Renewed tax credits for foster youth aging out; Two Ga. universities are consolidated

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Episode: Renewed Tax Credits for Foster Youth Aging Out; Two Ga. Universities Consolidated
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Host: Peter Biello | Georgia Public Broadcasting

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Introduction

In the April 9th episode of Georgia Today, host Peter Biello delves into several pressing issues affecting the state of Georgia. The episode covers the renewal of tax credits for foster youth aging out of the system, the consolidation of two major Georgia universities, updates on public health concerns regarding measles and vaccine messaging, advancements in healthcare infrastructure, and significant developments in the state's transportation and sports sectors.

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Public Health: Measles Outbreak and Vaccine Messaging

The episode opens with a discussion on the ongoing measles outbreak affecting Texas and other states, which has resulted in at least three fatalities. Fortunately, Georgia has reported no new cases since early February. However, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Board suggests that certain populations, including under-vaccinated adults and young children, consider receiving a booster shot for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to further mitigate risks.

James Curran, Chair of the DPH Board, provided insights into the challenges faced by health advocates:

“That kind of debate makes it harder for people, pediatricians and public health people to advocate for vaccines.” [01:33]

Curran highlighted the confusion stemming from conflicting federal messages on vaccine safety, which complicates the efforts of healthcare providers to promote vaccination effectively.

Healthcare providers are urged to report any suspected measles cases through the state’s 24/7 tip line, ensuring prompt response and containment.

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Legal Developments: Monkey Breeding Facility in Decatur County

The Georgia Supreme Court has recently declined to hear a case challenging the establishment of a monkey breeding facility by Safer Human Medicine in Decatur County. This decision marks the end of prolonged legal battles over the project, allowing the company to proceed with construction plans. Safer Human Medicine promises to bring hundreds of jobs to Bainbridge, contributing to the local economy. However, opponents express concerns regarding potential environmental impacts and the quality of life in the area.

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Foster Care Tax Credit Renewal

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the renewal of a tax credit designed to support young individuals aging out of foster care. Ellen Eldredge from GPB News elaborates on the implications of this legislation:

“The law lets Georgians, their families and businesses divert a portion of their state tax liability to help foster care programs. This year's funding cap is $30 million.” [02:36]

Allison Ash, CEO of Wellroot, an organization assisting those transitioning out of foster care, discusses the comprehensive support systems enabled by the tax credit:

“Young people who are pursuing post secondary education. So it's everything from housing to wraparound supports mental health, food, school supplies, educational scholarships, everything that a young person would need for post secondary.” [02:53]

The state estimates that approximately 700 young individuals age out of Georgia’s foster care system annually. This tax credit aims to provide essential resources to ensure their successful transition into adulthood.

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Healthcare Infrastructure: Grady Health System Expansion

Atlanta-based Grady Health System is set to enhance healthcare access in South Fulton County with the construction of its first freestanding emergency room. Sophie Gradus reports that while this new facility will address some gaps left by the closure of two major metro Atlanta hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it won't entirely eliminate the existing healthcare shortfall.

Union City Mayor Vince Williams expressed optimism about the project:

“Dreams do come true. For far too long, our families have lived in a health care desert that ends today.” [03:46]

Governor Brian Kemp has endorsed the project, approving millions in federal funds and describing the initiative as a "meaningful step forward." However, the funding program, along with other Medicaid expenditures, is currently under scrutiny in Congress, adding uncertainty to future developments.

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Educational Reforms: University Consolidation

The University System of Georgia has announced plans to consolidate East Georgia State College and Georgia Southern University. This strategic move is driven by declining enrollment at East Georgia State, which saw its student body decrease from 3,000 in 2015 to approximately 1,800 last fall.

Chancellor Sonny Perdue stated that the consolidation aims to:

“Save money and improve retention rates.”

The Board of Regents is scheduled to vote on the consolidation plan next week. This decision is part of a broader initiative initiated in 2011 to streamline educational institutions within the state, addressing financial sustainability and enhancing academic outcomes.

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Transportation and Economy: Delta Air Lines and Port of Brunswick

Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, has revised its financial outlook amidst global trade disruptions and an unexpected trade war. The airline has withdrawn its 2025 performance forecast, with CEO noting that growth has largely stalled. In response, Delta is reducing its flight schedule in anticipation of decreased consumer and business spending due to higher prices.

In contrast, the Port of Brunswick has experienced a boom in Roll-on/Roll-off (RO-RO) cargo, handling a record 91,360 units last month—an 18% increase compared to March of the previous year. Griff Lynch, CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, attributes this surge to customers front-loading orders to circumvent new tariffs, positioning the Port of Brunswick as the nation’s busiest for RO-RO cargo.

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Sports Update: Atlanta Braves Performance

The episode concludes with a sports segment covering the Atlanta Braves. The team is preparing to face the Philadelphia Phillies in a three-game series. In their recent game, the Braves secured their second win of the season, improving their record to 2-8. Notably, Catcher Sean Murphy made a significant impact by hitting a three-run home run in his season debut after recovering from an injury. Grant Holmes is slated to start in the upcoming game, bringing hope for better performance.

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Closing Remarks

Peter Biello wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to stay informed about Georgia’s latest developments by visiting gpb.org/news and subscribing to the Georgia Today podcast. Feedback from listeners is welcomed via email at [e-mail].

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This comprehensive episode of Georgia Today provides listeners with in-depth insights into critical issues impacting the state, from public health and education reforms to economic shifts and community developments. Through expert interviews and authoritative sources, the podcast ensures that Georgians are well-informed about the matters that affect their daily lives.

Transcript

[DBHDD Representative]

DBHDD is warning all Georgians that half of all opioid deaths happen at home when people take an Oxy or a Perc with a glass of alcohol for stress or to sleep. Learn more about protecting families from opioid [e-mail].

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to Georgia Today. This podcast features the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode State lawmakers renew a tax credit helping children who age out of foster care the University System of Georgia combines two schools and a health expert says the federal government's message about vaccines is confusing.

[James Curran]

That kind of debate makes it harder for people, pediatricians and public health people to advocate for vaccines.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Wednesday, April 9th. I'm Peter Biello, and you're listening to Georgia Today. While the measles outbreak in Texas and several other states, which has killed at least three, continues, there have been no cases reported in Georgia since early February. But at a meeting yesterday, members of the Georgia Department of Public Health Board said some people should consider getting a booster of the vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella. That includes adults who may be under vaccinated and young children. But board members said because of Georgia's relatively high vaccination rate, the risk of a large measles outbreak here is still low. The DPH is actively encouraging vaccination against the backdrop of what board Chair James Curran describes as confusing messaging around vaccine safety from the federal government.

[James Curran]

That kind of debate makes it harder for people, pediatricians and public health people to advocate for vaccines.

[Peter Biello]

Healthcare providers should report suspected measles cases to the state through a 247 tip line. The Georgia Supreme Court has declined to hear a case challenging a planned southwest Georgia facility to breed monkeys for medical research. The decision, announced yesterday, comes after months of legal wrangling over the legality of Bond's Decatur county promise to Safer Human Medicine. The company applauded the high court's denial, saying it now can begin preparing for the facility's construction. Safer Human Medicine has promised to bring hundreds of jobs to Bainbridge, but project opponents worry about its potential environmental health and quality of life impacts. State lawmakers recently renewed a tax credit aimed at helping young people aging out of foster care. GPB's Ellen Eldredge tells us what Georgia's fostering success tax credit means for those it helps.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The law lets Georgians, their families and businesses divert a portion of their state tax liability to help foster care programs. This year's funding cap is $30 million. Allison Ash is the CEO of Wellroot, an organization that works with people who are leaving the foster care system, support.

[Allison Ash]

Young people who are pursuing post secondary education. So it's everything from housing to wraparound supports mental health, food, school supplies, educational scholarships, everything that a young person would need for post secondary.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The state estimates 700 young people age out of Georgia's foster care system each year. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Peter Biello]

Atlanta based Grady Health System will address gaps in healthcare access in south Fulton county following the groundbreaking of its first freestanding emergency room, gpb. Sophie Gradus has more.

[Sophie Gradus]

Once it's built, Grady's new emergency room won't completely fill the gap left by the closure of two major metro Atlanta hospitals on the heels of the COVID pandemic. But Union City Mayor Vince Williams says the facility will improve the well being of his community and others in south Atlanta.

[Vince Williams]

Dreams do come true. For far too long, our families have lived in a health care desert that ends today.

[Sophie Gradus]

It's the first such facility south of the Interstate 20 corridor. Others await approval from the state. Governor Brian Kemp approved millions in federal dollars to Grady for the project, which he called a, quote, meaningful step forward. That funding program and other Medicaid spending is now under debate by Congress. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gradas in south Atlanta.

[Peter Biello]

The University System of Georgia announced yesterday it's consolidating East Georgia State College and Georgia Southern University. The Board of Regents will vote on the plan next week, which arose after years of declining enrollment at East Georgia State. The four year school that also offers two year associate degrees had about 1,800 students last fall, down from 3,000 in 2015. The university system began consolidating schools in 2011. Chancellor Sonny Perdue says the move has saved money and improved retention rates. Delta Air Lines is revising its financial outlook based on disruptions in global trade, upending its expectations. The Atlanta based carrier as recently as January said it was on track for its best financial year in company history. But then a trade war broke out today. Delta scratched its 2025 performance forecast and its CEO said growth largely has stalled. The airline is cutting its flight schedule in anticipation of a slowdown in spending as businesses and consumers brace for higher prices. The Port of Brunswick handled a record 91,360 units of roll on, roll off cargo last month. That's up 18% compared to March of last year. The Georgia Ports Authority reported yesterday higher volumes of vehicles and heavy equipment at Brunswick was due in part to customers front loading orders to avoid new tariffs. That's according to the authority CEO Griff Lynch. The Port of Brunswick has become the nation's busiest for Roll on, roll off cargo. In sports, the Atlanta Braves face the Philadelphia Phillies at home again this evening for the second of a three game series. Last night, the Braves notched their second win of the season, bringing their record to 2 and 8. Catcher Sean Murphy made his season debut after coming off the injured list and hit a three run homer in the second inning off Phillies righty Zach Wheeler. Tonight, Grant Holmes gets the start for the Braves. That's all for this edition of Georgia Today. Thanks so much for tuning in. If you want to check out updates on these stories or learn what else is going on in the state, visit gpb.org news and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast. It's a great way to stay on top of what's happening in Georgia. And your feedback, of course, is welcome by email. You can send it to Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[Tonya Moseley]

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.