NEWS & OPINIONS
Be Careful What You Ask For
In 1952, Patrick Skene Catling wrote The Chocolate Touch, a retelling of the King Midas fable that reminds us we can have too much of a good thing. In Catling’s story, the main character finds that everything he eats turns to chocolate (with King Midas, everything he...
When Giving a Helping Hand Hurts – Part 2
Computational model exposes severe problems with the welfare system Previously, it was shown how a single mom with two kids in Gwinnett County could lose welfare program benefits by earning more money. This explained why $9 + $1 can equal negative $6,000. The Gwinnett...
When Giving a Helping Hand Hurts – Part 1
Computational model exposes severe problems with the welfare system Pop quiz: When does $9 + $1 equal –$6,000? This may look like new math, but it is not. This seemingly nonsensical equation illustrates the challenges faced by families who receive assistance from...
A Marriage Problem In Norcross and Peachtree Corners
A new report released by The Institute for Family Studies finds that 69 percent of 18-45 year olds in Peachtree Corners and Norcross think single parents can raise children just as well as two parents. Furthermore, 63 percent approve of divorce when married people...
Amid Shootings and Violent Protests, Georgians Consider Solutions
Something happened in College Park Wednesday night that hasn’t really garnered much attention but should be front-page news. Thanks to the College Republicans at Morehouse College, I was able to participate in a panel* focused on how to constructively respond to...
Criminal Justice Reforms: Increasing Access to Work
On April 27th, Governor Deal signed into law the most recent round of criminal justice reforms in Georgia. Senate Bill 367 enacts many of the recommendations of the state's Council on Criminal Justice Reform. Among the reforms are a number that will improve the...
Give a Little, Get a Lot!
Now is an especially good time to support GCO financially. Thanks to the generosity of a key supporter and GCO’s Board, every donation given between now and May 31st – up to $87,000 – will be matched dollar-for-dollar. This means if we reach our goal, GCO will have an...
The Economy: What’s Love Got to Do With It? Turns Out, a Whole Lot!
Earlier this month, GCO hosted a lunch and learn with Dr. Brad Wilcox, one of the nation’s leading sociologists. Dr. Wilcox has devoted his work to understanding family formation and the effect it has on our social structure and economy. His new report, “Strong...
“Discrimination” or Religious Freedom? Religious Hiring Rights and Government Contracts
Recently, a broad coalition of groups sent a letter to President Obama urging him to require the Attorney General to “review and reconsider” a “flawed” Office of Legal Counsel memo—issued in 2007 (i.e., during the Bush Administration)—that argued that the Religious...
Religious Freedom in a New Age
On July 25th, AJC columnist Jay Bookman dismissed Georgia House Speaker David Ralston’s “Pastor Protection Bill” as an essentially meaningless symbolic gesture. I’m uncharacteristically inclined to agree with him. In its current form the bill simply states that...
Religious Liberty and the Constitution in the Wake of Obergefell
I have to confess that I wasn’t all that surprised by the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which held that the 14th Amendment Due Process and Equal Protection clauses imply a right to marry (due process) and require that that right be extended to...
Faith-Based Organizations, SOGI, and the Federal Government
Last summer, the Obama Administration proposed a rule adding sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI—get used to the acronym) to the list of classes protected against discrimination by federal contractors. In so doing, it built upon other anti-discrimination...
MEDIA MENTIONS
THE CENTER SQUARE – Georgia Senate approves plan to expand Special Needs Scholarship program
A bill that could increase the number of scholarships the Georgia Department of Education awards to special needs students is on its way to the House for review. Senate Bill 386 would expand the eligibility requirements for the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship. The...
THE CENTER SQUARE – Higher tax incentives for adoption could result in Georgia revenue loss of more than $12M
Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposal to increase foster care adoption tax credits could result in a state revenue loss of $12.8 million over the next five years, according to fiscal researchers. Kemp wants the General Assembly to increase the annual tax incentive from $2,000 to...
MCDUFFIE PROGRESS – Georgia Education Savings Account debate comes in the midst of tax-credit scholarship court battle
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments last week in a Montana school choice case that could change how public funds are used to support private religious schools in Georgia, while lawmakers are expected to push for more vouchers during this legislative session.......
THE CENTER SQUARE – Georgia Education Savings Account debate comes in the midst of tax-credit scholarship court battle
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments last week in a Montana school choice case that could change how public funds are used to support private religious schools in Georgia, while lawmakers are expected to push for more vouchers during this legislative session.......
AJC – Parental paid leave makes inroads in Georgia after years of resistance
Three months of paid leave, maid service and a year of free diapers. Those are among the parental perks the Midtown software firm SalesLoft is using to lure top talent through its doors — and keep them there. SalesLoft is an outlier among companies in Georgia, which...
Georgia earns high marks for career development, but workforce lags, labor commish says
Georgia’s workforce development program has been selected as the best in the South Atlantic Region by business publication, Site Selection Magazine. Gov. Brian Kemp made the announcement a day after Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said workforce numbers are lagging......
Georgia earns high marks for career development, but workforce lags, labor commish says
Georgia’s workforce development program has been selected as the best in the South Atlantic Region by business publication, Site Selection Magazine. Gov. Brian Kemp made the announcement a day after Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said workforce numbers are lagging......
Why should you care about the ex-offender in your community?
Local coalition works to reduce recidivism rates and replace stigmas with compassion When it comes to tackling deep-rooted social issues, no single organization can do it alone. The Greater Gwinnett Reentry Alliance (GGRA) is a coalition of service providers in...
