Proposed bill would increase Georgia’s tax credit scholarship program cap

by Kimberly Sawatka | Jan 24, 2023

Proposed bill would increase Georgia’s tax credit scholarship program cap

Proposed legislation would increase the cap on the state’s tax credit scholarship program a year after lawmakers raised it

The proposed measure, House Bill 54, would increase the cap from $120 million annually to $200 million per year starting in 2024. The state’s tax credit scholarship program, enacted in 2008, allows individuals and corporations to use part of their state tax obligation for private school scholarships.

“This expansion would bring educational opportunities to thousands more students in Georgia,” Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said in a statement.

“It’s clear that demand for the program is strong. The existing $120 million cap was met on the very first day of applications this year,” Brockway added. “Georgia families are demanding more options, and lawmakers would be wise to take notice.”

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Kentucky’s Juvenile Justice System

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jan 23, 2023

Kentucky’s Juvenile Justice System

Renee Shaw and guests discuss Kentucky’s juvenile justice system. Guests: State Sen. Whitney Westerfield (R-Fruit Hill); State Rep. Jason Nemes (R-Louisville); State Rep. Nima Kulkarni (D-Louisville); State Rep. Keturah Herron (D-Louisville); Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates; and Josh Crawford, director of Criminal Justice Initiatives, Georgia Center for Opportunity.

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‘A Violent Start To The Year’: Murders Are Already Soaring In These Six Major Cities

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jan 20, 2023

‘A Violent Start To The Year’: Murders Are Already Soaring In These Six Major Cities

Spates of deadly violence impacted several U.S. cities to start 2023, outpacing the same period in 2022, and experts variously called for proper police funding, community trust-building efforts and investment in at-risk youth in response.

“We’re less than a month into 2023, so it’s tough to say what a violent start to the year in so many cities will mean,” Speaking to the crime increases in these cities, Georgia Center for Opportunity Criminal Justice Initiatives Director Josh Crawford told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “But we’re now into our 8th year of an upward trajectory in terms of homicide and violent crime.”

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School choice legislation is likely from Georgia lawmakers this session

by Kimberly Sawatka | Jan 20, 2023

School choice legislation is likely from Georgia lawmakers this session

Georgia lawmakers are almost certain to discuss school funding and even school choice legislation during this year’s legislative session.

“Parents are demanding more options in education, spurred on by the seismic changes we’ve seen in K-12 schools during the pandemic,” Buzz Brockway, executive vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said in a statement in response to Gov. Brian Kemp declaring Jan. 22-28 as National School Choice Week.

“On this front, we’re proud that Georgia is leading the charge on expanding educational opportunity for every child, not just for those from families with the right income or who live in the right zip code,” Brockway added. “This legislative session, Georgia lawmakers must build on the progress we’ve made in recent years by approving Education Scholarship Accounts to ensure educational access for all.”

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Georgia is leading the charge on expanding educational opportunity for every child

by Buzz Brockway | Jan 17, 2023

Georgia is leading the charge on expanding educational opportunity for every child

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a proclamation declaring January 22-28 as National School Choice Week.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “Parents are demanding more options in education, spurred on by the seismic changes we’ve seen in K-12 schools during the pandemic,” said Buzz Brockway, executive vice president of public policy for GCO. “On this front, we’re proud that Georgia is leading the charge on expanding educational opportunity for every child, not just for those from families with the right income or who live in the right zip code. This legislative session, Georgia lawmakers must build on the progress we’ve made in recent years by approving Education Scholarship Accounts to ensure educational access for all.”