Amanda Kieffer: WV has too many laws preventing former criminals from working

by Kimberly Sawatka | Feb 21, 2024

Georgia news, in the news, current events, Georgia happenings, GA happenings

Amanda Kieffer: WV has too many laws preventing former criminals from working

How long should the consequences of your mistakes follow you in life? This is a question that the West Virginia State Senate is considering with SB 493: Relating to the use of criminal records as disqualification from authorization to practice a particular profession. SB 493 raises the standard of disqualification for prior criminal offense from a “rational nexus” to “directly related.” In cases where the offense is related, the bill requires the board to consider evidence of rehabilitation or treatment undertaken by the individual.

Criminal justice reform researchers and experts agree that helping formerly incarcerated individuals find meaningful employment is not only important for a state’s economy but also an important part of reducing recidivism and improving public safety.

Joshua Crawford is the Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives at the Georgia Center for Opportunity. He says, “The criminal justice system is at its best when it has two simultaneous north stars: accountability and redemption. You want a system that holds offenders accountable, punishes wrongdoing, and removes from civil society those who would do others harm. At the same time, you want people to exit that system better off and to re-enter in a more meaningful way. A major hurdle to this is obtaining a job. We’ve known for a long time that having a job reduces recidivism upon release.”

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Contested education reforms loom over Georgia’s legislative session

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jan 29, 2024

Contested education reforms loom over Georgia’s legislative session

Perhaps more than any time in recent memory, education-related bills look to dominate the current legislative session. If last year is any indicator, these measures may redraw political alliances and lead to heated debates. As is always the case, not every proposal is created equally, and in a legislative world that requires compromise, initial bill language often isn’t the author’s best and final offer.

One notable holdover from last year that will certainly make some noise is Senate Bill 233—also known as The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act—which Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, introduced. “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,” reads an article by local think tank the Georgia Center for Opportunity.

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Community-led city improvement group to hold open meeting next week

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jan 22, 2024

Community-led city improvement group to hold open meeting next week

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Locals seeking change in the community have an upcoming opportunity to meet with others who share that goal. On Jan. 30, the Columbus Empowerment Initiative will hold its first open meeting, starting at 10 a.m. at the Columbus Public Library.

Organizers hope the project will be successful in Columbus. While the initiative is still new in the city – it’s first meeting was held in October 2023 – similar projects have run in other cities, including Omaha, Neb.

Group founders encourage people from all sectors of the community to show up to next week’s meeting.

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When it comes to deadly shootings in Louisville, 2023 looks a lot like 2022

by Josh Crawford | Dec 29, 2023

When it comes to deadly shootings in Louisville, 2023 looks a lot like 2022

In 2023, Louisville experienced a high number of shootings, with 553 individuals dead or wounded, as reported by LMPD. While the statistics suggest a potential decrease in homicides compared to previous years, some, including anti-violence activists argue that there is little evidence of improvement, with triple-digit homicides becoming a disturbing norm.

Despite hopes for a decline in violence, 2023 will mark the end of a record-breaking four-year period of unprecedented violence in Louisville, prompting calls for sustained efforts to restore public safety and the city’s accustomed aura.

Our own Josh Crawford joins the conversation with real solutions for bringing about public safety improvement in 2024.

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Reversing DC crime trends

by Josh Crawford | Dec 22, 2023

Reversing DC crime trends

Josh Crawford, the Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, visited Fox 5 DC to talk about his analysis on DC crime trends.

Watch the full video here

Ask Dr. E: What should national leaders do to rescue America from an economic trainwreck?

by Eric Cochling | Dec 13, 2023

Ask Dr. E: What should national leaders do to rescue America from an economic trainwreck?

OPINION:

Dear Dr. E: The American economy is a mess. Few could argue otherwise, at least with a straight face. Inflation is out of control. Our national debt is unsustainable. Social Security is teetering on bankruptcy. Homeownership is out of the question for millions of young people. Credit card debt is unbelievable. The list could go on and on. Is there any one specific thing you believe our national leaders should do that would rescue America from the economic trainwreck that seems inevitable? — REALISTIC AND WORRIED WORKING MAN FROM ALABAMA

Many of our socioeconomic issues are directly linked to the health of the family structure. Suppose the family structure falls in any civilization. In that case, the number of married couples decreases, economic mobility decreases, median family income decreases, child poverty increases, racial tension increases, and educational tensions increase. The success of an economy is directly related to the stability of the family structure. You cannot have one without the other. Eric Cochling of the Georgia Center for Opportunity says, “To reinvigorate opportunity in America, we must start by restoring the health and vitality of the American family. Nothing less will do.” If the family falls, so does the economy.

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