NEWS & OPINIONS
State Unemployment December 2021 Statistics
Today, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced state unemployment numbers from December 2021. The results put Georgia as 6th best in the nation for jobs recovered since the beginning of the pandemic. Utah, Idaho, Texas, and Arizona lead the pack, with Utah the...
School choice story: How Hudson’s life was transformed in a matter of months
Hudson's Story Hudson is the third born in a family of five boys. His mom, Kristen, shared that both she and her husband went to public schools and they support the local system. “We've always just said that we would send our kids to public school as long as there...
National School Choice Week
The Georgia Center For Opportunity is proud to acknowledge Jan. 23-29 as National School Choice Week in Georgia. More than 1,000 events are planned across the state to celebrate the blessing of educational options regardless of a family's income, zip code, or race....
Gov. Kemp Announces GEER II Funding to Support Education
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has announced that $4.1 million in new federal GEERs funding will be allocated to "the creation and replication of 10 new, high-quality charter schools in underserved communities. The funds will be utilized for start-up costs, networking...
Georgia’s K-12 students fell months behind during remote learning. We need solutions now.
Georgia’s K-12 students fell months behind during remote learning. We need solutions now. Why it Matters: Students in Georgia are 4-6 months behind in learning Leaders have funding to support students and close the learning gap Parents voices need to be heard ...
Could inflation be a persistent problem for the foreseeable future?
The CPI is up over 7% over last 12 months Today, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that in December the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis. The CPI is up 7% over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. That is the...
State can give parents options and support traditional public schools
Educational choice is saving the state money An updated analysis from EdChoice finds that Georgia's two educational choice programs—the Special Needs Scholarship Program and the Qualified Education Expense Tax credit—have saved Georgia taxpayers between $605 and...
Training Success at Open Door Community House
A focus on the contributions of the African American family BETTER WORK Columbus delivers Marketing Yourself training to clients of our non-profit partners upon request. This training gives students insight into the perspective of an employer and what matters to them...
My HOPE for individuals and families in 2022
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." — Margaret Mead As we reflect on 2021 and think about what we want for the new year ahead, I thought that it would be beneficial...
Finding Focus and Direction with Better Work
Finding Skilled and Teachable Talent BETTER WORK is helping our neighbors find better work opportunities in Columbus. We care about facilitating life transformation and not only an initial job connection. We want local families to thrive, become self-sufficient, and...
The Power of Community Connections
A belief in working together is key BETTER WORK Columbus is connected with groups and organizations across the Chattahoochee Valley. These groups include both the Chattahoochee Valley Poverty Reduction Coalition (CVPRC) and the Mayor’s Commission on Reentry. A...
Money Can’t Replace Meaning and Purpose
Work has intrinsic value Last month, I had the honor of participating in the Heritage Foundation’s annual Antipoverty Forum, where scholars and practitioners discussed the state of poverty in the country and the local efforts to confront the issue. The discussion this...
MEDIA MENTIONS
As Juvenile Crime Skyrockets to Record Levels, States Seek to Crack Down – Tennessee Star
As juvenile crime has skyrocketed across the nation following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers are looking to pass laws to curb rising youth violence and lawlessness. Juvenile homicides nationwide increased by 44% from 2019 to 2020 and increased...
As Juvenile Crime Skyrockets to Record Levels, States Seek to Crack Down – The Minnesota Sun
As juvenile crime has skyrocketed across the nation following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers are looking to pass laws to curb rising youth violence and lawlessness. Juvenile homicides nationwide increased by 44% from 2019 to 2020 and increased...
Les procureurs progressistes et la volonté démocratique qui dérange
“La punition n’est jamais destinée à “réussir” à un degré élevé.” Une société qui “a l’intention de promouvoir une conduite disciplinée et le contrôle social se concentrera non pas sur la punition des contrevenants mais sur la socialisation et l’intégration des jeunes...
As Juvenile Crime Skyrockets To Record Levels, States Seek To Crack Down
As juvenile crime has skyrocketed across the nation following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers are looking to pass laws to curb rising youth violence and lawlessness. Juvenile homicides nationwide increased by 44% from 2019 to 2020 and increased...
Progressive Prosecutors and the Inconvenient Democratic Will | Opinion
"Punishment is never fated to 'succeed' to any great degree." A society that "intends to promote disciplined conduct and social control will concentrate not upon punishing offenders but upon socializing and integrating young citizens." Such was the optimistic...
Creating a path forward to reduce juvenile crime in Memphis | Opinion
n February, Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis addressed the city council and told the story of an 11-year-old boy who had been arrested nine times and amassed 19 charges including multiple robbery, carjacking, and weapons charges. While this child may be particularly...
The Reasons Behind Witnesses Being Hesitant to Communicate with Law Enforcement Following a Crime.
In March, the Department of Justice released a report outlining examples of discrimination by LMPD in some arrest cases. LMPD is asking for tips from the public to help solve crimes, including a recent mass shooting in Chickasaw Park that left two dead. However, some...
Why Some Witnesses are Reluctant to Talk to Police After Crime
There are unsolved murders and crimes across the city, and in some cases lots of witnesses, but few tips. Almost two weeks ago, six people were shot in Chickasaw Park with two of them dying. Hundreds of people were in the park, but police have been begging for tips....
