Georgia is at a crossroads with $6.6 billion in surplus that could be used to fund necessary programs and services, like education and health care, and strengthen the workforce. Join us to analyze the governor’s proposed budget and explore key policy priorities for the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session. Now is the moment for equitable budgeting to advance economic opportunities for Black and Brown Georgians and Georgians with low incomes.
Insights Kick-Off Reception
After two years of virtual events, the GBPI team reconnected in person with partners, friends, lawmakers, and community members to network. Our President and CEO, Staci Fox, was joined by Brian Johnson, host of WABE’s Political Breakfast and Former Georgia State Representative Bee Nguyen in a lively discussion about how we can advocate for a more equitable use of state funds and budgeting.
Opening Remarks + Revolutionary Revenue: Georgia’s Surplus in Context
Our President and CEO, Staci Fox, opened up our virtual policy conference with a message about how we and Georgia lawmakers can move towards a more equitable and inclusive budget. Danny Kanso, Senior Fiscal Analyst, then walked us through the FY 2023 and proposed FY 2024 state budget.
You can view the panel here. The presentation is available here.
Community as Catalyst: A Grassroots View of What’s Possible
Our Director of Strategic Campaigns and Outreach, Erin Robinson, facilitated a conversation with Sherrell Byrd of SOWEGA Rising, Alicia Johnson of Step Up Savannah and America Gruner of CLILA Dalton about how various Georgians across the state, in rural areas and in immigrant communities, are impacted by the state budget and the need to center solutions on those most disenfranchised by our state.
You can view the panel here.
Diving Deep, Swimming Upstream: Exploring Funding Areas and Dismantling Racism
GBPI policy analysts gathered to discuss how the proposed budget items for FY 2024 would impede or advance racial equity issues. They analyzed our key policy priorities: worker justice, human services, health care, higher education and K-12 education and how these budgets will affect all Georgians.
You can view the panel here. The presentation is available here.
Keynote: Moving Towards an Antiracist Budget for Georgia
Our insightful keynote session, moderated by our Senior Vice President Dominique Derbigny Sims, explored how we must create a society and economy that promotes equity and inclusion for all Georgians. Keynote speaker Anne Price, Principal of Anne Price Policy Consulting and previous President of the Insight Center for Community Economic Development, shined the light on what anti-racism truly means in our work to promote equitable outcomes across and between racial groups in Georgia.
You can view the keynote session here.
People-Powered Progress: Building Change Outside the Statehouse
Tasnim Mosabber, our Outreach Manager, was joined by Stephanie Coreas of Los Vecinos de Buford Highway, Keyanna Jones of the New Georgia Project and Julius Campbell of the Deep Center and Offender Alumni Association (OAA) Savannah, to discuss the importance of outside-the-statehouse strategies to achieve narrative and policy change.
You can view the panel here.
