MCDUFFIE PROGRESS – Georgia Education Savings Account debate comes in the midst of tax-credit scholarship court battle

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….

“Many of the private schools operating in the most impoverished regions of our state have a religious affiliation,” Buzz Brockway, executive vice president of Public Policy at the free-market nonprofit Georgia Center for Opportunity, said. “We should leave the decision with parents as to where they feel comfortable sending their children – to a school that aligns with their goals and values.”

 

Georgia Center for Opportunity advocates say funding is only one solution to Georgia’s school troubles.

“And while we’re working to reform and improve public education, tens of thousands of Georgia students are being left behind,” a statement from GCO said. “What these kids truly need is immediate access to an education that will enable them to step into their gifts, talents and abilities.”

 

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MCDUFFIE PROGRESS – Georgia Education Savings Account debate comes in the midst of tax-credit scholarship court battle

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….

“Many of the private schools operating in the most impoverished regions of our state have a religious affiliation,” Buzz Brockway, executive vice president of Public Policy at the free-market nonprofit Georgia Center for Opportunity, said. “We should leave the decision with parents as to where they feel comfortable sending their children – to a school that aligns with their goals and values.”

 

Georgia Center for Opportunity advocates say funding is only one solution to Georgia’s school troubles.

“And while we’re working to reform and improve public education, tens of thousands of Georgia students are being left behind,” a statement from GCO said. “What these kids truly need is immediate access to an education that will enable them to step into their gifts, talents and abilities.”

 

Read the full article here

MCDUFFIE PROGRESS – Georgia Education Savings Account debate comes in the midst of tax-credit scholarship court battle

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 has long ranked among the bottom of states requiring paid leave benefits.

But that’s beginning to change amid record-low unemployment as businesses court workers, particularly in highly paid, white-collar fields such as tech and consulting…

“Our birthrates are the lowest ever,” the Pennsylvania Republican said at a Georgia Center for Opportunity event at Georgia Tech earlier this month. Moderate and lower-income workers, he added, “are having the hardest time figuring out how they’re going to raise a family.”

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MCDUFFIE PROGRESS – Georgia Education Savings Account debate comes in the midst of tax-credit scholarship court battle

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 spends about $23 billion in welfare costs annually, according to the Georgia Center for Opportunity. About 20 percent of the state’s population receives one or more benefits.

 

The Georgia Center for Opportunity also found that nearly 250,000 of Georgia’s male population between 25 to 54 years old are no longer counted in the labor force because they have “dropped out.”

 

Lawmakers need to ensure the job opportunities are being presented in the impoverished areas of our state, Corey Burres, spokesperson for the nonprofit, told The Center Square in an earlier interview.

 

Read the full article here

MCDUFFIE PROGRESS – Georgia Education Savings Account debate comes in the midst of tax-credit scholarship court battle

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 spends about $23 billion in welfare costs annually, according to the Georgia Center for Opportunity. About 20 percent of the state’s population receives one or more benefits.

 

The Georgia Center for Opportunity also found that nearly 250,000 of Georgia’s male population between 25 to 54 years old are no longer counted in the labor force because they have “dropped out.”

 

Lawmakers need to ensure the job opportunities are being presented in the impoverished areas of our state, Corey Burres, spokesperson for the nonprofit, told The Center Square in an earlier interview.

 

Read the full article here

MCDUFFIE PROGRESS – Georgia Education Savings Account debate comes in the midst of tax-credit scholarship court battle

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 Gwinnett County that works to mobilize community resources — human, financial, and material — all with the purpose of reducing recidivism rates in the county and beyond…

Other partners in GGRA include GRIP, Hearts to Nourish Hope, Navigate Recovery, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Georgia Center for Opportunity, Judy House Ministry, Obria Medical Clinics and others.

 

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