Georgia Today Podcast Summary

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

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.

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.

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])

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

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).

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.

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.