Labor Day is a time to celebrate the American worker. But it’s also a time to ask ourselves: What state is doing the best job of putting workers first?
Georgia has an incredibly strong claim. The Peach State isn’t just leading the way in pro-worker reforms at the state level. It’s also the home of federal leaders who are fighting for workers in Washington, D.C. Few states, if any, have so many principled, pro-worker leaders at every level of government.
The state’s leadership in Atlanta is clear in many ways. For decades, Georgia has been a right-to-work state, giving workers the choice of whether or not to pay union fees. As a result, they can opt out of paying a union without fear of losing their jobs. That policy has undoubtedly contributed to Georgia’s booming economy. Manufacturers in particular may be more likely to set up shop in the Peach State because of this simple, commonsense policy.
But Georgia didn’t stop at right-to-work. Two years ago, Gov. Brian Kemp, State Sen. Mike Hodges, R-Brunswick and State Rep. Will Wade, R-Dawsonville, led the charge for an innovative new reform that gives workers even greater protection. Under this law, companies that receive state incentives must protect the privacy and the secret ballot for their workers in unionization elections—the same kind of voting process Americans use in political elections. This reform protects workers from intimidation and harassment, ensuring they can make their voices heard without fear of reprisal.
Why are these reforms important for the American worker? We talk about it in this week’s Labor Day commentary from guest author Vincent Vernuccio, the president of the Institute for American Worker.
Have a great weekend,
– Kyle Wingfield
Friday’s Freshest 🗞️
As we celebrate Labor Day and remember both the contributions and ingenuity of workers, we should also 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.
How do Georgia’s taxes stack up against the rest of the nation?
Georgia lawmakers recently held debate on how to ease the state’s tax burden — with some calling for the full elimination of the income tax. The conversation reflects a national reality: Americans are voting with their feet, leaving high-tax states behind. As that debate begins, it’s worth taking a broader look at Georgia’s overall tax competitiveness: how our system ranks nationally, where we’re strong and where there’s room to improve.
Four decades of QBE: Georgia’s education funding formula and its challenges
For nearly four decades, funding for Georgia public education has been provided by a program known as Quality Basic Education (QBE). It was introduced as a means to address inadequate and unequal funding across Georgia public education. Forty years later, how is it working?
Georgia’s housing supply isn’t meeting demand
Georgia is adding people faster than it’s adding places for them to live. Our new study, Short Supply: How Many More Homes Does Georgia Need?, finds that 94 of the state’s 159 counties face measurable housing shortages, with the average undersupplied county missing 3,879 units and the median county shortfall standing at 1,014 homes. The most acute deficit appears in Fulton County, where demand now outpaces supply by an estimated 75,152 units.
Why Georgia needs regulatory reform
In this year’s legislative session, Georgia had an opportunity to address its ever-growing regulatory code and reduce regulatory burdens placed on its citizens and businesses. Although the “Red Tape Rollback Act” passed the Senate, it ultimately failed to become law in Georgia. Regulatory reform will have another chance next session, and for good reason.
Peach Picks 🍑
Gov. Brian Kemp is in South America on what he calls an “international mission this week to promote economic development opportunities.” The trip includes Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, First Lady Marty Kemp and members of the Georgia Department of Economic Development team, according to the governor’s office.
Trade through Georgia’s ports supported 650,965 full- and part-time jobs across the state during the last fiscal year, the Georgia Ports Authority reported. The number of statewide jobs grew by 41,770 in fiscal 2024, up 7% from the previous fiscal year. Georgia ports now help sustain 12% of total state employment.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution plans to cease production of its printed newspaper Dec. 31. The AJC will transition to a digital-only model in 2026 after 157 years as a printed paper.
Gov. Kemp announced that stow Group, a leading industrial storage and automation solution company, will invest $36 million to establish a new manufacturing presence and create approximately 200 new jobs in Gordon County.
A Georgia House committee studying the legalization of sports gaming in Georgia was told that North Carolina far exceeded its projected revenues of $64 million in its first year of legal gaming, bringing in $116 million.
Off The Vine 🎯
Cracker Barrel said that after listening to its customers, it will scrap its new logo and keep the “Old Timer” in place. Last week, the company unveiled its revamped text-only design, sparking backlash and sinking its stock price.
Quotes Of Note 🌟
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Stay hungry, stay foolish.” – Steve Jobs