Early voting began this week in the Peach State. Georgians will vote for county officials, state lawmakers, members of Congress, and, of course, the president. They will also vote on three ballot initiatives. Considering Georgia’s status as a swing state in a toss-up election, the referendums have largely gone under the radar.
But this year, lawmakers put a measure in front of voters that was designed to lower property taxes. Anyone who has been paying property taxes the past few years has seen their tax bills continue to rise, largely because of soaring property assessments. Will this measure bring relief?
All voters will see the following question: “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for a state-wide homestead exemption that serves to limit increases in the assessed value of homesteads, but which any county, consolidated government, municipality, or local school system may opt out of upon the completion of certain procedures?”
What exactly does this mean, what happens if this passes, and how could local governments respond?
Because these are complex questions, we answer those questions in two separate commentaries this week.
We hope you will check those commentaries out. We also have the latest news and analysis from the last week, including:
- Atlanta awarded 2028 Super Bowl
- Unemployment rate holds steady in Georgia
- Georgia students top national average in ACT scores
- Gas tax suspension gives Georgia lowest gas prices in the country
Have a great weekend,
– Kyle Wingfield
Friday’s Freshest
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.
2024 Guide to the Issues released
The Georgia Public Policy Foundation has released its 2024 “Guide to the Issues,” in which we summarize the policy areas most central to our work and most important to the people of Georgia. Each issue page offers a policy summary and gives the Foundation’s recommendations for effective solutions.
Read: Guide to the Issues
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?
Where are people in Georgia moving?
People vote with their feet, as numerous studies about migration among the states have shown. But they don’t only do this by crossing state lines. The IRS publishes data every year about migration not only from state to state, but from county to county. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation analyzed the most recent data, which cover people who filed taxes in one jurisdiction in 2021 and another in 2022. What it found about Georgia’s counties is illuminating.
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
Georgia unemployment held steady in September
Georgia continued to set employment records last month even as the state’s unemployment rate held steady. The Peach State’s jobless rate stood at 3.6% in September, unchanged from August and five-tenths lower than the national average.
Georgia corporate tax collections down 13.1% in September
Georgia’s corporate tax collections were down 13.1% in September, and overall, tax collections were down 2.8% compared to last year, according to information released by the governor’s office on Friday. Overall, tax collections were $3.21 billion, down from $3.3 billion, a $91.2 million difference, according to the news release.
Education
Georgia students again top national average on ACT
The Georgia Class of 2024 scored slightly lower on the ACT compared to last year but still beat the national average for the eighth year in a row. Georgia students’ average composite ACT score of 21.2 was down slightly from 21.3 in 2023 but exceeded the pre-pandemic average of 20.7.
Why do federal bureaucrats have so much power over our education system?
The federal government has fumbled one of its largest obligations in education. The result is chaos for colleges and millions of students who depend on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to access loans and scholarships. The lack of accountability raises a deeper question: Why do federal bureaucrats have so much power over our education system?
Government accountability
Kemp extends emergency declaration in 62 Georgia counties
Gov. Brian Kemp has renewed the state of emergency for several counties in Georgia affected by Helene. The renewal, issued on Oct. 15, extends the emergency declaration for seven days, covering 62 counties. The state of emergency, initially declared on Sept. 24, was previously extended twice and was set to expire on Oct. 16.
Sapelo Island’s Gullah Geechee vow to continue fight against rezoning, after judge nixes referendum
Voters in Southeast Georgia’s McIntosh County had been scheduled to vote this month on a referendum to undo zoning changes passed in September 2023, which allow bigger houses to be built on Sapelo Island’s Hogg Hummock neighborhood. That was until a state judge recently canceled the ballot initiative.
Transportation
Taxpayers to fund Georgia plant seeking to help stop EV fires
Fires from electric vehicle batteries may be rare, but they can create white-hot infernos that are difficult to extinguish. Now, a company seeking to make materials for preventing such runaway conflagrations at a new factory in southeast Georgia is set to get funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Airlines should learn from CrowdStrike outage
Many air travelers found their flight plans disrupted in mid-July when system disruptions from a faulty cybersecurity software update led to widespread computer crashes. This incident highlighted the need for robust information technology preparedness and operational resilience for airlines, as well as the vulnerability of automated update systems or updates managed by third parties.
Bonus
Home shopping data signals which states could be redder, bluer for 2024 election
Tens of millions of Americans move in any given year, and the migration trends of those that have resettled in another state since the past presidential election could spell political changes for 2024, even potentially impacting U.S. electoral outcomes. Which states have become redder, and which states have become bluer?
Atlanta lands Super Bowl LXII in 2028
Super Bowl LXII will be held in Atlanta in February 2028, the National Football League announced Tuesday. The game will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which also hosted the Super Bowl in 2019.
Georgia has the lowest gas prices in the country
Georgia’s moratorium on gas taxes has driven the costs down to an average of $2.70 for a gallon of regular unleaded, the lowest price in the country, according to AAA. The price is 29 cents less than a week ago and 4 cents less than last week, AAA said.
Quotes of Note
“Christopher Columbus, of course, has always held a proud place in our history not only for his voyage of exploration but for the spirit that he exemplified. He was a dreamer, a man of vision and courage, a man filled with hope for the future and with the determination to cast off for the unknown and sail into uncharted seas for the joy of finding whatever was there. Put it all together and you might say that Columbus was the inventor of the American dream.” – President Ronald Reagan
“I think it is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.” – Elon Musk
“This decision [to award Atlanta the 2028 Super Bowl] underscores our position as an ideal host for large-scale attractions like this. Fans from across the world who attend Super Bowl LXII will experience the world-class lodging, amenities, and commitment to safety that set us apart.” – Gov. Brian Kemp