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State leaders have already cut nearly $2 billion in spending since before the recession, a truly massive blow to the state’s economic health and Governor Deal has signed four bills into law that will create an approximately $85 million shortfall in the next two fiscal years. Although some of the policy… [Read more]

Examining HOPE awards across household incomes, by institution, and factoring in tuition costs provides a telling picture of the distribution of HOPE dollars.
The majority of HOPE awards go to students from households with incomes of $100,000 or less. However, a disproportionate share of HOPE dollars fund scholarships for students… [Read more]

It will likely be several years unil the state’s job market returns to pre-recession levels. Although the state’s unemployment rate has fallen, Georgia continues to trail behind on job creation. Download Fact Sheet.
 
Related Materials: State of Working GeorgiaState of Working Georgia:… [Read more]

The Georgia Budget & Policy Institute’s new report Georgia’s Income Tax Essential for State’s Economy and Families examines Georgia’s income tax, provides a comprehensive overview of the economies of no-income-tax states, and outlines why income taxes are essential to Georgia’s well-being.
According to GBPI’s report, there is no evidence that… [Read more]

To meet 21st century business demands, Georgia must get more students into colleges, universities and technical schools, and make sure they graduate with skills that will help them, their families, and the state secure a prosperous future.
This policy report examines lottery sales and HOPE benefits across Georgia’s 159 counties.… [Read more]

State Revenues House and Senate Calendar State Budget: FY 2013 Fiscal and Tax Policy Health Policy Education Policy Human Services Policy
 

State Revenues
State revenues for the first nine months of this fiscal year are running 4.7 percent ahead… [Read more]

Health Care Law Expands Coverage, Saves State Money
Since March 2010, a variety of provisions of the Affordable Care Act have been implemented that expand health insurance coverage to thousands of Georgians, particularly young adults and Georgians previously denied coverage. It has also saved the state money — at least… [Read more]

Senate Resolution 20, The Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR),  is flawed legislation that would amend the Georgia State Constitution to limit the growth of state revenues and expenditures to a formula of population plus government inflation growth. Colorado, the only state to implement TABOR, has since suspended it because it… [Read more]

This Week in the Georgia Legislature
State Revenues House and Senate Calendar State Budget: FY 2013 Fiscal and Tax Policy Health Policy Education Policy Human Services Policy
 

State Revenues
Considering the governor lowered FY 2012 revenue estimate to 4.25… [Read more]

In the final days of the 2012 legislative session, the General Assembly passed an omnibus tax bill, HB 386,that falls short of the comprehensive tax reform Georgia needs to bring the tax system into the 21st century. While it exhibits some prudence by acknowledging the importance of revenues, HB 386… [Read more]