New technologies intersect with every policy area, and rapid technological advancements and changes often leave policy makers feeling as if they need to play keep-up.
We’ve seen this in the legislative balancing act of whether and how much to regulate or incentivize artificial intelligence and the instinctive mistrust of big tech companies expressed by many Americans. But a unique sense of urgency is present when it comes to more sensitive topics, such as the safety of children.
Several states have proposed measures to protect kids from harmful online content. While well-intentioned in their aims, some of these bills threaten individual liberty and parental rights. The same issues exist at the federal level as well, with the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) currently being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives.
This legislation would threaten parents’ rights to oversee what their children access on the internet and place the authority of regulating what kids can and cannot see online in the hands of the federal government. This is a case of Washington trying to govern the states where it has no place to do so. While we can all agree that protecting children online is a growing priority in the digital age, KOSA is not the way to achieve that goal.
What problems would KOSA create and what options should we follow to create the safest online environment for children possible?
We talk about that in this week’s commentary. We also have the latest news and analysis from the last week, including:
- Kemp announces new tax relief plan
- School choice programs generate massive fiscal benefit for state and local taxpayers
- Existing home sales fall to lowest level since 2010
- 2025 tax brackets announced
Have a great weekend,
– Kyle Wingfield
Friday’s Freshest
Would Amendment 1 bring property tax relief?
No issue has prompted more response in recent years to state and local officials than shock at property tax bills. This has arisen primarily from exponential increases on homestead values, but steadily rising millage rates are also a cause of frustration. That is why the legislature adopted a voter referendum designed to provide tax relief. We look into the proposal.
The implications of Amendment 1
Perhaps no recent ballot measure has sparked more confusion than this year’s amendment on property taxes. We look at the implications of approving Amendment 1.
Georgia’s record surplus presents an opportunity for taxpayer relief
Georgia has more money than ever. The state’s total fund balance at the end of the last fiscal year – including all of the state’s various reserve accounts – surged to $19.07 billion. Among these funds, Georgia’s undesignated surplus now stands at an unprecedented $11 billion. This historic level of strength offers a rare opportunity to chip away further at Georgians’ tax burden without risking the state’s financial position.
Lowering the stakes of presidential elections
Polling data reinforces that our nation is evenly divided along partisan lines. No one should be surprised at either candidate winning, but people on each side will be devastated if their favored candidate loses. If something you consider devastating has even odds of happening, why risk more on that outcome? Yet, for decades Americans have heightened the stakes of presidential elections by giving Washington more power.
How do we get physicians and providers in underserved areas?
Georgia, which has roughly 28,000 physicians currently practicing, is projected to need over 8,000 more physicians – including almost 2,100 primary care physicians alone – by 2030 just to maintain its current physician-to-patient ratio, which is already 23% worse than the national average. Since it takes years to educate and train a physician, what steps can policymakers take to try and address this physician shortage?
The brave souls that step into chaotic situations to restore order
Hurricane Helene left a wide scar centered on a line running from Valdosta to Augusta. The pictures from news reports and social media were devastating: uprooted trees, downed utility lines and scattered bits of buildings that once fit together. But amid the loss, what is certain is the gratitude we owe those brave souls who step out into these chaotic situations to restore order.
Also: Help support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Georgia
The Latest
Economy
Tax cut would give back $1B back to Georgians
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said an income tax cut announced this week would give $1 billion back to taxpayers. The plan gives $250 to single tax filers, $375 to single head of household filers and $500 for married couples filing jointly for the 2024 tax year. Kemp also said this announcement is not the end of his search to give relief to Georgia taxpayers.
Large insurer bringing 600 new jobs to metro Atlanta
Global insurer American International Group, Inc. is expanding, tripling its presence in metro Atlanta with an innovation hub in Dekalb County and the creation of 600 jobs. The job creation will happen over the next five years and include positions in underwriting, claims, operations, data engineering, and artificial intelligence, according to a release.
Georgia in talks to land battery manufacturing innovation center in Atlanta
Georgia leaders are attempting to recruit a battery manufacturer to open an innovation center in Atlanta, a deal that could involve a Fulton County agency granting the company hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax incentives. The Georgia Department of Economic Development is trying to woo a “state-of-the-art global innovation center” with 110 workers by an undisclosed battery company.
Education
New research on fiscal effects of school choice
From their inception through FY 2022, the 48 school choice programs studied generated cumulative net fiscal benefits for state and local taxpayers ranging from an estimated $19.4 billion to $45.6 billion. Since all programs analyzed had been operating for over five years by FY 2022, the fiscal benefits are likely closer to the high-end estimate of $45.6 billion.
Google Awards Gwinnett schools grant for AI-focused research
The Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation has been awarded a grant of more than $100,000 by Google.org. The funds will be used to explore the impact of AI-Ready learning experiences at Seckinger High School, GCPS officials said.
Economic report on University of Georgia’s School of Medicine released
A new report reveals that the University of Georgia’s School of Medicine is anticipated to have billion-dollar impacts on the state’s economy by 2040. According to a release by the university, an analysis conducted by consulting firm Tripp Umbach estimates that the school of medicine will generate between $1.8 billion and $2.3 billion in cumulative economic impact on the Peach State.
Government accountability
Big Tech presses a button, and America goes nuclear again
When some of America’s biggest tech companies concluded they needed a lot more energy to run their data centers in the decades to come, they decided that restarting decommissioned nuclear plants was the best, most cost-effective, and most reliable option. And with the seeming snap of their fingers, a slew of those closed plants are now scheduled to start operating again in the coming years.
Hurricanes: Six states request fiscal aid from Congress
Citing fall harvest losses at the top of a list, respective state House of Representatives leaders from six states, including Georgia, have petitioned Congress for fiscal assistance. The letter said Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton had major impacts “especially in rural areas where agriculture is the lifeblood and economic engine for small communities.”
Georgians say licensing board problems continue
Problems with Georgia’s professional licensing board still exist despite some improvements over the past few months, a legislative committee was told on Friday. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and House Speaker Jon Burns created the Joint Blue-Ribbon Committee to Investigate Licensing Issues in May after receiving what they called “countless” constituent complaints.
Housing
Existing home sales fall to lowest level since 2010
Sales of previously owned homes unexpectedly fell last month, slowing to a pace not seen since 2010, when the U.S. was still recovering from a housing market crash. The National Association of Realtors reported that existing home sales declined 1% in September from the prior month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.84 million, which is a 3.5% drop from one year ago.
Stage set for future Savannah council vote on new “density bonus” policy after MPC passage
A proposed zoning text amendment set for a future Savannah City Council vote could change that by allowing “missing middle” housing types in select zones. The proposal received a recommendation for approval last week from the planning commission, sending the petition to the city council in what will be the first major housing policy test for the current council administration.
Why mortgage rates are going up despite the Fed’s interest rate cut
Americans saw mortgage rates soar during the Federal Reserve’s aggressive campaign to fight inflation, leading many to hope for a reprieve after the central bank finally cut the federal funds rate last month for the first time in four years. But instead of declining, mortgage rates have marched higher for the past three weeks.
Bonus
The remarkable redneck Air Force of North Carolina
According to the men who organized this private relief effort in the wake of devastating floods unleashed by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, more than a million pounds of goods—food, heavy equipment to clear roads, medical gear, blankets, heaters, tents, you name it—have been flown from here to dots all over the map of western North Carolina.
Chick-fil-A to expand to Singapore
Chick-fil-A has announced the start of what it says will be a $75 million expansion in Singapore, part of an ambitious plan the College Park-based chain has to spread its signature offerings through Asia. The 57-year-old company, the third-largest quick-service chain in the United States, has a 10-year blueprint that will start with the opening of its first restaurant in Singapore in late 2025.
The brackets that determine how much Americans pay in taxes each year are moving up by their smallest amount in a few years. It will take more income to reach each higher tax bracket after the roughly 2.8% inflation adjustment for 2025, the Internal Revenue Service said Tuesday. The annual adjustments are based on formulas tied to inflation.
Quotes of Note
“For each dollar spent on education choice programs, these programs generated between $1.70 and $2.64 in estimated fiscal savings, on average.” – Martin Lueken, Director of Fiscal Policy and Analysis, EdChoice
“While bad policies coming out of Washington, D.C. are still hurting America’s families, here in Georgia we’re working to give our people relief. I want to thank the General Assembly for their support of the measure we announced today, and the many actions we’ve taken before now to put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Georgians.” – Gov. Brian Kemp
“Foreshadowing a new style of campaign financing, William McKinley’s (1896) campaign solicited major contributions from fellow industrialists, raising some $4 million in total.” – Sarah Pruitt, History.com