Georgia to join a growing list of forward-thinking states that are prioritizing the unique educational needs

by Kimberly Sawatka | Mar 20, 2023

Georgia to join a growing list of forward-thinking states that are prioritizing the unique educational needs

Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones expressed support for Senate Bill 233, The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, during a recent radio interview.

“I’m all for public schools. My mom was a public school educator for 30 years,” Jones said. “We’re all about wanting to try to empower parents and give kids an opportunity, particularly kids who are in failing school systems, give those parents other options besides just being stuck in the same system that’s not serving their child properly.”

Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “Now is the time for Georgia to join a growing list of forward-thinking states that are prioritizing the unique educational needs of each individual student,” said Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for GCO. “We’re pleased that Lt. Gov. Jones has joined his voice to the vast majority of Georgians who support educational scholarship accounts like Promise Scholarships. We encourage members of the Georgia House to listen to the voice of their constituents and make these accounts a reality.”

EVERY Kid In Georgia Deserves
A Quality Education

EveryKid.info

EVERY Kid In Georgia Deserves
A Quality Education

EveryKid.info

About Promise Scholarships: Funded by the state in the amount of $6,000 per student for each school year, Promise Scholarships would allow families to find the right fit for their students’ education. Scholarships could be used on any approved education expense, such as private school tuition, tutoring, homeschool curriculum, virtual classes, college classes, therapies (for kids with special needs), technology, and more.

Promise Scholarships pass in the Senate and head to the House

by Buzz Brockway | Mar 6, 2023

Promise Scholarships pass in the Senate and head to the House

🚨Breaking News: Promise Scholarships pass in the Senate and head to the House

Promise Scholarships would give parents $6,000 per student per year to find the right education option for their kids.

Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “Parents across the country are demanding more educational options in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now is not the time for more lip-service or half-hearted efforts to help students reverse learning loss,” said Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for GCO. “Georgia families need more opportunities and they need them now. Promise Scholarships would empower students to excel in their education. With S.B. 233 now headed to the House, we encourage lawmakers in that chamber to do right by Georgia families and make Promise Scholarships a reality. It’s well past time and we can’t afford to delay any longer.”

Learn more about education in Georgia for Every Kid. Click here.

Georgia Senate committee advances education savings accounts bill

by Kimberly Sawatka | Mar 1, 2023

Georgia Senate committee advances education savings accounts bill

The Senate Education Committee voted to advance legislation creating state-funded education savings accounts.

The committee voted 6-5 Tuesday afternoon in favor of Senate Bill 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act.

“Too many times, education access in Georgia is limited to families of means, but every child deserves access to a quality education,” Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said in a statement. “Promise Scholarships would help create this opportunity.”

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Georgia is leading the charge on expanding educational opportunity for every child

by Buzz Brockway | Jan 17, 2023

Georgia is leading the charge on expanding educational opportunity for every child

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a proclamation declaring January 22-28 as National School Choice Week.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “Parents are demanding more options in education, spurred on by the seismic changes we’ve seen in K-12 schools during the pandemic,” said Buzz Brockway, executive vice president of public policy for GCO. “On this front, we’re proud that Georgia is leading the charge on expanding educational opportunity for every child, not just for those from families with the right income or who live in the right zip code. This legislative session, Georgia lawmakers must build on the progress we’ve made in recent years by approving Education Scholarship Accounts to ensure educational access for all.”

June CPI exceeded expectations and was the fastest pace for inflation in four decades

by Erik Randolph | Jul 13, 2022

June CPI exceeded expectations and was the fastest pace for inflation in four decades

Key Points

Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.3
June CPI exceeded expectations
Fastest pace for inflation in four decades

Today, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that in June the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.3, not seasonally adjusted. Year over year, the CPI has gone up 9.1% in the last 12 months. The June CPI exceeded expectations and was the fastest pace for inflation in four decades.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “This new inflation reading ranks among the worst monthly inflation rates in U.S. history, and the worst in recent history,” said Erik Randolph, GCO’s director of research. “We have to go back to March 1980 — the last year of the Carter administration — to find a higher monthly inflation rate. The bottom line is that we may not have reached peak inflation, and there’s no telling how long the price level crisis will persist. Meanwhile, the rhetoric from the White House and Congress will do little to rectify the situation. There needs to be new thinking within the Washington Beltway.”

the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the unemployment rate remained at 3.6%

by Erik Randolph | Jul 11, 2022

the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the unemployment rate remained at 3.6%

Key Points

Total nonfarm payrolls for the U.S. rose by 372,000
Unemployment rate remained at 3.6%.

On Friday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that total nonfarm payrolls for the U.S. rose by 372,000 in June and the unemployment rate remained at 3.6%. The increase was higher than expected.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “The job numbers are seen as positive overall, but the real story is at the state level where economically free states are performing so much better than more restrictive states,” said Erik Randolph, GCO’s director of research. “Of the 14 states that have recovered all their jobs lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 12 of them are governed by leaders more friendly to economic freedom. Recent migration data show that businesses and workers are leaving more restrictive states — like California and New York — to migrate to more free states, like Georgia, Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. These states are far better positioned to weather an economic recession as well.”