Author: Ray Khalfani

Ray Khalfani is a policy analyst for worker justice and criminal legal systems at GBPI, where he focuses on issues related to economic mobility, workforce development and more.

Overview: 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the Georgia Department of Labor

Bill Analysis Briefs Budget and Taxes Economic Justice Ray Khalfani Worker Justice

Overview: 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the Georgia Department of Labor

/ by Ray Khalfani

The Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) is an agency tasked with maintaining a resilient Unemployment Insurance (UI) system to protect workers who lose jobs at no fault of their own during their transition back into the workforce. This resilience provides economic stability during recessions. DOL is also tasked with generating revenue through contributions that it […]

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Overview: 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the Georgia Department of Corrections

Bill Analysis Briefs Budget and Taxes Criminal Legal System Reform Economic Justice Ray Khalfani

Overview: 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the Georgia Department of Corrections

/ by Ray Khalfani

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, Governor Brian Kemp proposed a $1.62 billion budget for the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), the agency overseeing Georgia’s prison system. This proposed budget is $125 million higher than what was approved for FY 2025. [1] This increase is attributed to investments in infrastructure and security improvements; increases in prison […]

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From Barriers to Bridges: How Fines and Fees Reform Can Help Boost Economic Security

Criminal Legal System Reform Economic Justice Ife Finch Floyd Ray Khalfani Reports

From Barriers to Bridges: How Fines and Fees Reform Can Help Boost Economic Security

/ by Ray Khalfani

  This report was co-authored by Ray Khalfani, Senior Analyst, Worker Justice and Criminal Legal Systems and Ife Finch Floyd, Director of Economic Justice Introduction Excessive local government reliance on fines and fees is tied to persistent barriers to economic security.[1] Policies that lift these barriers could open gateways for more Georgians to achieve workforce […]

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The Public Harm Under a For-Profit Probation System: Spotlight on Augusta

Blog Criminal Legal System Reform Economic Justice Ray Khalfani

The Public Harm Under a For-Profit Probation System: Spotlight on Augusta

/ by Ray Khalfani

Introduction Most Georgians will get a traffic ticket in their lifetime. Some may have to go to court for these and other minor infractions because of an inability to pay or a traffic offense that requires a court hearing. Given their commonality, it is critical that there is integrity across the system – from Georgia’s […]

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Fact Sheet: Unpacking The Latest Fines and Fees Trends Across Georgia

Criminal Legal System Reform Economic Justice Fact Sheets Ray Khalfani

Fact Sheet: Unpacking The Latest Fines and Fees Trends Across Georgia

/ by Ray Khalfani

Introduction Fines and fees are significant revenue sources for many localities in Georgia. However, when more than 10% of a locality’s revenue derives from these sources, it indicates an abusive reliance that can disproportionately impact low-income communities and people of color. This fact sheet examines the latest trends in fines and fees across Georgia, highlighting […]

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Stand with Georgia Workers this Labor Day: Protect and Dignify Labor

Blog Economic Justice Ray Khalfani Worker Justice

Stand with Georgia Workers this Labor Day: Protect and Dignify Labor

/ by Ray Khalfani

Happy Labor Day, Georgia! Labor Day is a time to reflect on the values that unite us as Georgians. Across our state, there is a shared belief that it’s PEOPLE who drive our economy. We believe that our state government plays a vital role in sustaining our economy, and that businesses can thrive—but only when […]

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Georgia Human Services Budget Primer for State Fiscal Year 2025

Budget Primer Cash and Safety Net Economic Justice Ife Finch Floyd Ray Khalfani Reports Worker Justice

Georgia Human Services Budget Primer for State Fiscal Year 2025

/ by Ray Khalfani

This section is co-authored by Director of Economic Justice Ife Finch Floyd and Senior Analyst of Worker Justice and Criminal Legal Systems Ray Khalfani. The 20-Year View In 2004 and again in 2022, the most recent year for which data is available, approximately 1 in 5 children lived in poverty. In addition, about 1 in […]

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Georgia Criminal Legal Systems Budget Primer for State Fiscal Year 2025

Budget Primer Criminal Legal System Reform Ray Khalfani Reports

Georgia Criminal Legal Systems Budget Primer for State Fiscal Year 2025

/ by Ray Khalfani

The 20-Year View Over the last 20 years, the costs of running Georgia’s prisons have risen by almost 70%. Despite promises of reform over the years, the number of individuals within the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections has largely remained unchanged, hovering near 51,000 in 2023. During this period, GBPI has continued to […]

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GBPI submits comment on the 2024-2027 Combined Strategic Workforce Development Plan

Blog Ray Khalfani Worker Justice

GBPI submits comment on the 2024-2027 Combined Strategic Workforce Development Plan

by Ray Khalfani

This letter constitutes Georgia Budget and Policy Institute’s (GBPI) feedback on the 2024-2027 Combined Strategic Workforce Development Plan (State WIOA Plan). GBPI would like to acknowledge our State Workforce Development Board’s (SWDB) commitment to addressing workforce needs during ongoing structural changes to streamline the administration of WIOA services through the state’s technical college system. We […]

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