Crossover Day; CDC employee terminations rescinded; Federal Rehabilation Act lawsuit

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Episode: Crossover Day; CDC Employee Terminations Rescinded; Federal Rehabilitation Act Lawsuit
Release Date: March 6, 2025
Host: Sophie Gradis

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1. Crossover Day and the 2025 Legislative Session

Crossover Day Significance
Today marks Crossover Day, a pivotal deadline in Georgia's 2025 legislative session. Bills must pass either the State Senate or House by this day to proceed toward becoming law.

House Legislative Agenda
The Georgia House is actively deliberating over more than two dozen bills. Among these are proposals for special tax refunds. A notable legislative achievement today was the passage of an income tax cut.

• Income Tax Reduction: The House approved reducing Georgia's flat income tax from 5.39% to 5.19% at [02:46].
  • Representative Sue Hong (Republican): "The cut is possible thanks to a strong economy and limits on spending... we are able to put money back into our taxpayers."
  • Representative Sam Park (Democrat): Criticized the tax cut, stating it "mostly benefits the wealthy and will be small for most taxpayers," noting that the bottom 60% of Georgians would save less than a dollar a month.
  • The measure passed with a 110 to 60 vote, largely along party lines. Governor Brian Kemp signed the 2025 fiscal midyear budget this morning, which includes nearly $900 million in spending.

Senate Legislative Agenda
The Senate has nearly 60 bills on its calendar, including:

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Funding: A bill proposing to withhold state funding from any public school promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Online Sports Betting Legalization: Legislation suggests asking Georgia voters to decide on legalizing online sports betting.

Budgetary Insights

• Chris Carr (Republican): Emphasized the budget's focus on storm relief, community safety, strategic investments, and returning funds to taxpayers.
  • Quote at [03:22]: "A budget that gives relief to Georgians devastated by Hurricane Helene, makes our schools and communities safer through strategic investments and yet again returns hard earned money to the taxpayers."

School Safety Funding
The budget includes $50 million dedicated to school safety.

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2. Senate Bill 195: Expanding HIV Healthcare Access

Bill Overview
Senate Bill 195 aims to enhance healthcare access for individuals at risk of HIV, the virus responsible for AIDS. The bill proposes allowing pharmacists to dispense preventive HIV medications, a practice not currently permitted in Georgia.

Expert Insight

• Natalie Crawford, Rowland School of Public Health at Emory University:
  • Quote at [04:19]: "Pharmacies are disease neutral. No one knows whether you're going in for a bag of chips or for a chronic disease medication. And so this is something that really increases access in ways that we haven't seen before."
  • She highlighted that patients could obtain prescriptions and receive HIV screenings on the same day, improving privacy and accessibility for those at high risk.

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3. CDC Employee Terminations Rescinded

Background
Following the Trump administration's termination of thousands of CDC employees last month, Governor Brian Kemp expressed support for "right sizing" the agency.

Current Developments

• Repurposing Employees: Today, 180 CDC employees in Atlanta were instructed to return to work as their termination letters were rescinded after additional review. Suspicious emails indicated reconsideration of previous decisions.

Impact on Emory University

• Financial Constraints: Facing federal research funding cuts, Emory University has frozen hiring and reduced spending.
  • Greg Fenves, University President: Announced via email on Wednesday that despite receiving over $400 million from the National Institutes of Health in 2024—the largest in Georgia—budget cuts necessitated scaling back operations. Emory joins other top research institutions nationwide in response to these fiscal challenges.

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4. Federal Rehabilitation Act Lawsuit

Lawsuit Details
Seventeen state attorneys general, including Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, have filed a lawsuit against the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The aim is to remove gender dysphoria protections from the Rehabilitation Act, which has long safeguarded accommodations for students with special needs.

Key Figures and Perspectives

• Chris Carr (Georgia AG):

  • Quote at [07:50]: "Our lawsuit is all about one thing: fighting the Biden Harris administration's obsession with promoting a radical, progressive transgender ideology."

• Ellen Eldredge (GPB):

  • Profiled Wynn Beeler, a junior at Maynard Jackson High School, who benefits from a 504 plan—a provision under the Rehabilitation Act—for anxiety and ADHD, ensuring accommodations like extra time on projects and a quiet testing environment.
  • Wynn Beeler's Testimony at [06:33]: Described her need for accommodations during high-stakes testing due to anxiety and ADHD.

• Marina Delaine Siegel, Licensed Professional Counselor:

  • Emphasized the importance of 504 plans in supporting students' academic needs, including those with chronic conditions.
  • Noted that prior to last year's expansion, gender dysphoria was never a factor in such plans.

Legal Arguments and Implications

• Leighton Moore (Atlanta Attorney):

  • Quote at [08:26]: "The argument that they make in the complaint about holding the statute, the 1973 act, unconstitutional is that the statute was passed under what's called the spending clause."
  • Explained that according to Moore, the spending clause dictates that only Congress can impose conditions on federal funding, likening the situation to the federal imposition of a higher drinking age linked to highway funding.

• Court Proceedings:

  • The plaintiffs have requested the court to pause the case rather than dismiss it, anticipating that President Trump might reverse the administration's rule on gender dysphoria protections.
  • Leighton Moore: Suggested the lawsuit might become obsolete if the administration reverses its stance.
  • Chris Carr: Asserted that the administration attempted to dismantle existing protections by labeling transgender dysphoria as a disability.

Broader Constitutional Debate
The lawsuit has ignited discussions on the spending clause of the Constitution, with debates intensifying over the extent of executive power in attaching conditions to federal funds.

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5. Affordable Housing Initiative at the State Capitol

Volunteer Effort
Over 100 volunteers from diverse backgrounds collaborated to construct the frame of a house at Liberty Plaza within a few hours. This initiative, led by Habitat for Humanity Atlanta CEO Rosalind Merrick, aimed to highlight the urgent need for affordable housing in Georgia.

• Rosalind Merrick:
  • Quote at [10:17]: "As a community, we can solve this affordable housing crisis together. We're only ever better together."
  • Described the event as a demonstration of unity, with volunteers building house walls that will later be used in constructing homes for first-time homeowners.

Legislative Engagement
During the build, state lawmakers visited to discuss potential solutions for housing affordability, fostering collaboration between volunteers and policymakers.

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6. Recovery of Abducted Boy from Colorado

Case Overview
A boy, Abdul Aziz Khan, who was allegedly abducted by his mother seven years ago from Atlanta, was located last month in Colorado amidst a burglary investigation. Authorities identified Rabia Khalid at the scene.

• Legal Action:
  • Charges Filed: Khalid faces multiple charges, including second-degree kidnapping.
  • Custody: Both Abdul Aziz Khan (now 14) and another child were taken into protective custody.

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7. Atlanta County's Initiative to Recruit Federal Workers

Job Recruitment Drive
Rob Pitts, Chairman of the Fulton County Commission, unveiled a new initiative targeting former federal workers affected by recent job cuts. The county aims to fill over 600 vacancies with professionals such as technology experts, engineers, and attorneys.

• Rob Pitts: Highlighted the county's proactive approach to addressing unemployment among laid-off or frightened federal employees, leveraging their expertise to bolster local government operations.

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8. Proposal to Honor President Jimmy Carter with a Statue

Legislative Proposal
State Senator Jason Estevez introduced a resolution to commemorate the late President Jimmy Carter with a statue in the Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

• Details of the Resolution:
  • Replacement: The proposed statue would replace that of former Confederate Vice President Alexander Hamilton Stevens.
  • Committee Formation: A dedicated committee would oversee the statue's design, fundraising, and the relocation of the Stevens statue to a site within Georgia.
  • Funding: The project would be entirely funded through private contributions.

Context:
President Carter passed away in December at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy that Estevez and supporters believe merits national recognition through this proposed memorial.

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9. Broadcasting of the 2025 FIFA World Cup in Georgia

Broadcasting Rights and Coverage
Atlanta-based TNT Sports has secured the rights to broadcast 24 out of the 63 matches of the 2025 FIFA World Cup across TNT, TBS, and TruTV. This arrangement is part of a deal with streaming platform DAZ, which holds the tournament's worldwide broadcast rights from FIFA.

• Atlanta's Involvement:
  • Mercedes Benz Stadium will host six matches, including one round of 16 and one quarter-final match.
  • This event positions Atlanta as a significant hub for international sports during the tournament's June and July schedule.

FIFA's Expansion:
The 32-team tournament will see an expanded format, emphasizing the growing global engagement in soccer and the increasing prominence of Georgia as a host state.

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Conclusion
Today's edition of Georgia Today provided comprehensive coverage of critical legislative developments, public health initiatives, significant legal battles, community-driven projects, and notable events impacting Georgia residents. From the strategic maneuvering on Crossover Day to the ongoing debates surrounding federal protections under the Rehabilitation Act, and from local efforts to address affordable housing to the excitement surrounding the 2025 FIFA World Cup, the episode encapsulated a wide array of issues and stories shaping the Peach State.

For more detailed information on these stories, listeners are encouraged to visit gpb.org/news.

Transcript

[DBHDD Representative]

DBHDD is urging Georgians to store and lock away all medications to prevent theft and keep them away from children and pets. Old medications can be disposed of at Dropbox locations. Dropbox locations can be [e-mail].

[Sophie Gradis]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast from GPB News. This podcast features the latest reports from the GPB News team. Send feedback or story tips to Georgia [e-mail] Today is Thursday, March 6th. I'm Sophie Gradis. On this episode, we've reached Crossover Day, an important deadline for Georgia's 2025 legislative session. Also, 180 employees at Atlanta's center for Disease Control and Prevention are told to report back to work. And a lawsuit filed by Sen. 17 states seeks to remove gender dysphoria protections from a federal act related to schools.

[Chris Carr]

Our lawsuit is all about one fighting the Biden Harris administration's obsession with promoting a radical, progressive transgender ideology.

[Sophie Gradis]

These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today. We are about halfway through the 2025 legislative session. It's Crossover Day, the day that a bill needs to pass either the state Senate or House for it to have a chance at becoming a law. The House has over two dozen bills on their agenda as of this afternoon, including a pair that would provide a special tax refund. The Senate has nearly 60 bills on their calendar that includes a bill that would withhold state funding from any public school that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion. Another bill that could see action today include legislation that would ask Georgia voters whether to legalize online sports betting. Voting in both chambers is expected to go late into the evening. The Georgia House did pass an income tax cut already today, speeding up already planned tax relief. Representatives approved a reduction in the state's flat income tax from 5.39% to 5.19%. Republicans, including Lawrenceville State Representative Sue Hong, say the cut is possible thanks to a strong economy and limits on spending. We have a surplus budget and we are able to put money back into our taxpayers. But some Democrats, including Lawrenceville State Representative Sam park, say the tax cut mostly benefits the wealthy and will be small for most taxpayers. Meanwhile, the bottom 60% of Georgians, those.

[Leighton Moore]

Earning middle class or lower incomes, will.

[Sophie Gradis]

See less than dollar a month in savings. The measure passed 110 to 60, mostly along party lines. Back in 2022, a law called for smaller tax cuts spread out over more years. But governor Brian Kemp and GOP leaders have doubled the reductions, citing the state's budget surplus, and Governor Brian Kemp signed the 2025 fiscal midyear budget this morning. The spending plan includes nearly $900 million.

[Chris Carr]

For storm relief, a budget that gives relief to Georgians devastated by Hurricane Helene, makes our schools and communities safer through strategic investments and yet again returns hard earned money to the taxpayers.

[Sophie Gradis]

The budget also includes $50 million in school safety. State lawmakers are considering legislation that would expand healthcare access to people at risk of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Public health experts say Senate Bill 195 could help stop thousands of new HIV diagnoses by allowing pharmacists to dispense medications used to prevent hiv, a practice not currently allowed in Georgia. Natalie Crawford is with the Rowland School of Public Health at Emory University. She says people at high risk of contracting HIV would also be able to get screened locally and privately.

[DBHDD Representative]

Pharmacies are disease neutral. No one knows whether you're going in for a bag of chips or for a chronic disease medication. And so this is something that really increases access in ways that we haven't seen before.

[Sophie Gradis]

Crawford says the patient could pick up a prescription the same day as a screening. 180 employees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta were told to report back to work on Wednesday with, quote, apologies for the disruption. The Trump administration fired thousands of CDC employees last month. Following the firing, Governor Kemp said he supported, quote, right sizing. Now some of those CDC employees are back. They reportedly received an email stating that their termination letters were being rescinded after further review and consideration. Just next door, Emory University is freezing hiring and reducing spending because of concerns over federal research funding cuts. University President Greg Fenves made the announcement in an email to faculty on Wednesday. The university received more than $400 million in research funding from the National Institutes of health in 2024, making it Georgia's largest recipient of NIH funding. Emory is one of many top research universities in the country scaling down amid budget cuts. For over 50 years, the federal Rehabilitation act has provided a way for parents to make sure schools accommodate the special needs of their kids. During the Biden administration, a piece of the act called section 504 was expanded to include kids with gender dysphoria. Now there's a lawsuit by 17 state attorneys general, including Georgia AG Chris Carr, aimed at removing these new protections. Some worry that might do away with the protections of section 504 altogether. GPB's Ellen Eldredge explains.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Wynn Beeler is a junior at Maynard Jackson High School in Atlanta. She got her first 504 following surgery after she accidentally cut her hand.

[Sophie Gradis]

Do I think it was. I think it was a pattern for sewing, but I was also watching a horror movie while I was doing it and I just kind of jumped and cut myself with the scissors I was using.

[Ellen Eldredge]

That was enough under section 504 to get her extra time to complete Georgia's high stakes milestones. Testing her current 504 plan communicates to her teachers that she lives with anxiety and adhd, so sometimes Bieler needs an extension on a project or a quiet place to take a test. Marina Delaine Siegel is a licensed professional counselor who coordinates with schools and students to help them write 504 plans.

[Sophie Gradis]

The 504 is there to support the students for what their academic needs are, which may be connected to their anxiety of living in a world where people.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Are judging them or bullying them. She says 504s are also used by students with chronic conditions like type 1 diabetes and asthma, but she's never been asked to work on a plan relating to gender dysphoria. None of this was controversial until last year when the Biden administration finalized the new rule protecting kids with gender dysphoria. 17 Republican led states sued the federal Department of Health and Human Services. A few months later, Attorney General Chris Carr made the decision for Georgia to join.

[Chris Carr]

Make no mistake, our lawsuit is all about one thing fighting the Biden Harris administration's obsession with promoting a radical, progressive transgender ideology.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The problem is that their legal challenge is bigger than the final rule. Instead of trying to change the gender part, the state's attorneys claimed in their suit, the Rehabilitation act is not constitutional. The whole law protecting kids with diabetes, asthma or any of the other disabilities that have been covered for the last 50 years. Atlanta Attorney Leighton Moore says their argument goes like this.

[Leighton Moore]

The argument that they make in the complaint about holding the statute, the 1973 act, unconstitutional is that the statute was passed under what's called the spending clause.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Of the Constitution that says that only Congress has the power to spend. That's being debated hotly right now, as President Trump argues he has that power. Regardless, Moore says when Congress spends money on the states, the money comes with strings attached.

[Leighton Moore]

That's why we that's why the drinking age is 21, right? Used to be 18. Then Congress passed a highway appropriations bill saying, hey, we think drunk driving is a big problem and we think it'll be helped by bumping the drinking age up to 21. So if you want to get federal highway funds, you have to do that. You have to say the Drinking age is 21.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Now substitute gender dysphoria for drinking age. So if states want section 504 money, they must accommodate gender dysphoria, which Georgia Attorney General Kris Carr and others don't recognize. They say if anyone threatened section 504, it was the Biden administration.

[Chris Carr]

They tried to dismantle section 504 by labeling transgender dysphoria as a disability.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Atlanta attorney Leighton Moore says now the suit may be pointless.

[Leighton Moore]

Trump could just reverse that part of it.

[Ellen Eldredge]

In fact, the plaintiffs recently asked the court to pause but not dismiss the case. Why? Kris Carr says because he expects President Trump to undo what President Biden did. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Sophie Gradis]

Back at the state Capitol, volunteer homebuilders put up the frame of a house on Wednesday. They wanted to draw attention to a pressing issue. GPB's Sarah Kalis has more.

[DBHDD Representative]

Over 100 volunteers constructed the frame of a house at Liberty Plaza in just a few hours. Habitat for Humanity Atlanta CEO Rosalind Merrick said that the goal of the project was to send a powerful message about the need for affordable housing. As a community, we can solve this affordable housing crisis together. We're only ever better together. And so today was a great demonstration of people from all walks of life, every corner of this great state, coming together to build the walls of a house, merrick said. During the build, lawmakers stopped by to share their ideas on solutions for housing affordability. Volunteers took down the frame after building it. The walls will be used in another house they will build for a first time homeowner. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis. At the State Capitol.

[Sophie Gradis]

A boy who was allegedly abducted by his mother seven years ago from Atlanta was found last month in Colorado, according to authorities in that state, during a burglary investigation. Deputies determined that a woman at the scene was Rabia Khalid, who had an active warrant related to the 2017 disappearance of her son, Abdul Aziz Khan, who is now 14. Khan and another child whose identity hasn't been released were taken into protective custody. Khalid was arrested on charges including second degree kidnapping. Atlanta's Fulton county is telling laid off or terrified federal workers, we just might have a job for you. County Commission Chairman Rob Pitts yesterday unveiled a new initiative aimed at recruiting federal technology professionals, engineers, attorneys and others. He says the county has more than 600 job vacancies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is among federal agencies with hundreds of Atlanta based work workers impacted by federal job cuts. A new proposal in the Georgia Senate aims to honor the late President Jimmy Carter from Georgia with a statue to be placed in Statuary hall in the U.S. capitol in Washington, D.C. georgia State Senator Jason Estevez introduced a resolution to replace the statue of a former Confederate vice president, Alexander Hamilton Stevens, with one commemorating Carter's legacy. The resolution would create a committee to oversee the statue's design, fundraising and the relocation of the Stevens statue to a site in Georgia. Private funding would cover the costs. Carter died in December at age 100. And in Georgia Sports, we found out just Wednesday where soccer fans will be able to watch televised matches of the 2025 World cup, six matches of which will be played in Atlanta. Atlanta based TNT Sports will broadcast 24 of the tournament's 63 matches on TNT, TBS and TruTV in a deal with the streaming platform DAZ that has the cup's worldwide broadcast rights from the global soccer body FIFA. FIFA released the match schedule for the cup earlier this month. FIFA's expanding the expanded 32 team tournament will be played in the US in June and July, with six matches, including one round of 16 and one quarter final match to be played at Atlanta's Mercedes Benz Stadium. That's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. As always, thanks for listening. If you would like to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org news if you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast, take a moment right now and keep us current in your podcast feed. If you have feedback, we would love to hear it. Email us@georgia todaypb.org I'm Sophie Gradas. We'll see you tomorrow.

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