Georgia Today Podcast – December 9, 2025

Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Main Themes: Georgia Power’s push for expanded generation for data centers, ACA subsidy extension efforts, UGA’s historic Legion Pool debate, and other key Georgia news.

Episode Overview

This episode delves into several urgent issues across Georgia:

• Georgia Power’s request to significantly expand electricity generation to meet data center contracts, raising concerns about customer costs and state economic development.
• Expected U.S. Senate vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and parallel debates among Georgia lawmakers on health care affordability.
• Controversy over University of Georgia’s plan to demolish its historic Legion swimming pool.
  Other topics include Fani Willis’s pending testimony before a state Senate committee, a key state Senator’s resignation, legal rulings on transgender care in prisons, and free admission at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fani Willis to Testify Before State Senate Committee

[00:39–01:32]

• Context: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis will testify later in December before a state Senate committee investigating her conduct.
• Former Governor Roy Barnes (Willis's attorney):
  • Criticized the committee as politically motivated:

    “It is in bad faith, it should never have happened, and I'll represent her to the fullest of my ability.” (01:08)

• State Senator Greg Dolezal:
  • Defended the committee’s role:

    “We wouldn't need to be here at all if the DA had not been stonewalling the committee for a year and a half.” (01:19)

• Status: Lawyers argued at the state Supreme Court about whether Willis must testify; a decision is expected by term’s end.

2. Georgia Power’s Push for More Electricity Generation

[01:32–02:34]

• Issue:
  • Georgia Power wants to increase generation capacity dramatically to serve the power needs of new data centers.
• Grant Blankenship (reporter):
  • Georgia Power has recently signed contracts needing as much electricity as Nuclear Plant Vogtle produces; aims to add more than double that to secure future growth.
  • Public Service Commission (PSC) staff argue new generation should require contracts as backup; warn of risks to regular customers who could be saddled with costs for unneeded power.
  • Georgia Power warns that without more power, economic development could falter; they admit their market predictions are risky, but do not clarify the implications.
  • Vote: The PSC is set to make a final decision on December 19th.

3. Health Care Affordability and ACA Subsidies

[02:34–03:33]

• Legislative Action:
  • U.S. Senate to vote on extending ACA subsidies; Georgia lawmakers are split on state approaches to lowering premiums.
• Sarah Kalis (reporter):
  • Georgia Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones:
    • Pushing a revived bill to create a health care affordability program.
    • Quoted critiquing state Republicans:

      “Not only do Republicans refuse to act, they actively ignore legislation that will bring solutions to these problems.” (02:58–03:06)

  • State Senator Ben Watson (Republican):
    • Argues for continuation of Pathways to Coverage to help those not qualifying for Medicaid:

      “But for the hysteria to get started here in the state is just unwarranted now, and I think it's unwarranted in the future.” (03:16–03:23)

  • Observation: Premiums are spiking during open enrollment.

4. State Senate Shake-Up and GOP Race

[03:33–04:07]

• Announcement:
  • State Senate leader John Kennedy resigns to focus on his run for lieutenant governor.
  • He’s banking on business backing and has a record of legal reform.
  • His resignation clears the way for campaign fundraising ahead of the 2026 legislative session.

5. Transgender Health Care in Georgia Prisons

[04:07–04:44]

• Legal Update:
  • Federal judge allowed gender-affirming care (e.g., hormone therapy) for transgender inmates diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
  • Attorney General Chris Carr has appealed, threatening litigation up to the Supreme Court.
  • The law barring such care began in May, after intense debate.

6. UGA’s Legion Pool: Historic Site Faces Demolition

[04:44–05:45]

• Context:
  • University of Georgia considers demolishing Legion Pool (built 1936) for more green space.
  • Preservationists, led by Tommy Valentine (Historic Athens), strongly object.

    “We personally have experienced a surge in communication related to this. Unlike almost any other project we've seen in a decade. This is a place that the community really cares about. This is a place where people learn to swim or taught their kids to swim. This is a place where people volunteer. This is a place where community organizations go.” (05:15–05:32)

  • University argues pool attendance is too low and it's overly reliant on student activity fees.

7. Free Admission at National Center for Civil and Human Rights

[06:07–06:30]

• Event:
  • Free entry as part of Universal Declaration of Human Rights Day celebrations.
  • The center recently reopened after a $60 million renovation.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Tommy Valentine (Historic Athens):

  “This is a place that the community really cares about. This is a place where people learn to swim or taught their kids to swim. This is a place where people volunteer. This is a place where community organizations go.” (05:15–05:32)

• Gov. Roy Barnes (on Fani Willis investigation):

  “It is in bad faith, it should never have happened, and I'll represent her to the fullest of my ability.” (01:08)

• State Sen. Greg Dolezal (on DA investigation):

  “We wouldn't need to be here at all if the DA had not been stonewalling the committee for a year and a half.” (01:19)

• Sen. Harold Jones (on healthcare legislation):

  “Not only do Republicans refuse to act, they actively ignore legislation that will bring solutions to these problems.” (02:58–03:06)

• Sen. Ben Watson (on health care debates):

  “But for the hysteria to get started here in the state is just unwarranted now, and I think it's unwarranted in the future.” (03:16–03:23)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:39–01:32 – Fani Willis investigation and legal debate
• 01:32–02:34 – Georgia Power, PSC, and data center electricity demand
• 02:34–03:33 – ACA subsidy vote and health care proposals
• 03:33–04:07 – State Senator John Kennedy’s resignation and campaign
• 04:07–04:44 – Federal ruling on gender-affirming care in prisons
• 04:44–05:45 – UGA Legion Pool controversy
• 06:07–06:30 – National Center for Civil and Human Rights free admission

Tone and Style

The episode is succinct, fact-driven, and relays key state policy debates with direct speaker quotes and minimal editorializing, keeping the focus on Georgia politics, policy, and community interests.

For full details and more stories, visit GPB News.