There is a disparity among Georgia schools when it comes to transporting students. Rural areas with sparse populations deal with long ride times. Meanwhile, urban areas frequently have overcrowded school buses. A nationwide shortage of bus drivers affects everyone. In addition, the transportation for Georgia’s public schools and public charter schools is also regulated differently.
There have been legislative efforts to address some of these transportation problems, including the authorization of local school boards to officially use transportation other than traditional yellow school buses. Unfortunately, there is still plenty of ground to make up. Some of this will likely have to do with strict regulation of buses and what kinds of “official” transportation schools can use. Another obstacle is the allocation of transportation funds in Georgia’s education funding formula.
Rules for K-12 transportation are made and enforced by the State Board of Education, and these include the provision of transportation for students within 1.5 miles of their assigned school as well as bus specifications and safety standards.
The funding system for Georgia charter schools is not only different, but results in an overall funding gap between district and charter schools and should be addressed in several areas. However, even doing so successfully would likely not fix the disparity in transportation, which is hampered by the funding formula’s strict adherence to traditional bus routes, transportation regulations and attendance boundaries.
A new study published by the Georgia Public Policy Foundation in partnership with the Reason Foundation delves into issues with adequate K-12 transportation. It reviews how transportation is funded and ways to improve access in both public schools and public charter schools.
In this week’s commentary, we talk about that study and how Georgia can alleviate the funding disparities, while it continues to explore new transportation options. We also have the latest news and analysis from the last week, including:
- Georgia again named top state for business
- Data shows Georgians are moving away from the state’s most populous counties
- Georgia breaks tourism record for second year in a row
- TikTok goes to court
Have a great weekend,
– Kyle Wingfield
Friday’s Freshest
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.
Georgia’s childcare providers say out of control lawsuits could put them out of business
Members of Georgia’s childcare industry say it’s increasingly difficult to find companies that will insure them. Given Georgia’s high demand for professional childcare services, most people might naturally guess the industry is in no danger of going away. But there actually is a danger. A rise in lawsuits and excessive judgments are making insurance for childcare providers too expensive or too difficult to find.
School choice opponents continue to mislead
In a recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, education researcher Josh Cowen is quoted several times making claims about programs that allow families to choose private schools for their children. His claims would almost be convincing, if they weren’t so easily refuted.
How well do colleges in Georgia protect free speech?
How strongly do America’s colleges protect speech? That’s exactly what the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has done with its 2025 College Free Speech Rankings. FIRE surveyed 58,807 students spanning 257 colleges earlier this year, asking about their experiences and perceptions regarding free expression. The news isn’t great.
We should address areas where the state makes it more difficult for men and women to contribute to society. One of the biggest barriers in Georgia, and every other state for that matter, is the landscape of occupational regulations. At a time when most employers are looking for workers, the requirement of a government-issued license to do certain jobs is often overly burdensome and sometimes nonsensical.
The Latest
Economy
Kemp celebrates top state for business ranking at workforce summit
Gov. Brian Kemp delivered the keynote address at the second annual Governor’s Workforce Summit this week, during which he announced that Georgia has been named the No. 1 state for business for the 11th consecutive year by Area Development magazine. He also provided an update on the state of Georgia MATCH and other state efforts to strengthen workforce development while putting forth the goal of making Georgia the Top State for Talent.
Georgia breaks tourism records for 2nd year in a row
Last year, Georgia broke tourism records for the second consecutive year. In 2023, 171 million visitors came to Georgia. That’s 5 million more than in 2022. The increase helped generate nearly $80 billion in total tourism revenue while supporting over 463,000 jobs, officials said.
Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by half-point; first rate reduction in four years
The Federal Reserve this week announced a long-awaited interest rate cut, lowering the benchmark rate by 50 basis points. It was at the highest level in 23 years as the central bank eased borrowing costs following progress in the fight against inflation. The Fed’s first interest rate cut since March 2020 lowers the benchmark federal funds rate to a range of 4.75% to 5%.
Education
Kemp signs order for schools to pay student athletes for name, image, likeness
Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order making it legal for universities to pay student-athletes for using their name, image or likeness. However, Kemp’s executive order specifies that “no postsecondary educational institution shall use funds allocated by the State of Georgia for such compensation.”
Woods proposes school safety steps in wake of Apalachee High shooting
State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced Monday he will push for additional state funding for school safety initiatives during the 2025 General Assembly session in the aftermath of this month’s school shooting in Barrow County. The goal will be providing a school resource officer and a crisis alert system in every Georgia school.
How college wrecked productivity and how to fix it
Employers value demonstrated skills and experience over a college degree for employment eligibility. A survey conducted by Intelligent of 800 U.S. employers found that an astonishing “45% of companies plan to eliminate bachelor’s degree requirements for some positions in 2024.” Additionally, 80% of employers indicated they are “very likely” or “likely” to value the candidate’s experience more than education.
Government accountability
Dalton officials teach stormwater management at national conference
During the past five years the city of Dalton has been charting a groundbreaking course with the development and execution of a 21st-century stormwater management plan. Last week, members of the city’s Public Works team presented that plan to communities from across the country at the American Public Works Association’s Public Works Expo. The conference brings together hundreds of public works professionals from across the country.
Residents ready for legal fight to block battery energy storage plant
A group of residents in south Fulton County are gearing up for a legal battle to stop plans for a battery energy storage plant that they fear could catch fire. NextEra Energy Resources plans to build the $400 million facility. The project was scheduled to be complete and open by December 2025, but company spokeswoman Sara Cassidy said that construction is now a “multi-year process.”
Georgia lawmakers about to focus on private water systems
The role private water systems can and should play in meeting the demands of Georgia’s growing population will be the focus of a legislative study committee that will begin meeting next week. Private water systems became an issue earlier this year. The General Assembly voted to allow private utilities to provide water in areas where no public service can be provided within 18 months.
Transportation
Norfolk Southern’s new CEO hopes for end to ‘distractions’ of last 18 months
Two days after the termination of Norfolk Southern’s CEO, the Atlanta-based railroad’s newly named chief executive, Mark George, said he’s happy the board decision on the changeover was so rapid. Former CEO Alan Shaw was fired for an alleged inappropriate relationship with another executive at the company.
Georgia set out to be an EV hub. It now is, despite some speed bumps.
Gov. Brian Kemp set out about five years ago to make Georgia the “e-mobility capital of the world.” In that time, Georgia has emerged as not only an e-mobility hub, but a clean technology giant. The state has recruited a pair of multibillion-dollar electric vehicle plants, dozens of parts suppliers to support those factories and several facilities across the battery supply chain.
Georgia transportation officials award 31 projects in July
The Georgia Department of Transportation said it awarded 31 projects in July, and a list of projects released by the agency shows the awards total $196.7 million. So far in fiscal 2025, which began on July 1, officials said they have awarded projects totaling $325 million. At roughly $85 million, the largest project is to widen and reconstruct nearly 4.5 miles on State Route 162 in Newton and Rockdale counties.
Bonus
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard TikTok’s defense on Monday, as the social media company sought to persuade the three-judge panel that Congress’s attempts to ban the platform are a violation of the First Amendment. It’s not clear that the judges were persuaded.
Food giant Cargill to establish Atlanta tech hub in Midtown
The country’s largest privately held food producer announced it will be taking up office space within a glassy Midtown tower to establish a new technology hub with 400 workers. Cargill, which is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution it agreed to sublease within the NCR campus. A company spokesperson declined to disclose the amount of space Cargill agreed to lease.
The WNBA boom came with an ugly side
From the moment she entered the WNBA, Caitlin Clark has helped boost TV audiences, grow attendance and vault the league into the sports mainstream. The most-watched games have featured Clark’s Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese—rivals since they faced off in the 2023 NCAA women’s championship game. But as the WNBA surged this year, an undercurrent of ugly discourse has circulated between followers of Clark and Reese.
Quotes of Note
“We are honored to accept the title of ‘Top State for Business’ for an unprecedented 11th year. This latest recognition underscores that our pro-business approach to economic development is creating opportunities for Georgians in every corner of the state.” – Gov. Brian Kemp
“I know Congress doesn’t legislate all the time, but here they did. They actually passed a law. And many of your arguments want us to treat them like they’re an agency.” Judge Neomi Rao
“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.” – William Faulkner