Georgia Center for Opportunity is the winner of the Bob Williams Award for Outstanding Policy Achievement

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Sep 23, 2022

Georgia Center for Opportunity is the winner of the Bob Williams Award for Outstanding Policy Achievement

Georgia Center for Opportunity is the winner of the Bob Williams Award for Outstanding Policy Achievement. Erik Randolph, Director of Research, lead the charge in undertaking a massive research project which highlights the harms of COVID restrictions which took place around the country. The award specifically recognizes those doing “exceptional work to create and disseminate credible policy research and ideas.”

Georgia Center for Opportunity has been one of the host organizations for the State Policy Network’s Annual Meeting which is being held this week in Atlanta, GA. This is a gathering of organizations working on a state-level to promote realistic solutions to policy. It’s also a time for our team to collaborate with like-minded people and be inspired by new ideas and tactics.

“Bob Williams Awards for Outstanding Policy Achievement recognize state think tanks doing exceptional work to help states implement solutions that expand personal freedom and opportunity for all Americans.”

“Bob Williams Awards for Outstanding Policy Achievement recognize state think tanks doing exceptional work to help states implement solutions that expand personal freedom and opportunity for all Americans.”

Randy Hicks is the winner of the Thomas A. Roe Award

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Sep 23, 2022

Randy Hicks is the winner of the Thomas A. Roe Award

We are excited to announce Randy Hicks is the winner of the Thomas A. Roe Award given by the State Policy Network.

The award was created 30 years ago to pay tribute to leaders who embody innovation, conviction, courage, and solutions in public policy and whose achievements have advanced free-market philosophy. The award was named for the State Policy Network’s founder, who spent much of his life encouraging states to grow organizations who preserve American liberties.

Georgia Center for Opportunity has been one of the host organizations for the State Policy Network’s Annual Meeting which is being held this week in Atlanta, GA. This is a gathering of organizations working on a state-level to promote realistic solutions to policy. It’s also a time for our team to collaborate with like-minded people and be inspired by new ideas and tactics.

Randy Hicks is the winner of the Thomas A. Roe Award!

Randy Hicks is the winner of the Thomas A. Roe Award.

Breakthrough Transforming Broken Relationships Into Flourishing Families

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Sep 16, 2022

Breakthrough Transforming Broken Relationships Into Flourishing Families

We must…launch a movement that encourages young people of all races to adopt a new cultural norm concerning education, entrepreneurship, hard work, faith, responsible parenthood, and the timing of strong family formation.

Ian Rowe, Agency

That’s a quote from Ian Rowe’s book, Agency, and the reason we asked him to join us for Breakthrough last month.

Breakthrough’s purpose was to allow us time together for a powerful discussion about family, community, young people, and relationships.

We know the Success Sequence works, but how do we get this important information to younger generations so they can take advantage of this important “Pathway to Power” and understand that they have Agency in their lives?

Community. Relationships. Strong leadership examples.

This means our bonds as a community are more important than ever. If we work as a team we can impact the lives of so many for good. We’ve put together a couple of videos from our event which will allow you to hear the wisdom shared by our speakers, like Ian Rowe, “who says that we have to teach young people that they have the power to make good choices in life and that they are not victims.” We hope you’ll take a moment to watch and listen, along with take action to make change happen.

If you’d like to get more involved there are some ways you can make a big impact.

1. Take some time to learn how to have the healthiest relationships possible by signing up for classes offered by our team at GCO.

2.Talk to your children and other young people about the power of graduating high school, working hard, and marriage in helping them achieve their dreams. The Success Sequence IS the Pathway to Power.

3. Teach young people they are not victims and have control over the most important aspects of their lives. Ian Rowe’s four-point plan (F.R.E.E.) is a critical way to show young people that they have Agency.

Expert says despite improved federal data, Georgia still faces inflationary pressures

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Sep 14, 2022

Expert says despite improved federal data, Georgia still faces inflationary pressures

While the July and August Consumer Price Index numbers show “inflation has stalled,” a Georgia expert warns that “we’re not out of the woods yet.”

On Tuesday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the CPI rose 0.1% in August and 8.3% year-over-year.

“There are warning signals, including worldwide drought and continued energy disruptions, that inflation is not yet tamed,” Erik Randolph, the Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) director of research, said in a statement. “Moreover, Federal Reserve policy is refusing to allow the price level to come back down, meaning that most households will continue to contend with higher prices and lagging income growth.”

Meanwhile, a National Federation of Independent Business survey found optimism has improved, but inflation remains a challenge for small businesses.

Read the full article here

Report ranks Georgia 14th nationally for educational freedom

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Sep 12, 2022

Report ranks Georgia 14th nationally for educational freedom

Georgia ranked 14th in the nation for its educational freedom, according to a new indexfrom the Heritage Foundation.

The Peach State ranked in the middle of its neighboring states. Georgia performed better than Alabama (No. 16), North Carolina (15) and South Carolina (23) but trailed Florida (1) and Tennessee (10).

“The Heritage Foundation Education Freedom report card shows that some progress has been made in empowering parental choice in Georgia. But there is much more that can be done,” Buzz Brockway, the vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said in a statement.

“Neighboring states like Florida and Tennessee offer their parents more options, and are higher ranked in education achievement,” Brockway added. “We owe it to our children to give their parents more options with programs like an Education Scholarship Account and continuing to increase Georgia’s Tax Credit Scholarship program.

Read the full article here