NEWS & OPINIONS
Marriage Rates in Georgia Are Down. But Marriage Still Matters For Quality of Life and Upward Mobility.
Georgia has seen a decline in marriage rates, mirroring a national trend and raising important questions about the impact of marriage on personal well-being and societal mobility.
Two new laws bring good news for charitable giving in Georgia
Thanks to two bills passed in 2024, Georgians can continue donating generously without fear their wishes will be violated or their identity disclosed.
Op-Ed: This Father’s Day, men are struggling. We need to help them
RANDY HICKS, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR As we celebrate Father’s Day on June 16, it’s time for a renewed call to help men flourish in modern-day America. It’s well past time to begin addressing what has emerged as a deep problem in the United States: Aimless, lonely,...
Atlanta has $29.8 million in public safety funding for 2025. Here’s why it matters.
Atlanta’s City Council has adopted its budget for 2025, and it has devoted public safety funding to a few best practices that are good news for crime-weary residents.
9 Benefits of Work for Teens and Young Adults
Our review of the research uncovered nine benefits of work that help young people develop the foundations for success in every area of life.
Everything to Know About Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in Georgia
Education plays a powerful role in breaking the cycle of poverty and helping children lead healthy, flourishing lives. Education savings accounts in Georgia are a solution to help more of Georgia’s kids get the benefits of a quality education.
BETTER WORK and Jobs for Life: Giving Georgians a Path to Find Purpose and Possibility in Work
Our BETTER WORK initiative is unique because we help people move from crisis situations and into a mindset and support system that empowers them to pursue long-term employment. How do we do it? A partnership with Jobs for Life.
Georgia Passes Promise Scholarships and Expands Education Opportunity
On April 23, 2024, Governor Brian Kemp signed SB 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, into law. This education savings account program—the first of its kind in Georgia—will allow eligible students to receive $6,500 state-funded scholarships that they can use to access the education option that best fits their needs.
Safer Kentucky Act: Six Crime Reforms Included and How They Help
The Safer Kentucky Act (House Bill 5) is a package of crime-related bills, including six GCO-recommended solutions for restoring community safety and better opportunities close to home, especially in impoverished neighborhoods that tend to bear the brunt of increasing violence.
Promise Scholarships Cross Major Hurdle
On March 14, 2024, the Georgia House passed SB233, The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act. This bill is an important first step in extending an education lifeline to the over half-a-million kids stuck in failing public schools.
Why Georgia Policies Matter
Georgia is a battleground state and the policies it enacts can have a huge impact on those living in poverty. We discuss why policy matters in Georgia and what we can expect in 2024.
A Better Safety Net in Georgia: Mapping the One Door Policy (House Bill 738) Would Be a Big Step Forward
Legislation pending in the Georgia Legislature, House Bill 738, would create a task force to explore how Georgia could use Utah’s One Door policy to build a safety net system that helps more people find meaningful work and pathways out of poverty.
MEDIA MENTIONS
Impact of crime on the election
Join Josh Crawford, Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, as he delves into the pressing issue of crime and its significant impact on the upcoming Presidential election. Featured on FOX 5 Mornings, Josh discusses how voters...
Biden should stop ignoring Americans’ economic reality
Over the past few months, President Joe Biden has told Americans that the U.S. economy is strong,inflation is subsiding, and the job market is growing. The narrative being pushed is that everything is just fine. Many people, however, especially younger and poorer...
Gangs Are Back In San Diego
Gangs are re-emerging in Escondido, prompting the PD to reinstate the Gang crew. Former Assistant DA in Sacramento and former Senior Fellow at the California Justice Legal Foundation, and now Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives at the Georgia Center for...
Removing work disincentives in the social safety net will strengthen upward mobility and the economy
Policymakers at the national level looking for ways to strengthen economic opportunity too often fixate solely on expanding government programs. Instead, they should embrace a simple goal: eliminating barriers faced by people striving to improve their situation....
The Voice of Reason with Andy Hooser: Guest Josh Crawford
In a compelling episode of The Voice of Reason, host Andy Hooser welcomes Josh Crawford to discuss the critical issues surrounding criminal justice reform. With his extensive expertise in public safety, Josh delves into the current state of the criminal justice...
Op-Ed: This Father’s Day, men are struggling. We need to help them
RANDY HICKS, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR As we celebrate Father’s Day on June 16, it’s time for a renewed call to help men flourish in modern-day America. It’s well past time to begin addressing what has emerged as a deep problem in the United States: Aimless, lonely,...
There’s a crime divide between Americans and politicians, and voters are watching
BY JOSHUA CRAWFORD, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR With the announcement that President Biden and former President Trump will debate in Atlanta in June, the 2024 election cycle is in full swing. Many Americans are not enthused. Earlier this year, 67 percent of respondents told a...
Joshua Crawford on The Bill Cunningham Show
Josh Crawford, director of Criminal Justice Initiatives at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, joined The Bill Cunningham Show to discuss how crime is likely to influence the upcoming November election. Tune in to hear his expert analysis on this crucial issue. Listen...
