Jobs For Life Collaborates With BETTER WORK in Columbus

by Kristin Baker | May 31, 2022

Jobs For Life Collaborates With BETTER WORK in Columbus

A Partner For Life

Several of the Chattahoochee Valley Poverty Reduction Coalition (CVPRC) member organizations attended the May 26th Jobs for Life class to share information on resources and talk with students about overcoming the roadblocks they face. Some of the potential roadblocks discussed included mental and emotional health, childcare challenges, and needed education and training. This Community Resource panel was able to help students understand the steps they must take to overcome these challenges and others.

Responding to the needs in a community is paramount to our success.

Learn how our community partners stepped up to support the needs in Columbus through area-businesses.

Our Partners Matter

We would like to thank Candace Muncy (United Way-211), Dr. Asante Hilts (Columbus Health Department), and Jessica Neal (Goodwill) for attending as well as Jamie Thomas (Enrichment Services) and April Hopson (Columbus Technical College) for sending representatives on their behalf.

Our entire Jobs for Life team and students appreciate you!

Job for Life classes are successful because of our community partners and volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about these classes and getting involved, visit our website at https://betteropportunity.org/jobs-for-life/

Georgia House subcommittee to examine recruiting and retention challenges for state’s workforce | Jackson Progress-Argus

by Corey Burres | May 24, 2022

Georgia House subcommittee to examine recruiting and retention challenges for state’s workforce | Jackson Progress-Argus

A new state House subcommittee plans to examine the Georgia workforce’s challenges in recruiting and retaining talent…

Meanwhile, the Georgia Center for Opportunity has joined the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Louisiana’s Pelican Institute for Public Policy to create the Alliance for Opportunity. The group will explore the issue and develop recommendations to reduce the number of people in poverty.

“A subcommittee is a good first step but there aren’t any set deadlines yet for the committee so we will see where it goes,” Corey Burres, vice president of communications for the GCO, told The Center Square.

“The key is to understand that work is the solution to poverty. It helps communities and individuals thrive and find dignity,” Burres added. “As long as the system and policies work to drive that goal home, only good can come out of it.”

Read the full article here

Reality is Likely to be Far Less Rosy

by Erik Randolph | May 16, 2022

Reality is Likely to be Far Less Rosy

Reality is likely to be less rosy…

Some economists are hoping that inflation has peaked and will tick down in the coming months, after the pace of inflation slowed slightly in April. But Erik Randolph, director of research for the Georgia Center For Opportunity (GCO), warns that the reality is likely to be far less rosy.

“What we saw with the April Consumer Price Index was disinflation. That means the rate of inflation decreased but inflation is still occurring and our purchasing power is declining,” Randolph said. “Meanwhile, wage increases are lagging behind price increases. The vast majority of workers will have lower standardsof living because their budgets will not buy as much as in the recent past. Some workers will get handsome pay raises, but they will be the exception rather than the rule.

What’s needed?

“The core problem here is that the price level has risen, setting a new floor for costs. The only way to lower the price level, by definition, is to allow for deflation. But our policymakers are afraid of deflation because of the economic schools of thought that they adhere to. What is needed is new economic thinking in Washington, D.C. from economists who are not afraid of deflation but recognize it’s the only way to bring the price level down that benefits the most people. The mess we’re in now are the signs of stagflation, meaning the rising price level may be soon accompanied with slower economic growth and loss of employment. The only way to mitigate that scenario would be to adopt policies to allow for supply-side growth.”

Experts say Georgia policymakers should remove governmental barriers to job creation | The Center Square

by Corey Burres | May 16, 2022

Experts say Georgia policymakers should remove governmental barriers to job creation | The Center Square

As the Consumer Price Index continues to rise, a Georgia nonprofit says the state should remove barriers to jobs to facilitate business growth.

The non-seasonally adjusted CPI rose 0.3% in April and has increased 8.3% in the last 12 months…

“Economics 101 teaches that increasing supply means both lower prices (lower inflation) and more employment and economic growth,” Randolph added. “Increases in demand have a trade-off between prices and employment/growth. Therefore, anything state governments can do to facilitate job growth and business growth will help mitigate inflationary pressures. In other words, enhancing the productive capacity increases supply, putting downward pressure on prices.”

Read the full article here

Inflation slowed in April, but prices continued their steady increase | KTBS

by Corey Burres | May 11, 2022

Inflation slowed in April, but prices continued their steady increase | KTBS

Inflation continued its steady rise in April, when the Consumer Price Index increased 8.3% over last year, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For the month, the CPI rose 0.3%. That’s down from the 1.2% spike in March, but higher than analysts expected. The 8.3% increase over last year remains near 40-year highs, the bureau reported…

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s welcomed the slowed inflationary number, but said supply issues continue to drive up costs for everyone.

“The fact that inflation ticked down in April is welcome relief, but the rate is still higher than what economists predicted and is still running super hot,” Erik Randolph, GCO’s director of research, said in a statement. “A contributing cause to inflation is disruptions on supply. … Economics 101 teaches that increasing supply means both lower prices (lower inflation) and more employment and economic growth. Increases in demand have a trade-off between prices and employment/growth. Therefore, anything state governments can do to facilitate job growth and business growth will help mitigate inflationary pressures. In other words, enhancing the productive capacity increases supply, putting downward pressure on prices.”

Read the full article here