SNAP benefits at risk; Crime drops in Atlanta; Effect of Trump tariffs on retail

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host: Peter Biello

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1. Introduction and Public Health Update

The episode opens with Dr. Taylor Shelton emphasizing the importance of naloxone in combating opioid overdoses. Dr. Shelton advises listeners to "ask a pharmacist about getting naloxone for their first aid kits at home or work" (00:00), highlighting that no prescription is needed and that naloxone can "rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and restore breathing" (00:00).

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2. SNAP Benefits at Risk

Peter Biello introduces the first major topic: proposed Republican cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Georgia Democrats warn that these cuts could leave thousands of children hungry. The GOP's plan aims to "extend the program's work requirements," potentially jeopardizing food security for the program's 41,000 recipients in Senator David Scott’s district.

Florence Allen, owner of Williams FunSmart Toys in Macon, criticizes the proposal, stating, “My Republican colleagues are throwing these families under the bus to pay for tax cuts” (04:46). In response, South Georgia Republican Austin Scott defends the plan, arguing that “Georgia's cash reserves are so full that they could cover the cuts in assistance” and that the GOP proposal could save the government approximately $300 billion (04:55).

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3. Crime Decline in Atlanta

Amanda Andrews reports a significant drop in crime rates in Atlanta over the first four months of the year, including decreases in homicide, vehicle theft, and shootings compared to the previous year (01:38). Atlanta Police Department (APD) credits community-based programs such as midnight basketball, diversion services, and the "No More Domestic Violence" campaign for the positive trend.

Chief Darren Scharbom emphasizes the role of the community in crime prevention, saying, “Homicide prevention starts with friends and family practicing conflict resolution” (01:56). However, Andrews notes a slight increase in specific crimes like robbery and sexual assault. In response, Mayor Andre Dickens has proposed a 19% increase in police funding to sustain and enhance these efforts (02:09).

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4. Investigation into Corporate Ownership of Single-Family Homes

Senator Jon Ossoff is spearheading an investigation into the growing trend of corporate ownership of single-family homes in Georgia. Dr. Taylor Shelton from Georgia State University reveals that Metro Atlanta "leads the nation in private equity ownership of single family homes" (02:34). Over the past 15 years, large corporations have acquired more than 70,000 properties in the region, constituting over 30% of the area's single-family rentals—“roughly 10 times the national rate” (02:44).

Dr. Shelton further details the opaque practices of major players like Blackstone, Progress Residential, and Amherst Holdings, who use “hundreds of different names and addresses” to obscure their ownership (02:58). Senator Ossoff confirms that the investigation is ongoing, aiming to address the challenges faced by Georgians in the housing market (02:58).

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5. Live Nation's Expansion and Millennium Yards Project

Entertainment giant Live Nation has announced plans to build a 5,000-seat live music venue in downtown Atlanta as part of the expansive $5 billion Centennial Yards mixed-use megaproject. Centennial Yards President Brian McGowan describes Live Nation as a “quote, anchor tenant in the district now under construction” (03:28).

Dr. Taylor Shelton expresses enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “For us, it really gives great lift to the vision that we have created and the vision that we've been executing on” (03:48). The Centennial Yards project aims to transform a previously underutilized area known for rail tracks and parking lots into a vibrant hub featuring entertainment, dining, shopping, hotels, and apartments. Several components of the 50-acre master plan are already completed, with more developments slated to open ahead of the 2026 World Cup in Atlanta. The Live Nation venue is expected to be operational by 2027 (04:01).

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6. Impact of Trump Tariffs on Retail: An Interview with Florence Allen

The episode delves into the economic ramifications of President Donald Trump's tariff policies, particularly how ongoing uncertainty affects small businesses that rely on imported goods.

Florence Allen, owner of Williams FunSmart Toys in Macon, shares her firsthand experiences:

• Tariff Uncertainty: “The back and forth is frustrating from my perspective, because it seems like that from one day to the next or one week to the next, it's hard to plan” (05:39). This uncertainty has led her to delay significant orders, such as those for the Christmas season, to mitigate potential costs (05:46).

• Inventory and Supply Chain: Approximately 80% of the toys she sells are imported, mainly from China, with only 5-10% being U.S.-made products (06:36). In anticipation of tariffs, Allen has been selectively restocking year-round essentials to cushion against supply disruptions (07:10).

• Pricing Challenges: Although she has only implemented minor price increases when costs rise, Allen anticipates having to raise prices on certain items as tariffs push some products beyond her acceptable pricing thresholds (07:58).

• Consumer Impact: Allen urges consumers to understand that tariffs ultimately affect their "pocketbook," as increased costs for imports are passed down through the supply chain (09:00). She expresses uncertainty about her future orders and the overall direction of her business amid fluctuating tariff policies (09:00).

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7. Sports Update

In a brief sports segment, Peter Biello reports on the Atlanta Braves' recent performance. The Braves secured a win against the Nationals, bringing their season record to .500 for the first time. Rookie catcher Drake Baldwin contributed significantly with a two-run homer, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach delivered seven strong innings. The Braves are set to face the Nationals again tonight, with Bryce Elder slated to start. Additionally, Ronald Acuña Jr. is making progress in his return from an ACL injury, expected to be activated by June 1st after a successful rehab stint with the Falcons' Florida Complex League team (05:36 - 09:50).

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Conclusion

Peter Biello wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to subscribe for more in-depth reporting and to share story suggestions and feedback via email. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of pressing issues in Georgia, from social programs and public safety to housing, economic policies, and local business challenges, ensuring listeners are well-informed about matters that impact their daily lives.

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Notable Quotes:

• Florence Allen: “My Republican colleagues are throwing these families under the bus to pay for tax cuts.” (04:46)
• Chief Darren Scharbom: “Homicide prevention starts with friends and family practicing conflict resolution.” (01:56)
• Florence Allen: “The back and forth is frustrating from my perspective, because it seems like that from one day to the next or one week to the next, it's hard to plan.” (05:39)
• Brian McGowan: “It really gives great lift to the vision that we have created and the vision that we've been executing on.” (03:48)

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the May 14, 2025, episode of Georgia Today, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the issues addressed without needing to tune into the podcast directly.

Transcript

[Dr. Taylor Shelton]

DBHDD is urging people to ask a pharmacist about getting naloxone for their first aid kits at home or work. No prescription is needed. Naloxone can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and restore breathing opioidresponse.info.

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB news team. On today's episode, Georgia Democrats say kids may go hungry because of Republican proposed cuts to SNAP benefits. New data show a drop in crime in Atlanta and President Trump's tariffs change the way one Georgia toy retailer is stocking her shelves.

[Florence Allen]

In my industry, I should be ordering for Christmas and I'm not. I'm kind of. I'm holding back.

[Peter Biello]

Today's Wednesday, May 14th. I'm Peter Biello and this is GEORGIA Today. Georgia Pacific is closing its containerboard mill in southwest Georgia's Early County. The company's plans, announced today, will end about 535 jobs at one of the region's largest employers, with most jobs gone by August. The Atlanta based pulp and paper giant says it doesn't believe the plant can serve its customers competitively in the long term. The mill opened in 1963 as the Great Southern Paper Company and was acquired by Georgia Pacific in 1990. Crime in Atlanta is down for the first four months of this year. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports.

[Amanda Andrews]

Homicide, vehicle theft and shootings are all down compared to this time last year. APD credits programs like midnight Basketball, Diversion services and the no More Domestic Violence campaign for the decline. Chief Darren Scharbom says homicide prevention starts with friends and family practicing conflict resolution.

[Peter Biello]

So I don't expect anyone to step in the middle of a gunfight. But we all have what we can do to prevent that, to ever reaching that level. And so it is a community answer. It's not a police answer because we don't have those abilities to be there all the time.

[Amanda Andrews]

There has been a slight rise in some crimes, including robbery and sexual assault. Mayor Andre Dickens recently proposed a 19% increase in police funding. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Peter Biello]

Georgia US Senator Jon Ossoff is launching an investigation into corporate ownership of single family homes. GPB's Chase McGee reports. The trend is coming under fire as more Georgians struggle to buy or rent a home.

[Dr. Taylor Shelton]

Metro Atlanta leads the nation in private equity ownership of single family homes. That's according to Dr. Taylor Shelton with Georgia State University, who spoke at a press conference with Ossoff.

[Peter Biello]

In just the last 15 years, large companies have come in and bought up over 70,000 properties across metro Atlanta alone, accounting for over 30% of the region's single family rental properties, or roughly 10 times the national rate.

[Dr. Taylor Shelton]

Dr. Shelton's study also breaks down rental properties by state House district, where as much as 99.6% of the housing market is owned by private equity. Three corporations, Blackstone Progress Residential and Amherst holdings, use hundreds of different names and addresses in what Dr. Shelton calls an effort to obscure their ownership. Senator Ossoff says the investigation into those owners is ongoing. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee.

[Peter Biello]

Entertainment giant Live Nation plans to build a 5,000 seat live music venue in downtown Atlanta. Officials behind the $5 billion mixed use megaproject Centennial Yards announced the partnership today. Centennial yards president Brian McGowan says the live Nation venue will be a, quote, anchor tenant in the district now under construction.

[Dr. Taylor Shelton]

For us, it really gives great lift to the vision that we have created and the vision that we've been executing on. It kind of adds wind to our sales. We're super excited about having them as part of the project.

[Peter Biello]

Centennial Yards promises to transform a long underused part of downtown known mostly for rail tracks and parking lots, into a blend of entertainment, dining, shopping, hotels and apartments. Several projects in the 50 acre master plan are already done. More are scheduled to open before the World cup arrives in Atlanta next year. The Live Nation venue is expected to be complete in 2027. Republicans in the U.S. house yesterday unveiled their proposal to tighten eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or snap. They want to extend the program's work requirements. Two Georgia congressmen serve on the committee that oversees snap. Metro Atlanta Democrat David Scott says the plan puts the program's 41,000 recipients in his district at risk of food and security.

[Florence Allen]

My Republican colleagues are throwing these families under the bus to pay for tax cuts.

[Peter Biello]

South Georgia Republican Austin Scott applauded the proposal, saying Georgia's cash reserves are so full that they could cover the cuts in assistance. The GOP plan could total about $300 billion in budget savings. President Donald Trump has delayed or reduced many of his most severe tariffs against America's trading partners, including China, but some import taxes remain in place. What also remains is the uncertainty for small businesses that import many of their products. Williams FunSmart Toys and Macon is one of those businesses. Shop owner Florence Allen is with me now to talk about tariff uncertainty and changes to the way she does business. Welcome to the program.

[Florence Allen]

Well, thank you for having me on.

[Peter Biello]

Broadly speaking, how do these tariffs and the back and forth on tariffs make you feel as A small business owner.

[Florence Allen]

The back and forth is frustrating from my perspective, because it seems like that from one day to the next or one week to the next, it's hard to plan. And for me in my industry and how my business cycle works on a yearly basis, I should be ordering for Christmas, and I'm not. I'm kind of. I'm holding back. Even with this recent tariff decrease announcement, there's still a lot of uncertainty within that. For the manufacturers that I order from.

[Peter Biello]

And how much of your inventory, how much of the things you sell is.

[Florence Allen]

Imported, it's like 80% of the world's toys are made in China. They come out of China. But for me personally, in my store, I would say anywhere from 5 to 10% of the toys in my store are US made. The rest comes from either China or other sources in the world.

[Peter Biello]

When President Trump took office, he was not shy about saying tariffs were coming. What did you do to prepare for any potential tariffs?

[Florence Allen]

My gut feeling was something was going to happen that was going to affect supply or my cost or both. And so I'm looking at my bigger vendors and I'm going on and selectively restocking in things that I sell all throughout the year. Like babies are born all, you know, 12 months out of the year. So I'm constantly have people that come in and want baby gifts.

[Peter Biello]

Seems like what you're saying is knowing the tariffs may come, you stocked up on select things that you knew you were going to need year round.

[Florence Allen]

Yes. And really, you know, to carry me to the fall, have you had to.

[Peter Biello]

Increase prices yet or do you see that happening in the future?

[Florence Allen]

I only increase prices when my costs go up. So I had some slight increases in January. I can think on one company that their item went from, and it was an impulse item, it went from $2.25 to $2.50. Well, I didn't raise the price in my store on that particular item. I just kind of ate it. Now, that same impulse item now has gone from 250 to $3. Well, when I get my new order in, I'm going to have to raise the price of it because at that point, it falls outside of what I need to charge because I have my overhead. I have, you know, the cost of my utilities. My employer, I have two employees. I pay.

[Peter Biello]

What do you want consumers to understand about tariffs and how they affect small businesses like yours?

[Florence Allen]

I think consumers need to really understand that the tariffs really are going to affect their pocketbook. You know, that tariff that's being paid for the product hits our country. You know, the importer is going to pay the tariff and they're going to tack it on to what they if they send it to a distributor. You know, I've got my big toy show coming up in June and I just still really don't know what I'm going to do. And maybe it'll be a lot of looking this year and then really going back seeing where, you know, do I really need to order this or not?

[Peter Biello]

Florence Allen, thank you so much for speaking with me.

[Florence Allen]

Well, thank you so much for having me on and I hope, I hope this provides some insight for people out there.

[Peter Biello]

That's Florence Allen, owner of Williams Fun Smart Toys and Makin. The Braves face the Nationals again at Truist park tonight for the third of a four game series. Last night, the Braves improved to.500 for the first time this season by beating the Nationals 5 2. Rookie catcher Drake Baldwin hit a two run homer going 3 for 4 overall with two RBIs and starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach threw seven strong innings. Bryce Elder gets the start for the Braves tonight. For fans hoping the Braves will continue to improve their record, there's this glimmer of hope. Star right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. Homered during a rehab stint with the Braves Florida Complex League team yesterday and is scheduled to begin the next stage of his rehab tomorrow at AAA Gwinnett. Racuna has been out with an ACL injury since May of last year. If all goes well, he'll be activated by June 1st. We hope you enjoyed listening to Georgia Today. We've got more stories for you to [e-mail] news you can always send suggestions for stories we should cover and feedback on this podcast to georgia [e-mail] there's more news coming your way tomorrow, so make sure you subscribe to this podcast. That way we will pop up automatically in your feed tomorrow afternoon. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[Amanda Andrews]

Planet Money helps you understand the economy. We find the people at the center of the story.

[Florence Allen]

Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance.

[Amanda Andrews]

We show you how money influences everything.

[Florence Allen]

Tell me what you like by telling me how you spend your money and.

[Amanda Andrews]

We dig until we get answers.

[Peter Biello]

I had a bad feeling you're gonna bring that up.

[Amanda Andrews]

Planet Money finds out. All you have to do is listen. The Planet Money podcast from NPR.