Nickel Plant Info, Changing Health Care Rulesdates

Sunday Solutions — Feb. 1, 2026

❄️❄️ Good morning! Or should we say Brrrr!? ❄️❄️

Not to worry: The news is warm. We’ve got info on the proposed nickel refinery in Richmond Hill, updates from the legislature on competing ways to cut taxes, and a look at what changes in policies may mean for health care for older Americans. We’re one day shy of Groundhog Day, and careful readers know your Sunday editor won’t pass up a chance to recognize the prognosticating rodent — aka the woodchuck. Burrow down!

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NEWS: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

Questions, but few answers

Bryan County residents may get more information about a proposed nickel refinery on Monday night at a town hall meeting. The plant has been a hot topic for weeks as representatives of Westwin Elements have been asking residents to sign a petition in favor of the plant long before presenting information about the business and process itself. Richmond Hill residents, fresh from hard discussions about government transparency around an airport proposal, have their antennae up on any new project. And to top it off, the company sent a legal threat to the county commission chair after a mention of Westwin’s legal issues in a regular meeting. The Current‘s Maggie Lee and Mary Landers take a look at the situation and what could be next as the refinery asks for $230 million in bonds to be sold through the county’s development authority.

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First Amendment enters the chat

Lawyers for Westwin Elements and Bryan County dueled in letters last week, with the nickel refinery company accusing the county commission chair of defamation and the county backing up its commissioner and doubling down on his right to speak.

Read The Current GA’s coverage and the letters. We tip our hat to Kristen Stampfer at Coastal Communities United, who first obtained the documents through an open record request and posted them on Facebook.  We followed up with a request to Bryan County for everything she got. 

For insight on how government works, you can request documents held by public bodies and officials. Here’s a look at what you can get and how to ask for what you’d like to see.

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NEWS: HEALTH CARE ACCESS

Efficiency or something else?

Two stories grabbed our attention last week and both were on the topic of health care access for older Americans and those who care for and about them. Federal policy changes are affecting staffing levels and levels of care mandates at care centers like nursing homes. Deregulation efforts now allow artificial intelligence to be used for prior authorization for Medicare in six states. Another move excludes home care workers from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which exempts them from overtime and other requirements. That move alone may deter workers from entering a desperately needed workforce.

Here are the stories:

• These 3 policy moves are likely to change health care for older people: This KFF Health News piece describes the changes and what they may mean for you.

• After donations, Trump Administration revoked rule requiring more nursing home staff: If you’re asking yourself how all this happens, then this story may help explain how campaign donations and visits with elected leaders can shape policy that affects you directly. An investigation from The New York Times.

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NEWS: LEGISLATURE

Dueling tax bills & more

The Georgia General Assembly is rolling out bills that grab attention quickly, which usually happens when it comes to anything to do with taxes. As we mentioned in early missives, the Senate is pushing a move to eliminate the state income tax. This week, House Speaker Jon Burns got behind one to eliminate homestead property taxes. Both assume new fees and sales taxes will help fill the giant state funding gap both ideas would leave. Here are a few more notes from Atlanta and state government this week:

• When it comes to taxes, influence of tobacco lingers: Under the spotlight of tax questions, Ty Tagami at Capitol Beat asks why cigarette taxes are the second lowest in the nation, behind Missouri. Rep. Ron Stephens has an answer. The lobbying forces against raising them are still formidable.

• Legislature 101: Following Georgia’s budget drafts: The Current‘s Maggie Lee explains the process and how to tag along.

• Georgia Senate passes bill for outdoor learning pilot program in K-8 schools: This would encourage more classes outdoors and heads to governor’s desk. From Mark Niesse at Capitol Beat.

• When suicidal calls come in, who answers? Georgia crisis line response rates reveal gaps: The 988 help line has been successful, but staffing for it has been erratic. From Andy Miller and Rebecca Grapevine at KFF Health News and Healthbeat.

• Georgia nurses push for legislative support to address violence, burnout: More nurses could get help if they ask for it in new bill. From Ellen Eldridge at GPB News.

• Tim Echols discusses PSC tenure and climate change impact: The former commissioner talks about why a warming world wasn’t part of his charge. From Emily Jones at Grist and WABE.

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FEATURE: OUTDOORS

☕ Your second cup: Groundhog skills

We do understand that the rodent we observe each Feb. 2 doesn’t spend a lot of time in Georgia. We also understand that the large ground squirrel gets some regular attention via the tongue twister “How much wood can a woodchuck chuck…” And we know some refer to it as a whistlepig because of the noise it can make in alarm. But today, we are especially curious about the marmot’s ability to predict the advent of spring. Here’s an expert to tell you what you already suspected (and a whole lot more) about the groundhog.

Enjoy. And, stay warm in your burrow.

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