The Georgia General Assembly has relied on the Vinson Institute to organize the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators since 1958. The issues may have changed since then, but for state legislators, the Biennial Institute remains an important event where they can gain relevant information and policy perspectives, receive training, and network with their colleagues before the busy days of the legislative session.

Legislators met in Athens in December for the 26th Biennial Institute. In addition to presentations from experts on economic and demographic projections, transportation, and education, legislators attended smaller panel discussions on specific issues. Vinson Institute faculty and others led these sessions on technology, energy, health, and family policy. [Read more]

 

Care and education services for Georgia’s small children have no small impact on Georgia’s economy. A 2008 study by the Vinson Institute and other researchers found that Georgia’s early care and education industry generates $4.1 billion in economic activity in the state annually, rivaling industries such as pharmaceutical manufacturing and the arts, entertainment, and recreation. The study gives policymakers, for the first time, economic impact data to help inform their decisions about early care and education in the state.

Bright from the Start sponsored the Economic Impact of the Early Care and Education Industry in Georgia study that was conducted by faculty in the Vinson Institute’s Child and Family Policy Initiative in collaboration with the University of Georgia’s College of Education and Georgia State University. [Read more]