Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signs a bill into law.

Key Points

Georgia’s future is on the ballot in 2026 as voters elect a new governor to lead the state for the next four years. In the May 19th primary elections, Georgians picked candidates to represent each political party. They’ll choose the final winner in the general election on November 3.
The governor influences major issues that affect Georgians every day, like taxes, education, health care, work opportunities, and public safety.
Understanding the governor’s role can help voters cast their ballots for a candidate who can bring even more hope, well-being, and prosperity to people and communities across the state.

When Georgians vote for governor, they’re choosing more than a public figure. They’re electing the leader who sets the direction for everything from schools and public safety to taxes and the economy.

While the governor can’t create laws like the legislature does, they shape daily life by deciding how the state will spend money, what bills get signed, and how certain public programs for families will operate.

Quick Facts About Georgia’s Governor

Current Governor: Brian Kemp
Next Election Date: November 3, 2026, for the general election
Term Length: Four years, with a maximum of two back-to-back terms
Minimum Age Requirement: 30 years old by Inauguration Day
Counties the Governor Serves: 159
State Budget the Governor Oversees: $36.6 billion

How Does the Governor Impact Everyday Lives in Georgia?

1. The governor can sign—or stop—new laws.

After a bill passes in Georgia’s House and Senate, it goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature.

If the governor vetoes a bill, Georgia’s legislators can override that action, but only with a two-thirds majority in both chambers. To avoid a veto, lawmakers usually aim to pass legislation that reflects the governor’s policy priorities.

In 2026, Georgia’s legislature passed bills that created pathways for kids to take advanced math classes in earlier grades and to improve their reading skills. The bills aligned with Governor Kemp’s goal of increasing opportunities for Georgia students, and he signed them into law right after the legislative session ended.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signs 2026 bills to support literacy, math education, and K-12 public schools.

On May 5, 2026, Governor Brian Kemp signed nine bills to support reading, math education, and K-12 schools in Georgia.
Photo Credit: Office of the Governor Photo Gallery.

2. The governor helps decide where the money goes.

Every year, Georgia’s governor proposes a state budget that outlines how taxpayer dollars should be spent. Because the budget reflects the programs and services that will receive funding, it reveals the governor’s top priorities for the state.

The legislature revises and passes the budget, but the governor still has a final influential role. Before signing the budget into law, the governor can use a line-item veto to remove parts of the budget they don’t agree with while leaving the rest as is.

In May 2026, Governor Kemp signed House Bill 974, the state budget bill for the fiscal year starting July 1. The $36.6 billion budget directs most funding toward education, health care services, public safety, and economic growth—a clear signal of what the governor cares about. Before signing, Governor Kemp used his line-item veto authority, removing some expenses to keep the budget in balance after approving income tax cuts.

3. The governor chooses the leaders behind key family services.

Government policies aren’t implemented in one big speech or one dramatic vote. Instead, they’re carried out every day by state agencies, boards, and commissions.

The governor appoints many of the heads of those administrative offices. They oversee daily operations in workforce development, child and family services, public safety, licensing, education administration, and programs that help low-income Georgians.

The governor steers welfare (safety net) policies, for example, by appointing the members of the Board of Human Services. The members establish the state’s goals for welfare programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

4. The governor sets the policy agenda.

The governor has a powerful microphone: the annual “State of the State” address. At the beginning of the legislative session, the governor uses this speech to outline their priorities and encourage lawmakers to act on specific policies.

And when the governor elevates an issue—whether it’s education, workforce development, public safety, or taxes—it usually moves quickly from a policy idea to serious legislative action.

In his 2026 State of the State address, Governor Kemp proposed decreasing the state income tax to 4.99% to help Georgians keep more of what they earn. The legislature followed up by passing House Bill 463, which the governor signed into law.

5. The governor leads during emergencies.

The governor uses executive orders and emergency powers to quickly mobilize state resources when storms, wildfires, public safety threats, or other emergencies hit.

In April 2026, Governor Kemp declared a state of emergency for 91 counties in response to South Georgia wildfires and empowered state agencies to help affected residents and their families.

FAQs: The Georgia Governor’s Race in 2026 and the Election Process

How Is Georgia’s Governor Elected?

Georgians elect their governor through a direct popular vote. Unlike presidential elections, there isn’t an electoral college that casts deciding votes.

During primary elections, voters pick final candidates from each political party. Contenders have to earn at least 50% of the votes in the primary to win, so run-off elections are possible.

The same requirement applies in the general election. If no candidate earns more than half the votes, the top two competitors head to a run-off.

Who Can Run for Governor?

A candidate must:

Be at least 30 years old by the time they take office
Have lived in Georgia for at least six years before the election
Have been a U.S. citizen for at least 15 years

How Long Can a Governor Serve?

Georgia governors have four-year terms and can serve up to two back-to-back terms. Former governors can run again after sitting out for at least one term.

What Happens if a Governor Leaves Office Early?

The lieutenant governor is next in line for the job and serves until the next general election.

Which Political Parties Have Georgia’s Governors Belonged to Historically?

Georgians have elected Republican governors since 2003. Before then, Democratic governors had held the office continuously since 1872.

Timeline of political party affiliations of past Georgia governors from 1971 to 2026.

Source: Former Governors in Georgia, National Governors Association

What Issues Are Candidates Talking About in 2026?

The rising cost of living is one of the biggest concerns for Georgia families—and it’s become a major focus in the 2026 governor’s race. Key affordability issues include:

Income Taxes: Some candidates are proposing plans to further reduce or eliminate the state income tax so Georgians can keep more money in their own pockets.
Property Taxes: As housing costs continue to rise, contenders are thinking about freezing property taxes or increasing exemptions to ease the burden on homeowners.
Housing Shortages: Candidates are debating how much the state should get involved in local land-use regulations to spur construction of more homes, especially those at lower prices.
Health Care: Gubernatorial hopefuls are proposing options to address Georgians’ health care concerns, including expanding Medicaid and reducing the cost of health insurance.

Beyond affordability, candidates are focusing on several other issues affecting families and communities across Georgia:

Welfare Reform: Contenders are thinking about how to lead the state in making big changes to welfare programs, including:

Implementing new work requirements for Medicaid and enforcing the ones for SNAP
Reducing Georgia’s percentage of incorrect SNAP payments to avoid federal penalties
Introducing a One Door to Work strategy to integrate welfare and workforce systems and offer program participants a clearer route to rewarding jobs and long-term stability

Education: To give Georgia’s children better pathways to academic success, candidates are debating on more school choice vouchers, increased public school funding, and new early childhood education options.

Public Safety: Competitors are prioritizing safety and security for Georgia communities by looking at ways to tackle gang activity, reform the juvenile justice system, and reduce repeat offenses.

Why Does Understanding the Governor’s Role Matter?

Candidates know that more needs to be done to break down the economic and social barriers so many people are facing, and they’re making plans to take action if elected. But policymakers aren’t the only ones responsible.

Understanding the governor’s vital role and what they’ll do to meet the daily needs of Georgia families and neighborhoods can help voters guide meaningful change. By casting their ballots, Georgians can bring even more promise and prosperity to the state—making it a place where everyone has the chance to achieve their full potential and thrive.

Additional Resources

2026 Polls: Georgia Governor
270 to Win

Keeping Vulnerable Americans on Track: One Door out of Poverty and into Opportunity
Alliance for Opportunity

What States Can Expect with the New SNAP Match: Options to Reduce State Error Rates
Alliance for Opportunity

Georgia Candidates for Governor Should Make Welfare Reform a Top Priority
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Gubernatorial Election, 2026
Ballotpedia

Governor of Georgia
Ballotpedia

Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
Ballotpedia

Georgia 2026 Election: Here’s Who Will Be on the Ballot During May’s Governor, Senate Primaries
CBS News

Understanding Welfare Work Requirements: New Eligibility Rules for SNAP and Medicaid
Georgia Center for Opportunity

Organization of the Executive Branch
Georgia Public Broadcasting

What Does a Governor Do?
Georgia Public Broadcasting

Short Supply: How Many More Homes Does Georgia Need?
Georgia Public Policy Foundation

10 Races for Governor to Watch in 2026
NBC News

Governor’s Office
State of Georgia

Lieutenant Governor’s Office
State of Georgia

The Three Branches of Georgia’s State Government
State of Georgia

Image Credits: Canva; Governor’s Photographer, Georgia Office of the Governor

New work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP benefits are coming in 2026.

Key Points

With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill in July 2025, more recipients of Medicaid and SNAP benefits will have to work or engage in other qualifying activities to receive the support they need.
The successful administration of the SNAP and Medicaid work requirements will be critical. Both state governments and beneficiaries will have to figure out how to navigate the updated programs.
Work requirements are only a first step in reforming the welfare system. To spark real change, state lawmakers should explore a “One Door” approach to managing safety net and workforce services.

What are welfare work requirements?
What are the new work requirements for Medicaid?
What are the current Medicaid work requirements in Georgia?
What are the new work requirements for SNAP (food stamps)?
What are the pros and cons of work requirements?
What else can policymakers do?

Big changes are in process for some recipients of Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) benefits and for the state governments that administer the programs.

Medicaid is the nation’s largest safety net (government assistance or benefits, public assistance, or welfare) program. It helps cover medical costs for families with limited incomes, older adults, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Recent data shows that about 71 million Americans are enrolled in Medicaid.

SNAP, the second largest government assistance program, helps low-income families buy food. Around 42 million Americans currently rely on SNAP benefits.

With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) in July 2025, more recipients of Medicaid and SNAP benefits will have to work or engage in other qualifying activities to receive the vital support they need.

With the new work requirements, lawmakers aim to encourage people who can work to join the workforce and ultimately lift themselves and their families out of poverty. But for the requirements to have the desired impact, both state governments and beneficiaries will have to figure out how to successfully navigate the updated programs. Challenges lie ahead for everyone involved.

What are welfare work requirements?

Work requirements for SNAP and Medicaid require some recipients to work, train, or volunteer for a certain number of hours per month to remain eligible for benefits.

The requirements generally apply to “able-bodied adults” who receive public assistance. The federal government defines able-bodied adults as most adults under age 65 who aren’t disabled and who don’t have a dependent child under a certain age.

The new federal law says states have to adopt these work requirements, but the states are the primary administrators of Medicaid and SNAP. As a result, the states will verify recipients’ documentation of qualifying activities or their exemption status.

What are the Medicaid work requirements under the new federal law?

Beginning January 1, 2027, some able-bodied Medicaid recipients ages 19-64 will have to meet work requirements.

To be eligible for benefits, recipients will have to take part in 80 hours per month of qualifying activities, including:

Full- or part-time employment
Job or vocational training programs
Community service or volunteer opportunities
Higher education programs

States will redetermine the eligibility of Medicaid recipients every six months.

Several groups of individuals will be exempt from meeting the work requirements, including, among others:

People who care for a child under 14 years of age
Pregnant women or those who need postpartum medical care
Caretakers of a disabled relative
People who have a disability or health condition that prevents them from fulfilling the work requirement
Current or former foster children under the age of 26
Native Americans and Alaska Natives
People who are incarcerated or have been in the last three months
Veterans with a 100% disability rating

The OBBB also provides a temporary opt-out process (known as a waiver) for states with an unemployment rate over 8% or 1.5 times the national unemployment rate. These states’ citizens could struggle to meet the work requirements because of particularly high barriers to work.

The states will get more specific implementation and reporting instructions from the federal government in June 2026, and they could then decide to apply more restrictive work requirements than those in the OBBB.

What are the current Medicaid work requirements in Georgia?

About 2.2 million Georgians were enrolled in Medicaid as of May 2025, and around 67% of the adult beneficiaries were already working.

Georgia has a head start compared to many other states that don’t have previous experience with Medicaid work requirements. The state implemented the Georgia Pathways to Coverage program in 2023 to provide valuable health care assistance to low-income Georgians who aren’t eligible for traditional Medicaid.

The Pathways to Coverage program supports adults ages 19-64 whose household income is less than 100% of the federal poverty line. To receive benefits, recipients have to take part in 80 hours per month of qualifying activities similar to those listed above.

The Pathways program has slightly different exemptions than those in the OBBB. For example, adults are exempt if they take care of a child under age 6 instead of age 14. Recipients also only have to verify their exemptions or their involvement in qualifying activities when they apply for benefits and when they renew their application each year.

Both administrators and enrollees have run into challenges with the Pathways program, but Georgia’s previous experience with work requirements will be an advantage going forward. It’s important to note, though, that the current requirements for the Pathways program may change with the implementation of the OBBB.

What are the SNAP work requirements under the new federal law?

Many SNAP recipients faced new work requirements as of November 1, 2025. The groups of people below now have to meet these requirements:

Able-bodied adults ages 18-64 without dependent children (in the past, this only applied to people through age 54)
Parents whose youngest child is 14 or older
Veterans
People experiencing homelessness
Former foster children

Like with Medicaid, individuals can meet the work requirement by working, volunteering, or participating in an approved educational program for at least 80 hours per month. People who aren’t able to meet these requirements can only receive SNAP benefits for three months every three years.

States can also be more restrictive with the work requirements, but they can only temporarily opt out of the enforcement of these requirements if their unemployment rate is 1.5 times the national average.

In Georgia in particular, about 1.3 million people, or over 705,000 households, receive food stamps each month. About 69% of these households have kids, and 28% include an older adult or a person with a disability. It’s noteworthy that about 37% of Georgia’s SNAP recipients already live in households with a working family member.

What are the pros and cons of work requirements?

The updated SNAP and Medicaid work requirements will bring both opportunities and challenges to beneficiaries and state governments.

Pros:

Family and community well-being: When people take rewarding jobs, they’re setting foot on a pathway out of poverty and toward self-sufficiency. The families of those who work are also more stable, and strong families can change entire communities for the better.
Health benefits: Work brings a sense of dignity, purpose, and self-worth to people. As a result, working adults often experience less anxiety, fewer symptoms of depression, a decreased risk of suicide, and lower mortality rates. The children of employed people also tend to have better mental and physical health.
Private health insurance options: Some of the people who join the workforce will become eligible for private health insurance through their employers. This will both bring stability to workers and their families and reduce the number of Medicaid recipients.
Local economic growth: Increased labor force participation helps businesses grow and thrive. This then boosts local economies and spreads greater prosperity to surrounding areas.

Cons:

Barriers to work: Many recipients of government benefits, including those who are able-bodied, face multiple barriers to work. These can include a lack of childcare, a lack of transportation, and age-related biases. Some Americans who rely on Medicaid and SNAP also live in rural or impoverished areas. These communities often have fewer jobs and educational or volunteer opportunities that would enable people to meet the work requirements close to home.
Difficulties with reporting work or exemptions: Many Medicaid and SNAP recipients could face hardships related to the reporting requirements. Administrative hurdles, a lack of internet access, and the difficulty of documenting exemptions or unstable earnings may cause people to lose benefits.
High administrative costs: Implementing and enforcing work requirements demands significant administrative resources from state agencies. States will need to act quickly and efficiently to prepare to verify both the eligibility and ongoing work status of public assistance recipients.
Benefits cliffs: Without additional reforms, work requirements put people at risk of experiencing benefits cliffs. By taking a job, an individual’s income could increase too much to qualify for assistance, but it still might not be enough to cover all the essential needs like food, health care, housing, and child care. This could leave people worse off, despite their efforts to meet the requirements. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that around 5.3 million people could lose much needed Medicaid support and about 2.4 million people could lose essential SNAP benefits because of this difficult situation.

What else can policymakers do to reform the safety net?

Work is crucial to overall well-being because it’s a gateway to upward mobility and a better future. Many public assistance recipients who can work should be able to meet work requirements and find rewarding opportunities. But these requirements are only a first step.

To spark real change for those who are struggling, state lawmakers should explore a “One Door” approach to managing government benefits and workforce services. With this strategy, both benefits programs and job training assistance would be linked together. This would allow states to connect people to work while ensuring they receive the vital support they need.

Ultimately, a One Door policy goes far beyond work requirements. It has the power to provide public assistance recipients with a clearer path into the workforce and toward financial independence. This, in turn, will help people realize their full potential as human beings and find opportunities to truly flourish.

Additional resources

Keeping vulnerable Americans on track: one door out of poverty and into opportunity
Alliance for Opportunity

One Big Beautiful Bill takes steps toward a work-first safety net, but states will have to act
Alliance for Opportunity

What states can expect with the new SNAP match: options to reduce state error rates
Alliance for Opportunity

June 2025 Medicaid & CHIP enrollment data highlights
Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services

Chart book: SNAP helps struggling families put food on the table
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

A closer look at who benefits from SNAP: state-by-state fact sheets
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Georgia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Pathways to Coverage: looking back two years and into the future
Georgia Budget and Policy Institute

Are work requirements good or bad?
Georgia Center for Opportunity

Food stamp program work requirements
Georgia Department of Human Services

Expanding Georgians’ access to health care
Georgia Pathways to Coverage

How new federal legislation will affect health care costs and access for Americans
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Implementing work requirements on a national scale: what we know from state waiver experience
KFF

Medicaid in Georgia
KFF

Medicaid.gov
Medicaid.gov

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s work-based welfare reforms are just the first step
Sutherland Institute

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture

How many people are on Medicaid in Georgia?
USAFacts

How will the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impact Medicaid?
USAFacts

Image Credit: Canva

In their pitch to voters, the 2026 candidates for Georgia governor have mentioned they are likely to address tax reform, health care, jobs, immigration, child care and housing issues.

But none have mentioned a priority that is not only connected to those issues but has a significant impact on the well-being of millions of Georgia families — welfare reform. And with new federal work requirements set to take effect, policymakers will no longer be able to overlook Georgia’s public assistance programs.

With more than 1 million Georgians struggling to make ends meet, reforms to the safety net should be a top priority for Georgia’s next leader.

These low-income residents turn to Georgia’s safety net programs for help, including Medicaid for health insurance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for food support and Section 8 for housing assistance.

System fails to move people out of poverty

Both Republicans and Democrats agree these programs are a critical support system for disadvantaged communities.

But disagreement tends to emerge over whether welfare truly serves these people — helping them move from reliance on public assistance to independence and a more fulfilling life.

On that measure, welfare is failing — and its shortfall should capture the attention of Georgia’s next governor.

Not only does Georgia’s welfare system — like nearly all states’ — fail at its stated goal of moving people out of poverty, but it also compels recipients to stay dependent, keeping them in a cycle of poverty that so often defines generations of low-income Americans.

Welfare discourages recipients from getting married before having children and from working — troubling given those factors align with two of the three indicators in the Success Sequence, a series of life milestones that research has shown are the keys to happier lives, stable families and upward mobility (the other factor is obtaining a high school degree).

Georgia’s next governor would do well to recognize that the implications of this flawed system extend beyond just welfare recipients. It has a significant impact on the state’s budget and economy.

Low labor participation rate is a warning

Social safety net programs, particularly Medicaid, are often the biggest expenses in a state’s budget. While the federal government partially funds welfare programs, the states are responsible for a significant share of the costs and are responsible for managing the system. With these high costs, policymakers should assess whether the billions spent on welfare is moving people out of poverty or keeping them on the economic sidelines.

And then there’s the direct impact on Georgia’s workforce. Georgia’s labor force participation rate, or the number of working-age people employed or looking for a job, is 60.6%. Or put another way, nearly 40% of Georgians, many of them prime-age men, who can work are choosing not to.

A low labor force participation rate is a warning sign for the state’s economic health. Every nondisabled Georgian who opts out of work isn’t just losing income — our state loses tax revenue, businesses lose workers and communities lose engaged citizens who are the foundation of thriving neighborhoods.

Georgia’s next governor should ask, then, why the state’s welfare programs fail to connect beneficiaries to resources they need to help them find a stable job. Unemployment is one of the primary reasons individuals seek assistance in the first place.

And yet when someone in Georgia turns to the welfare system for support, they are not connected to work. Workforce development programs exist, but they oddly operate separately than the social safety net.

Follow other states in integrating workforce aims with welfare

Fortunately, policymakers in Georgia have a road map to turn to called “One Door to Work,” which integrates workforce development with welfare. Under this policy, people who access the safety net for help are connected to one caseworker who not only helps them meet their immediate needs but connects them with resources to find a job. Utah passed this reform in the 1990s and now boasts the lowest numbers of people on Medicaid and food stamps — along with consistently low unemployment rates.

Louisiana passed One Door legislation in June. Mississippi created a task force to explore the reform. And Arkansas also recently approved an audit of its workforce and safety net programs to identify needed changes. Georgia should follow the lead of its southern neighbors to the West.

Welfare reform isn’t a second-tier issue. It’s central to sustaining Georgia’s current trajectory as a leader in economic opportunity. Georgia’s One Door gives the next governor a way to strengthen families, expand the workforce and set the state on a path to growth.

Read the full article here.

Buzz Brockway is the vice president of public policy at the Georgia Center for Opportunity.

Starting in 2027, work requirements kick in for certain beneficiaries on Medicaid, while new work rules for the SNAP food assistance program took effect on Nov. 1. These reforms mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reflect a growing effort to make the safety net not only an important source of support but also a pathway to more opportunity and a better life.

The states, however, face significant challenges in implementing these new rules. America’s safety net “system” isn’t really a system at all. It’s a patchwork of more than 80 separate programs, each with its own database, rules, processes and hoops to jump through. These programs rarely coordinate or talk to each other and often feel inhumane to recipients.

For struggling Americans, accessing needed benefits means navigating a bureaucratic maze: Section 8 for housing assistance, SNAP for food support, Medicaid for health care and workforce programs for job training, for example. Each program brings a different caseworker, different eligibility requirements and endless paperwork. Caseworkers can’t see the full picture of what benefits a recipient receives or easily verify whether someone is working.

To implement new work requirements, these state systems must share information and coordinate, something they weren’t designed to do. A handful of states are starting to explore ways to consolidate their programs and integrate workforce development into the safety net. In doing so, they are creating the beginnings of a blueprint for other states to follow.

In June, for example, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed the One Door to Work Act — the first step in a multiyear effort to align the state’s workforce and social services systems. The process began with a performance audit of key welfare programs that uncovered inefficiencies and a lack of coordination among agencies. Lawmakers then created a task force to recommend improvements, which ultimately led to the passage of One Door, bringing workforce development programs together under one roof while also integrating state SNAP and Medicaid eligibility systems.

With these reforms, Louisiana has made the most significant progress toward streamlining its safety net since Utah pioneered the One Door model in the 1990s, combining safety net and workforce development programs. Utah now boasts the lowest percentage of residents on Medicaid and food stamps, while simultaneously having consistently low unemployment rates.

Read the full article here.

Eric Cochling is chief program officer and general counsel at the Georgia Center for Opportunity.

Georgia's favorite halloween candy is getting more expensive

Key Points

Candy and chewing gum prices have increased by 38% in just the last five years. These costs have even outpaced the 25% increase in grocery prices during the same period.
With rising costs of living, many Georgia families are struggling to cover their basic needs. This leaves them with little extra to buy fun treats like Halloween candy.
Georgia policymakers can help put money back into Georgians’ pockets by fixing regulations that make housing unaffordable, removing barriers to good jobs, and restructuring safety net programs to help people find rewarding work.

As Halloween approaches, Georgia families usually look forward to making great memories involving irresistibly adorable costumes and big candy hauls. Many of us know—maybe even from our own childhood experiences—that trick-or-treaters often cheer with delight when they find their favorite sweets in their candy bags.

Halloween is the season for treats. It’s the biggest day of the year for candy sales, slightly surpassing Valentine’s Day. Data on consumer purchases shows that Georgia’s favorite Halloween candies are Life Savers, Jolly Ranchers, and Trolli gummies, with M&M’s and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups following close behind.

Most of us indulge in these sweet treats every now and then, especially around Halloween. But for many Georgia families, candy is becoming hard to afford.

Candy and chewing gum prices have increased by an astonishing 38% over the last five years. That’s even more than grocery prices, which have gone up 25% during the same period.

Halloween candy prices have gone up 38% in just the last five years.

Candy and chewing gum prices, January 2021 to July 2025

For chocolate treats in particular, recent bouts of bad weather and crop diseases have damaged cocoa trees around the world. This has led to a cocoa shortage that has driven up prices.

High costs like these are making it difficult for some Georgians to give their children and their young neighbors the happy and memorable Halloween they’re hoping for.

The struggle to afford life in Georgia (beyond Halloween candy)

Many low- and middle-income families in Georgia are struggling to cover the basic costs of living, as prices for just about everything seem to be rising. The increasing costs add extra hardship to the many barriers that already impact people’s well-being and their ability to afford the occasional fun extras like Halloween candy.

Shortage of affordable housing: At least 94 of Georgia’s 159 counties don’t have enough housing for their residents. The shortage is driving up prices and making affordable homes hard to come by. High mortgage rates, rising costs of construction materials, and a big increase in Georgia’s population since 1980 are contributing to the problem. Restrictive local regulations regarding land use and infrastructure, including roads and water lines, are making the housing shortage even more severe.

Barriers to work and upward mobility:About a quarter of prime age (25-54) adults aren’t working in 96 Georgia counties. Many of these Georgians are facing limited economic opportunities in their communities. And some workers feel forced to stay in low-paying jobs to remain eligible for the safety net benefits that protect their family’s well-being. These difficult situations keep people from rising out of poverty and growing their income.

Access to sufficient food: In 2024, about 1.4 million Georgians, or 13% of the state’s population, received support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help them buy food. Of those SNAP participants, 69% were part of families with children, and most had incomes below the poverty line. While Georgia families can use SNAP benefits to buy candy, meeting basic needs is the priority for most.

Policy solutions Georgia can’t afford to ignore

Georgia lawmakers have the ability to make valuable reforms that would help people have more money in their pockets for family expenses.

Fewer housing regulations: To increase the supply of lower-priced houses, local leaders in Georgia need to allow greater flexibility in lot sizes in new subdivisions. They should also grant more permits for varied housing types—like duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes—and for additional homes near commercial centers. These changes would enable builders to construct more affordable homes.

Reduced occupational licensing requirements: Georgia policymakers have many opportunities to lower barriers to meaningful work and upward mobility, including by reducing occupational licensing requirements. These licenses are typically mandatory for certain professions. By implementing licensing reforms, lawmakers could open more doors for workers, streamlining processes and removing some of the exclusions for people who have been incarcerated.

Revamped welfare system: To improve Georgia’s welfare system, state lawmakers should explore a “One Door” strategy for managing safety net and workforce services. In this scenario, both benefits and job training support would be linked together in a single location. This would provide welfare recipients with a clear path back into the workforce and toward financial independence.

These vital policy changes would strengthen and stabilize Georgia families, helping to lift them above the poverty line and making it possible for them to thrive, even in the face of rising costs. Strong families, in turn, would help their communities prosper. And with more opportunities to flourish, life would be sweeter for Georgians—not just at Halloween but all throughout the year.

Additional Resources

Eliminating the Benefit Cliff and Achieving Savings for Taxpayers: A Reform Proposal for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(American Enterprise Institute)

End Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility in SNAP and Address Benefit Cliffs
(American Enterprise Institute)

State Occupational Licensing Index 2025
(Archbridge Institute)

Georgia: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)

A Better Way to Get Welfare Recipients Back into the Labor Force
(City Journal)

Non-Working Adults Concentrated in Georgia’s Distressed Communities
(Georgia Center for Opportunity)

Solving the Food Assistance (SNAP) Benefits Cliff
(Georgia Center for Opportunity)

Short Supply: How Many More Homes Does Georgia Need?
(Georgia Public Policy Foundation)

SNAP Data Tables
(U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service)

Image Credit: Canva

As we celebrate Independence Day, we’ll be reminded of our inherent right to life, liberty, and one of our country’s most defining ideals: the American dream. Each of us has a picture of what the American dream looks like, but a common theme throughout is the ability to achieve what we want through hard work.

It’s important to remember, however, that there’s more to the American dream than money, promotions, or a nice house.

It’s what those things make possible. The economic markers associated with the American dream — income, upward mobility, homeownership — are not the ends in themselves. They’re tools. A good job and a house in a safe neighborhood matter not just because they are desirable, but because they create the space for something deeper: family, friendships, and community.

As humans, we are wired to connect with family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. This Fourth of July, it’s worth noting that meaningful relationships and a strong sense of community are as much a part of the American dream as any economic measure.

Unfortunately, our belief in that dream is dwindling. Just 53% of Americans think the American dream is still possible.

Clearly, something is amiss, and it’s more than the rising cost of owning a home. Our sense of community, once a defining feature of America, is also slipping away.

Despite being more technologically connected than ever, there is an epidemic of loneliness in the United States. Deaths from suicide, alcohol-related illness, or drug overdoses — “deaths of despair” — have more than doubled since the 1990s.

Meanwhile, very few Americans attend religious services, and a growing number of men have no close friends. Participation in traditional civic groups and community organizations continues to fall. Family formation is also on the decline. Americans aren’t getting married and aren’t having kids.

There are many reasons behind these cultural shifts. But what’s rarely discussed is how systemic obstacles are driving some of these troubling trends.

There are federal and state policies in place that make it harder to achieve what the American dream is all about: the freedom to shape your own future, build a family, and contribute to your community.

America’s safety net system, in particular, prevents people and families, especially from poorer backgrounds, from achieving the American dream.

Congress is thankfully considering reforms to this system for the first time in decades, including adding work requirements to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It’s promising that we’re finally discussing the importance of connecting work to welfare. But work requirements will do little to fix the larger structural problems with the safety net system.

If lawmakers dug deeper, they’d find baked into these programs a phenomenon where beneficiaries are often discouraged from getting a job or a raise. They’d notice that our tax code penalizes welfare recipients for getting married and forming a family. And they’d discover that even if we implement work requirements, welfare agencies are not set up to help recipients find jobs. Welfare and workforce programs oddly operate in silos, making it difficult for people to access the support they need to secure employment.

These are policy failures that push people in the opposite direction of the American dream, into a life of dependency instead of self-determination —a life that makes it difficult not only to get ahead but to build meaningful relationships and a sense of purpose.

If the U.S. is going to continue to thrive, we need institutions and policies that don’t stand in the way of achieving the full extent of the American dream. That means a safety net that no longer discourages work, penalizes marriage, or traps people in a cycle of dependency.

Randy Hicks is the president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Center for Opportunity and founding member of the Alliance for Opportunity.

House Republicans’ proposed Medicaid reforms have reignited a national conversation about work requirements. The GOP is right to argue that work is part of a good life, and that some program recipients should be required to hold a job.

But work requirements are only a first step. 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—one that provides access to both benefits and job training in a single location. The model for such an approach is Utah’s “One Door” strategy.

Today, nearly one in three Americans relies on some form of government assistance. But instead of helping vulnerable Americans get back on their feet, the safety net often keeps recipients mired in poverty, unable to break out of dependency and into self-reliance.

To understand why, consider the origins of America’s social welfare system. The modern safety net began in 1935 with the Social Security Act, followed by Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, and cash welfare. Today, the government runs more than 80 assistance programs.

But these programs weren’t designed to operate together. In fact, calling them a “system” is misleading—there’s nothing systematic about them. Policymakers created the programs at different times, in response to different problems. Though the dollars start in Washington, they’re administered unevenly by the states. The result is a patchwork of siloed programs with overlapping goals, duplicative rules, disincentives to work, and little coordination of data or caseloads.

This complex maze dehumanizes millions of Americans in need. It forces low-income individuals to navigate countless forms, offices, and eligibility rules just to receive assistance. Few programs offer a clear path back into the workforce.

Yet work is essential to escaping poverty. Unemployment is a major driver of long-term dependency—and a key reason many people turn to welfare in the first place. Unfortunately, in nearly every state, the federally funded workforce training system operates entirely separate from the safety net.

Read the full article here.

Randy Hicks is the president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Center for Opportunity and cofounder of the Alliance for Opportunity.

Welfare reform in Utah, Louisiana, and Arkansas gives Georgia a roadmap for improving our own system.

Safety net programs are meant to help people in difficult times—but the system’s overwhelming rules and disconnected services are trapping people in a cycle of frustration and dependence instead of offering them a clear path forward.

This unfortunate reality exists in most states—Georgia included. But there is good news: Some states are beginning to rethink welfare, modeling positive changes that Georgia and other states could adopt.

What’s not working about the current welfare system?

Our nation’s welfare system is anything but simple. There are over 80 programs at the federal level alone, each with different goals and conflicting eligibility rules. For someone who needs help, this maze of programs is slow and overwhelming to navigate. People must visit multiple offices, fill out the same forms again and again, and talk to different caseworkers.

On top of this, the entire safety net is separate from workforce services that help people gain skills and find jobs. This set-up not only delays aid, but it also takes time and energy away from pursuing long-term solutions, such as stable employment.

Work isn’t just a way to earn income—it’s the gateway to independence and a profound source of dignity and purpose. Most Americans agree that it’s important to have a well-functioning safety net that provides temporary assistance and support for the most vulnerable. But the safety net should be a springboard to a better life, not a trap that holds people back once they’re in it.

How Other States Are Making Welfare Work Better

Arkansas: Evaluating What Works and What Doesn’t

During its recent legislative session, Arkansas passed a law (Senate Bill 50) to set up a task force to review the state’s workforce and social service programs. The idea is simple yet powerful: make sure welfare programs are meeting their intended goals.

By taking stock of these programs, Arkansas aims to find inefficiencies, improve coordination among agencies, and maximize the help provided to those in need. The audit’s results will inform future legislative decisions by offering the state a clear, data-driven picture of what works and what doesn’t.

Louisiana: Creating One Door to Work

With a poverty rate of 18.9%, Louisiana is one of the poorest states in the country—a situation that’s even more difficult to overcome because of the state’s disjointed welfare system.

In 2025, Louisiana addressed this problem by passing One Door legislation modeled after Utah’s successful safety net design. The reform merges the Temporary Aid to Needy Families program (TANF) and Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs into a new program called LA Works. It will help welfare recipients get the social services help they need while also connecting them to employment opportunities.

This legislation came from an intentional effort by state leaders to understand the outcomes of Louisiana’s safety net system. The first step was a performance audit of SNAP, WIOA, TANF, and CCAP programs. The audit uncovered several inefficiencies that confirmed these programs were not meeting their stated goals of providing temporary help while empowering individuals toward self-sufficiency.

The audit led to an executive order establishing the Louisiana Workforce and Social Services Reform Task Force. This group developed recommendations for consolidating Louisiana’s welfare and work programs, which ultimately led state leaders to pass One Door legislation with unanimous bipartisan support.

With One Door to Work, states can simply the safety net system for both administrators and recipients and give people a clearer path to a good job and a better life.

With One Door to Work, states can simply the safety net system for both administrators and recipients and give people a clearer path to a good job and a better life.

Utah: Proving It Can Be Done

Utah is the longest-running example of successful safety-net reform. It implemented the One Door model in the 1990s, integrating welfare programs with workforce support systems. Instead of navigating separate offices for benefits and employment services, individuals in Utah use a single, unified system. This approach has consistently yielded results:

Low Poverty Rates: Utah boasts some of the lowest poverty rates in the country, thanks in part to its focus on connecting people with skill-building opportunities and job placements.
Reduced Dependency: The state has the nation’s lowest rates of residents dependent on food stamps and Medicaid.
Economic Prosperity: By prioritizing work and self-sufficiency, Utah has built one of the nation’s strongest economies with consistently low unemployment rates.

Utah’s success proves that connecting welfare and employment services isn’t just possible; it’s effective.

The state is continuing to explore innovative ways to help families overcome poverty. Most recently, Utah launched a pilot project to use funds from the Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) program to provide families with financial planning support that helps them navigate the transition from public assistance to other economic opportunities.

Takeaways for Georgia

Georgia’s welfare system struggles with similar issues—inefficient processes, separate agencies, not enough focus on helping people achieve self-sufficiency.

Georgia lawmakers recently considered House Resolution 884, which proposed creating a task force to review and streamline welfare and workforce systems, but it didn’t pass during the last legislative session. This was a missed opportunity—but it’s one lawmakers can revisit that can be revisited in the upcoming session.

As lawmakers consider reforms for the future, here are a few concrete ideas that would shape a better welfare system and a thriving workforce in Georgia:

Conduct an audit similar to Arkansas’s to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
Establish a task force to begin implementing a “One Door” initiative, like those in Louisiana and Utah.
Advocate for integrating welfare programs with workforce development initiatives at both the state and federal levels.
Prioritize transparency, accountability, and ease of use in redesigning the system.

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Video Credit: Alliance for Opportunity

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Key Points

Quick Facts About Georgia’s Governor

How Does the Governor Impact Everyday Lives in Georgia?

1. The governor can sign—or stop—new laws.

2. The governor helps decide where the money goes.

3. The governor chooses the leaders behind key family services.

4. The governor sets the policy agenda.

5. The governor leads during emergencies.

FAQs: The Georgia Governor’s Race in 2026 and the Election Process

How Is Georgia’s Governor Elected?

Who Can Run for Governor?

How Long Can a Governor Serve?

What Happens if a Governor Leaves Office Early?

Which Political Parties Have Georgia’s Governors Belonged to Historically?

What Issues Are Candidates Talking About in 2026?

Why Does Understanding the Governor’s Role Matter?

Additional Resources

Key Points

The struggle to afford life in Georgia (beyond Halloween candy)

Policy solutions Georgia can’t afford to ignore

Additional Resources

Let’s stay connected

Links

Programs

Address

Key Points

Quick Facts About Georgia’s Governor

How Does the Governor Impact Everyday Lives in Georgia?

1. The governor can sign—or stop—new laws.

2. The governor helps decide where the money goes.

3. The governor chooses the leaders behind key family services.

4. The governor sets the policy agenda.

5. The governor leads during emergencies.

FAQs: The Georgia Governor’s Race in 2026 and the Election Process

How Is Georgia’s Governor Elected?

Who Can Run for Governor?

How Long Can a Governor Serve?

What Happens if a Governor Leaves Office Early?

Which Political Parties Have Georgia’s Governors Belonged to Historically?

What Issues Are Candidates Talking About in 2026?

Why Does Understanding the Governor’s Role Matter?

Additional Resources

Key Points

Table of Contents

What are welfare work requirements?

What are the Medicaid work requirements under the new federal law?

What are the current Medicaid work requirements in Georgia?

What are the SNAP work requirements under the new federal law?

What are the pros and cons of work requirements?

Pros:

Cons:

What else can policymakers do to reform the safety net?

Additional resources

System fails to move people out of poverty

Low labor participation rate is a warning

Follow other states in integrating workforce aims with welfare

Key Points

The struggle to afford life in Georgia (beyond Halloween candy)

Policy solutions Georgia can’t afford to ignore

Additional Resources

What’s not working about the current welfare system?

How Other States Are Making Welfare Work Better

Arkansas: Evaluating What Works and What Doesn’t

Louisiana: Creating One Door to Work

Utah: Proving It Can Be Done

Takeaways for Georgia

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