NEWS & OPINIONS
Q&A with Hire Dynamics on challenges of hiring in 2021
April’s nonfarm payroll numbers came in at 266,000, well below the 1 million people forecasters estimated would be hired that month. The low number wasn’t because there were a lack of jobs. There were 8.1 million open positions at the end of March. And it wasn’t due...
President Biden to reinstate the work search requirements for unemployment benefits
President Joe Biden has instructed the federal Department of Labor to work with state labor commissioners to reinstate the work search requirements for unemployment benefits. The Georgia Center for Opportunity's (GCO) take: "Detaching the work-search requirement from...
Unemployment Figures for the U.S. Contrary to Analysts’ Expectations
At 8:30am today, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released updated unemployment figures for the U.S. Contrary to analysts' expectations, the U.S. unemployment rate increased for the first time since April 2020 to 6.1%. The Georgia Center for Opportunity's...
Gov. Brian Kemp is scheduled to sign Senate Bill 47
At 3:30pm today, Gov. Brian Kemp is scheduled to sign Senate Bill 47, a measure that makes vital improvements and updates to the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, the measure passed the House 91-71 and the Senate...
Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law House Bill 146
Today, Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law House Bill 146, a measure that provides three weeks of paid time off for Georgia statement government employees after the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child. The Georgia Center for Opportunity's...
President Biden has unrolled a $1.8 trillion spending plan—called the American Families Plan—for the next decade.
President Biden has unrolled a $1.8 trillion spending plan—called the American Families Plan—for the next decade. The Georgia Center for Opportunity's (GCO) take: "While we support many of the themes that President Biden has included in his plan, such as supporting...
Gov. Brian Kemp recently signed three bills into law—Senate Bill 33, Senate Bill 34, and House Bill 287
Gov. Brian Kemp recently signed three bills into law—Senate Bill 33, Senate Bill 34, and House Bill 287 — aimed at fighting human trafficking in Georgia.The Georgia Center for Opportunity's (GCO) take: "This is a win not just for those who have experienced the horror...
Guaranteed Income Subsidizes Poverty And Trivializes Those In Need
How guaranteed incomes and anti-poverty measures are actually devaluing those we serve and how we can restore dignity to those in need.
GCO launches a new support page for special needs children in Georgia
Visit our new resource for parents looking for educational opportunities for their children with special needs. This page includes the latest information about GEERs funding, as well as expanded options for the 2021-2022 school year.
GCO signed coalition letter urging policymakers to prioritize high-speed broadband in rural Georgia
The Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) has signed on to a coalition letter urging policymakers to prioritize the use of federal emergency dollars for high-speed broadband in rural, underserved areas of Georgia.The letter makes four recommendations: Target funds to...
GET BUZZ’D AT THE STATE CAPITOL
A focus on the state legislature and the policies effecting Georgian’s everyday life. Buzz Brockway, VP of Policy, is in downtown Atlanta at the state Capitol building, and walks us through the the last day or sine die of the legislative session. Our state...
Educating our educators on Senate Bill 47
We have some great news to share! Lawmakers in the Georgia House are likely to take up Senate Bill 47 as soon as today. SB47 makes vital improvements and updates to the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an important...
MEDIA MENTIONS
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...
‘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.
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...
Nonprofit says Georgians are still hurting from inflation
While the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers dropped 0.1% in December and the year-over-year inflation rate stands at 6.5%, a Georgia nonprofit says Peach State residents may not be feeling the good news. “We keep seeing positive headlines about the...
Year-over-year inflation rate now stands at 6.5%
Today the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) dropped 0.1% in December, meaning the year-over-year inflation rate now stands at 6.5%. The Bureau also released the 2022 annual average price level, which was 8% higher than 2021....
Opinion: Georgia students need more schooling choices
Georgia lawmakers have a unique opportunity this legislative session to change lives. All it takes is one step — passing Education Scholarship Accounts, or ESAs. The undeniable truth is that parents want more educational options for their children and the kids...
Welcome lawmakers to Atlanta for the opening of the 2023 session
We’re excited to see what the new session holds for our state, and we stand ready to assist lawmakers in passing an agenda that serves all Georgians.
Georgia education officials cite education loss as a top priority for 2023
Georgia education officials say they plan to address lost learning opportunities stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. But a leading Georgia nonprofit says state lawmakers should pass legislation to give parents more educational choices, saying the pandemic...
