Author Blog Cash and Safety Net Melissa Johnson Solutions to Reduce Hunger and Poverty Showcased at GBPI’s Jan. 8 Policy Conference December 20, 2013 / January 16, 2020 by Melissa Johnson About one in five Georgians lives in poverty, making Georgia the sixth poorest state in the nation. More than one in four Georgia children doesn’t get enough food to eat. Our state’s economy and our ability to compete globally could greatly improve if Georgia could reduce the extent of these problems. The good news is […] Read more »
Author Blog Cash and Safety Net Melissa Johnson New Report: Recovery or Bust, Georgia’s Poor Left Behind December 16, 2013 / January 17, 2020 by Melissa Johnson | 1 Comment on New Report: Recovery or Bust, Georgia’s Poor Left Behind Georgia’s economy has slowly inched toward recovery since the state’s unemployment rate peaked in February 2010. More than three years since the official end of the economic crisis, Georgia has recovered just two-thirds of the jobs lost during the downturn. Meanwhile, poverty in Georgia is worse since the beginning of the recovery. More than 19 […] Read more »
Author Blog Budget and Taxes Wesley Tharpe Tax Shift Plans Front and Center at GBPI’s Jan. 8 Policy Conference December 12, 2013 / January 17, 2020 by Wesley Tharpe Georgia’s tax system has needed a tune up for years. But brewing plans for a drastic overhaul threaten to do much more harm than good. A cadre of Georgia lawmakers and activists is pushing to drastically change how our state funds its public needs and, in the process, critically undermine our state’s ability to thrive […] Read more » State Taxes
Author Blog Claire Suggs K-12 Education Yes, Georgia’s Schools Really are Underfunded December 6, 2013 / January 15, 2020 by Claire Suggs | 2 Comments on Yes, Georgia’s Schools Really are Underfunded Georgia’s public schools are not fully funded. The General Assembly provided $1 billion less to school districts than the state’s own K-12 funding formula calculated they need to educate their students this year. A glance at the state’s budget for the funding formula, also known as the Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula, makes that clear. […] Read more » K-12
Author Blog Cash and Safety Net Melissa Johnson Georgia Families Face Food Assistance Threats This Thanksgiving November 27, 2013 / January 15, 2020 by Melissa Johnson | 1 Comment on Georgia Families Face Food Assistance Threats This Thanksgiving As you gather with friends and family for Thanksgiving dinner this week, be aware that one in five of your fellow Georgians will probably sit down to a very modest spread. That is because these Georgians depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP,” commonly called food stamps) to help put food on the table. […] Read more »
Alan Essig Author Blog GBPI to Kick Off 10th Anniversary Year With a Bang Jan. 8 November 22, 2013 / January 15, 2020 by Alan Essig The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute’s staff worked hard the past ten years to tell stories with numbers, showing Georgia what is possible. It is possible to improve our education system and lift Georgians out of poverty. It is within our reach to make health care accessible and affordable for all and create a state […] Read more »
Alan Essig Author Blog Budget and Taxes Georgia should tally cost, benefit of business tax breaks November 15, 2013 / January 15, 2020 by Alan Essig | 2 Comments on Georgia should tally cost, benefit of business tax breaks The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute’s Executive Director Alan Essig says the state should take a more business-like approach to decide whether corporate tax breaks are worthwhile in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution op-ed. As published in the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Georgia gives out hundreds of millions of dollars in business tax breaks every year with little rhyme […] Read more » State Taxes
Author Blog Wesley Tharpe Worker Justice High Unemployment Among Georgia’s Many Workforce Challenges November 13, 2013 / January 17, 2020 by Wesley Tharpe As we move closer toward another legislative session and heated election season, Georgia’s economy is sure to become a hot topic. It’s innate to state politics for governors, legislators and candidates to make claims about whether jobs and businesses are growing and whether working families are making progress. Just last week Georgians were beset by […] Read more »
Author Blog Claire Suggs K-12 Education New report: “Cutting Class to Make Ends Meet” November 6, 2013 / January 17, 2020 by Claire Suggs | 1 Comment on New report: “Cutting Class to Make Ends Meet” This summer the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute contacted superintendents from all 180 of the state’s school districts to ask about two dozen questions designed to reveal measures they’ve taken in the wake of years of state budget cuts. One hundred forty districts completed the survey. Others were unable to because their central office staff […] Read more »
Author Blog Health Justice John McCosh Past Events GBPI Forum Speakers Make Closing Case for Medicaid Expansion November 1, 2013 / January 17, 2020 by John McCosh A gathering of health care experts urged Georgia lawmakers to embrace Medicaid expansion Thursday at GBPI’s Fall Policy Forum, telling the audience of about 150 people the state stands to reap huge social and economic benefits in 2014. It is important for Georgia to get past political considerations that stand in the way of embracing […] Read more »
