Trump's new budget plan cuts clean energy; Augusta VA healthcare report; Momocon

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Release Date: May 23, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting

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1. Trump's New Budget Plan Threatens Georgia's Clean Energy Industry

In the opening segment, host Peter Biello discusses the implications of President Trump's recently approved multi-trillion-dollar budget plan on Georgia's burgeoning clean energy sector. The budget, characterized by significant tax breaks and spending cuts, poses a potential threat to the clean energy initiatives fostered under the Biden administration.

Key Insights:

• Growth Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): Christina Costa, former director of the Office of Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation under President Biden, highlights Georgia's substantial growth in clean energy manufacturing and jobs, attributing much of this progress to the IRA. (01:24)

  "Perhaps no other state in the nation has seen growth in clean energy manufacturing and jobs like Georgia, nurtured largely through the Inflation Reduction Act." – Christina Costa (01:24)

• Impact of the Budget Reconciliation Process: While the current budget process does not outright repeal the IRA, Christina Costa warns that it could significantly hinder the implementation and effectiveness of the IRA's provisions. (01:45)

  "We had in the Inflation Reduction Act an approach to onshoring American manufacturing that was working, you know, in Georgia because many of those facilities are located in Georgia. And this would just throw all of that into chaos." – Julie Kroviak (01:59)

• Bipartisan Concerns: The budget vote in Georgia's House delegation was split along party lines, with some Republicans voting in favor despite their districts experiencing significant green job growth, underscoring the bipartisan support and the potential widespread impact of the budget cuts. (01:59)

  "The vote in Georgia's House delegation broke along party lines with yays even from Republicans whose districts have seen explosive green job growth." – Christina Costa (01:59)

Grant Blankenship from GPB News wraps up this segment, emphasizing the critical nature of the budget's impact on Georgia's position in the green energy sector. (02:12)

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2. Alarming Report on Augusta's VA Healthcare System

Peter Biello transitions to a concerning federal report detailing multiple issues within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system in Augusta. Released by the U.S. Office of Inspector General, the report uncovers significant management and operational failures.

Key Issues Highlighted:

• Unprofessional Treatment of Staff: Inspector Julie Kroviak condemns the management's behavior towards employees, describing it as "rude, condescending, inappropriate in their communication style, retaliatory," which has severely damaged workplace culture. (02:31)

  "Rude, condescending, inappropriate in their communication style, retaliatory, which is a huge red flag when your staff feel that if they say something, they're going to be punished. That sweeps culture below zero." – Julie Kroviak (02:31)

• Staff and Supply Shortages: The report, based on a September inspection, highlights critical shortages that impede the VA's ability to provide adequate care. Subsequent administrative changes include the reassignment of the system's director and another top official. (02:49)

• Community Impact: The Augusta VA healthcare system serves not only East Georgia but also parts of South Carolina, making these issues particularly impactful for a broad patient base.

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3. Apalachee High School Graduation Amidst Tragedy

In a heartfelt segment, Biello covers the recent graduation of Apalachee High School's senior class, eight months after a devastating mass shooting impacted the community. Valedictorian Kaylee Spencer delivers an inspiring message of hope and resilience.

Notable Remarks:

• Words of Encouragement: Kaylee Spencer emphasizes perseverance and community strength in the aftermath of tragedy. (03:20)

  "We carry old parts and baggages in certain situations. A restless night due to studying, working, trying to help pay family bills, conflicts and friendships, and ultimately what happened on September 4th all travels through us throughout the school day. Yet we are all here today looking towards whatever comes next." – Kaylee Spencer (03:20)

• Accusations Against Colt Gray: The student, Colt Gray, is accused of perpetrating the shooting that severely affected the school, highlighting ongoing legal and emotional ramifications for the community.

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4. Data Centers and Their Impact on Georgia’s Resources

A legislative panel is currently examining the influence of data centers on Georgia's electricity and water supplies. Despite Georgia's attractiveness for such facilities due to relatively inexpensive resources and robust broadband infrastructure, there is a pressing need for reliable data to inform future planning.

Key Points:

• Lack of Reliable Data: Amy Sharma from Science for Georgia criticizes the absence of concrete data on the resource consumption of data centers, which hampers effective policy-making. (04:12)

  "We have zero concrete numbers about them. And so how are you guys supposed to plan for the future if you don't actually know what you got right now?" – Amy Sharma (04:12)

• Economic Costs vs. Benefits: Tax incentives for data centers are costing the state millions annually in revenue without providing a proportional number of jobs, raising concerns about the long-term economic benefits. (04:28)

• Upcoming Hearings: The committee plans to hold statewide hearings this summer to gather more information and address these issues comprehensively.

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5. Emory Healthcare’s Technological Advancement

Emory Healthcare announces a significant technological milestone at its Hill N Dale Hospital in DeKalb County, Atlanta. The hospital becomes the nation's first to be entirely powered by Apple products integrated into Epic, the leading electronic health records system behind MyChart. This move signifies Apple's deepening venture into the traditionally PC-dominated healthcare sector.

Highlights:

• Efficiency and Patient Experience: Emory Healthcare underscores that this integration aims to enhance operational efficiency and improve patient interactions with healthcare providers.

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6. Economic Impact of MomoCon on Atlanta

The podcast delves into the economic significance of MomoCon, a major conference for gaming, animation, cosplay, and comics enthusiasts, celebrating its 20th anniversary in Atlanta. Expecting a record attendance of over 56,000 participants, the event is poised to bring substantial economic benefits to the city.

Detailed Discussion with Economist Thomas Smith:

• Local Economic Boost: Thomas Smith, a finance professor at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, explains that MomoCon significantly benefits Atlanta's economy by keeping expenditures within the city. Unlike other conventions that see money leave as organizers are based elsewhere, MomoCon's Atlanta roots ensure that revenue stays local. (05:44)

  "This is an Atlanta based company, that this is a family that started this conference. And unlike other conferences or even other events that come to town where you're likely to have a large or lion's share of money leaving as the corporate foundation leaves town, this is staying here because they're from Atlanta." – Thomas Smith (05:52)

• Sectors Benefited: The event positively impacts entertainment, transportation, hospitality, dining, and ancillary sectors such as attractions near Centennial Park. (06:49)

  "There's lots of ancillary elements that are going to receive money because of this." – Thomas Smith (06:54)

• Unique Positioning of MomoCon: Being exclusively held in Atlanta, MomoCon distinguishes itself from other large conventions like DragonCon or Comic-Con, which rotate locations. This exclusivity amplifies its economic footprint in the city. (06:54)

• Ripple Effects: Smith elaborates on the broader economic multiplier effects, where money spent by attendees benefits various local businesses and services beyond the immediate vicinity of the convention center. (07:59)

  "The economic multiplier does work in this case in these kind of events. And that's because a lot of the money stays in place." – Thomas Smith (07:59)

• Personal Connection: Although unavailable to attend, Smith expresses a personal interest in witnessing his grandson Harrison enjoy the event's table-top gaming and the diverse international attendees it attracts. (08:55)

  "If I was going, I would want to hang out with my 11 year old grandson Harrison and see him enjoy it." – Thomas Smith (08:55)

The segment concludes with Smith praising MomoCon's ability to foster international friendships and its unique blend of gaming, cosplay, and adventure elements that cater to a wide audience. (09:54)

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7. Local Sports Highlights

In the sports segment, Biello shares updates on Georgia's athletic teams:

• Atlanta Braves: Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., the 2023 National League MVP, is set to return from a knee injury after nearly a year. The Braves are opening a three-game series against the San Diego Padres, with Chris Sale expected to start. (11:36)

• Women's Basketball: The Indiana Fever triumphed over the Atlanta Dream with a score of 81-76. Notably, Atlanta's Caitlin Clark had an uncharacteristic performance, missing all five of her three-point attempts—the first such occurrence in her three-year career. (11:48)

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8. Closing Remarks

Peter Biello wraps up the episode by wishing listeners a pleasant Memorial Day weekend, advising them to enjoy the holiday and anticipate fair weather. He encourages listeners to stay informed by visiting gpb.org/news and subscribing to the podcast for updates. Feedback is welcomed via email at [e-mail]. The episode concludes with a reminder of upcoming news coverage on Tuesday.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "We carry old parts and baggages in certain situations... Yet we are all here today looking towards whatever comes next." – Kaylee Spencer (03:20)

• "We have zero concrete numbers about them. And so how are you guys supposed to plan for the future if you don't actually know what you got right now?" – Amy Sharma (04:12)

• "This is staying here because they're from Atlanta." – Thomas Smith (05:52)

• "The economic multiplier does work in this case in these kind of events. And that's because a lot of the money stays in place." – Thomas Smith (07:59)

• "If I was going, I would want to hang out with my 11 year old grandson Harrison and see him enjoy it." – Thomas Smith (08:55)

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This episode of Georgia Today offers a comprehensive overview of pressing issues affecting the state, from economic and healthcare challenges to the vibrant cultural events and local sports triumphs. Whether you're invested in green energy, concerned about veterans' healthcare, or excited about Atlanta's events and teams, today's podcast provides valuable insights and updates.

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, energy advocates warn President Trump's new spending bill could hurt Georgia's green energy industry. The scathing new report details problems with Augusta's VA health care system. And momocon is this weekend in Atlanta and it finds its economic strength in its diverse fan base.

[Thomas Smith]

It lends itself to people who are into lots of different elements of fantasy adventure, things of this nature.

[Peter Biello]

The right combination of vans Today is Friday, May 23rd. I'm Peter Biello, and this is Georgia Today. The multi trillion dollar package of tax breaks and spending cuts approved by the US House yesterday would gut clean energy initiatives enacted under the Biden administration. Environmental advocates are warning the measure threatens to upend Georgia's position as a powerhouse in green energy manufacturing. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more.

[Christina Costa]

Perhaps no other state in the nation has seen growth in clean energy manufacturing and jobs like Georgia, nurtured largely through the Inflation Reduction Act. Christina Costa served as director of the Office of Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation under President Joe Biden. She says while the current budget reconciliation process doesn't repeal the IRA outright, it could hinder the way the IRA is used.

[Julie Kroviak]

We had in the Inflation Reduction act an approach to onshoring American manufacturing that was working, you know, in Georgia because many of those facilities are located in Georgia. And this would just throw all of that into chaos.

[Christina Costa]

The vote in Georgia's House delegation broke along party lines with yays even from Republicans whose districts have seen explosive green job growth. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.

[Peter Biello]

A scathing federal report details multiple problems affecting employees and patients at the Department of Veterans affairs health care system in Augusta. The U.S. office of Inspector General released the report yesterday. The agency inspector who worked on it, Julie Kroviak, says the systems management treated its staff in ways that were unprofessional.

[Julie Kroviak]

Rude, condescending, inappropriate in their communication style, retaliatory, which is a huge red flag when your staff feel that if they say something, they're going to be punished. That sweeps culture below zero.

[Peter Biello]

The report also details staff and supply shortages. It was based on a routine inspection in September. Since then the system's director and another top official have been reassigned. The Augusta VA cares for patients at facilities in East Georgia and parts of South Carolina. Apalachee High School graduating seniors received their diplomas last night, eight months after a deadly mass shooting devastated the community. Class valedictorian Kaylee Spencer offered her fellow classmates words of encouragement, hope and perseverance.

[Julie Kroviak]

We carry old parts and baggages in certain situations. A restless night due to studying, working, trying to help pay family bills, conflicts and friendships, and ultimately what happened on September 4th all travels through us throughout the school day. Yet we are all here today looking towards whatever comes next.

[Peter Biello]

A student, Colt Gray, is accused of killing four people in the shooting. State policymakers need better data on data centers. That's according to industry watchdogs who spoke to state lawmakers yesterday. A legislative panel is studying the impact these centers have on Georgia's electricity and water supplies. Relatively inexpensive land, power and water and extensive broadband are making Georgia a leading state for the energy and water hungry sites. But Amy Sharma of Science for Georgia told lawmakers they still don't have reliable data about their impact.

[Julie Kroviak]

We have zero concrete numbers about them. And so how are you guys supposed to plan for the future if you don't actually know what you got right now? And these are like easy questions that their accountants should be able to answer. How much water do you use? How much did you pay for your water?

[Peter Biello]

Tax incentives for the centers cost the state millions of dollars a year in revenue while providing relatively few jobs. The committee is scheduled to hold hearings across the state this summer. Emory Healthcare is saying its Hill N Dale hospital in metro Atlanta's DeKalb county has become the nation's first to be fully powered by Apple products integrated into Epic, the national electronic records giant behind MyChart. The integration continues Apple's push into the healthcare sector, long dominated by PCs. Emery says the move is about efficiency and patient experience. Momocon, a conference for fans of gaming, animation, cosplay and comics, kicks off its 20th anniversary this week in Atlanta. Over the years, it's grown from a 700 person on campus event to the largest such event, where you'll see costumed attendees celebrating Japanese anime, Star Wars, Dungeons and Dragons and maybe even your favorite character from a Netflix series. But this year, event planners are expecting more than the 56,000 people who attended last year. And they'll be bringing more than costumes and 20 sided dye. They'll be bringing their wallets. With me now to talk about the economic impact of MomoCon is economist Thomas Smith, professor in the practice of finance at Emory University Goizuera Business School. Welcome to the program.

[Thomas Smith]

Thank you very much. I'm glad to be here.

[Peter Biello]

So what segments of Atlanta's economy stand to benefit the most, do you think, from a conference like MomoCon?

[Thomas Smith]

I think it's important to at least mention that this is an Atlanta based company, that this is a family that started this conference. And unlike other conferences or even other events that come to town where you're likely to have a large or lion's share of money leaving as the corporate foundation leaves town, this is staying here because they're from Atlanta. That's why I think it's so important to note that it's going to have an economic impact. So the areas are going to be, of course, entertainment in and around the convention center, so transportation, hotels, dining, things of that nature. But there are going to be ancillary effects that are hitting a lot of Centennial Park. I do know some events are going to be taking place. People are going to be hitting the sky wheel and things of that nature. So, I mean, there's lots of ancillary elements that are going to receive money because of this.

[Peter Biello]

And what do you think the planners of MomoCon get right to help it grow to the extent that it has?

[Thomas Smith]

The conference lends itself to lots of different audiences, right? It is specific enough in terms of gaming, not only electronic, but also you mentioned the tabletop games, which I think is important, but lots of different characters. And the cosplay element, I think it lends itself to people who are into lots of different elements of fantasy, of adventure, things of this nature, and they just hit the nail on the head in terms of finding the right combination of fans. And one of the other things you should note is that MomoCon isn't anywhere else. It's only in Atlanta. So unlike DragonCon or Comic Con, which may be across the country in LA and Vegas and what have you, now, momocon is only in Atlanta, and so you've got a huge footprint.

[Peter Biello]

Are there ripple effects for people who depend on Atlanta's economy to do? Well, to put it another way, if you don't attend momocon, do you somehow reap a secondhand benefit?

[Thomas Smith]

Well, the economic multiplier does work in this case in these kind of events. And that's because a lot of the money stays in place. If you're driving an Uber, if you've got a restaurant, if you've got a hotel, you know, I mean, Marta's going to see a lot of people. You Know, jumping on the train and going downtown, lots of opportunities for people to walk around afterwards. And so the event, even though at the Georgia World Congress center, it's going to sort of splash across most of the downtown Atlanta area. 50,000 people, 60,000 people, you know, a lot of people are staying in town. And as a result, you're going to see, you know, people going out in the evenings, grabbing a bite to eat and things like that. So the ripple effect is going to hit a lot of the entertainment sector.

[Peter Biello]

I know you have prior commitments, so you won't be able to attend MomoCon, but if you could, what would be the draw for you? Is it the Tabletop Games? Is it dressing up like something? What do you think?

[Thomas Smith]

My daughter and her friends are going. My older son is going. He's actually even taking my grandson to the event. So I think if I was going, I would want to hang out with my 11 year old grandson Harrison and see him enjoy it. I think Tabletop game area, they're gonna have the entire room for Tabletop games. I think that that's an awesome opportunity to sit down, enjoy a game that you like and you can play it with. There's gonna be people from all 50 states. There's gonna be people from, you know, dozens and dozens of countries. I mean, people come from all over the world for this event because it's the only place where this event is held. So I think sitting down at Tabletop game with someone from Germany or someone from, you know, from Brazil or something like that would be a hoot.

[Peter Biello]

What a wonderful chance to make friends from across the world right here in Atlanta.

[Thomas Smith]

Absolutely. And what better medium to do it than, you know, a conference where you could dress up like your favorite character from Star wars if you wanted to.

[Peter Biello]

Thomas Smith is an economist and professor in the practice of finance at Emory University, Goizueta Business School. Thank you so much for speaking with me.

[Thomas Smith]

Thank you, sir.

[Planet Money Host]

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.

[Planet Money Host]

We show you how money influences everything.

[Julie Kroviak]

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

[Planet Money Host]

And we dig until we get answers.

[Thomas Smith]

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

[Planet Money Host]

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

[Peter Biello]

In Georgia. Sports in baseball, Ronald Acuna Jr. Is ready to make his season debut for the Atlanta Braves tonight. The Braves announced last night that 2023 National League MVP Acuna will return from a knee injury that has sidelined the star outfielder for nearly a year. The Braves open a three game series against the San Diego Padres tonight. Chris Sale is expected to get the start for the Braves. And in women's basketball, the Indiana Fever overcame Caitlin Clark's unusually lackluster long distance shooting to beat the Atlanta Dream 8176 in Atlanta last night. Clark missed all five of her three point attempts, the first time she's failed to score a three pointer in three years. That is it for this edition of GEORGIA today. It's been a busy week of news and we're going to be off on the Memorial Day holiday. We hope you are as well. Hope you find something fun to do and I hope the weather is nicer than it seems like it's going to be at this point. Seems like it might be cloudy with a little bit of rain, of course, depending on where you are in Georgia. If you want to learn more about the news of the day or the week, check out gpb.org news and subscribe to this podcast so you catch up with us on Tuesday. If you've got feedback, we'd love to hear from you. Email georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Have a great Memorial Day weekend and we'll see you on Tuesday.

[Planet Money Host]

Planet Money helps you understand the economy. We find the people at the center of the story. Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance. We show you how money influences everything.

[Julie Kroviak]

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

[Planet Money Host]

And we dig until we get answers.

[Thomas Smith]

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

[Planet Money Host]

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