Blog People-Powered Prosperity Background: Georgia’s People Hold Untapped Value January 22, 2018 / February 26, 2021 by Wesley Tharpe Any case for where a state needs to go must begin with a story of where it is, where things fall short and why a different path could prove better. Today, Georgia’s economy provides high profits and decent economic gains—to some. But the average Georgian is barely gaining ground, stuck in place or left out […] Read more »
Blog Health Justice K-12 Education Taifa Smith Butler Worker Justice Help Rural Georgians’ Health and Pocketbook January 15, 2018 / January 14, 2020 by Taifa Smith Butler | 1 Comment on Help Rural Georgians’ Health and Pocketbook Originally posted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Lawmakers appear poised to try something new to help struggling communities in rural Georgia and our neighbors from Blue Ridge to Thomasville are no doubt glad to receive the attention. Ideas floated recently by a state House study committee range from expanding broadband access to paying professionals to relocate […] Read more » EITC HOPE medicaid Op-Ed
Blog Health Justice Laura Harker Governor’s Vision for Georgia Omits Help for Struggling Health Care System January 12, 2018 / January 14, 2020 by Laura Harker Gov. Nathan Deal delivered his final state of the state remarks yesterday without addressing Georgia’s growing rural health care crisis. Six rural hospitals have shuttered since 2013 across the state, leaving holes in local economies, and more than half of Georgia’s remaining rural hospitals are financially vulnerable to closure. Opioid abuse and unmet mental health needs are decimating […] Read more » Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal health health coverage health-care medicaid Medicaid Expansion State of the State
Blog Budget and Taxes Higher Education K-12 Education Worker Justice State of the State Highlights Recent Gains, But Major Needs Remain for Georgia January 11, 2018 / January 14, 2020 by GBPI Admin Gov. Nathan Deal gave his eighth and final State of the State address, titled Orchards of Opportunity, Thursday morning, highlighting accomplishments and challenges throughout his tenure, taking a focus on business and looking ahead in 2018. The GBPI team provided commentary on Twitter throughout his address, offering insight on progress made in recent years and focusing […] Read more » Budget Budget & Taxes economy Education Higher Education HOPE Scholarship K-12 medicaid Medicaid Expansion
Blog Health Justice Laura Harker Georgia Ready to Close Coverage Gap January 11, 2018 / January 14, 2020 by Laura Harker | 1 Comment on Georgia Ready to Close Coverage Gap Closing the Gap is Good for Georgia’s Economy As new enrollees gain access to health coverage, the money spent on providing that coverage does not go into their pockets. Instead, these dollars go into the health care system and generate significant economic activity. Every one hospital job in Georgia creates two jobs in the surrounding […] Read more » coverage-gap medicaid
Blog Jennifer Owens Worker Justice An Investment in Georgia Women is an Investment in a Stronger State December 20, 2017 / January 14, 2020 by Jennifer Owens This year marks a watershed moment for women in the United States. Across the nation, women are reminding employers of their importance and need for respect in the workplace. Women are also signing up in record numbers to run for office. And many women are asking their policymakers to take action on policy change to […] Read more » Earned Income Tax Credit economic opportunity Economic Security economy Georgia women Georgia Work Credit medicaid Medicaid Expansion wage gap
Blog Claire Suggs K-12 Education Poverty Leaves a Mark on Albany Area Schools December 20, 2017 / January 14, 2020 by Claire Suggs | 1 Comment on Poverty Leaves a Mark on Albany Area Schools The teachers at Alice Coachman Elementary School in Dougherty County are quick to tell you the students are smart. They may lack foundational skills but not intelligence. The declaration captures the promise of so many children in poverty and the challenges they confront, as well as the schools they attend. I visited the school as […] Read more » child-poverty Dougherty County Education Georgia Department of Education K-12 poverty
Blog Budget and Taxes Community Impact Higher Education Taifa Smith Butler Albany, Georgia: Good people, great community, tremendous needs December 13, 2017 / April 14, 2020 by Taifa Smith Butler Ursula looked me in my eyes and said “When you go back to Atlanta, the first thing that needs to come out of your mouth when you talk to them [policymakers] is that they need to increase the minimum wage.” She was just one of many students the GBPI team heard from at Family Literacy […] Read more » Budget & Taxes Economic Security economy Education health Higher Education
Blog Budget and Taxes Higher Education Wesley Tharpe Five Things Georgians Should Know About This Week’s Federal Tax Vote November 28, 2017 / January 14, 2020 by Wesley Tharpe The U.S. Senate is set to vote as soon as this Thursday on a major tax package that poses serious risks to regular Georgia families and the state’s future prosperity. Bottom line, like its House counterpart, the current plan includes a massive corporate tax cut, a big new loophole for wealthy investors, a dramatic expansion […] Read more » Budget & Taxes health Higher Education State Taxes tax breaks tax cuts Wesley Tharpe
Blog Insights Policy Conference Sponsorships November 17, 2017 / January 14, 2020 by GBPI Admin GBPI’s annual Insights Policy Conference returns on Jan. 25, 2018, to bring together a broad range of stakeholders passionate about pressing state policy issues facing Georgia. As GBPI’s signature event, this conference provides the most up-to-date analysis of state policy through briefings on just-released state budget proposals, salient speakers addressing timely topics and thought-provoking discussions. Read more »