Economic freedom, limited government, personal responsibility, individual initiative, respect for private property and the rule of law are core principles of a free enterprise system. A healthy economy is dependent on a skilled workforce, educational opportunity, sound tax policy, reduced government spending and a competitive business environment that encourages reinvestment and expansion free from a heavy-handed government that restricts such aspirations.

Economy, Taxes and Spending

Obama Minimum Wage Compassion is a Tax Boost for Government

President Obama continues to push for an increase in the federal minimum wage but as University of Georgia economist Jeffrey Dorfman explains here, the biggest winners from Obama's proposal would be government tax collectors.
Economy

Georgia 8th in Latest Economic Freedom Report

Georgia ranked 12th overall and 8th in the United States in the the ninth annual Economic Freedom of North America report. The study examines key indicators of economic freedom based on the size of government, taxation, regulation, rule of law and property…

Economy, Government Accountability, Poverty

The Minimum Wage

Here’s a good video as well as some good information on the impact of minimum wage increases here from our friends at the Foundation for Economic Education.

 

Economy, Poverty

‘Rich States, Poor States:’ How Does Georgia Rank? How Can It Improve?

Three years after the economic downturn, many wonder: What are the key drivers for growth in Georgia and what can be done to make the state more fiscally competitive?
Economy, Taxes and Spending

Georgia State and Local Finances

The objective of this report is to inform policy-makers and citizens on government finances, revenues and expenditures in the state. This report focuses on Georgia’s combined state and local finances relative to other states in 2004. Rankings should be perceived…

Economy

Telework: Transporting Workers into a Global Economy

Just a dozen years ago it was considered avant garde for an organization to allow employees to work from home. Today, increasing numbers of employees are quietly migrating away from noisy distracting offices to crank out productive work wherever they happen to be.  
Economy

Georgia’s Economics: Right on the Money

Lately, our state has been inundated with criticisms regarding air quality, education, water resources, and urban sprawl not to mention the possible government ‘solutions’ to such problems. Between the daily criticisms and the reality of long commutes and never-ending construction, one may wonder why so many people are relocating to Georgia by choice. Well, we have the answer.
Economy, Taxes and Spending

Paycheck Protection: Union Dues, Political Spending, and Employee Freedom of Choice

 In 1988, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Communication Workers of America v. Beck2 that workers required to pay union dues by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement were only required to pay those union dues necessary for the performance of the union’s duties in collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance adjustment.
Economy

Private, Portable Public Employee Pensions May Help States Stay Solvent

On May 30 the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) National Task Force on Commerce and Economic Development adopted the model Public Employees’ Portable Retirement Option Act (PRO).
The new model bill could not only revolutionize the structure of public employee pension funds, but may also pave the way for privatization of the nation’s Social Security system.
Economy

A Response To the City of Atlanta’s Critique of “Rescuing the City of Atlanta From A Fiscal Crisis”

In May of 1995, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation published a report authored by John Sherman, “Rescuing Atlanta From A Fiscal Cri- sis,” the purpose of which was set forth in the first paragraph:

“America’s cities are in trouble. Faced with…

Economy

Let’s Return Real Fiscal Authority to the States

I've been asked to give a wrap-up of the conference and to talk about the road ahead. Although much of the discussion at this conference has been on taxes and spending at the state level, I would like to shift the emphasis a little bit by arguing that one cannot fully grasp what's happening at the state level regarding taxes and spending unless one first considers the fiscal relationship between states and the federal government.
Economy

Rescuing Atlanta From A Fiscal Crisis

America’s cities are in trouble. Faced with increased demands for services, cutbacks in state and federal funds, and a dwindling tax base, many cities have resorted to higher and higher taxes. Several progressive city governments, however, have found ways to…