NEWS & OPINIONS
It’s time to eliminate marriage penalties in the U.S. tax code
An important step to eliminate marriage penalties is to take those programs away from the IRS and give them to an agency that knows how to run safety-net programs.
Georgia ranks 14th on new school choice index—but that’s not a win yet
A new index measuring families’ access to school choice nationwide shows Georgia has our work cut out for us to catch up to Florida, Alabama, and other states leading on education opportunity.
From classrooms to careers: Georgia laws that passed (and didn’t) in 2025
Georgia lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 legislative session with some big decisions that affect our state’s families, students, and workers.
Kentucky’s latest criminal justice reform improves fairness, accountability, and safety through better data practices
House Bill 136, crafted with research and expertise from the Georgia Center for Opportunity, empowers Kentucky lawmakers with data to make fairer decisions and build a better criminal justice system.
Occupational licensing bill would improve access to job opportunities for Georgia’s returning citizens
By updating certain job licensing processes for returning citizens, Georgia lawmakers can expand opportunities for meaningful work and better futures.
4 surprising benefits of parental love that set children up for a flourishing life
The bond between a parent and child lays the groundwork for emotional security, social skills, academic achievements, and even lifelong decision-making.
School list available for Georgia Promise Scholarship eligibility
The Georgia Promise Scholarship school list is now available. Families zoned for schools on this list meet the attendance zone requirement to apply for the program.
Promise Scholarships become a reality in 2025. Here’s what families and communities need to know.
Big changes are on the horizon for education in Georgia. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, thousands of families will have greater access to flexible education options through the new Promise Scholarship.
Food stamps program a top opportunity for increasing access to work and savings for taxpayers
A new proposal for reform, developed with research by Erik Randolph at the Georgia Center for Opportunity in collaboration with the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), offers a way to restructure SNAP so that it enables recipients to pursue meaningful work and stable futures.
5 issues that will impact opportunities and hope for Georgians in 2025
When it comes to helping communities thrive, Georgia should focus on encouraging work, fostering safer neighborhoods, and empowering parents and students.
2024 election results confirm public safety is a priority for Americans
In state and local elections, voters across the political spectrum chose candidates who shared their priority for greater public safety and order.
Why Focus More on Public Safety and Order? Kids Need More of It.
A new book, “Doing Right by Kids” features a chapter from GCO’s Josh Crawford on how community violence impacts kids and their opportunities for economic and social mobility.
MEDIA MENTIONS
National poverty rate fails to Capture the problem of poverty concentration in Georgia and beyond
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA—The official poverty rate fell 0.4% to 10.6% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest report on poverty. The data shows that 35.9 million Americans were living in poverty last year. These numbers suggest trends at a high level, but...
Are we witnessing a Baltimore Miracle in the fight against crime?
Baltimore has struggled with crime, especially drugs and violent crime, in both reality and in the imaginations of the American people for decades. That is, until recently. What changed and what can other high-crime cities learn from Baltimore’s approach?
Welfare stands in the way of the American dream
Meaningful relationships and a strong sense of community are as much a part of the American dream as any economic measure. What’s rarely discussed is how systemic obstacles are undermining these important aspects of a flourishing life.
A better way to get welfare recipients back into the labor force
If the One Big Beautiful Bill becomes law, states will quickly discover that their administrative systems are ill-equipped to move recipients from welfare to work. To succeed, states should adopt a more integrated approach.
What the release of California prisoners shows about recidivism rates
Joshua Crawford joins the Conway and Larson show to discuss implications of California prisoner releases for recidivism and public safety.
How to Fix Food Stamps? Wall Street Journal Looks to GCO’s Research for Answers
WSJ highlights research from GCO and American Enterprise Institute on how to make SNAP more focused on work and upward mobility, while managing its costs.
Why Kids Join Gangs—and How to Stop Them
To address the root problem, policymakers must understand why kids join gangs. Specifically, they need to recognize that the biggest driver of gang membership is violent crime.
A Path from Welfare to Self-Sufficiency
Safety net systems should be integrated with workforce support programs. Mostly they aren’t. More states should implement the kind of “One Door Model” that Utah has proven effective.
