NEWS & OPINIONS
Equitable Options In Education
Since 2016, the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) has demonstrated the existence of welfare cliffs. Now a team of five economists has come to the same conclusion. Welfare cliffs are an unfortunate feature of the American welfare system.
If You Accept this Raise, You Fall Off the Welfare Cliff
Getting a raise from $15 to $18 could cost you over $20,000 in net income. Would you work hard for that promotion?
The Unintended Consequences of Generous Unemployment Benefits
Since 2016, the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) has demonstrated the existence of welfare cliffs. Now a team of five economists has come to the same conclusion. Welfare cliffs are an unfortunate feature of the American welfare system.
Welfare Without Dignity Doesn’t Work
The fact of the matter is that systems like Medicaid, food stamps, and other programs are not designed to move people into a better life. Instead, they are a stop-gap that simply meets an immediate or temporary need.
Welfare Cliffs Exist—Concludes Team of Economists
Since 2016, the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) has demonstrated the existence of welfare cliffs. Now a team of five economists has come to the same conclusion. Welfare cliffs are an unfortunate feature of the American welfare system.
Reentry is not enough
Reentry has long been the sole focus of the prison system. However reintegration is a more wholistic community-based process that involves a citizen transitioning from an antisocial member of society into an individual who controls and directs their own lives.
Field Trips in the Time of COVID
Field Trips In The Time Of COVID By Heidi Holmes Erickson We all remember a time as students when we boarded a bus, a brown paper bag with a smashed sandwich in hand, anxiously waiting as our teacher gave us information about the day’s field trip. Field trips are a...
The Power of Second Chances
The Power of Second Chances By David BassImagine stepping from a life of homelessness characterized by desperation and deprivation to a full, rich life in which you can contribute and build a future. That was Jonathan’s story of transformation. As a graduate of CKS...
Gov. Kemp signs bill into law expanding job opportunities for military spouses
Gov. Kemp signs bill into law expanding job opportunities for military spouses By David Bass With our state experiencing a 7.6% unemployment rate in June (the most recent numbers available), it’s clear that every Georgian needs all the help...
Gov. Kemp signs ‘second chance’ expungement bill into law for ex-offenders
Gov. Kemp signs ‘second chance’ expungement bill into law for ex-offenders By David Bass For many Georgians, past criminal conviction can be the most significant hurdle to overcome in getting a job. On this front, there is good news: Gov. Brian...
COVID-19 Makes the Case for Educational Flexibility Even Stronger
With respect to school openings during this COVID-19 pandemic, a public health professor recently observed, “There are no ideal solutions here. No matter what schools do, they won’t make everyone happy.” Of course, that is true in the monolithic K-12 education system we have now…
Chris Glinski: Overcoming Barriers Of Addiction
Chris Glinski was addicted to heroin He has aspirations to be a therapist and was recently married in 2016. “Where I am at now, it feels so foreign that I had this debilitating addiction that prevented me from love and joy,” Chris said. Chris’ story is an example of overcoming barriers and beating addiction.
MEDIA MENTIONS
Georgia House subcommittee to examine recruiting and retention challenges for state’s workforce | Jackson Progress-Argus
A new state House subcommittee plans to examine the Georgia workforce’s challenges in recruiting and retaining talent... Meanwhile, the Georgia Center for Opportunity has joined the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Louisiana’s Pelican Institute for Public Policy to...
Experts say Georgia policymakers should remove governmental barriers to job creation | The Center Square
As the Consumer Price Index continues to rise, a Georgia nonprofit says the state should remove barriers to jobs to facilitate business growth. The non-seasonally adjusted CPI rose 0.3% in April and has increased 8.3% in the last 12 months... "Economics 101 teaches...
Inflation slowed in April, but prices continued their steady increase | KTBS
Inflation continued its steady rise in April, when the Consumer Price Index increased 8.3% over last year, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For the month, the CPI rose 0.3%. That's down from the 1.2% spike in March, but...
New Research Predicts Long-Term Pain for Labor Market
Long-term pain for labor market due to the COVID-19 pandemic New research predicts long-term pain for the labor market due to around 3 million workers who plan to remain permanently sidelined over concerns of physical illness or physical impairment due to the COVID-19...
Georgia Unemployment Rate: Lowest Record Since 1976
State unemployment rate stands at a record low On Friday, April 15th, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released state employment numbers for Georgia. They show that our state unemployment rate stands at a record low of 3.1%, the lowest since the BLS began tracking...
Randy Hicks on taking a bottom-up strategy to state policy reform | Overton Window Podcast
GCO's CEO, Randy Hicks speaks with fellow think tank podcast, The Overton Window Below is an excerpt from the Mackinac Center in Michigan. The Mackinac Center recently invited GCO's CEO, Randy Hicks to discuss GCO's take on State Policy Reform on their regular...
Op-Ed: Georgia Politicians Reject Educational Freedom At Their Own Peril | Real Clear Policy
Tuesday, March 15, was a sad day for kids in Georgia. That’s the day when the Georgia Senate voted down a bill to create Promise Scholarships. Eight Republicans joined all Democrats in rejecting the scholarships, which would have offered families up to $6,000 a year...
Op-Ed: Georgia Politicians Reject Educational Freedom At Their Own Peril | The Georgia Virtue
Tuesday, March 15, was a sad day for kids in Georgia. That’s the day when the Georgia Senate voted down a bill to create Promise Scholarships. Eight Republicans joined all Democrats in rejecting the scholarships, which would have offered families up to $6,000 a year...