GBPI
Georgia Budget & Policy Institute
PROGRESS
The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute works to advance lasting solutions that expand economic opportunity and well-being for all Georgians.
Friends of GBPI, You’ve been on my mind. This year brought challenges for each of us, typical and existential, personal and global. I hope you are taking care. As 2020 nears its end, votes are counted and voices heard, my hope is that you see and feel the promise of this moment. You are at the center of that promise.
GBPI President and CEO Taifa Butler speaks about the need for people-first solutions.
The work you bring to life seven days a week, 365 days a year at GBPI is at the center of that promise. Your support is important during moments of democratic action, and more so in the work that comes after elected leaders take their seats. Change does not end at the ballot box. It happens when leaders make decisions about our state’s priorities—your state budget. GBPI fills this hope-filled space where there is infinite possibility. This year you saw the power of policy done well. Your support expanded unemployment benefits to workers bearing the brunt of the pandemic-induced recession. You saw postpartum health care benefits for new mothers expanded. Your investment increased the availability of child care subsidies to serve more students and low-income families. Policy done poorly is felt most acutely by those who have long borne the brunt of inequity, and in many instances, our leaders have failed to respond adequately to the crises of 2020. Today, the well-being of 1.5 million Georgians who lack health coverage hangs in the balance. And in addition to struggling through the unfamiliarity of virtual schooling and hybrid models, teachers and children are having to do more with less—nearly $1 billion less. Still, with many unknowns, I am certain of one thing: it is within our power to find promise amid this pandemic. You are not a stranger to the work of building an equitable Georgia. You played a critical part in that effort at every juncture. Each of these victories is yours. So, thank you for lending your voice, your talent, your treasure and your heart to this work. It is not easy, especially in a year like this, but it is essential, particularly because of times like these.
STAFF Taifa S. Butler President and CEO Kevin Amaya Development Associate Stephanie Angel Policy Fellow Alex Camardelle Senior Policy Analyst Jennifer Crane Communications Associate
PEOPLE-POW
A people-first ec
Lindsey Garland Development Director Laura Harker Senior Policy Analyst Caitlin Highland Communications Director Amanda Hollowell Director of Strategic Campaigns Crystal Johnson Director of Administration & HR Danny Kanso Policy Analyst Ray Khalfani Research Associate Jennifer Lee Senior Policy Analyst Stephen Owens Senior Policy Analyst David Schaefer Research Director Alex Welch Communications Associate Jessica Woods Finance Director BOARD Charles Johnson - Chair Susan E. Neugent - Vice Chair James McCoy - Treasurer Patricia Harris - Secretary Odessa Archibald Kathy Ashe Thomas Boller Carla Cartwright Ann Duffy Steven Fox Lois Frank Govind Kannan Glenda Minkin Natosha Reid Rice Daraka E. Satcher Connor Sen Robert Sills David Sjoquist Jim Stokes Sachin Varghese GBPI.org 50 Hurt Plaza SE, #720 Atlanta, GA 30303
Your investment is advancing a bold, people-first economic vision for every Georgia community across the state. While some lawmakers consistently tout Georgia as the No. 1 place to do business, the needs of Georgians continue to go unmet. Uninsured rates are on the rise. Public schools face ongoing cuts. And Georgia communities across the state need better solutions. In 2018, with your support, GBPI launched a groundbreaking agenda called People-Powered Prosperity (PPP) that details public policies that put people first. From full Medicaid expansion to affordable child care, PPP offers proven ways to help everyone across Georgia thrive. This year, your support ushered several PPP policy priorities across the finish line during the 2020 Legislative Session, including: Extending postpartum Medicaid Georgia lawmakers approved a bill to extend health care for new mothers from two months to six months. Increase the availability of child care subsidies Child care subsidies were extended to all student parents seeking a bachelor’s degree. Strengthen Georgia’s safety net programs Lawmakers extended Unemployment Insurance to 26 weeks, suspended work requirements, named essential workers a “priority group” for child care benefits and administered maximum food assistance benefits.
Your impact doesn’t stop there.
WERED PROSPERITY
conomic vision for Georgia
You want the state to continue pursuing people-first solutions, and you aren’t alone. Recent GBPI poll new pollinshows Georgians overwhelmingly results show Georgians want theAstate to invest people, reevaluate the billions of dollars in tax breaks corporations receive every support year and startincreased focusing on ensuring every community can thrive. funding and access to education
Poll results show Georgians stand with you in supporting people-first solutions.
86.8%
82.9%
72.4%
Support increased funding for more slots in Georgia’s pre-K program.
Support additional funding for schools to assist students from low-income families.
Support providing technical college programs tuition-free to Georgia students.
As we prepare for another Legislative Session, your support is critical. COVID-19 created unprecedented levels of unemployment across our state and brought about an economic crisis that requires our lawmakers to put the needs of people first—now. While we’re seeing stories about our state recovering, we know Black Georgians continue to be overrepresented in unemployment filings. We must ensure there’s an equitable recovery for all Georgians. But you know that even a return to pre-pandemic Georgia would mean longstanding disparities for communities of color still exist. People-Powered Prosperity would help change that landscape by putting in place policies that work to eliminate racial inequities and invest in opportunities for every Georgian. You and every Georgian deserve to see a doctor when you’re sick, attend quality public schools in your community and access the tools you need to prosper. You have the opportunity to make that a reality. Renew your gift and join the people-powered movement to build a better Georgia.
Your Support Plays a Critical Role In 2020 you played a critical role in demanding Georgia be a place where all can thrive. Will you invest in the next phase of democratic change?
Your renewed gift to GBPI today will seed the ground with the makings of a better tomorrow.
Change might start at the ballot box, but it cannot end there. Your support ensures elected leaders can make informed decisions and implement sound policies.
Will you renew your gift today? Visit GBPI.org/donate.
Insights Policy Conference Race, Resilience and Recovery
January 22 & 29, 2021 Virtual Event Our signature policy conference is going virtual. You can attend Insights 2021 entirely online, as we provide two half-days of informative, engaging discussions as the 2021 Legislative Session gets underway. Registration will open this month.