CENTER SQUARE: What they’re saying about Kemp’s decision to reopen Georgia

CENTER SQUARE: What they’re saying about Kemp’s decision to reopen Georgia

by | Apr 21, 2020

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to reopen some of the state’s businesses as soon as Friday amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic drew strong reactions.

Even Kemp did not hold back in speaking his mind: “I don’t give a damn about politics right now.”

Kemp announced Monday gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians and beauty schools are among the businesses that will be able to open Friday.

Theaters, private social clubs and dine-in restaurants will be able to reopen April 27 with some restrictions…

 

Georgia Center for Opportunity Vice President of Public Policy Buzz Brockway: “We applaud Gov. Kemp for laying the groundwork today for the reopening of Georgia’s economy in a way that protects health and safety.”

 

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CENTER SQUARE: What they’re saying about Kemp’s decision to reopen Georgia

BAKER CITY HERALD: Kemp reopens parts of Georgia’s economy; some businesses can open Friday

by | Apr 20, 2020

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced plans Monday to reopen certain businesses across the state, rolling back part of the stay-at-home order scheduled to expire April 30.

Gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, nail techs and beauty schools will be able to resume operations Friday, Kemp said. Theaters, private social clubs and dine-in restaurants can reopen April 27 with some restrictions…

 

Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, an independent think tank, applauded Kemp’s decision. Brockway said the governor should involve business leaders and collaborate with other states in the decision process.

“During this time, it’s crucial that state and local governments invite the input of business leaders on the best ways to reopen, in a way where consumer confidence is restored and people feel safe patronizing businesses again,” Brockway said in a statement.

 

Read the full article here

CENTER SQUARE: What they’re saying about Kemp’s decision to reopen Georgia

CENTER SQUARE: Kemp reopens parts of Georgia’s economy; some businesses can open Friday

by | Apr 20, 2020

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced plans Monday to reopen certain businesses across the state, rolling back part of the stay-at-home order scheduled to expire April 30.

Gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, nail techs and beauty schools will be able to resume operations Friday, Kemp said. Theaters, private social clubs and dine-in restaurants can reopen April 27 with some restrictions…

 

Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, an independent think tank, applauded Kemp’s decision. Brockway said the governor should involve business leaders and collaborate with other states in the decision process.

“During this time, it’s crucial that state and local governments invite the input of business leaders on the best ways to reopen, in a way where consumer confidence is restored and people feel safe patronizing businesses again,” Brockway said in a statement.

 

Read the full article here

CENTER SQUARE: What they’re saying about Kemp’s decision to reopen Georgia

WSAV – Georgia’s May primary could get postponed again

by | Apr 3, 2020

Humanitarian issues are the basis behind some concern that Georgia’s already postponed presidential primary election may get postponed a second time.

The issue was brought up again after Governor Kemp’s order to shelter in place. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger postponed the election in March when concerns mounted with confirmed cases of coronavirus….

“God willing, May 19th, we’ll be back to normal and then there won’t be any problems,” said Buzz Brockaway, a former state legislator and vice president for public policy at Georgia Center for Opportunity. “But we don’t now that yet. So I think it’s entirely appropriate to have those types of conversations.”

 

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CENTER SQUARE: What they’re saying about Kemp’s decision to reopen Georgia

THE CENTER SQUARE – SNAP applications in Georgia jump sharply during COVID-19 crisis

by | Mar 27, 2020

Applications to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have increased by 79 percent in less than a week in Georgia amid the COVID-19 outbreak, state officials said.

The health crisis, which has led to the social distancing requirements and shelter-in-place orders in places around the state, also has caused a spike in unemployment claims and fears over food security…

Representatives for the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO), a solutions-based think tank focused on community building through public policy, said they expect the number of Georgians who depend on government assistance to continue to grow in the coming months.

“The health toll is the most severe, but the economic consequences are also deeply felt,” GCO president and CEO Randy Hicks said.

 

GCO spokesman Corey Burres said long-term reforms need to be set in place to drive faster recovery.

“Obviously the longer our communities face financial hardship, the less money will be available for government interventions,” he said.

Hicks said the most impact could come from community support.

“We believe that the most good will happen through our local communities, where neighbors help neighbors,” he said.

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CENTER SQUARE: What they’re saying about Kemp’s decision to reopen Georgia

THE CENTER SQUARE – Georgia Senate approves plan to expand Special Needs Scholarship program

by | Mar 12, 2020

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 Georgia Senate voted 33-22 on Tuesday in favor of the bill.

“We are excited that the Georgia Senate passed SB 386 and has opened the door of opportunity for students with special needs in our state to get the education they need,” Georgia Center for Opportunity Vice President of Public Policy Buzz Brockway said. “We are hopeful the state House will follow suit and pass this as well.”

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