Utah’s ‘One Door’ Policy Shows the Way Forward on Safety-net Reforms

by Buzz Brockway | May 26, 2023

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

Utah’s ‘One Door’ Policy Shows the Way Forward on Safety-net Reforms

By Buzz Brockway

The April unemployment report shows that job opportunities remain at historic highs across the country. In fact, the report came in better than expected at a 3.4% unemployment rate, exceeding expectations for the resilience and strength of the labor market.

In this environment, no work-capable person should be without a job. But the sad reality is that the very safety net system created to help people who are struggling is the same one contributing to keeping them mired in generational poverty. I’m talking about America’s social-safety net system.

As it stands, our nation’s welfare system is a fragmented hodgepodge of programs. The dozens of programs that make up “the system” have different and, at times, competing goals, inconsistent rules, and overlapping groups of recipients.

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From Incarcerated To Advocate: How One Man Uses His Experience To Help Individuals With Reentry

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | May 1, 2023

From Incarcerated To Advocate: How One Man Uses His Experience To Help Individuals With Reentry

With Georgia placing among the top four states with the highest rates of incarceration, one advocate for criminal justice reform is using his personal experience to help other formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into their communities.

For Tony Kitchens, Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) Field Director of Prison Fellowship and board member, reentering society after his incarceration was not a smooth transition.

“My greatest challenge was not doing the 11 years in prison, it was living as a marginalized citizen for over 29 years as a result of these tough-on-crime policies,” Kitchens said.

In 1974, Kitchens was incarcerated for a relatively minor offense. Kitchens said that in the 1970s, the criminal justice system “was all about punishment, it was all about lock them up and throw away the key.” At the time, reform efforts were not even a consideration and reentry services were virtually nonexistent.

Now, he is dedicated to changing this issue in Georgia.

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Georgia House voted to reject Senate Bill 233, The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act

by Kimberly Sawatka | Mar 30, 2023

Georgia House voted to reject Senate Bill 233, The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act

Late last night, the Georgia House voted to reject Senate Bill 233, The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, by a vote of 85 to 89. The House then voted 98 to 73 on a motion to reconsider the bill, meaning it is eligible for consideration in next year’s session.Georgia

Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) take: “We are heartbroken for the tens of thousands of kids in Georgia who will remain stuck in low-performing schools due to the inaction of many Georgia lawmakers,” said Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for GCO. “Despite a majority of Georgians, the governor, and many legislative leaders supporting Promise Scholarships, once again the House failed to pass legislation that would give families hope for their child despite not living in the right zip code or able to make the right income. The disparity of opportunity in education is a tragic injustice. Our state would have made a huge step toward correcting that injustice had the bill passed.”

To learn more about Promise Scholarships and what they would have provided, click here.

To learn more about Promise Scholarships and what the legislation would have provided, click here.

BETTER WORK has resources for high school students

by Kimberly Sawatka | Mar 28, 2023

BETTER WORK has resources for high school students

Key Points

Not every high school graduate will attend college. There are strong career paths available for those who are ready to learn.
Jobs in the water industry are plentiful.
In addition to excellent pay and stability, careers in the water field offer availability in many locations around the state plus flexible hours to give workers the opportunity to create work-life balance.

There’s a new, exciting opportunity for job seekers and high school students in Gwinnett County! BETTER WORK Gwinnett and The Water Tower have partnered to bring a life-changing job training program to the Gwinnett County community. This training program for careers in the water industry was designed for those in high school work programs and for working age adults looking for a career path to better provide for themselves and their families.

Not every high school student needs nor wants to attend college. High schoolers can begin this training program as part of their curriculum and graduate with on-the-job training as well as highly sought after certifications.

For those looking for a new or different career, the water industry might be an area you haven’t yet considered. You might want to check out this option, though.

Job opportunities in the water industry are plentiful, as the industry expects some 1,200 water-related jobs opening in north Georgia. To help fill the workforce needs, The Water Tower created training programs in the areas of Water and Wastewater Operators, Lab Analyst, Maintenance Technicians, and Field Technicians. The programs allow participants to receive the education and hands-on experience needed to walk into a living-wage career and not just a job.

At GCO, we know that work means so much more than a paycheck. A meaningful job and career brings dignity, independence, and hope for a brighter future.

A career in the water industry transcends pandemics and technology because it is a needed resource no matter what happens around us. Furthermore, careers in the water industry offer stability, competitive wages, and opportunities for advancement, making them an important pathway to a fulfilling and prosperous life.

In addition to excellent pay and stability, careers in the water field offer availability in many locations around the state plus flexible hours to give workers the opportunity to create work-life balance.

At GCO, we know that work means so much more than a paycheck. A meaningful job and career brings dignity, independence, and hope for a brighter future. Employment can change a life and the life of a family.

To learn more about The Water Tower and the training programs offered, contact our BETTER WORK Gwinnett team.

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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Gold Dome Report – Legislative Day 25 (2023)

by Kimberly Sawatka | Feb 28, 2023

Gold Dome Report – Legislative Day 25 (2023)

Members of the public flooded the State Capitol again on Tuesday. The day’s most visible group was Mothers Demand Action, members of which crowded the halls in a sea of red as they advocated lawmakers for gun control measures. But they weren’t the only ones demanding action under the Gold Dome. With two legislative days remaining until Crossover Day, legislators and lobbyists spent all afternoon in committee meetings begging, pleading, and sometimes demanding their legislation be advanced. We share which entreaties worked in this #GoldDomeReport.

SB 233, authored by Dolezal, is the “Georgia Promise Scholarship Act.” The bill amends Title 20 to provide for the establishment of promise scholarship accounts to be funded by the state in the amount of $6,000.00 per school year for each participating student.

Dolezal presented the bill alongside Jamie Lord, who represents the Georgia Center for Opportunity and is promoting the legislation. The Committee was presented with a Substitute that provides that funding for scholarships is frozen in years when QBE is not fully funded, remaining funds after high school graduation are refunded to the State, and funds may be used for instructional technology. Questions from Committee members included inquiries as to eligibility of current private school students, student assessment and comparability, and the amount of funding to be provided.

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