State Election Board rules struck down; Housing challenges for intellectually disabled

Summary

Summary of Georgia Today Podcast Episode: "State Election Board Rules Struck Down; Housing Challenges for Intellectually Disabled"

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Podcast Information:

• Title: Georgia Today
• Host/Author: Georgia Public Broadcasting
• Description: Georgia Today is the daily podcast from GPB News, delivering compelling stories and in-depth reporting on topics that matter to Georgians, hosted by Peter Biello every weekday afternoon.
• Episode: State Election Board Rules Struck Down; Housing Challenges for Intellectually Disabled
• Release Date: June 10, 2025

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Introduction

In the June 10th episode of Georgia Today, host Peter Biello delves into significant issues affecting Georgia residents. Key topics include the Georgia Supreme Court's decision to overturn changes to state election board rules, the introduction of a new area code in southeast Georgia, and the ongoing housing challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Additional stories cover the expansion of an ICE processing facility, bird flu concerns, and local economic developments.

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Georgia Supreme Court Strikes Down State Election Board Rules

One of the episode's primary focuses is the Georgia Supreme Court's recent ruling against several modifications made to the state's election board rules. Reporter Sarah Kallis provides a detailed account of the court's decision.

Key Points:

• The State Supreme Court invalidated five out of seven new election rules enacted by a Board majority aligned with former President Trump.
• These changes were initially implemented to enhance election confidence following the contentious 2020 vote in Georgia.

Notable Quote:

“Four others, including a requirement to hand count ballots, were invalidated and two more were sent back to lower courts for review. The court found the rules exceeded the board's legal authority.” – Sarah Kallis [02:18]

Details:

• The only rule upheld by the court mandates the use of video surveillance for absentee ballot dropboxes after polls close each day.
• The invalidated rules included controversial measures such as hand-counting ballots, which the court determined were beyond the board's legal scope.
• This ruling underscores the judiciary's role in maintaining checks and balances over election administration processes.

Implications:

• The decision limits the State Election Board's ability to implement certain measures that were deemed unnecessary or overreaching.
• Future election procedures in Georgia will need to adhere strictly to the court's interpretation of legal authority, potentially impacting election security and administration practices.

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GOP Conflict with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger

The episode also highlights internal conflicts within the Georgia Republican Party concerning Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

Key Points:

• The Georgia GOP is advocating for Raffensperger to be barred from running under the party's banner due to his refusal to support former President Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
• Delegates at the state GOP convention overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution seeking Raffensperger's removal.
• Party chairman Josh McCune counters, asserting that state law prohibits the party from denying Raffensperger the opportunity to qualify for his position.

Context:

• Raffensperger's stance during the 2020 election, where he resisted pressures to alter vote counts, has made him a contentious figure within the Republican base.
• The push to exclude him reflects broader tensions within the party between traditional Republicans and those aligned with Trump's populist agenda.

Implications:

• The conflict may lead to increased division within the Georgia GOP and influence future electoral strategies.
• Raffensperger's political future remains uncertain, with potential ramifications for party unity and electoral outcomes in upcoming elections.

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ICE Processing Facility Expansion in Southeast Georgia

Grant Blankenship reports on a significant development involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in southeast Georgia.

Key Points:

• The establishment of the largest ICE processing facility in the nation is set to take place in Charlton County, southeast Georgia.
• This expansion involves a partnership between ICE, Charlton County, and the for-profit prison company GEO Group.
• The facility, known as the Folkestone ICE Processing Center, will nearly double detention capacity to around 3,000 detainees by integrating GEO Group's D. Ray James Correctional Facility.

Notable Quote:

“GEO Group is treating the deal as a continuation of a recent spate of good news. Their stock valuation doubled immediately after President Trump's reelection.” – Grant Blankenship [01:15]

Economic Impact:

• The project is anticipated to create approximately 400 new jobs in Charlton County.
• GEO Group expects an annual revenue increase of $66 million from the expanded facility.

Local Response:

• The deal has been met with mixed reactions, balancing economic opportunities with concerns over the expansion of detention infrastructure.

Implications:

• The facility will play a critical role in federal immigration enforcement, impacting local economies and social dynamics.
• The partnership with GEO Group reflects the broader trend of privatization in correctional services and its associated economic and ethical considerations.

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Housing Challenges for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to exploring the housing difficulties faced by Georgians with IDD, highlighting systemic barriers and personal stories.

Reporter: Sophie Gradas

Key Points:

• Despite the 1999 Olmstead decision intended to facilitate independent living for individuals with IDD, substantial challenges persist in securing appropriate housing.
• Affordable housing in Atlanta and surrounding areas is limited, particularly for those relying on fixed incomes such as Social Security benefits, which average around $900 per month.

Case Study:

• Bethany Beach and Emma Farrell: Both 35 years old and diagnosed with Down syndrome, Bethany and Emma recently moved into a new apartment complex, Soaring Heights, designed to support independent living.
• Supportive Measures: Their mother, Greta Beach, discusses the long journey to find suitable housing and praises the mixed-use model of Soaring Heights, which combines affordable units for individuals with IDD and public service workers.

Notable Quotes:

“And I honestly believe that that is one of the biggest barriers that people who want to live independently face.” – Shelly Simmons [08:03]

“I'm just happy where I am and enjoying my time living on my own.” – Bethany Beach [09:31]

Challenges Identified:

• Lack of affordable, accessible housing options tailored to the needs of individuals with IDD.
• Limited financial incentives for developers to create supportive housing.
• Restrictive state policies that prioritize housing for those needing round-the-clock care, leaving those capable of independent living without adequate support.

Solutions Approached:

• Soaring Heights Development: A collaborative effort between private investors and public funds to create mixed-income housing that serves both individuals with IDD and community service workers.
• Government Programs: Kevin Tanner from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities emphasizes reliance on federally funded Medicaid waivers to support housing for those requiring extensive care. However, the demand far exceeds availability, with a 7,000-person waiting list.

Community Impact:

• Initiatives like Soaring Heights provide essential opportunities for individuals with IDD to live independently, foster community integration, and reduce the financial strain on social services.

Implications:

• Continued advocacy and policy adjustments are necessary to expand affordable housing options and support systems for individuals with IDD.
• Addressing these housing challenges is crucial for promoting social equity and ensuring that all Georgians have the opportunity to live with dignity and independence.

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New Area Code Introduced in Southeast Georgia

Peter Biello discusses the implementation of a new telephone area code in southeast Georgia to accommodate the growing demand for phone numbers.

Key Points:

• The Public Service Commission has approved the addition of the 565 area code to the existing 912 region.
• This change is necessary as projections indicate that the current 912 area code will exhaust available numbers by 2028.
• Georgia now operates with ten area codes, with the latest addition being Metro Atlanta's 943 in 2022.

Implications:

• Residents and businesses in southeast Georgia will begin adopting the new 565 area code in the coming years.
• The expansion facilitates continued growth in telecommunications infrastructure and services, supporting Georgia's increasing population and economic activities.

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Additional Stories

While the episode primarily focuses on the Supreme Court's ruling and housing challenges for individuals with IDD, it also touches on other notable local news:

Bird Flu Concerns and Vaccine Development

• The federal government's cancellation of a Moderna mRNA vaccine contract for H5N1 bird flu raises concerns among researchers.
• Seema Lakdawala of Emory University emphasizes the need for diverse vaccine strategies to protect both wildlife and human populations.

Mining Project Near Okefenokee Swamp

• The proposed mining project by Twin Pines Minerals in Charlton County is on hold due to financial difficulties, amidst environmental opposition focused on preserving the Okefenokee Swamp.

Governor Kemp's Business Promotion in Canada

• Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp are actively promoting Georgia as a prime business destination at the Southeast United States Canadian Provinces Conference, aiming to attract international companies and bolster local economic growth despite ongoing trade tensions.

Shrimping Season Opens

• The commercial and recreational shrimping season has commenced, with early indications of a healthy fishery marked by slightly larger shrimp this year.

Sports Update: Atlanta Braves

• The Braves experienced a mixed day with rookie pitcher A.J. Smith Shawver undergoing Tommy John surgery, and reliever Craig Kimbrell elected for free agency, though the team managed to end a separate losing streak with a win against the Brewers.

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Conclusion

The June 10th episode of Georgia Today provides a comprehensive overview of pivotal issues impacting Georgia residents. From the judiciary's role in shaping election integrity to the persistent housing challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities, the podcast underscores the multifaceted nature of state governance and social services. Additional coverage on economic developments, public health concerns, and local initiatives further enriches the listener's understanding of Georgia's current landscape. Through detailed reporting and impactful testimonies, Georgia Today highlights both the progress and the ongoing struggles within the Peach State.

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Transcript

[Peter Biello]

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] welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, the state Supreme Court strikes down changes to state election board rules. Georgia is getting a new area code and we'll take a look at the challenges Georgians with intellectual disabilities face when it comes to housing.

[Shelly Simmons]

And I honestly believe that that is one of the biggest barriers that people who want to live independently face.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Tuesday, June 10th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in the nation will be located in southeast Georgia. That's under a deal now approved by ice, Charlton county and the for profit prison company Geo Group. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more.

[Grant Blankenship]

The Folkestone Ice Processing center is not far from the Okefenokee Swamp. Besides the city of Folkestone, population of about 5,000, the closest city is Jacksonville, Florida, about 60 miles away. Now, with the Charlton county government acting as a pass through for federal money from ICE to GEO Group, the center will more than double its capacity for detainees to just under 3,000 by folding in GEO Group's D. Ray James Correctional Facility into service for ice. GEO Group is treating the deal as a continuation of a recent spate of good news. Their stock valuation doubled immediately after President Trump's reelection. With the expansion of their folkson facility, they expect to increase annual revenue by $66 million a year. Charlton county expects 400 new jobs for DPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.

[Peter Biello]

The Georgia Supreme Court has struck down several changes to the state's election rules. The decisions announced today largely reject measures enacted by a Trump aligned majority of the State Election Board. GPB's Sarah Kalis reports board members approved.

[Sarah Kallas]

Seven new rules just before last November's elections. They said the changes were needed to restore confidence in elections after Georgia's contentious vote in 2020. Among the changes is a requirement to use video surveillance of absentee ballot dropboxes after polls close each day and after a lawsuit brought by a conservative leaning nonprofit. That's the only change that the Georgia justices upheld. Four others, including a requirement to hand count ballots, were invalidated and two more were sent back to lower courts for review. The court found the rules exceeded the board's legal authority. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallas.

[Peter Biello]

Georgia's Republican Party is saying Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger shouldn't be able to run under the party's banner anymore. Delegates voted overwhelmingly for the resolution at the state GOP convention on Saturday, but the party's chairman, Josh McCune, says state law doesn't let the party deny someone the opportunity to qualify. The the resolution shows how hostile many are to Raffensperger following his refusal to help Donald Trump overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia. A spokesperson for Raffensperger's office declined to comment. As bird flu spreads across the U.S. the federal government has canceled its contract with Moderna to develop an MRNA vaccine. Researchers at Emory University say the decision could have unintended consequences. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more H5N1 bird.

[Ellen Eldridge]

Flu is currently being seen in migratory birds, dairy cows, chickens and even cats across the U.S. the last confirmed cases in Georgia were in January in commercial and backyard poultry flocks. Seema Lakdawala is a virologist with the Emory School of Medicine who focuses on influenza transmission and pandemic preparedness. She says that means a multi pronged approach that includes vaccines.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

We should be thinking about all sorts of vaccine modalities for domestic wildlife, to protect our cows, to protect our dairy farm workers, to protect our poultry workers, protect our veterinarians, to protect our chickens, and then that'll inevitably protect human health, she says.

[Ellen Eldridge]

One way Georgians can protect themselves is to not consume raw milk or raw meat. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.

[Peter Biello]

A mining project next to Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp is on hold as the company planning it struggles financially. Alabama based Twin Pines Minerals has not submitted $2 million in financial assurances needed to get a permit for the mine. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has been considering the permit for more than a year. The agency said yesterday the company hasn't even made a partial payment on the required assurances. A lawsuit filed earlier this year accuses the company of being financially insolvent. Environmental groups have criticized the project, saying it would damage the nation's largest intact freshwater wetlands water, while its supporters tout its potential jobs. Twin Pines yesterday declined to comment on both the lawsuit and its pending permit. A former Georgia sheriff convicted of violating the civil rights of people in his custody by unnecessarily strapping them into restraint chairs says he plans to run for Congress. Former Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill announced his candidacy on social media late yesterday. Hill was convicted in 2022, served time in federal prison and was released last spring. He's currently serving six years of probation. His announcement didn't say what congressional seat he planned to seek, but Clayton county is represented in the U.S. house by 79 year old Democrat David Scott, who already has attracted three challengers from within his own party. A 1999 Supreme Court ruling was supposed to pave the way for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or idd, to live more independently. It was called the Olmsted case, and while people with IDD can by and large take care of themselves, they still face major challenges in finding a place to live. More than a quarter century after the ruling, GPB Sophie Gradas has more 35.

[Sophie Gradas]

Year old Bethany beach leads the way to her new apartment. Inside, a back porch looks into some tall pine trees. Everything feels brand new. Bethany points to a signed photo from her friends, a housewarming gift.

[Shelly Simmons]

This one is my favorite. You enjoy your new home and we love you.

[Sophie Gradas]

Bethany and her roommate Emma Farrell plan to get a lot of use out.

[Shelly Simmons]

Of the kitchen because we want to do a lot of baking and cooking.

[Sophie Gradas]

For me, I'm a bakery person. I also love cooking breakfast on every day on the couch. They make a grocery list alongside Bethany's mom, Greta Beach.

[Peter Biello]

What do you put on your burger?

[Sophie Gradas]

Bethany and Emma both have down syndrome and this is their first time living alone. Mom Greta says it's been a long time coming as her other kids have grown up and moved out. But finding a place where Bethany could live independently isn't as easy as just logging on to a rental site. Greta says the supportive living facilities they toured were either too far away or didn't feel like the right fit. Everything was strictly one population, so the family invested in the development of this building called Soaring Heights, built with a mix of private and public money. Here, rents are capped. Half the apartments are for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and the other half are for local public service workers. Already, a couple teachers, firefighters and law enforcement officers have moved in. Affordable housing in and around Atlanta is in short stock. People with disabilities and on fixed incomes, like the $900 maximum most can get a month from Social Security, have even fewer options, says Shelly Simmons with the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia.

[Shelly Simmons]

And I honestly believe that that is one of the biggest barriers that people who want to live independently face.

[Sophie Gradas]

As rents go higher and social benefits don't rise to meet them. Simmons says they're trying to work with developers to encourage more accessible affordable housing but there aren't many financial incentives. But Bethany and Emma's complex came together in part because Bethany's parents are on the corporate board at the state level, Director of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Kevin Tanner says the agency will only help with housing for people whose disability or mental health concern mean they need round the clock care. That's at the core of the state's agreement with the federal government under the 1999 Olmstead case.

[Peter Biello]

If someone's capable of living independently, then we're not directly involved in finding housing for that individual. We are exploring, currently exploring ideas.

[Sophie Gradas]

Meanwhile, Simmons says many are left to figure out, what do you do when.

[Shelly Simmons]

All of your money is going towards housing?

[Sophie Gradas]

Tanner would direct people to federally funded Medicaid waivers. Susan Walker Goiko, attorney at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, says those waivers are lifelines. But unfortunately there is a 7,000 person waiting list, meaning thousands promised a chance at integration by the federal court. Often can't take those first steps. Back in Conyers a few months after move in, Bethany beach says she misses her parents home but has enjoyed meeting neighbors.

[Shelly Simmons]

I'm just happy where I am and enjoying my time living on my own.

[Sophie Gradas]

She hopes more of her friends apply to live here. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gradas in Conyers.

[Peter Biello]

Georgia is getting a new area code. The utility regulating state Public Service Commission said today that residents in southeast Georgia's 912 area code soon will be seeing a second set of three digit numbers to identify the telephone service region. Get ready for five, six five. The commission says a national industry group determined the new area code is needed because the region is on track to run out of available phone numbers by 2028. Georgia currently has 10 area codes. The last new one, metro Atlanta's 943, was added in 2022.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

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

[Peter Biello]

Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

We show you how money influences everything.

[Ellen Eldridge]

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

[NPR Planet Money Team]

And we dig until we get answers.

[Peter Biello]

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

[NPR Planet Money Team]

Planet Money finds out. All you have to do is listen the Planet Money podcast from npr.

[Peter Biello]

Governor Brian Kemp is in Canada this week to promote Georgia as a top destination for business. Kemp is attending the annual Southeast United States Canadian Provinces Conference, where he and first lady Marty Kemp are meeting with international companies that already operate in Georgia as well as courting new ones. So far, the governor has highlighted visits with a tile supplier with a growing footprint in Savannah and Irving Tissue, which plans to add 100 jobs at its facility in Macon. The trip comes Amid President Donald Trump's ongoing trade war. Canada was Georgia's fifth largest trading partner last year with $13.9 billion in total trade, including $7.4 billion in exports from the peach Georgia shrimping season officially opened this morning, starting at 8am Commercial and recreational shrimpers began harvesting in state waters from the shoreline out to three nautical miles offshore. The Department of Natural Resources says shrimp this year are slightly larger than average, a good sign for the health of the fishery. Last year, shrimpers harvested nearly 2 1/2 million pounds of shrimp worth nearly $9 million. In sports the Braves faced the brewers in Milwaukee tonight. Yesterday, the Braves beat the brewers to snap a separate game losing streak. Rookie pitcher A.J. smith Shawver has had reconstructive surgery on a ligament in his right elbow, a procedure known as Tommy John surgery, which will take him out of the game for the rest of the year. Braves officials already had announced May 30 that Smith Shawver had a torn UCL. He left a 54 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies a day earlier and said he felt a pop also. Reliever Craig Kimbrell elected free agency yesterday. Kimbrell opted for free agency two days after the Braves designated the nine time All Star reliever for assignment. The club had attempted to send Kimbrell outright to its AAA Gwinnett affiliate. Kimbrell had been attempting to make a comeback with Atlanta, where he spent his first five major league seasons and earned four straight All Star selections from 2011 to 2014. His 186 saves with the Braves are the most in franchise history. There's always another news story right around the corner, and you can find the latest that GPB reporters are [e-mail] news and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, too. Georgia Today will be back in your feed tomorrow automatically if you subscribe, so do that now. And if you've got feedback, we'd love to hear from you. The best way to reach us, and you can reach the whole team, is by email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org that's Georgia [e-mail] I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

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

[Peter Biello]

Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

We show you how money influences everything.

[Ellen Eldridge]

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

[NPR Planet Money Team]

And we dig until we get answers.

[Peter Biello]

I had a bad feeling you were gonna bring that up.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

Planet Money finds out, all you have to do is listen. The Planet Money podcast from npr.