It’s Friday!
With housing costs putting a strain on home seekers in Georgia and throughout the country, renting is an increasingly feasible option for individuals and families as they try to navigate a market marked by high cost and high demand. Given this burden and the uncertainty that shrouds it, it is important for renters to understand exactly where their money goes, and why.
The Georgia Public Policy Foundation has released a new study that analyzes how government regulations affect the cost of multifamily housing.
In total, federal, state and local regulation contributes 23.4% on average to the cost of multifamily housing. While regulation is not the sole driver of multifamily costs and housing in general, it is one area that policymakers can directly address.
Housing costs ultimately affect many areas of public policy, and indeed quality of life. If Georgia policymakers and citizens want to uphold the state’s business-friendly reputation, we must work to make workforce housing more accessible.
How do regulations impact the cost of multifamily housing?
Friday’s Freshest
Georgia taxpayers lost money to Obamacare, the American Rescue Plan, and unemployment fraud
Six school districts in Georgia misused money they accepted from federal taxpayers, via the American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund program, according to state auditors. That story, and more, highlight our latest review of waste, fraud or abuse of taxpayer money or taxpayer-funded resources throughout Georgia.
Looking back at the 2023 session
For a one-word description of Georgia’s 2023 legislative session, which ended just after midnight last Wednesday, one could hardly improve on “almost.”
What is the future of school choice in Georgia?
Georgia won’t be part of the growing number of states providing parents with additional options in the education of their children this year. But what does the future hold?
📺 WATCH: More education options are good for Georgia students, parents
What happened to CON reform this year?
Three bills that would have reduced certificate of need regulations by varying degrees were introduced this year. Some got further than others, but none passed. So what gives?
Georgia moves to ease licensing requirements
A new law will recognize most occupational licenses obtained in other states.
📺 WATCH: Breaking down barriers to work
Economy
Census numbers show Georgia’s population increased
Two Georgia counties are among the fastest-growing counties in the nation. Between 2021 and 2022, both Dawson and Lumpkin counties ranked among the top five counties with at least 20,000 residents with the largest annual percent growth. Between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022, the counties saw their populations grow by 5.8% each.
New nuclear reactor at Plant Vogtle producing electricity
The first of two new nuclear reactors at Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle is generating electricity for the first time, the Atlanta-based utility announced during the weekend.
Education
Kemp vetoes bill related to tuition increases
Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed legislation that would have required legislative approval for a year-after-year tuition increase larger than 3% at a public Georgia college. Kemp said that the bill oversteps the power of the Board of Regents.
The good and bad of K–12 inter-district open enrollment policies
Many states have created open enrollment laws that break down district lines and allow kids to attend public schools outside their geographically assigned schools. But there are many things policymakers can do to improve their local open enrollment policies.
Government accountability
Attorneys general coalition opposes federal gas stoves regulations
Twenty-one states’ attorneys general, including Georgia’s Chris Carr, wrote a letter opposing Department of Energy regulations regarding gas stoves.
Desperately Seeking Regulatory Restraint
Total regulatory costs are around $2 trillion a year, roughly 8% of the entire gross domestic product of the United States in 2021. If the cost of regulation were a tax, it would be larger than the federal income tax and total almost $15,000 per family.
Housing
Home prices unexpectedly jump for the first time in months
Home prices rose in February for the first time in seven months as lower mortgage rates reignited consumer demand, the latest sign of recovery in the housing market.
Army to start unit-by-unit housing inspections at Fort Gordon
The U.S. Army will begin unit-by-unit inspections of on-post privatized housing at Fort Gordon near Augusta next week.
Quotes of the Week
“On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer.” – Douglas Horton
“Passover affirms the great truth that liberty is the inalienable right of every human being.” – Morris Joseph
“If the Masters offered no money at all, I would be here trying just as hard.” – Ben Hogan