s so rare its global status is listed as, “imperiled – at high risk of extinction.”
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Emory University urges Congress to do no harm to higher ed in tax reform bill
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with related action the MARTA board took Thursday. //
Emory University continues to press its concerns to Congress over the proposed GOP tax reform bill, even as other universities are on a borrowing spree to lock in terms before their debt might lose its tax-free status.
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John Lewis Freedom Parkway officially named, three other tributes formally presented
Atlanta’s tributes to John Lewis are already taking place, with his name being added to East Freedom Parkway and a committee formally announcing its plans for three other tributes to the civil and human rights leader, and Atlanta’s congressional representative since 1987.
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Mayor rejects claims by rec authority executive director over firing, ‘political slush fund’
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s administration said Monday evening it’s a “complete fabrication” by the head of an influential city-backed sports authority that he sought to oust her. For her part, the executive director says she was fired for refusing to run a “political slush fund.” The point/counter-point was delivered on the eve of the mayoral run-off election.
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Rec authority executive director says she’s ousted for refusing to run ‘political slush fund’
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is shoving out the head of the authority that’s negotiating to keep the Atlanta Hawks in the city because she refused to run it as a “political slush fund,” the departing executive director, Terry Wand, said in a statement Monday.
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Climate change could end cheap credit for Georgia, local governments, Moody’s reports
Climate change could mark the end of low credit rates for Georgia’s state and local governments if their plans to recover from natural disasters are deemed inadequate by Wall Street analysts, according to a new report by Moody’s Investors Service.
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Wages inch up in Southeast in highly skilled fields, says Atlanta Fed
The tight labor market in metro Atlanta and across the Southeast is finally compelling employers to raise wages, if only for those in highly skilled and specialized fields, according to the Federal Reserves latest economic report.
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New national water policy could emerge in 2018; depends on SCOTUS, Trump
A depleted fishery in Florida and parched farmland in New Mexico. The U.S. Supreme Court is to consider both scenarios in January as it prepares to issue rulings that could reshape the nation’s management of water resources.
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Region’s bid for Amazon headquarters may be boosted by new CBRE report
Metro Atlanta’s high tech sector has received a positive review in a new report from CBRE, which may be helpful in the state’s quest to convince Amazon to locate its second U.S. headquarters in the region.
