Several states are taking measures to curb overregulation and reduce the size of their regulatory codes. Regulations from the executive branch tend to grow in a state of inertia, creating an unnecessary burden on workers, established businesses and potential startups.
In recent studies, the Mercatus Center ranked Georgia the 26th most regulated state, and the Cicero Institute ranked Georgia tied for last in terms of regulatory processes and procedures. If Georgia wants to build on the successes that have made it the best state for business and continue to protect businesses and consumers, it should take steps to reduce its regulatory burden.
Runaway rulemaking from the executive negatively impacts economic prosperity, and without taking action, a perpetually expanding regulatory code will become the norm.
The second part of our report on government regulation in Georgia summarizes different states’ efforts to cut red tape, their metrics for success and results by those metrics. Research and reviews of these kinds of policies point to a few recommended solutions for cutting regulation.
Two of the most common and recommended policies are sunrise and sunset provisions.
- A sunrise provision ensures that a review of a proposed rule is triggered if it exceeds certain economic costs.
- A sunset provision ensures a similar review after a regulation has been in effect for a certain number of years.
How would these steps to reform work and have other states done it successfully? We look at that in our new report. We also have the latest news and analysis from the last week, including:
- Some new laws went into effect Wednesday
- Local governments consider opting out of voter approved tax relief measure
- Georgia adds more than 116,000 residents last year
- Housing supply reaches 4-year high
Have a great weekend,
– Kyle Wingfield
Friday’s Freshest
With 2024’s close, a quarter of the years beginning with “20” are now complete. For those of us who remember the flip from the 1900s to the 2000s, it’s hard to believe so much time has passed. America’s a vastly different place in many ways. Georgia is different, too. It’s worth recalling a few of the notable changes.
A big bet on government efficiency
The announcement of plans for a Department of Government Efficiency by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy is nothing short of audacious, pairing two of the country’s most outspoken entrepreneurs in a bid to reshape the federal bureaucracy. They have laid out a sweeping vision: cut waste, streamline agencies and leverage recent Supreme Court rulings to yank back regulatory overreach. Yet, the question looms: Can they deliver?
Anything besides providing more opportunities to more students misses the point
There are many good reasons to provide educational options to all children, not just some. The best reason, of course, is that all children deserve access to the education that best fits their needs. No child should be stuck in a substandard school just because of her ZIP code. A more practical reason is the difficulty of trying to divide the will-haves from the won’t-haves. A late-breaking, nit-picking kerfuffle over Georgia’s new Promise Scholarship illustrates why.
How does our state stack up against others? The annual Economic Freedom of North America report published by Canada’s Fraser Institute attempts to answer that question for each American state, Mexican state and Canadian province. The latest edition was published this past week, and Georgia fares quite well, placing sixth-highest. But while we have improved, other states have improved faster.
This year, Georgia Public Policy Foundation once again had our biggest year to date in terms of content produced and consumed. In the past 12 months, you read or watched our content more than 8.3 million times. As we enter the new year, here is a review of our most read and most shared stories of 2024.
The Latest
Economy
New laws will affect elections, taxes, health care
Most new laws the General Assembly enacted this year took effect in July. But some significant legislation or portions of legislation lawmakers passed pertaining to elections, taxes, and health care didn’t become operative until New Year’s Day. The list includes Senate Bill 189, an election reform measure. While most of the 24-page bill took effect in July, three of its provisions didn’t kick in until Jan. 1.
New law will scrutinize Georgia’s spending
Georgia lawmakers will take a closer look at the state’s spending thanks to a new law approved by the General Assembly that took effect this week. The Tax Expenditures Transparency Act of 2024 requires lawmakers to conduct 12 analyses of state tax expenditures. Priority is given to those that expire in two years or allocate more than $20 million.
Education
Georgia’s school choice program begins in 2025
Georgia’s school choice program takes effect during the 2025-2026 school year, and state officials are continuing to prepare a list of eligible schools. The bill passed the General Assembly and was signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in April after failing in 2023. Students who attend a low-performing school based on the College and Career Ready Performance Index are eligible.
Debunking fears of a “fiscal cliff” as school districts face ESSER spending deadline
Public school districts received an unprecedented influx of federal taxpayer funds in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that ultimately exceeded actual needs, yet teachers’ unions and certain education interests are demanding even more federal funds to sustain their emergency budget increases indefinitely.
Government accountability
Local governments consider opting out of property assessment cap
Some Georgia governments are considering opting out of a bill that limits the increase of a homestead property’s value to the rate of inflation. House Bill 581 was presented as a constitutional amendment. Voters gave their stamp of approval to the measure in November, with 63% saying “yes.” Cities and counties would be allowed to enact a one-cent special purpose, local option sales tax for property tax relief.
New legislation will provide relief to Georgia farmers hit by Hurricane Helene
Georgia farmers devastated by Hurricane Helene will soon be eligible for relief, thanks to the passage of a bill that set aside $21 billion for agricultural disaster funding. As the largest industry in the state, a preliminary analysis conducted in November estimated that Hurricane Helene would cost Georgia at least $5.5 billion in lost agricultural revenue.
Housing
Housing supply jumps to 4-year high – but it’s not all great news
The housing inventory shortage that has been plaguing the U.S. for years appears to finally be easing, but a significant factor behind what is driving up supply provides little encouragement that the stagnant market will get moving again anytime soon. A new report from Redfin says the number of homes for sale jumped to a four-year high in November, surging 12.1% year over year. But the major reason for the increase is that most homes on the market just aren’t selling.
Will 2025 be a better year to buy a house?
Homebuyers eager to forget this year’s housing market may ring in 2025 with an extra dash of zeal. A rapid rise in home prices has coincided with stubbornly high mortgage rates, shutting out potential buyers with daunting costs. Unfortunately, next year’s housing market will likely bring more of the same, experts say.
In Memoriam
Former President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29 at the age of 100 in his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter, who served as president from 1977-1981, is the only president from Georgia.
Bonus
Georgia adds more than 116,000 residents
Georgia added 116,646 residents from July 2023 to July 2024, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Georgia is ranked seventh for numeric growth and remains the eighth most populous state at 11.2 million people. International migration spurred the growth. The state added 63,088 people from other countries.
Airlines working with passengers affected by Sugar Bowl postponement
Airlines are providing some flexibility to passengers who were affected by the postponement of the Sugar Bowl as a result of the Wednesday morning terror attack in New Orleans. Delta Airlines is offering travel waivers for those flying in and out of New Orleans. The Atlanta-based airline is allowing passengers to change flight schedules for anything booked between Wednesday and Friday without paying additional charges.
Jimmy Carter remembered as ‘hero’ that sparked craft beer industry
Tributes honoring the life of former President Jimmy Carter continue to roll in following his death over the weekend, and while the 39th commander-in-chief is remembered for many contributions, the craft beer industry has long hailed him a “hero.” Boston Beer Co. founder Jim Koch, who famously launched his Sam Adams lager from home, credits Carter with sparking America’s craft brew movement.
Quotes of Note
“I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry.” – President Jimmy Carter, 1924-2024
“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” – T.S. Elliot
“Making New Year resolutions is one thing. Remaining resolute and seeing them through is quite another.” – Alex Morritt
