"Georgia is not making progress in areas of poverty," says Sara Beth Gayle, with the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. "We need to look for public policies solutions that would make progress, like the earned income tax credit or the minimum wage."
The institute's study shows 1.3 million Georgians live in poverty, and more than 1.6 million live without health insurance. Gayle says, since the recession of 2001, things have not improved.
"In 2007 income, poverty and health insurance were all either worse or unchanged from the 2001 levels," Gayle tells WSB. And, she says, the future isn't much brighter. "The numbers for 2008, such as food stamp participation, unemployment and all of those indicators point to a weakening economy."
Georgia's 2007 poverty rate ranked 13th highest in the nation.
August 27, 2008
What others are saying
- Personally I wouldn't be as close to poverty if they would put down the gun and let me keep my money.
- povertyGot in line at grocery store-lady with cell phone, fake nails, 2 buggys, 3 children,paid with food stamps for groceries, had older son drive SUV up to front entry to place groceries in back-give me a break! I have a gun put to my head to take my EARNED money to supplement these overweight deadbeats living off the government. I am not my bruthas and sistas keepa!
Sunshine High: 56 Low: 34-38Kirk's 5-Day Forecast | Kirk Mellish's weather blog | Local radar image
Marketplace
"How to be Clark Smart in a Recession" Online Seminar sponsored by Associated Credit Union. Details
Read the AJC and stay on top of everything in Atlanta! Get delivery for less than $2 a week!
Join Channel 2 Action News anchors John Pruitt and Monica Pearson at 5, 6, and 11pm.
© All Media Guide, LLC. Portions of content provided by All Music Guide®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.