Happy Labor Day from James Online!
The team at James Online wish you a happy Labor Day, we hope you’ve had a nice and relaxing long weekend!
We’ll be back with our daily Peach State political news tomorrow, and be on the lookout for the latest issue of James Magazine – our annual ‘Top Lobbyists’ issue, coming online and hitting mailboxes this week!
Report: Georgia Ports generates $181 billion in economic impact
A new study released by the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business showed that one out of every eight Georgia jobs is tied to Georgia’s ports’ economic engines – which supports 605,616 full- and part-time jobs and generates $181 billion in economic impact. The Georgia Ports also yield $44 billion in annual income, the report said.
Ossoff hit for attack on female presidential aide
The First Amendment grants U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga. every right to criticize President Donald Trump and his policies. But during a Sunday Georgia campaign re-election rally many critics— Republicans, Democrats and others– say his singling out of a young White House aide in a snide remark against Trump is unnecessary, inappropriate and crosses a line.
Powerful legislators named to nominating committee for troubled Dublin school board
Following Gov. Brian Kemp’s suspension of all seven board members of the Dublin City Board of Education through an executive order, he has appointed two powerful lawmakers to serve on a special Nominating Committee for that board. House Appropriations Chairman...
Exclusive JMO InsiderAdvantage Georgia Survey: Ossoff leads; Jackson, Lance Bottoms tied
Survey conducted Aug 16-17; 800 likely voters; Mixed mode text/panel; MOE 3.46%; Weighted for age, race, gender and political affiliation. Crosstabs can be found HERE.
The results:
Federal Funding means new veterans cemetery in Augusta
U.S. Rep. Rick Allen, R-GA, took part in a press event recently with community leaders to boast federal funding for a new veterans cemetery in Augusta. With Allen’s support, the funding for this project was appropriated through H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act for Fiscal Year 2026, and made available through the Veterans Cemetery Grant Program.
Kemp suspends Dublin school board
Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday suspended all seven members of the Dublin school board over financial mismanagement.
The Most Influential Readership in Georgia
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Ga. CEO: Blakely mayor on how Municipal Association helps keep Georgia cities strong
Mayor of Blakely Travis Wimbush talks about the many advantages of working with Georgia Municipal Association and how they have impacted the city. Learn more in this video from Georgia CEO:
A look back at last week’s Georgia Gang
Last week’s show discussed the Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream WNBA game where a mother and daughter were forced to take off their XX/YY shirts. The issue involves free speech and its limit, see the clip from last week’s episode below:
We welcome submissions on a public policy issue, 750-800 words. Submit for consideration to phickey@insideradvantage.com
Opinion: Digital AI tools essential for small business success
For 15 years, the story of my company has been the story of a small business solving a real problem. Now with emerging AI technology, I can reach my target audience at a fraction of the cost.
Opinion: Special session leaves the QR code problem to election boards to fix
Special legislative sessions are supposed to resolve urgent problems. Georgia’s latest special session instead postponed one deadline, created new statutory conflicts, and left county election officials, the State Election Board, and perhaps the courts to resolve questions the General Assembly should have definitively answered regarding the continued use of QR codes as official votes.
Opinion: Georgia’s hemp loophole is closing; Congress must not reopen it
Walk into the wrong gas station in Georgia and you will find bright, candy-colored gummies and vapes with names designed to attract children. These are products that exist in a legal gray area, with enforcement described as inconsistent and unpredictable. That is not a failure of Georgia lawmakers or the officers that enforce the law. It is a reflection of just how hard it is for any state to police a product that travels freely across state lines, manufactured under federal rules that created an enormous, dangerous loophole.
