by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Aug 29, 2018
33 state lawmakers recognized for outstanding support of school choice in 2018
PEACHTREE CORNERS – On Wednesday, the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) released their 2018 Legislator Report Card, a scorecard recognizing state lawmakers according to their voting record on key school choice bills. The report empowers parents to see where their Representative and Senator stood on bills that would expand access to quality education for kids throughout the state.
Randy Hicks, President and CEO of the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said the scorecard is necessary because too many children are waiting for their chance at a better education.
“Time and again, Georgians on all sides of the aisle continue to express their support for expanding parental choice,” Hicks said. “We praise the legislators who prioritized children and families in 2018, and look forward to seeing greater movement under the Gold Dome to ensure all students have access to the best possible education.”
Legislation considered in the scorecard include an expansion to the state’s tax credit scholarship program and increases to funding of state charter schools. Both bills passed in 2018.
The scorecard ranks legislators on an A-F grade scale, though special honors were given to those who demonstrated outstanding support for educational choice. Members were named a “School Choice Champion” if they received As following both the 2017 and 2018 sessions, while those on the “Honor Roll” were recognized for sponsoring or co-sponsoring a bill that would increase educational options.
In total, 33 current and outgoing legislators in the House and Senate received “Honor Roll” and/or “School Choice Champion” honors. Some are listed twice as they were given both designations. They include:
School Choice Champion:
Senator John Albers (R- Alpharetta)
Senator Burt Jones (R- Jackson)
Senator William Ligon Jr. (R- Brunswick)
Senator Josh McKoon (R- Columbus)
Senator Fran Millar (R- Dunwoody)
Senator Michael Williams (R- Cumming)
Representative Buzz Brockway (R- Lawrenceville)
Representative Wes Cantrell (R- Woodstock)
Representative John Carson (R- Marietta)
Representative David Casas (R- Lilburn)
Representative David Clark (R- Buford)
Representative Heath Clark (R- Warner Robins)
Representative Earl Ehrhart (R- Powder Springs)
Representative Barry Fleming (R- Harlem)
Representative Mike Glanton (D- Jonesboro)
Representative Rich Golick (R- Smyrna)
Representative Scott Hilton (R- Peachtree Corners)
Representative Jan Jones (R- Milton)
Representative Todd Jones (R- South Forsyth)
Representative David Knight (R- Griffin)
Representative Randy Nix (R- LaGrange)
Representative Ed Setzler (R- Acworth)
Representative Valencia Stovall (D- Forsyth Park)
Representative Sam Teasley (R- Marietta)
Representative Scot Turner (R- Holly Springs)
Honor Roll:
Senator Brandon Beach (R- Alpharetta)
Senator Matt Brass (R- Newnan)
Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R- Rome)
Senator Fran Millar (R- Dunwoody)
Senator Ben Watson (R- Savannah)
Representative Kasey Carpenter (R- Dalton)
Representative John Carson (R- Marietta)
Representative David Casas (R- Lilburn)
Representative Heath Clark (R- Warner Robins)
Representative Robert Dickey (R- Musella)
Representative Earl Ehrhart (R- Powder Springs)
Representative Mike Glanton (D- Jonesboro)
Representative Rich Golick (R- Smyrna)
Representative Scott Hilton (R- Peachtree Corners)
Representative Rick Jasperse (R- Jasper)
Representative Jan Jones (R- Milton)
Representative Todd Jones (R- South Forsyth)
Representative Randy Nix (R- LaGrange)
Representative Jay Powell (R- Camilla)
Representative Alan Powell (R- Hartwell)
Representative Ed Setzler (R- Acworth)
Representative Valencia Stovall (D- Forest Park)
Representative Sam Teasley (R- Marietta)
Representative Scot Turner (R- Holly Springs)
The 2018 Legislator Score Card on School Choice can be downloaded online at foropportunity.org/education/school-choice.
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Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) is independent, non-partisan, and solutions-focused. Our team is dedicated to creating opportunities for a quality education, fulfilling work, and a healthy family life for all Georgians. To achieve our mission, we research ways to help remove barriers to opportunity in each of these pathways, promote our solutions to policymakers and the public, and help effective and innovative social enterprises deliver results in their communities.
by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Aug 8, 2018
PEACHTREE CORNERS – On Wednesday, the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) announced that Bill Rodgers, a seasoned C-level business executive with experience as a key leader of Fortune 500 companies like Johnson Controls and Waste Management, would oversee the organization’s newly created Workforce Solutions division.
The Workforce Solutions arm of GCO bolsters the organization’s efforts to help the unemployed find work. As Vice President, Rodgers will help establish new programs and resources to aid Georgia businesses in successfully hiring un- and underemployed men and women.
“It’s rare to find an organization so uniquely positioned to address an issue as critical as unemployment,” Rodgers said. “Not only does GCO understand the full extent of challenges faced by un- and underemployed men and women, but they are also well-positioned as leaders with key stakeholders and communities across the state. It’s exciting to join a team that is perfectly postured to make an impact in the lives of families and set an example that can be replicated in other states.”
President and CEO Randy Hicks said he is “thrilled” to welcome Rodgers, who brings over three decades of top-tier business strategy and community leadership to GCO.
“Georgia’s economy is growing and yet threatened with a workforce shortage. But the greatest sense of urgency stems from our concern for the many Georgians who face barriers to enter the workforce,” said Hicks. “Bill’s expertise and understanding of the needs faced by the business community will be a great asset as we fervently work to create access to success for all.”
Since 2001, Rodgers respectively served as the President and CEO of Four 12 Solutions, Goodcents Holdings, Inc., and Emcor Facilities Services, Inc. He is a graduate of Florida Southern College and currently resides in Milton.
by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jul 31, 2018
Last week, the Georgia Center for Opportunity partnered with the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia to host “Staying the Course in College”—a half-day community conversation at Gwinnett Technical College on the importance of completing college. Check out more about the event by visiting the Gwinnett Daily Post.
by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jul 25, 2018
There’s an old saying that a rising tide lifts all boats. This seems to be true in today’s booming economy—with low unemployment rates at the state and national levels translating into historical lows in communities that often lag behind. For example, economic fortunes for African Americans are showing sustained signs of improvement, with the most recent June 2018 unemployment rate coming in at 6.5 percent, up slightly from May’s all-time low of 5.9 percent.
And while improving employment prospects are certainly encouraging signs for a community that continues to experience unacceptably disparities on most socioeconomic measures compared to other groups, a new study from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) offers even more evidence that African American men are making steady gains toward achieving the American Dream.
In Black Men Making It in America: The Engines of Economic Success for Black Men in America, well-known marriage and family researchers Brad Wilcox and Wendy Wang team up with fatherhood expert Ronald Mincy to examine the institutional engines that form the foundation for black male success.
Some key takeaways from this AEI report:
- The economic standing of black men has improved dramatically, with 57% now in the middle class or higher as adults today—up from 38% in 1960. Even better, the share of black men who are poor has fallen from 41% in 1960 to 18% in 2016.
- While higher education and full-time work are powerful engines of success for black men in America, so, too, is participation in institutions such as marriage, church, and the military.
- Contact with the criminal justice system remains a significant obstacle to success for black men. By midlife, only 28% of black men who had contact with the criminal justice system when they were young have moved into the middle or upper class, compared to 52% of black men who had no contact with the criminal justice system at a younger age.
Here at Georgia Center for Opportunity, we believe in a simple concept called the “success sequence,” which says that a good education leads to a stable job—which in turn leads to a flourishing home life and personal success.
Clearly, this AEI report reinforces GCO programs like Hiring Well, Doing Good and our Prisoner Reentry Initiative, which aim to remove barriers to opportunity and put Georgians back on a rising tide—or sequence—of success that lifts individuals, then families, out of generational poverty into flourishing communities.
by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jul 12, 2018
By now, you’ve probably seen the headlines and read the stories—America’s economy is booming. Just last month the national unemployment figures came in for May and the rate dipped to 3.8%—a level that ties a half-century low dating to 1969, and which economists consider to be “full employment.”
Equally encouraging is the fact that the current economic recovery is reaching communities that often lag behind. For example, the May unemployment rate for African-Americans hit an all-time low of 5.9%. For Hispanics, it was 4.9%—a tick up from its historic low of 4.8% in April. Here in Georgia the rate was also impressive by historical standards, with May unemployment dropping to 4.2%.
But with all of this good news comes some challenges. With our economy currently humming along at full employment, we’re facing tight labor markets and a demand for workers that outstrips supply. Even more concerning, we’re seeing a shrinking supply of the skilled labor needed to keep the economic engines firing on all cylinders.
So what’s the solution to producing a workforce with the needed skills to keep the economy on track? We believe the key is developing educational solutions that deliver a reliable pipeline of workers with appropriate skills to match the demands of a rapidly changing workforce moving into the second quarter of the 21st century.
For example, by the year 2025, 60% of jobs in Georgia will require post-secondary education, such as a graduate certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree. However, only about 47% of Georgia’s potential workforce currently meets these educational criteria, creating a need for 250,000 additional credentialed or degreed employment candidates by the year 2025.
Clearly, there’s a gap we must bridge between education and jobs. Even the federal government recognizes this critical need, with the Trump Administration recently announcing a proposal to combine the departments of Education and Labor.
Here in Georgia, the Georgia Center for Opportunity is taking the lead in creating opportunities for delivering quality education opportunities that meet fast-changing workforce needs. On July 27, we’re partnering with the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia to host “Staying the Course in College”—a half-day community conversation at Gwinnett Technical College on the importance of completing college.
Please join us as we discuss two of the biggest economic threats facing Georgia today—improving access to affordable college and meeting workforce needs. Admission is free, but registration is required to attend. Click here for details.
by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jul 11, 2018
By Erik Randolph, GCO Contributing Scholar
Last December, President Trump signed into law changes to the federal income tax. One of the supposed achievements was the elimination of the marriage penalty. This is not entirely correct.
I recently analyzed marriage penalties for the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO). Summarized in a policy briefing, my analysis found that Congress only succeeded in eliminating the marriage penalty if a couple does not have children. If they do have children, the marriage penalty is alive and well.
Certainly, it is a positive change that two individuals without children can now marry without having a tax shock when they file their federal income taxes. This is a fairer system ensuring they do not have a higher tax bill just because they got married. Congress can be proud of this achievement.
However, it’s unfortunate that the tax code continues to punish couples with children.
To make matters worse, the poor face an additional marriage penalty if they receive food stamps, and it doesn’t matter if they have kids or not.
The recent analysis I conducted on the food stamp marriage penalty relied on computations of 256 wage combinations of what two individuals might earn. These combinations ranged from earning nothing up to earning the national median wage. For every wage combination considered, the food stamp program discourages marriage.
The good news is that Congress has an opportunity right now to fix the marriage penalty in the food stamp program. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have two versions of the Farm Bill to consider. The final version that will come out of the conference committee could eliminate the marriage penalty in the food stamp program.
There are two approaches Congress can take. The first is to get into the details and redesign the food stamp factors that cause the marriage penalty. This approach is lengthier, and given the urgency of passing the Farm Bill, it may be less appealing.
The simpler approach would be to give the states the authority, under the direction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to make adjustments to the food stamp program to eliminate the marriage penalty. Although the food stamp program is a federal program, the states administer the program and pay for half of the administrative costs.
Prior research I did for GCO demonstrates that the more welfare programs an individual or family receives, the greater the likelihood for marriage penalties and the greater the severity of those penalties. Therefore, it makes sense to allow states that administer most welfare programs to address the marriage penalties in a coordinated manner.
Once they’ve fixed the marriage penalty in the food stamp program, Congress should revisit the tax code to fix the lingering marriage penalty there. It is unfair for single individuals with children who want to marry to face tax penalties if they do so. Equally unfair is that married couples with children end up paying more in federal income taxes than they would if they were unmarried and living together.
Combined, the penalties provide a strong and perverse disincentive to couples with children to remain unmarried. It is public policy directly opposed to the behaviors we know are most likely to lift people out of poverty and it needs to end. Congress has a chance to start addressing the problem in the Farm Bill, and it’s an opportunity they shouldn’t miss.
For more on GCO’s recent research on the marriage penalty, check out “How the Food Stamp Program and the U.S. Tax Code Continue to Penalize Marriage.”
