How Kudzu Grew from ‘Miracle Vine’ to ‘Monster’
Sometimes, popular solutions to public problems morph into public problems. One enduring example is the exotic, iconic plant known to the South as kudzu.
Georgia’s Healthcare Competitiveness Hobbled by Certificate of Need
By Chris Denson
When assessing Georgia’s competitiveness with neighboring states, Florida and Tennessee are often positioned as the ideal because neither has a state income tax. Another area in which Georgia lags behind those same neighbors, unfortunately, is in healthcare –…
The Path to Responsibility Can Start with a Broom and a Paycheck
It is hard to be a young black male in the United States today. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for African-American men between 16 and 24 is 30.5%. That rate is more than twice what it is for whites in the same age group.
New Express Lanes to Ease Taxpayer Toll
Some roads – and expedited improvements – are more valuable than others. This is one.
Our 50 State Flag: How One Ohio Teen’s Quest to Change His Grade Became Our National Symbol
A teenage Bob Heft's quest to change his grade resulted in one of the most enduring symbols of freedom.
A Conservative Vision for Social Justice
What barriers do America’s poor face in moving up and out of poverty, and what proven principles should inform our policies for the poor?
To Do No Harm, Protect Donor Privacy
Imagine you make a donation to a nonprofit organization that inspired you enough to want to support their good work. Now, imagine this gift became public information.
The Joy in Juneteenth
Any freedom-minded American should find joy in a day officially dedicated to commemorating the liberation of a people from slavery.
Georgia Rail Passenger Program
The Georgia Rail Passenger Program consists of a comprehensive plan for two distinct kinds of rail transportation: commuter and intercity trains, and proposed high-speed rail systems.
How Georgia is ‘Amazon-izing’ Healthcare and Fixing What’s Wrong with the Affordable Care Act
By Randy Pate
While Republicans nationally struggle to agree on solutions in healthcare and Democrats push for more government control, Georgia is taking a major step forward in altering key aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to empower consumers and…
For Schools to Return to Normalcy, Community Must Do Its Part
Georgians want school campuses open for face-to-face, in-person learning with no masks. To do that, the community needs to do its part to keep rates of COVID-19 and its variants low.
Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA)
GRTA is a state-level authority that addresses mobility and air quality in metro Atlanta. GRTA approves the allocation of state and federal transportation resources in metro Atlanta via the Atlanta Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the federally-required planning process that allocates funds to the highest-priority, near-term transportation projects.
A Day of Honor, a Sacrifice of a Lifetime
By Benita Dodd
Nearly 5 million people died in the Korean War, a conflict that began in June 1950 and ended in July 1953. More than half of those killed were civilians – a civilian death rate higher than World War…
Highway Robbery and Civil Forfeiture
By Benita M. Dodd
“Highway robbery” brings to mind the romantic legend of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, a righteous group that “stole from the rich to give to the poor.” It’s also what happens when law enforcement agencies embrace…
Bus Rapid Transit Shows Promise
The US DOT and FTA seek new ways to design and operate high capacity Bus Rapid Transit systems as an alternative to building Light Rail systems that often prove to be more expensive and less effective and solving congestion.
National Charter Schools Week a Reminder Georgia Has Much to Celebrate, More to Do
By Tony Roberts
The past year-and-a-half has been eye-opening for parents. When schools closed during the spring of 2020, families were forced to evaluate whether the public schools their children attended were prepared to handle the dramatic shift to online learning…
Don’t Make ‘Work’ a Four-Letter Word
By Benita M. Dodd
For restaurants, the busiest day of the year is Mother’s Day. According to the National Restaurant Association, 10% of consumers will dine out for breakfast, 25% for brunch, 45% for lunch, and 47% for dinner.
And, based on…
Bus Rapid Transit – Faster and Less Expensive than Light Rail
For years, the U.S. public transit industry has exhibited a clear preference for light rail systems even where bus systems could perform more effectively and at lower cost.
Quarries Hold Water for a Regional Quandary
By Harold Brown
Ever since it was a small town, Atlanta has worried about its water. In a 1951 U.S. Geological Survey publication, the author wrote about the establishment in 1893 of a small plant to filter the water of the…
Auto Insurance Provides a Model for Health Insurance Reform
By Ronald E. Bachman
Auto insurance has paved the way for health reform to follow. Nobody has suggested auto insurance is liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat. Auto insurance is bipartisan and non-partisan, universally available and mandatory in all but two…
