Georgia senators look to end state income tax; Food programs try to bounce back

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Episode Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Peter Biello
Podcast: Georgia Today by Georgia Public Broadcasting

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Peter Biello delivers the latest updates from across Georgia, focusing on the debate over eliminating the state income tax, the reopening of food assistance programs post-federal shutdown, the grand opening of the Gullah Geechee Georgia Museum, and other top stories including maternal health grades, recognized environmental advocacy, and major community events.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Georgia State Senators Eye Income Tax Elimination

• Segment Starts: [00:10]
• Discussion:
  • A committee of Georgia state senators is actively considering paths to reduce and eventually eliminate the state’s income tax, currently set a bit over 5%.
  • Blake Tillery (Committee Chair): Remarks that eliminating the income tax is inevitable, with the only question being the method and timing.
    • Quote: “Georgia will eliminate the income tax. It’s just a question of when and how.” ([00:50])
  • Kyle Wingfield (GA Public Policy Foundation): Testifies that abolishing the income tax would boost economic activity.
    • Quote: “That’s a powerful incentive for people to work more, to save more and to invest more. And those three things are the lifeblood of our economy.” ([01:07])
  • The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute cautions that increasing sales tax might be necessary to balance lost revenue, which could disproportionately harm lower-income Georgians. No clear offset policy is yet proposed.
  • Reporter Attribution: Summary by Sarah Kallis of GPB ([01:16])

2. Special Election for Atlanta Senate District

• Segment Starts: [01:40]
• Discussion:
  • Six candidates are vying to replace Jason Estevez, the former state senator who resigned to seek governorship. The field includes political newcomers and former officials.
  • A runoff is scheduled for December 16th if necessary.
  • Contextual mention of Estevez joining the crowded Democratic gubernatorial primary.
• Attribution: Peter Biello ([01:47])

3. Secretary of State Office Scales Back Election Oversight

• Segment Starts: [02:07]
• Discussion:
  • Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office will no longer send investigators to attend State Election Board meetings.
  • The move highlights deteriorating relations between the Secretary’s office and the board, which now has a hard-right majority.
  • The change aligns with practices for other boards, but the office pledges ongoing partnership. ([02:37])

4. Food Programs Recover Post-Federal Shutdown

• Segment Starts: [02:47]
• Discussion:
  • Following the federal government shutdown, food safety nets like SNAP are operational again, but recovery is slow.
  • At a food distribution event in Macon, Davetta Hardy, a SNAP recipient, shares her lived experience.
    • Quote: “I think it’s going to take a while before it get back on track. We just got to stay prayed up and hope that it gets better.” ([03:10])
  • Federal winter heating assistance is also delayed; it’s unclear if those funds have reached the state yet.
  • Attribution: Grant Blankenship, GPB Macon ([03:22])

5. Maternal and Infant Health Report Card: Georgia Gets an 'F'

• Segment Starts: [04:14]
• Discussion:
  • The March of Dimes annual report gives Georgia a failing grade for its high preterm birth rates.
  • Access to healthcare is flagged as a major factor; new mothers face higher risks without routine care and preventive visits.
  • Michael Warren (March of Dimes):
    • Quote: “When women don’t have access to care at different points in their lives, they’re missing out on those opportunities for routine preventive visits, for identifying risk factors, missing out on immunizations that can protect them and their future babies from serious illnesses.” ([04:32])
  • Georgia now provides Medicaid coverage up to a year postpartum—an improvement, but experts urge earlier coverage.
  • Attribution: Sophie Gradis, GPB ([04:47])

6. Environmental Advocacy Recognized

• Segment Starts: [05:04]
• Discussion:
  • The Georgia Water Coalition honors defenders of the Okefenokee Swamp in its Clean 13 report, calling the resolution of a titanium mine dispute a major victory.
  • Other honorees: a bacteria monitoring program at Lake Burton and anti-spraying efforts in McIntyre County.

7. Gullah Geechee Georgia Museum Opens in Brunswick

• Segment Starts: [05:38]
• Discussion:
  • The museum honors the Gullah Geechee heritage in coastal Georgia, with artifacts and family heirlooms now on display in a former church.
  • The opening attracted descendants and visitors nationwide. Recent additions include a West African mask and an artistic rendering of the historic church.
  • Open Thursdays–Saturdays, 11am–5pm.

8. Holiday Travel Projections

• Segment Starts: [06:03]
• Discussion:
  • AAA forecasts a record 2.3 million Georgians will travel at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving, with most driving.
  • Expect peak congestion on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, particularly between Atlanta and Savannah.

9. Community and Humanitarian Highlights

• New Bike Park in Columbus: City Council greenlights a kid-friendly bike skills park in Midtown of Columbus, opening early next year (project valued at >$580,000, funded by private donors).
• Jose Andres Wins Ivan Allen Jr. Prize:
  • Segment Starts: [07:18]
  • Chef and humanitarian Jose Andres receives Georgia Tech’s prize for social courage, recognized for founding World Central Kitchen and global disaster relief efforts.
  • Georgia Tech President praises Andres for embodying exceptional courage in serving social causes.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tax Reform:

  • Blake Tillery: “Georgia will eliminate the income tax. It’s just a question of when and how.” ([00:50])
  • Kyle Wingfield: “That’s a powerful incentive for people to work more, to save more and to invest more. And those three things are the lifeblood of our economy.” ([01:07])

• On Food Assistance Recovery:

  • Davetta Hardy: “I think it’s going to take a while before it get back on track. We just got to stay prayed up and hope that it gets better.” ([03:10])

• On Maternal Health Access:

  • Michael Warren: “When women don’t have access to care at different points in their lives, they’re missing out on those opportunities for routine preventive visits, for identifying risk factors, missing out on immunizations that can protect them and their future babies from serious illnesses.” ([04:32])

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:10] — State income tax elimination debate
• [01:40] — Atlanta senate special election
• [02:07] — Secretary of State changes election oversight
• [02:47] — Food safety nets and SNAP recovery post-shutdown
• [04:14] — Maternal and infant health report and commentary
• [05:04] — Environmental advocacy and Okefenokee victory
• [05:38] — Gullah Geechee Museum grand opening
• [06:03] — Thanksgiving travel projections
• [07:18] — Jose Andres awarded for humanitarian work

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Tone & Style

The episode blends factual news delivery with in-the-field voices for local context. It maintains a journalistic, community-focused tone, highlighting both challenges (tax reform, healthcare shortcomings) and stories of resilience (food program recovery, cultural celebrations, environmental victories).

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For More Information

Listeners interested in deeper dives or follow-up can visit gpb.org/news for updates or to explore stories in greater detail.

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This summary covers the key topics and voices in the episode, omitting advertisements and non-content segments while preserving the richness and immediacy of the original broadcast.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, a group of Georgia.

Senators look at ways to eliminate the state income tax.

The Gullah Geechee Georgia Museum has officially opened its doors in Brunswick and food.

Safety nets start to bounce back after the federal government shutdown.

[Davetta Hardy]

I think it's gonna take a while before it get back onto track. We just gotta say pray it up and hope that it gets better.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Tuesday, November 18th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. A committee of state senators looking at ways to eliminate Georgia's income tax met at the state Capitol yesterday. GPB Sarah Kalis reports.

Their goal is to reduce the tax from just over 5% to zero.

[Blake Tillery]

Committee chair Blake Tillery says Georgia will eliminate the income tax. It's just a question of when and how georgia Public Public Policy Foundation President Kyle Wingfield testified before the committee. He says a lower or fully eliminated income tax would incentivize workers and companies.

[Kyle Wingfield]

That's a powerful incentive for people to work more, to save more and to invest more. And those three things are the lifeblood of our economy.

[Blake Tillery]

Meanwhile, the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute released a study this month saying Georgia's sales tax would have to go up to compensate for the elimination of income tax and that lower income Georgians would suffer as a result. The senators have not unveiled policy recommendations that would explain how to make up lost revenue. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis.

[Peter Biello]

Six candidates are on the ballot today.

In a special election to fill the.

Seat of a former Atlanta state senator who resigned to run for governor.

State Senator Jason Estevez represented the Democratic leaning district.

He's now in a crowded field of seven candidates in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

His would be successors include four political.

Newcomers, a former Georgia House member and a former Cobb county school board member. If a runoff is required, It'll be on December 16th.

The Georgia Secretary of State's office no longer is sending investigators to participate in state election board meetings. The move comes as the relationship between Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office and the divided quarreling board, now under a hard right majority, continues to deteriorate. His office's general counsel sent the board's an email shared with GPB explaining the move. It says investigators not participating at board meetings is consistent with how the office treats professional licensing boards and the office.

Quote, remains a willing partner with the board. Food safety nets in Georgia are on the mend in the first full week after the Federal Government Shutdown GPB's Grant.

[Grant Blankenship]

Blankenship reports turnout was light in the first half hour of a food distribution event at the Habitat for Humanity offices in Macon. Davetta Hardy was there. She says she just received her full Snap food benefit from November the day before, as was promised statewide by the Georgia Department of Human Services. But Hardy says she'll still be relying on things like food pantries, at least for a little while.

[Davetta Hardy]

I think it's going to take a while before it get back on track. We just got to stay prayed up and hope that it gets better.

[Grant Blankenship]

Meanwhile, this is also the season for federal winter heating assistance, also held up during the shutdown. It's not clear if the federal government has conveyed those funds to the state yet. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.

[Peter Biello]

The city of Columbus is getting a new children's bicycle park in the Midtown neighborhood. City Council has approved an agreement allowing Midtown Inc. To build the project in Dinglewood Park. Breaking ground tomorrow, the park will give kids a safe place to learn basic bike and mountain biking skills. Midtown Inc. Raised private donations to cover the cost. Valued at more than $580,000, the park is expected to open early next year. The March of Dimes annual report card on maternal and infant health in the US Shows minor improvements. GPB Sophie Gradis has more on where the non profit ranks.

[Sophie Gradis]

In the new report, Georgia gets a failing grade for its preterm birth rate or the rate of babies born too early. That's credited in part to a lack of access to health care that could help new moms spot issues with their own health as well as their babies ahead of time. Michael Warren is chief medical and health officer for the March of Dimes.

[Michael Warren]

When women don't have access to care at different points in their lives, they're missing out on those opportunities for routine preventive visits, for identifying risk factors, missing out on immunizations that can protect them and their future babies from serious illnesses.

[Sophie Gradis]

In Georgia, new mothers are eligible for Medicaid coverage up to a year postpartum. Warren says coverage even earlier could help bring down maternal and infant mortality rates in Georgia, where both are above the national average. For GPB news, I'm Sophie Gratis.

[Peter Biello]

Defenders of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp are among environmental advocates being recognized as water heroes in the Peach State. The Georgia Water Coalition today released its 2025 Clean 13 report. The annual list highlights individuals, businesses and others working to conserve Georgia waterways. The coalition calls a June deal that ended a seven year battle over a proposed titanium mine near the swamp, one of the biggest environmental advocacy triumphs in recent years. Other recognized projects include a bacteria monitoring program at northeast Georgia's Lake Burton and an effort to stop roadside pesticide spraying in southeast Georgia's McIntyre County. The Gullah Geechee, Georgia Museum has officially opened its doors in Brunswick. The former Needwood Baptist Church is now filled with artifacts and family heirlooms honoring the region's Gullah Geechee heritage. At Saturday's grand opening, the museum received two new a carved West African mask and a commissioned drawing of the historic church. Visitors and descendants traveled from across the country to take part in the ceremony. The museum is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 11 to 5. AAA predicts 2.3 million Georgians will travel at least 50 miles from home over the week long Thanksgiving holiday travel period that begins next week on Monday, the auto club said yesterday. That's an increase of 1.4% over last year and a new record. The vast majority of travelers will get to their destinations by car, AAA predicts. Peak conditions Congestion on Georgia highways will occur on the Sunday after Thanksgiving on the Atlanta to Savannah route, including Interstate 16.

[Pamela Kirkland]

A toxic fire, a plume of smoke and a community demanding answers. In Conyers, Georgia, the BioLab disaster left residents searching for truth and accountability. This season, GPB uncovers system failures, hears from whistleblowers and follows neighbors still fighting to be heard. I'm Pamela Kirkland. Join me for season two of Manufacturing the Biolab Story. Listen now at gpb.org podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Peter Biello]

Georgia Tech has announced the Winner of the 2026 Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage. We'll go to chef, author and humanitarian Jose Andres. Among many accomplishments, Andres is a two star Michelin recipient and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He founded World Central kitchen in 2010 following a devastating earthquake in Haiti. Since then, the organization has provided freshly cooked meals to victims of war and natural disasters all over the world. In a statement, Georgia Tech says the award goes to individuals who demonstrate exceptional courage at considerable risk to their careers and even their lives for an important social issue. Georgia Tech's president said the university is proud to present the award to Andres, who epitomizes the spirit of the award. And that is a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today. We appreciate you tuning in. Join us in person at GPB studios in Midtown Atlanta tomorrow. That's Wednesday at 6:30pm for a conversation with Larissa Rinehart, author of Winning the Earthquake, the first major biography of Jeanette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress. She'll be in conversation with GPB's Orlando Montoya. You may also hear clips from this interview on a future episode of Narrative Edge, our podcast about books with Georgia connections. But you'll definitely want to be there in person to see the whole interview. You can find details and [e-mail] events if you want to learn more about any of the stories you heard on the podcast today, or check out any news stories that have come popped up since we've dropped this podcast, visit gpb.org news and remember, your feedback is always welcome, so send it to us by email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.