November 26, 2021 • Friday Facts

Friday Facts: November 26, 2021

At the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s 30th anniversary dinner in September, our photographer captured the attending presidents who have led the organization

October 8, 2021 • Friday Facts

Friday Facts: October 8, 2021

A public service that made its debut in 1996 thanks to the Georgia Public Policy Foundation was the innovative Report Card on Georgia’s public schools, highligh

August 13, 2021 • Friday Facts

Friday Facts: August 13, 2021

Soon after it was established in 1991, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation created the W.A.S.T.E. Award, an ignominious recognition of the Tax Day deadline tha

July 23, 2021 • Friday Facts

Friday Facts: July 23, 2021

Sometimes, the wheels of change turn exceedingly slow. As early as 1992 (right) – one year after the Georgia Public Policy Foundation was founded – and as recen

May 21, 2021 • Commentary

Highway Robbery and Civil Forfeiture

“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.”

June 12, 2020 • Commentary

Reforming Policing While Preserving Law Enforcement

Systematic reform within the criminal justice system has become prevalent in the public discourse in the wake of recent events, including the tragic deaths of t



May 17, 2019 • Video

Civil Asset Forfeiture in 60 Seconds

You can lose your property and money, even if you haven’t done anything wrong. Seizing profits from criminal activity is a centuries old practice, but better oversight is needed to […]

May 17, 2019 • Video

Mens Rea in 60 Seconds

Today, many laws have no Mens Rea requirement covering the level of intent. It is important to consider intent when constructing future laws, and establish a default level of intent […]

May 17, 2019 • Video

Overcriminalization in 60 Seconds

The solution to over-criminalization involves not only working to remove redundant and vague laws from the books, but ensuring that future laws are easily understood and well defined.

December 20, 2018

News Release: Foundation Commends Congress for FIRST STEP Act

News Release | For Immediate Release December 20, 2018 Contact: Benita Dodd (404-256-4050) Foundation President Kyle Wingfield Commends Congress on FIRST STEP Act Atlanta – Bipartisan passage this week of the FIRST […]


September 24, 2018

FBI Releases 2017 Uniform Crime Report

(September 24, 2018): The FBI has released its Uniform Crime Reporting statistics for 2017, a compilation of the volume and rate of violent and property crime offenses for the nation and […]

September 4, 2018

2018 Georgia Legislative Policy Forum Agenda

The 2018 Georgia Legislative Policy Forum is slated for Friday, September 7, 2018 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel. PDF Version: Agenda 2018 2018 Georgia Legislative Policy Forum AGENDA 7:30-8:00 Breakfast Buffet […]

August 17, 2018

2018 Forum Focuses on Georgia’s Imminent Challenges

Policy experts take on education, health care, criminal justice and pensions. By Benita M. Dodd Four issues; four times as many experts. In a nutshell, that’s the 2018 Georgia Legislative […]

June 27, 2018

Foundation Issues Statement on Supreme Court ‘Water Wars’ Ruling

News Release | For Immediate Release June 27, 2018 Contact: Benita Dodd (404-256-4050) Foundation ‘Disappointed’ in Supreme Court Ruling on Water Dispute Atlanta – Kyle Wingfield, president of the Georgia […]

June 6, 2018

Rural Pretrial Incarceration, a Disproportionate Issue

By Sophia Strickland Reports on the United States’ rapidly increasing incarcerated population have sparked a discussion over bail reform. However, a segment that may not receive as much attention in […]

June 6, 2018

Council’s Misdemeanor Bail Reform Proposals

A summary of the misdemeanor bail reform findings and recommendations from the February 2018 Report of the Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform (pages 25-39). By Sophia Strickland The Georgia […]


April 15, 2018 • Commentary

Criminal Justice Reform Council A Blueprint for Georgia

Lots of things die at the end of a legislative session: bills, constitutional amendments, one’s faith in humanity (just kidding about that last one – mostly). Some of what doesn’t […]

April 6, 2018 • Commentary

Winners and Losers in Georgia’s 2017-18 Session

In summary, legislation moved on transportation, taxes, education and criminal justice reform. It sputtered on health care.  And, as expected, some feel-good but unnecessary bills got through. Undoubtedly, the biggest […]



January 19, 2018

Lawmakers Have Some Unfinished Business on the Table

Expect a quick 40 days under the Gold Dome for legislators. By Benita M. Dodd Part two of Georgia’s two-year legislative session is under way. Weather delays notwithstanding, campaign fundraising […]

December 1, 2017

Marsy’s Law of Unintended Consequences

Proceed cautiously with a victims’ rights amendment. By Benita M. Dodd It’s hard to fathom the depth of the pain and suffering of crime victims and families left behind. For […]

May 26, 2017

Second Chances for Ex-Offenders

Expungement of records can help young job seekers. By John G. Malcolm and John-Michael Seibler A simple adjustment in federal law would provide much greater opportunities for young individuals who […]

May 24, 2017

Eyes In the Sky Over Sandy Springs?

The use of drones has exploded over the last several years, with the (mostly) flying robots so ubiquitous that it is easy to forget that even as recently 10 years […]