Georgia Today Podcast – February 26, 2026

Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Episode Theme: Updates on key legislative, judicial, health, infrastructure, and community news in Georgia

Episode Overview

This episode covers significant stories from across Georgia, including the federal mediation order over the 2020 election ballots, the House’s passage of an early income tax cut, progress on legislation for autism awareness, updates on the state budget and historical preservation efforts, and an in-depth investigation into unreliable drug testing of new mothers. The show provides a comprehensive picture of ongoing debates and emerging issues shaping the state.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fulton County & Trump Administration Ordered into Mediation

• Topic: Federal judge orders mediation between Fulton County and the Trump administration over the Justice Department’s seizure of 2020 election ballots.
• Background: Fulton County claims the ballot seizure during a recent raid was illegal, while Trump continues to falsely claim victory in Georgia.
• Trial Status: Civil trial paused; mediation report due to the judge by March 18th.

Notable Quote:

• [00:38] Peter Biello: "Fulton county wants those ballots and any copies of them returned. The county argues the January raid was illegal, while President Trump maintains his false claim that he won the Georgia election."

2. Georgia House Passes Income Tax Cut

• Topic: The House fast-tracks a tax reduction bill, lowering the state income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99% three years earlier than planned.
• Sponsor: Rep. Will Wade (R-Dawsonville).
• Arguments for the Bill: Puts more money in taxpayers’ pockets; accelerates scheduled cuts.
• Concerns Raised: Potential loss in revenue for essential state services; disproportionate benefit to wealthier residents.
• Vote: 106–66, mostly along party lines.

Notable Quotes:

• [01:31] Matt Hatchett: "This bill simply lowers the income tax rate in Georgia to 4.99% from 5.19% three years earlier than...the original bill called for back in 2019."
• [01:45] Peter Biello: "Opponents say the reduction could reduce funding for some essential state services and the flat rate benefits the wealthy more than the average Georgian."

3. State Budget Compromise & Mental Health Facilities

• Topic: Lawmakers overcome a budget impasse by allocating $1.4 billion in surplus, including taxpayer givebacks and funding a new mental health hospital for people in jails and prisons.
• Key Figure: Rep. Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin), chief budget writer.

Notable Quote:

• [02:21] Matt Hatchett: "People in jail with serious mental illness should not need to wait months or longer to start receiving the care they need."

4. Special License Plates for Vehicles Carrying People with Autism

• Legislation: Senate advances bill for special autism license plates and law enforcement training on autism.
• Sponsor: Sen. Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), father to an 8-year-old with autism.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:25] Brian Strickland: "Somebody with autism sees the world a different way, and the way a typical person may respond to or may communicate doesn't always match up with how someone with autism thinks or how they communicate."
• [02:52] Brian Strickland: "...the way a typical person may respond to something or may communicate doesn't always match up with how someone with autism thinks or how they communicate."

5. DNA Collection from Immigrants in Jail

• Senate Bill 116: Law enforcement would collect DNA from anyone in jail with an ICE detainer who is charged (not necessarily convicted) with a misdemeanor or felony.
• Support: Sen. Ed Setzler (R), emphasizing public safety.
• Opposition: Sen. Randall Mangum (D), emphasizing civil liberties.

Notable Quotes:

• [04:05] Peter Biello: "These are folks who've proven they will not be subject to our laws."
• [04:16] Matt Hatchett: "I do not support taking away the liberty of anyone until they are convicted."

6. Georgia Trust’s “Places in Peril” Historic Sites List

• Purpose: Publicizing historic properties at risk of demolition or neglect.
• Highlighted Sites:
  • Legion Pool (UGA): 1936 WPA-era pool threatened by a redevelopment plan ([05:12]).
  • Jessup Courthouse: Fire-damaged 1902 courthouse under debate for restoration versus replacement ([05:47]).
  • Eggleston Hall (Atlanta): Civil rights and cultural hub, threatened by adjacent construction ([07:01]).
• Success Rate: Over 95% of sites listed since 2006 remain standing.

Notable Quotes:

• [05:31] Wright Mitchell: "It's one of Georgia's best surviving examples of a WPA era recreational facility."
• [07:01] Wright Mitchell: "...served as a recording studio for some of the most important musical acts in the 1920s and 30s, such as Blind Willie Mactell and the Carter Family."

7. Drought Worsens for Georgia Farmers

• Report: U.S. Drought Monitor shows 33% of Georgia in extreme drought.
• Impact: Middle Georgia, a major agricultural region, is three inches below normal rainfall.

8. Investigation: Unreliable Hospital Drug Tests on New Mothers

• Story: The Marshall Project finds most post-birth drug tests in hospitals are unreliable, often leading to unnecessary reporting to child welfare and law enforcement.
• Scope in Georgia: Automatic reporting policy; nearly one in 42 births triggers a law enforcement referral.
  • Over six years: 18,000 reports, but 11,000 resulted in no child abuse finding, and 3,000 involved women taking legal medication.

Notable Quotes:

• [09:14] Shoshana Walter: "...most hospitals are using these drug tests that are fast and cheap and have false positive rates as high as 50%."
• [10:46] Shoshana Walter: "...18,000 of these reports were referred to law enforcement over a six year period. And about 11,000 of those cases actually did not result in any child abuse or neglect..."
• [11:20] Shoshana Walter: "Many [child welfare workers] felt that it was a waste of time...that it took them away from more serious allegations of abuse and harm and kind of overwhelmed the system."
• [11:37] Shoshana Walter: "Punitive responses to pregnancy, drug use can lead to women avoiding prenatal care. Traumatic family separations can lead to arrest."

9. Federal Energy Loan to Georgia Power

• Details: Department of Energy to loan a record $26 billion to Georgia and Alabama utilities, with expectations to save customers $7 billion in interest.
• Uses: Natural gas plants, transmission lines, and upgrades.
• Context: Rapidly rising electricity costs and expanding energy-hungry data centers.

10. Atlanta Braves Revenue Grows Despite Losing Season

• Report: Atlanta Braves Holdings reported $732 million in revenue for 2025, up 11% from previous year.
• Drivers: Mixed-use development (The Battery) revenue up 45%; 7% increase from baseball ops despite team’s first losing season since 2017.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• [01:31] Matt Hatchett: “This bill simply lowers the income tax rate in Georgia to 4.99% from 5.19% three years earlier than...the original bill called for back in 2019.”
• [02:21] Matt Hatchett: “People in jail with serious mental illness should not need to wait months or longer to start receiving the care they need.”
• [09:14] Shoshana Walter: “Most hospitals are using these drug tests that are fast and cheap and have false positive rates as high as 50%.”
• [11:20] Shoshana Walter: “Many [child welfare workers] felt that it was a waste of time…that it took them away from more serious allegations of abuse and harm and kind of overwhelmed the system.”
• [07:01] Wright Mitchell: “…served as a recording studio for some of the most important musical acts in the 1920s and 30s, such as Blind Willie Mactell and the Carter Family.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:04 – Episode Introduction & Main Headlines
• 00:38 – Fulton County/DOJ Mediation Order
• 01:31 – Tax Cut Bill Passage Discussion
• 02:21 – Mental Health Hospital Funding/State Budget
• 02:52 – Autism License Plate and Training Bill
• 03:53 – DNA Collection Bill for Immigrants in Jail
• 05:12 – Places in Peril Historic Sites Highlight
• 07:56 – Drought Conditions Worsen
• 09:00 – Marshall Project Investigation on Drug Testing
• 12:24 – Electric Utility Loan Announced
• 13:16 – Atlanta Braves Revenue Report

This episode provides a concise yet comprehensive look at headline-grabbing legislation, evolving policy debates, and hidden challenges across Georgia—all delivered in the straightforward, accessible tone GPB News is known for.