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The Georgia Center for Opportunity offers expert insights on issues such as poverty, welfare reform, workforce development, public safety, upward mobility, and policies that strengthen civil society, support family formation, and expand educational opportunities for all kids. GCO experts have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, Newsweek, the Washington Examiner, and more.
Affordability Tops the List of State Priorities for 2026
Eric Cochling in the DC Journal Originally published February 3, 2026 A full agenda is underway in the 35 states that have […]
Crime Is Down, and It Should End ‘Root Cause’ Excuse-Making for Good
Josh Crawford in The Hill Originally published January 20, 2026 With 2025 behind us, violent crime — especially murder — is likely […]
Georgia Candidates for Governor Should Make Welfare Reform a Top Priority
Buzz Brockway in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Originally published November 25, 2025 In their pitch to voters, the 2026 candidates for Georgia governor […]
The Safety Net ‘System’ That Isn’t
Eric Cochling in Governing Originally published November 20, 2025 Starting in 2027, work requirements kick in for certain beneficiaries on Medicaid, while […]
Welfare stands in the way of the American dream
Meaningful relationships and a strong sense of community are as much a part of the American dream as any economic measure. What’s rarely discussed is how systemic obstacles are undermining these important aspects of a flourishing life.
A better way to get welfare recipients back into the labor force
If the One Big Beautiful Bill becomes law, states will quickly discover that their administrative systems are ill-equipped to move recipients from welfare to work. To succeed, states should adopt a more integrated approach.
It’s time to eliminate marriage penalties in the U.S. tax code
An important step to eliminate marriage penalties is to take those programs away from the IRS and give them to an agency that knows how to run safety-net programs.
A Path from Welfare to Self-Sufficiency
Safety net systems should be integrated with workforce support programs. Mostly they aren’t. More states should implement the kind of “One Door Model” that Utah has proven effective.
Op-Ed: Hidden costs of getting a raise for America’s working poor
As Congress continues to debate the Farm Bill and the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a critical flaw in […]
Op-Ed: Hidden costs of getting a raise for America’s working poor
As Congress continues to debate the Farm Bill and the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a critical flaw in […]
Op-Ed: This Father’s Day, men are struggling. We need to help them
RANDY HICKS, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR As we celebrate Father’s Day on June 16, it’s time for a renewed call to help men flourish […]
Opinion: Governor’s signature on school choice bill is good first step
Education is one of the most powerful ways that kids connect with positive role models, ideas and skills that enable them to […]
Opinion: New Missouri law will help residents escape safety-net cliffs
This new law will help more Missourians escape from an entrapping safety-net system and experience the dignity and opportunity of work.
Opinion: Georgia needs to widen schooling choices in 2024
By Buzz Brockway The year is only half over, but 2023 has already been a banner year for the expansion of educational […]
Opinion: Increase choice as public schools can’t meet all kids’ needs
OpEd Written by Corey Burres, VP of Communication Unedited Title: Public Schools Are At the Heart of School Choice As states like Utah and […]
Opinion: Georgia students need more schooling choices
The undeniable truth is that parents want more educational options for their children and the kids certainly deserve it after historic learning […]
We must rein in violent crime to help those who need economic opportunity
Businesses are moving out of cities and neighborhoods with rising crime rates. By abandoning these high-risk locations, these businesses take with them any job opportunities they provide to poorer residents.
Opinion: Expanded school choice can help pandemic learning losses
Buzz Brockway, a former Republican legislator from Gwinnett, is vice president of public policy for the right-leaning think tank Georgia Center for Opportunity, which promotes school choice.
Education Promise Scholarships Should be a Winning Issue
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a watershed moment for expanding educational options for Georgia students. For many parents and families, the pandemic was the crisis point that showed them, in stark reality...
Fixing things at the local level without government
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GCO Praises Federal Leaders for Empowering States to Strengthen Pathways to Work through the Stronger Workforce for America Act
The Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 includes an invaluable option for state flexibility, the Make America Skilled Again Grants. Georgia and other states need this option so they can design workforce and safety net systems that meet families' immediate needs while providing a clearer path to opportunity and self-sufficiency.
New Report: Corrections Spending Rises in Georgia Even as Prison Population Declines
A new report by Joshua Crawford, Public Safety Fellow at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, shows that the decreasing number of inmates hasn’t translated to meaningful savings or improvements in public safety for Georgians.
National Poverty Rate Fails to Capture the Problem of Poverty Concentration in Georgia and Beyond
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA—The official poverty rate fell 0.4% to 10.6% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest report on poverty. […]
GCO applauds signing of Promise Scholarships bill, says more work needs to be done
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA—Today, the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) applauded Gov. Brian Kemp and the Georgia legislature for ushering into law the […]
Kentucky Lawmakers Override Governor’s Veto to Pass Safer Kentucky Act, Targeting Crime in Low-Income Areas
Kentucky state lawmakers voted Friday to override a veto from Gov. Andy Beshear of House Bill 5, the Safer Kentucky Act. The […]
U.S. House passes a bill that’s a step toward ‘One Door’ social safety-net reforms
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA—Yesterday, a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House passed H.R. 6655, a Stronger Workforce for America Act, which establishes a […]
It’s time for Georgia lawmakers to lead and pass legislation like the Promise Scholarships
The Alabama legislature has passed a bill that phases in universal Education Savings Accounts over time. It now goes to the desk […]
U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney’s ‘One Door’ bill would allow states to integrate social safety net with workforce development
The One Door to Work Act, introduced by Sen. Mitt Romney, would allow states the flexibility to implement Utah’s model of consolidating federal workforce development and social safety-net programs into a single state entity. The end goal is to help work-capable recipients reintegrate more quickly into the workforce, empowering them to achieve the independence, stability,…
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Champions Educational Opportunity in State of the State Address, Calls for Unity on Promise Scholarship
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp used a significant portion of his State of the State address today to urge lawmakers to expand educational […]
PRESS RELEASE: New report seeks to ease spike in Columbus crime, restore community safety
Violent crime is on the rise in Columbus, Georgia. What are the reasons, and can anything be done to stop it?
Lilly grant will bring the Parents First Initiative to Lawrenceville, enabling families to thrive
Lawrenceville, Ga. – Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded an endowment grant to Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church. The grant will enable the […]
New report seeks to ease spike in Atlanta crime, restore community safety
The Georgia Center for Opportunity is releasing a new report on violent crime in Atlanta, which highlights the city’s recent spike in […]
Georgia should lead on how to deliver a forward-thinking education
A new Cygnal poll of likely general election voters in Georgia shows a 68% favorability margin for the concept of “school choice,” […]
Storm clouds on the horizon for the economy
The latest Consumer Price Index released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that in the past month, the Federal Reserve […]
Gov. Brian Kemp announced efforts to enhance public safety
Today, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced preliminary grant awards totaling more than $83.5 million for 118 community safety projects, including for addressing staffing shortages […]
Inflation is becoming worse for Americans on a fixed income
Today, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that in April the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.4%, not seasonally adjusted. Year over […]
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 […]
Georgia to join a growing list of forward-thinking states that are prioritizing the unique educational needs
Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones expressed support for Senate Bill 233, The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, during a recent radio interview. “I’m […]
Promise Scholarships pass in the Senate and head to the House
🚨Breaking News: Promise Scholarships pass in the Senate and head to the House Promise Scholarships would give parents $6,000 per student per […]
A new bill in KY legislature simplifies expungement process
A new bill has been introduced in the Kentucky Legislature, House Bill 589, that simplifies the process of having criminal records expunged […]