Alan Essig Author Blog K-12 Education Georgia Can Learn About Higher Ed’s Importance From Volunteer State February 10, 2014 / January 15, 2020 by Alan Essig While Tennessee pursues free tuition for all students to attend community colleges and technical schools, Georgia is moving in the opposite direction. If Tennessee follows through on a proposal by Gov. Bill Haslam in his State of the State speech, the Volunteer State will be the only one in the country that doesn’t charge tuition […] Read more »
Alan Essig Author Blog K-12 Education Teachers, Other State Workers Should Temper Raise Expectations February 6, 2014 / January 15, 2020 by Alan Essig | 18 Comments on Teachers, Other State Workers Should Temper Raise Expectations With all the talk about pay raises being included in the 2015 state budget, state employees and teachers are already counting the extra money. Unfortunately for many teachers and state employees the celebration is premature. To be sure, the governor’s proposal does include money for salary adjustments for state employees, Board of Regents staff and […] Read more »
Alan Essig Author Blog K-12 Education Revenues rise, but Georgia’s policies still stuck in recession mode February 3, 2014 / January 15, 2020 by Alan Essig As published in the Saporta Report on February 3, 2014 The good news for Georgia is the state’s economy continues to recover from the recent recession and state revenues are heading in a positive direction. The not-so-good news is the state’s leaders continue to put a strong economy and job-growth at risk through spending decisions […] Read more »
Author Blog Budget and Taxes Wesley Tharpe Reckless Budget Proposal Has Unintended Consequences January 28, 2014 / January 17, 2020 by Wesley Tharpe | 1 Comment on Reckless Budget Proposal Has Unintended Consequences State lawmakers are considering a misguided proposal that could help put Georgia and our entire nation on a very dangerous path. Senate Resolution 736, sponsored by Senator Cecil Staton, would call on Congress to convene a national constitutional convention to enact a balanced budget amendment and other stiff restrictions on federal spending. Similar proposals are […] Read more » Federal Budget & Taxes
Alan Essig Author Blog Budget and Taxes New State Budget Plan Takes Small Steps to Repair Damage from Years of Cuts January 17, 2014 / January 16, 2020 by Alan Essig | 3 Comments on New State Budget Plan Takes Small Steps to Repair Damage from Years of Cuts Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal Wednesday unveiled a state budget for the 2015 fiscal year that includes $807 million in new revenues. That money will be allocated for: Allocation Amount Partial Restoration of K-12 Education Formula Austerity Cut $314 million Medicaid and PeachCare Growth $170 million K-12 and Higher Education Formula Growth $151 million State Employees/Teachers […] Read more » State Budget
Alan Essig Author Blog K-12 Education K-12 education funding a top priority January 13, 2014 / January 16, 2020 by Alan Essig | 1 Comment on K-12 education funding a top priority As published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on January 12, 2014. Georgia’s leaders are talking about increasing spending on public schools for the first time since the Great Recession forced drastic state budget cuts. Those cuts continue to prompt local districts to furlough teachers, increase class sizes and shorten school calendars. Some news reports in advance […] Read more »
Author Blog John McCosh Policy Conference Sets High Bar for GBPI’s 10th Anniversary Year January 10, 2014 / January 16, 2020 by John McCosh (View the presentation slides included in the breakout workshops) About 200 people gathered Wednesday for our 2014 Policy Conference to join a daylong conversation about solutions that move Georgia Forward. Crowded breakout panel discussions in the morning led into Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s forward-looking keynote speech, which won the applause and laughter of a packed […] Read more »
Alan Essig Author Blog General Assembly Set to Race Through Budget Hearings January 9, 2014 / January 16, 2020 by Alan Essig By all accounts we can look forward to a historically fast Georgia legislative session this year. The governor’s 2014 State of the State address is scheduled for Jan.15 at 11 a.m. He will propose midpoint changes to the state budget passed last spring, as well as a new budget for next year. The joint legislative […] Read more »
Author Blog Claire Suggs K-12 Education Higher Ed Funding, Completion Rates Focus of GBPI Policy Conference Panels December 20, 2013 / January 16, 2020 by Claire Suggs Performance funding for higher education is coming to Georgia. Beginning fall 2015, state funding for the university system and the technical college system will be based on the numbers of students who stay on track and complete their programs. This is a shift from the current practice that funds schools based on how many students […] Read more »
Author Blog Claire Suggs K-12 Education Teacher Prep, Charter Schools Focus of GBPI 2014 Policy Conference December 20, 2013 / January 16, 2020 by Claire Suggs In the midst of fierce debates about ways to improve public education, there is consensus on one issue: Teachers who are caring and competent are an essential element of students’ academic success. Teachers change children’s lives, help them to thrive in school and succeed in the world beyond it. Becoming a teacher who can rise […] Read more »
