Kemp signs tort reform bills; Georgia crop outlook; Atlanta Beltline rail link

Summary

Georgia Today – April 22, 2025

Hosted by Orlando Montoya and produced by Georgia Public Broadcasting, "Georgia Today" delivers comprehensive coverage of the most pressing issues and stories affecting Georgians. In this episode, the focus spans legislative changes, infrastructure developments, agricultural outlooks, community studies, business impacts, and significant cultural events.

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1. Governor Brian Kemp Signs Tort Reform Bills

Overview: Governor Brian Kemp has made significant strides in reshaping Georgia's legal landscape by enacting two new tort reform bills aimed at limiting lawsuits within the state. These legislative changes are poised to impact both business owners and plaintiffs seeking legal recourse.

Key Points:

• SB 68: The more controversial bill, SB 68, introduces measures to reduce business liabilities when crimes occur on their properties. It restricts attorneys from charging legal fees multiple times for the same case and permits separate trials for assigning responsibility and damages. Critics argue that SB 68 may impede some crime victims from obtaining justice.

• SB 69: This bill, which passed both chambers with relative ease, establishes regulations for financing specific lawsuits. Governor Kemp emphasized that SB 69 is designed to support small business owners by creating a more predictable legal environment.

Notable Quotes:

• "These changes could help small business owners," said Governor Kemp regarding SB 69. [01:17]
• "In theory, if we actually had rail, people would take rail to do that. People do take rail. So yeah, I think the promise was broken," noted Sarah Kalis while discussing the implications of tort reform. [00:46]

Implications: Sarah Kalis from GPB emphasized that both bills aim to level the playing field in Georgia's courtrooms, ensuring that the state remains a favorable environment for businesses. SB 68 takes effect immediately, while SB 69 will be implemented in 2026.

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2. Atlanta Beltline Rail Link: Progress and Public Sentiment

Overview: The Atlanta Beltline, a popular pedestrian and bike trail, continues to evolve with ongoing debates about the addition of a passenger rail link. Despite commercial success, questions remain about the project's ability to fulfill its original vision of enhancing connectivity across the city.

Key Points:

• Current Usage: Residents like Matt Garbett, a bike commuter from Adair Park, observe that the Beltline is predominantly used for recreational purposes rather than as a commuter route.

• Mayor Andre Dickens' Initiative: In response to public feedback, Mayor Dickens has pledged to prioritize the construction of a four-mile Beltline rail segment on the south side of Atlanta. This decision aims to bridge the socio-economic divide between the northwest and southeast regions of the city.

• Community Impact: Areas below the proposed rail line are characterized by mixed-income communities with higher concentrations of poverty, predominantly affecting African American and other communities of color. The new rail link seeks to provide direct access to essential amenities on the east side, such as Ponce City Market.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Garbett expressed skepticism, stating, "No one's using this trail to get to work besides me." [02:59]
• Sarah Kalis highlighted the social implications, saying, "The folks below that line, it's a mixed income, but it's certainly where the concentration of poverty in the city of Atlanta resides." [04:11]

Public Opinion: While some business owners on the east side fear that a rail line might restrict access for walkers and cyclists, Mayor Dickens assures that the south side will be developed first to minimize disruptions. Public engagement sessions are scheduled for June to gather community input on the Southside Rail project.

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3. Positive Outlook for Georgia's Crops

Overview: Georgia's agricultural sector is experiencing a favorable year, courtesy of optimal weather conditions that have significantly boosted the yield of key crops.

Key Points:

• Fruit Harvests: Peaches, strawberries, and blueberries are thriving due to increased chill hours and favorable frost conditions. Farmers are now manually thinning their plants to ensure fruits reach marketable sizes.

• Vidalia Onions: The harvest season for Vidalia onions is underway, with production peaking around mid-April. These onions are expected to be prominently featured in local farmers' markets and grocery stores.

Notable Quotes:

• Pam Knox from the University of Georgia Weather Network stated, "Farmers are even having to thin out their plants so their fruit reaches a marketable size." [08:23]
• Sarah Kalis added, "Some years the frost kind of does the thinning for them, but this year they're having to do it either mechanically or chemically." [08:29]

Market Impact: Chase McGee reported that the abundance of Georgia-grown produce marks a stark contrast to two years prior, enhancing the availability and quality of local fruits and vegetables for consumers statewide.

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4. Marcus Autism Center's Study on Elopement

Overview: The Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta is conducting an extensive study to understand and prevent elopement—running away from supervision—among children with autism. The research aims to provide caregivers with effective strategies to mitigate this behavior.

Key Points:

• Study Details: The largest of its kind, the study involves 76 children aged 4 to 12. Therapists engaged with parents over a 12-week period to discuss and address complex behaviors associated with wandering.

• Goals: Mindy Scheitauer, a researcher with the center, emphasizes the creation of tools for clinicians to better support parents in managing their children's behaviors, ultimately reducing the incidence of elopement.

Notable Quotes:

• "Our goal of this research is to make it so that it's an easier tool for clinicians, so that clinicians are more likely to provide parents with the help that they need for their child's behavior," explained Mindy Scheitauer. [06:25]
• "No one's using this trail to get to work besides me," noted Sarah Kalis, reflecting on community behaviors influenced by the Beltline rail discussions. [Unrelated section, please disregard]

Implications: This research is expected to enhance intervention strategies, offering parents and caregivers more effective means to ensure the safety and well-being of children with autism.

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5. Home Depot CEO Meets with President Trump on Tariffs

Overview: In a significant development, Home Depot's CEO Ted Decker, along with leaders from major national retailers like Walmart and Target, met with President Donald Trump to discuss the potential impacts of newly imposed tariffs on their businesses.

Key Points:

• Meeting Outcomes: The retailers described the meeting as "informative and constructive," indicating ongoing negotiations and discussions about how to navigate the economic implications of tariffs.

• Analyst Concerns: Financial analysts have expressed worries that Trump's tariffs could adversely affect retail giants by increasing costs and disrupting supply chains.

Notable Quotes:

• Home Depot stated, "Ted Decker had an informative and constructive meeting at the White House." [06:47]

Impact on Consumers: These tariff discussions could lead to higher prices for consumers and potential changes in the retail landscape as companies adjust their strategies to mitigate financial pressures.

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6. Atlanta Airport Announces Parking Rate Increases

Overview: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has announced its first parking rate increases in eight years, effective May 1st. The changes aim to align parking prices with current economic conditions and fund the modernization of the airport's parking infrastructure.

Key Points:

• Rate Changes:

  • Hourly Parking: Increases from $3 to $10 per hour.
  • Economy Parking: Rises from $14 to $20 per day.

• Modernization Plans: The additional revenue from parking fees will support upgrades to the parking facilities, enhancing the overall experience for travelers.

Notable Quotes:

• Chase McGee reported on the positive trends in agriculture but did not provide specific quotes related to the parking rate increases. [08:52]

Traveler Impact: Passengers utilizing the airport's parking services will face higher costs, which may influence their choice of transportation to and from the airport.

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7. Catholic Community Mourns Pope Francis and Looks Ahead

Overview: The Catholic community in Georgia is in mourning following the death of Pope Francis. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the first African American cardinal from the United States, is actively participating in the conclave to elect his successor.

Key Points:

• Cardinal Gregory's Role: Now based in Rome, Gregory continues to influence the Church through various Vatican committees while serving as Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, D.C.

• Community Guidance: Archbishop Gregory Hartmeyer urges the faithful in Georgia to remain calm and reflective during this period of transition, emphasizing the enduring presence of the Holy Spirit.

Notable Quotes:

• Archbishop Hartmeyer assured the community, "I want to assure you the church is in good hands. The Holy Spirit is always at work, even in times of worry and distress." [09:42]
• He also called for prayers, stating, "May he respond with generosity to the gifts of the Holy Spirit in his new role." [10:04]

Future Outlook: As the Church navigates this leadership change, the Catholic community in Georgia is called to support one another and participate in the discernment process for the new pope.

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8. Hulu Documentary Spotlight: The Quincy Avery Effect

Overview: A forthcoming Hulu documentary titled "The Quincy Avery Effect" chronicles the life and career of Quincy Avery, a renowned football coach who has mentored some of the NFL's prominent quarterbacks, including Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes.

Key Points:

• Documentary Focus: The film explores Avery's journey from overcoming homelessness to establishing the successful Atlanta-based coaching program, QB Takeover. It also delves into the broader rise of Black quarterbacks in the NFL, highlighting the breaking of long-standing barriers.

• Avery's Message: Quincy Avery emphasizes resilience and hard work as key themes, expressing hope that audiences will gain a deeper understanding of perseverance through his story.

Notable Quotes:

• Quincy Avery stated, "I hope viewers take away from the documentary an understanding of resilience and perseverance. I can outwork everybody." [10:11]

Cultural Impact: The documentary aims to inspire and shed light on the significant contributions of Black coaches and athletes in professional football, celebrating their achievements and the challenges they've overcome.

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For more updates and in-depth reporting on Georgia's most important stories, visit gpb.org/news and subscribe to the "Georgia Today" podcast. Share your feedback by emailing georganowpb.org.

Transcript

[Chase McGee]

DBHDD has an urgent warning for all Georgians. One of every ten counterfeit pills contains fentanyl, a powerful and very deadly drug. Pills from friends or dealers are unsafe, and one pill can cause an overdose. More [e-mail].

[Orlando Montoya]

Hello and welcome to Georgia Today. On this podcast, we feature the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, governor Brian Kemp signs into law two new bills limiting lawsuits in Georgia. Favorable weather conditions could mean a good year for Georgia crops. And will the imagined rail link on Atlanta's Belt Line ever come to fruition?

[Sarah Kalis]

In theory, if we actually had rail, people would take rail to do that. People do take rail. So yeah, I think the promise was broken.

[Orlando Montoya]

Today is Tuesday, April 22nd. I'm Orlando Montoya and this is Georgia Today. Governor Brian Kemp signed into law yesterday one of his top priorities for this year's legislative season. Two bills limiting lawsuits in Georgia. GPB's Sarah Kalis has more.

[Amanda Andrews]

SB 68, the more controversial of the two bills, limits a business owner's liability when a crime occurs on their property, stops attorneys from covering legal fees twice for the same case and allow separate trials for assigning responsibility and damages. Opponents said the bill can hinder some crime victims from getting justice. Meanwhile, SB 69 passed both chambers easily. It lays out rules to finance certain lawsuits. Kemp said the changes could help small business owners.

[Sarah Kalis]

In the end, both of these bills accomplished our goal of leveling the playing field in Georgia's courtrooms and ensuring our business environment remains the best in the nation.

[Amanda Andrews]

SB 68 goes into effect immediately, and SB 69 goes into effect in 2026. For GPB news, I'm Sarah Kallis at the state Capitol.

[Orlando Montoya]

Atlanta's pedestrian and bike trail, the Beltline has been a rousing commercial success, but debate remains about whether it ever will be used for one of its original imagined purposes, a passenger rail link around the city. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens recently said there will be Beltline rail, but he says the project first will roll through a part of town yet to see a Beltline boom Atlanta's south side. GPB's Amanda Andrews went there to talk to residents about what a new transit option might mean to them.

[Matt Garbett]

Matt Garbett has watched the Beltline grow in southwest Atlanta's Adair park neighborhood since he moved here in 2013. He's a bike commuter on the Beltline. He sees the Beltline as a utility, but on a sunny afternoon full of dog walkers, joggers and baby strollers, he recognizes for most The Beltline is more of a toy.

[Sarah Kalis]

Everyone we've seen here today while we're sitting here is out here for fun on the day off. No one's using this trail to get to work besides me.

[Matt Garbett]

But originally, the city of Atlanta promised Southside residents the Beltline would bring more connections, jobs and ultimately a commuter train. He says without that, his neighbors won't use the Belt Line.

[Sarah Kalis]

No one's going to walk from my house to Ponce Highland.

[Matt Garbett]

That's five miles away.

[Sarah Kalis]

Very few people are going to bike there. But in theory, if we actually had rail, people would take rail to do that. People do take rail. So yeah, I think the promise was broken.

[Matt Garbett]

That's why in March, Mayor Andre Dickens made a new promise to the MARTA board. Atlanta will start building four miles of Beltline rail that will connect to a planned new MARTA station on the south side. First, this will take priority over the original plan extending the downtown streetcar an additional two miles onto the east side, beltline Atlanta Chief Policy Officer Courtney English told the MARTA board. There's a quality of life divide running from northwest to southeast Atlanta. The mayor's office wants to mend it.

[Sarah Kalis]

The folks below that line, it's a mixed income, but it's certainly where the concentration of poverty in the city of Atlanta resides. The folks above that line are mostly our white neighbors, and the folks below that line are mostly our African American neighbors and our people of color.

[Matt Garbett]

Maps show jobs, health care, education and even life expectancy are lower on this side of town than further north. Dickens says starting with the south side would connect people in south Atlanta directly to the amenities of the east side. Matthew Rao is a longtime Atlanta resident and founder of Beltline Rail. Now, he says the dividing line the mayor's office wants to fix persists partly because places like Ponce City Market and other east side amenities don't have rail stops.

[Chase McGee]

Yet those three stops on that east side trail have grocery stores and the city's most important skate park and a middle school and a Kroger and a Whole Foods and a Home Depot and a CVS pharmacy that's open late. It has opportunity for folks.

[Matt Garbett]

You could take MARTA to those places.

[Chase McGee]

But it's so many transfers and buses that it's difficult to do it and nobody would transfer three times to get where they're going.

[Matt Garbett]

Some Eastside Beltline business owners are opposing the project. They claim that a rail line would restrict access for walkers and cyclists and hurt small business owners. Mayor Dickens says avoiding those business disruptions is another reason he wants to build rail on the south side first public engagement sessions, where the city will reveal more of the plan for Southside Rail and hear public opinions begin in June. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Orlando Montoya]

Atlanta's Marcus Autism center is studying the root causes of elopement, or running away from supervision among children with autism, and what caretakers can do to make wandering less likely. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more.

[Matt Garbett]

During the study, therapists met with parents for 12 weeks to discuss their children's complex behaviors, including wandering. Mindy Scheitauer is with the Marcus Autism Center. She says nearly half of children with autism wander.

[Orlando Montoya]

Our goal of this research is to.

[Matt Garbett]

Make it so that it's an easier tool for clinicians, so that clinicians are more likely to provide parents with the help that they need for their child's behavior, scheitauer says. This was the largest study of elopement yet, with 76 children ages 4 to 12 participating. For GPV news, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Orlando Montoya]

Home Depot's CEO was among leaders from top national retailers who met with President Trump yesterday to talk about how tariffs will impact their companies. The Atlanta based retail giant said in a brief statement that CEO Ted Decker had a informative and constructive meeting at the White House. NBC reported that the leaders of Walmart and Target also attended. Analysts are concerned that Trump's new tariffs could hit the retailers hard. Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport said yesterday that it will increase its parking rates starting May 1st. It's the first rate increase in eight years. ATL says prices will align with current economic conditions and will help the airport modernize parking infrastructure. Among the increases, hourly parking is going from $3 an hour to $10 an hour, and economy parking is going from $14 per day to $20 per day. Many of Georgia's favorite fruits and vegetables are looking good this year thanks to favorable weather conditions during the growing season. GPB's Chase McGee has that story.

[Chase McGee]

Two years ago, you might have had a hard time finding Georgia grown peaches in produce sections across the state. But this year peaches, strawberries and blueberries are all flourishing thanks to more chill hours and favorable frost conditions. Pam Knox is the director of the University of Georgia Weather Network. She says farmers are even having to thin out their plants so their fruit reaches a marketable size.

[Sarah Kalis]

Some years the frost kind of does the thinning for them, but this year they're having to do it either mechanically or chemically.

[Chase McGee]

Additionally, the Vidalia onion harvest is underway and with a packed date of April 15, you should see them at local farmers markets and in grocery stores soon. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee.

[Orlando Montoya]

A former archbishop of Atlanta is now in Rome to help elect the next pope. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who led the Archdiocese of Atlanta for 14 years, is one of the few US cardinals eligible to vote in the papal conclave. Pope Francis made Gregory the first black cardinal from the United States in 2004. During his time in Georgia, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. He now serves as archbishop Emeritus of Washington, D.C. and remains active on several Vatican committees. Meanwhile, the current archbishop of Atlanta is calling on Georgia's Catholic community to reflect and pray following the death of Pope Francis. Archbishop Gregory Hartmeyer says the Catholic Church is entering a period of mourning and transition, but that the faithful should remain calm.

[Sarah Kalis]

I want to assure you the church is in good hands. The Holy Spirit is always at work, even in times of worry and distress.

[Orlando Montoya]

In his message yesterday, Hartmeyer also called on Georgia's Catholic community to pray not only for the deceased pope but also for the cardinals who will select the next pope and for the new leader himself.

[Sarah Kalis]

May he respond with generosity to the gifts of the Holy Spirit in his new role.

[Orlando Montoya]

Pope Francis died of a stroke Easter Monday. A Georgia man known as the quarterback guru who has trained some of the NFL's biggest stars, including Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes, is the subject of a Hulu documentary debuting tomorrow. The Quincy Avery Effect follows the career of the football coach of the same name. Avery's story has inspired many, from homelessness to the heights of football coaching. The Morehouse alumnus founded the Atlanta based coaching program QB Takeover. The film also highlights the rise of black quarterbacks in the NFL, breaking through decades of barriers. Avery told the Atlanta Voice he hopes viewers take away from the documentary an understanding of resilience and perseverance. He says he's not the most talented person or the most gifted, otherwise he'd be in the NFL. But he can outwork everybody. He plans to attend a premiere of the film Atlanta. And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. For more Georgia news, Visit our website gpb.org news hit subscribe on this podcast so you always stay current with us and never miss an episode. If you have feedback, we'd love to hear it. Email georgia todaypb.org I'm Orlando Montoya. We'll talk to you again tomorrow.

[Amanda Andrews]

This is Tonya Moseley, co host of Fresh Air. You'll see your favorite actors, directors and comedians on late night TV shows or YouTube, but what you get with Fresh Air is a deep dive. Spend some quality time with people like Billie Eilish Questlove, Ariana Grande, Stephen Colbert, and so many more. We ask questions you won't hear asked anywhere else. Listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and whyyy.