“The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute promotes economic policies which provide long-term solutions designed to expand economic opportunity and well-being for Georgians of every race, ethnicity and gender. In a fair and inclusive Georgia, all residents will prosper.” – Staci Fox, President and CEO, GBPI
My last column concerned the conservative leaning Georgia Public Policy Foundation. This week, I will be addressing the liberal-leaning group The Georgia Budget & Policy Institute (GBPI), a well-respected organization. GPBI- “advocates for policies that increase well-being and economic security for Georgia’s marginalized communities”.
GBPI prioritizes several policy areas, including- state budgets, state taxes, healthcare, the safety net and economic security, criminal justice reform, worker justice, and education. Georgia currently has a surplus of $11 billion and another $5 billion in its rainy-day fund. As the state of Georgia provides vital services for its residents and sustains lasting growth of our economy, a balanced approach to its budget and taxation is required. Therefore, GBPI believes that a stable and equitable tax system, generating long term revenue, is a necessity… while advocating for policies that increase well-being and economic security for Georgia’s marginalized communities.
This column will examine GBPI and Georgia’s budget, which reflects the General Assembly’s priorities. Because the GBPI is involved in research projects, we will also concentrate on three of the most important- the Department of Human Services, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Education.
Regarding the budget, GBPI advocates modifying current policies to provide greater assistance to Georgia’s lower- and middle-income families. Specifically, the General Assembly must enact legislation regarding-1. a Child Tax Credit; and 2. an Earned Income Tax Credit. Plus, increase our Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to the federal recommended amount.
Georgia has the second lowest cigarette tax, $0.37 per pack. GBPI advocates increasing to the national average, $1.96 per pack, and raising taxes on other tobacco products such as vaping.
Georgia’s film tax credit program helped Georgia’s TV and film industry blossom, creating jobs. However, credits reduced state revenue by $1 billion annually. GBPI advocates for reforms to increase revenue while maintaining growth.
GBPI also examines federal budget and tax policy, promoting fiscal responsibility and fairness for low– and middle-income families. For example, the impact of 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), expiring in 2025.
GBPI has analyzed the recently passed school voucher bill, by which students in low performing schools receive a $6,500 voucher to attend private schools. It found this law will result in diversion of state dollars away from public schools. Specifically, it will result in cuts of 1% to school district’s K-12 budgets, an estimated $141 million.
GPBI reviewed the state budget regarding the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC). With a 1.62 billion budget, GDC has the responsibility for Georgia’s prison system, which has experienced a rise in prison population. It is the hope of every taxpayer that incarcerated men and women will leave the prison system with skills and be motivated to follow a different path. However, GPBI has discovered some very worrisome issues. For example, GDC health services are problematic, creating significant barriers to care and numerous related concerns. It will come as a surprise to most Georgians that inmates have co-pays for their healthcare services. In numerous instances, inmates leave jail with debts created due to poor health, including chronic illnesses. These factors inhibit their re-entry into society, contributing to higher recidivism rates and ultimately costing taxpayers.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is responsible for aging services and support for low-income individuals. Plus, it is the main agency overseeing services for our children, including- foster care, child welfare, and child support. Per GBPI research, increased stability of family units is key to reducing dependency on Georgia’s child welfare system. Thus, investment in these programs will reduce total expenditures down the line while keeping families together. GPBI has expressed concern that Georgia’s current budget is going in the wrong direction, slightly cutting money for DHS rather than increasing it.
To learn more about GBPI and current General Assembly initiatives, follow it @GaBudget on Twitter or @georgiabudget on Instagram. Plus, sign up for their newsletter by visiting their web site- https://gbpi.org/.
