Advocates on using Georgia surplus to address housing insecurity, childcare, maternal health workforce development

Governor Brian Kemp and state leaders announce a one-time supplement for state employees, public school teachers and staff, along with University System of Georgia employees at the State Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, December 18, 2023. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

On Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced he would give a $1,000 year-end bonus to state, university and public school employees. The governor also proposed a permanent $104 million yearly allocation for school security.

But Georgia still has a huge amount of cash that has not been earmarked– a multibillion-dollar surplus, which is likely to keep growing if funds are not allocated.

For day two of “Closer Look’s” “Overflow: Examining Georgia’s $11 Billion Surplus” series, show host Rose Scott talks with several stakeholders representing key issues in Georgia, including housing, homelessness, childcare, maternal and infant health and workforce development.

Each guest discussed how they think Gov. Kemp should allocate surplus dollars to help Georgians.

Guests include:

Ky Lindberg, the CEO of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia

Mindy Binderman, the executive director of the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS)

Elizabeth Banks, the chief program officer for HOPE Atlanta

Mary Grace King, the founder and executive director of Frontline Housing

Dr. Joel English, the executive vice president of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance at Centura College