GBPI News

Georgia Budget & Policy Institute frequently issues statements summarizing our analysis of tax and budget policies and recommending solutions that further a more transparent, fair, and modern tax system that will take Georgia into the 21st century. Our recommendations encourage fact-based public debate and engagement, as well as serve as guidelines for policymakers. Read these statements.

Georgia Budget & Policy Institute also issues news releases summarizing the latest reports written by analysts that outline how state policies and proposals in the Institute's focus areas affect Georgians. These free reports, briefs, and fact sheets present rigorously researched analyses into policymaking, and inform readers as well as members of the press, providers, and advocates. Read these summaries below. More releases are available in the ebulletin archive.

Newest to Oldest Newest to Oldest Oldest to Newest Oldest to Newest By Title By Title

Page 1 of 2 Press Statement: Georgia’s New Budget Depends on Extended Federal Help, Senate Set to Take up Legisl Georgia’s FY 2011 budget includes nearly $750 million of enhanced federal Medicaid funds. Georgia would only realize half if the enhanced funding expires on December 31, as it is currently scheduled to do. Continued cuts could jeopardize $1 billion in state and federal funds. The US Congress can protect 30 states still reeling from the Great Recession and depending on the Medicaid assistance by extending it 6 months. Posted: 6/10/2010 Category: Press Release, Download Report Email to a friend Press Statement: Revenue Increases Help Balance the Budget in the Short Term, but Tax Cuts Will Lead If the governor vetoes House Bills 1023 and 1069, he will prevent revenue drains on future budgets. Despite record revenue declines, the General Assembly once again passed long-term tax cuts ($624 million a year when fully implemented), disregarded other revenue options, and shifted the cost of government services onto middle class and low-income Georgians. Changes to our tax structure should not be debated and decided in the final hour of legislative session. Posted: 5/19/2010 Category: Budget, Taxes, Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Budget Conference Provides Solutions to State Budget Turmoil As Georgia lawmakers return to the Capitol this month to face a revenue shortfall of $4.6 billion in the state budget, “The Fiscal Crisis: Solutions that Move Georgia Forward,” was attended by 200 people from around the state, highlighting revenue solutions from policy experts. Posted: 1/28/2010 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Revenues Decline Again in October: Crisis Demands Lawmakers Take Responsible Action. In order for Georgia to prosper, lawmakers must not rely solely on cuts to public services. Georgia cannot cut its way to prosperity. Posted: 11/10/2009 Category: Press Release, Download Report Email to a friend Number of Poor Georgians Highest This Decade, Census Data Show, Lawmakers Should Revise Approach Georgia’s overall poverty rate was 14.7 percent for 2008, well above its 2001 level of 11.7 percent during the last recession. The state's rate is 14th highest in the country. Vulnerable groups are hit hardest during the recession. 20.1%, one out of 5 children, were poor in 2008. It is only getting worse, with unemployment at record numbers. Posted: 9/29/2009 Category: Budget, Family Economic Security, Press Release, Download Report Email to a friend Growing Number Lack Health Coverage, Job-Based Coverage Weakening, New Census Bureau Data Show Recession Further Expanding Ranks of Uninsured: Findings Highlight Need for National Health Reform and State Revenue Solutions Posted: 9/11/2009 Category: Health, Family Economic Security, Press Release, Download Report Email to a friend PRESS STATEMENT Alan Essig Comments on FY 2010 Passed by House Essig applauds House of Rep's use of federal stimulus funds, concerned about Medicaid funding. Suggests solutions. Posted: 3/20/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Press Release - Adding Up the Fiscal Notes 2009 Posted: 3/18/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Georgia Families Suffer Among Highest Rates of Hunger — $500 Million Left on the Table Press Release announcing GBPI's report, Reaching Georgia Tables, and summarizing recommendations for reducing food insecurity. Posted: 3/11/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Senate to Consider Bipartisan Tax Transparency Bill (SB 206) The Senate Appropriations Committee will take up Senate Bill (SB) 206, introduced by Senator Greg Goggans, Chair of the Community Health Appropriations Subcommittee, on Tuesday March 3rd. The bill would require a regular accounting of tax breaks to bring more transparency and accountability into tax decisions. Posted: 3/2/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Page 1 of 2 Loading… Page 1 of 2 FY 2009 Budget and Revenue Outlook: State Will Be $1 to $2 Billion Short Continued Declining Revenues Justify Special Session Posted: 7/29/2008 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Georgia Budget and Policy Institute Renews Call for Special Session Deficit reduction plan should use balanced approach. Posted: 8/11/2008 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Press Release - GBPI Report Highlights Revenue Shortfalls: Georgia Has a Revenue Problem The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) released a report today highlighting the fact that state spending is not a driving factor in the projected $2.5 billion budget deficit facing the state in the current fiscal year and possible $1 billion deficit in FY 2010. The report, State Fiscal Crisis: Georgia Has a Revenue Problem, found that the current budget shortfall is due to the combination of a historically weak economy and a declining tax base. Posted: 12/10/2008 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend GBPI Report Examines Georgia's Public Health System The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) released a report today providing an overview of Georgia’s Public Health System and of state level expenditures for Public Health in recent years. The report, Overview of Georgia’s Public Health Budget and Activities, finds that State General Fund investment in Public Health declined from FY 2003 to FY 2007, even as the state’s population increased considerably. Posted: 1/13/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Ways and Means Committee Approves Millions in Tax Breaks With the state facing a $2.2 billion deficit, the Ways and Means Committee approved today over $30 million in state tax breaks for Delta Airlines and owners of private aircraft, at the same time that the House Appropriations Committee was holding a public hearing highlighting the impact of $150 million in state budget cuts on Georgia’s most vulnerable populations. Posted: 2/5/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Senate to Consider Bipartisan Tax Transparency Bill (SB 206) The Senate Appropriations Committee will take up Senate Bill (SB) 206, introduced by Senator Greg Goggans, Chair of the Community Health Appropriations Subcommittee, on Tuesday March 3rd. The bill would require a regular accounting of tax breaks to bring more transparency and accountability into tax decisions. Posted: 3/2/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Georgia Families Suffer Among Highest Rates of Hunger — $500 Million Left on the Table Press Release announcing GBPI's report, Reaching Georgia Tables, and summarizing recommendations for reducing food insecurity. Posted: 3/11/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Press Release - Adding Up the Fiscal Notes 2009 Posted: 3/18/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend PRESS STATEMENT Alan Essig Comments on FY 2010 Passed by House Essig applauds House of Rep's use of federal stimulus funds, concerned about Medicaid funding. Suggests solutions. Posted: 3/20/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Growing Number Lack Health Coverage, Job-Based Coverage Weakening, New Census Bureau Data Show Recession Further Expanding Ranks of Uninsured: Findings Highlight Need for National Health Reform and State Revenue Solutions Posted: 9/11/2009 Category: Health, Family Economic Security, Press Release, Download Report Email to a friend Page 1 of 2 Loading… Page 1 of 2 Budget Conference Provides Solutions to State Budget Turmoil As Georgia lawmakers return to the Capitol this month to face a revenue shortfall of $4.6 billion in the state budget, “The Fiscal Crisis: Solutions that Move Georgia Forward,” was attended by 200 people from around the state, highlighting revenue solutions from policy experts. Posted: 1/28/2010 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend FY 2009 Budget and Revenue Outlook: State Will Be $1 to $2 Billion Short Continued Declining Revenues Justify Special Session Posted: 7/29/2008 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend GBPI Report Examines Georgia's Public Health System The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) released a report today providing an overview of Georgia’s Public Health System and of state level expenditures for Public Health in recent years. The report, Overview of Georgia’s Public Health Budget and Activities, finds that State General Fund investment in Public Health declined from FY 2003 to FY 2007, even as the state’s population increased considerably. Posted: 1/13/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Georgia Budget and Policy Institute Renews Call for Special Session Deficit reduction plan should use balanced approach. Posted: 8/11/2008 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Georgia Families Suffer Among Highest Rates of Hunger — $500 Million Left on the Table Press Release announcing GBPI's report, Reaching Georgia Tables, and summarizing recommendations for reducing food insecurity. Posted: 3/11/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Growing Number Lack Health Coverage, Job-Based Coverage Weakening, New Census Bureau Data Show Recession Further Expanding Ranks of Uninsured: Findings Highlight Need for National Health Reform and State Revenue Solutions Posted: 9/11/2009 Category: Health, Family Economic Security, Press Release, Download Report Email to a friend Number of Poor Georgians Highest This Decade, Census Data Show, Lawmakers Should Revise Approach Georgia’s overall poverty rate was 14.7 percent for 2008, well above its 2001 level of 11.7 percent during the last recession. The state's rate is 14th highest in the country. Vulnerable groups are hit hardest during the recession. 20.1%, one out of 5 children, were poor in 2008. It is only getting worse, with unemployment at record numbers. Posted: 9/29/2009 Category: Budget, Family Economic Security, Press Release, Download Report Email to a friend Press Release - Adding Up the Fiscal Notes 2009 Posted: 3/18/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Press Release - GBPI Report Highlights Revenue Shortfalls: Georgia Has a Revenue Problem The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) released a report today highlighting the fact that state spending is not a driving factor in the projected $2.5 billion budget deficit facing the state in the current fiscal year and possible $1 billion deficit in FY 2010. The report, State Fiscal Crisis: Georgia Has a Revenue Problem, found that the current budget shortfall is due to the combination of a historically weak economy and a declining tax base. Posted: 12/10/2008 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend PRESS STATEMENT Alan Essig Comments on FY 2010 Passed by House Essig applauds House of Rep's use of federal stimulus funds, concerned about Medicaid funding. Suggests solutions. Posted: 3/20/2009 Category: Press Release Download Report Email to a friend Page 1 of 2 Loading…