
Category: Economic Justice


Statement on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024
Today, the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) issued a statement following last week’s House Agriculture Committee vote to pass the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, introduced by Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA). The proposed legislation includes

From Barriers to Bridges: Expanding Access to Child Care and Improving Upward Mobility for Georgia’s Child Care Workers
Executive Summary The child care system in Georgia creates barriers to economic opportunity for women workers and early childhood education (ECE) teachers who are mostly women. Costs are too high relative to medium family income in most Georgia counties.

GBPI’s statement on the signing of House Bill 1105
GEORGIA – Governor Brian Kemp’s signing of the controversial House Bill 1105 into law on Wednesday marks a significant shift in the relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Sheriffs in Georgia will now be required to coordinate

PRESS RELEASE: GBPI Releases Statement on Governor’s Signing of SB 63 Expanding Mandatory Cash Bail
GEORGIA – Governor Brian Kemp has signed into law legislation that significantly broadens the scope of offenses necessitating cash bail for release from jail. The legislation, signed on Wednesday, introduces dozens of new offenses that now require cash bail, including criminal trespassing and

Sine Die 2024
Introduction Staci Fox, President and CEO When the 2024 Legislative Session began on January 8th, Georgia was sitting on $10.9 billion in undesignated, unspent public funds and a $5.4 billion Revenue Shortfall Reserve (RSR). The possibilities to make big investments

GBPI Releases Statement on House Bill 1105
Georgia Budget and Policy Institute is deeply disappointed by the passage of HB 1105 by the state senate. HB 1105 effectively turns the entire state into a 287(g) jurisdiction, mandating deeper local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. HB 1105 is a state

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

Crossover Day 2024: Large Surplus Remains; Ed Legislation Tips Positively; Property Tax and Immigration Policy Reverse Progress
Need help understanding these bills? A bill glossary is at the bottom of this page. You can also view our bill tracker here. Yesterday was Crossover Day, the day by which a bill must pass out of its originating legislative

Overview: 2025 Fiscal Year Budget for the Georgia Department of Labor
Governor Kemp’s proposed budget for the amended fiscal year (AFY) 2024 provided a net increase of nearly $844,000 for the Department of Labor (DOL), covering $1,000 bonuses for agency staff. While overall DOL spending will decrease by 4%