Roy Barnes 2010

MAKING GEORGIA WORK:  Providing Economic Opportunities for Georgia Families

Put Georgia back to work. Georgia desperately needs more jobs.  Our state’s ability to encourage job growth has a direct impact on strengthening economic opportunities for Georgia families.  Given our current concerns about water, education and transportation, it comes as no surprise that businesses are reluctant to locate and grow here. Frankly, we are fighting a losing battle with neighboring states with companies that are establishing a presence in the South.  Roy will make creating jobs his first priority, and will get Georgia working again.

Prepare families for the jobs of the future. Reading, writing and arithmetic are no longer enough; instead, Roy believes that we must make high-tech skills training an educational priority.  Businesses need capable workers, and they are more likely to move to Georgia if we can provide a qualified workforce.  Over the past several years, budget cuts in our technical and community college systems have crippled Georgia’s economic development and significantly reduced the field of highly skilled workers.  It is crucial that we reinvest in our higher education and vocational training system.  Roy knows that education is closely linked to job creation – our main concern – so we must do all we can to equip Georgia families to take advantage of the job opportunities of the future.

MAKING GEORGIA WORK:  Preserving the Potential of our Future Generations

Level the playing field for every child. As Governor, Roy created the Georgia Early Learning Initiative (GELI), now called Georgia Smart Start, a public/private partnership aimed at improving child care programs and providing Georgia children with quality developmental opportunities before age five.  If re-elected, Roy will continue to support Georgia Smart Start programs and initiatives, and help to make certain that every Georgia child has a solid foundation on which to grow.

Provide quality child care. Sixty-six percent of Georgia mothers in the workforce have a child under the age of six, and 76 percent of Georgia mothers in the workforce have a child between the ages of six and 17.  As Governor, Roy introduced HB 610, which allowed Georgia companies to write off 75 percent of the cost of operating an on-site or nearby child care facility.  Roy understands that Georgia families are struggling with the high costs of child care, and will continue to support measures that make it easier for parents to work while their children receive quality care.

Protect public education. Georgia’s public education system is under attack.  Our state’s current leadership does not seem to understand that we cannot expect improvement in our schools, and in our students, when we cut $3.5 billion from the education budget over the past seven years.  When Roy was Governor, he never cut funding for direct instruction, and if re-elected he will promise to continue that policy.  Despite these tough economic times, we must remind ourselves that a robust public education system is the only guarantee that our children – and our families – have for a promising tomorrow.

Make Georgia work for teachers. Teachers foster vision and ambition in future generations, and they should be rewarded for their work, not ignored and devalued.  Incentives should be offered to teachers who obtain National Board Certification, or act as mentors to other teachers.  We must do all we can to attract teachers to the high-need areas, such as math, science, language and special education.  Also, in order to prevent policy makers from losing touch with the classroom teacher, Roy would have two classroom teachers in residence on the Governor’s staff who would participate in all policy and legislative discussions.

Give students the skills they need to succeed. Roy believes that we should integrate our technical college system and our high schools, giving students the opportunity to receive at least two years of skill-based, postsecondary education. Georgians with these valuable vocational skills will improve their competitiveness in the job market.  By giving high school students access to college-level courses through joint programs, we will better prepare our state workforce and ease our children’s transition to higher education.

MAKING GEORGIA WORK:  Keeping Families Healthy

Above all else – insure children. Children have broad health needs that must be addressed to make certain that they develop into healthy adults, regardless of whether or not our state’s revenues are declining.  In the face of increasing unemployment, and increasing numbers of children losing access to their parents’ employer-sponsored health coverage, the state can ensure that Medicaid and PeachCare continue to serve as effective insurance safety nets for lower income children.  We can streamline enrollment procedures for our public health insurance programs.  Reducing administrative burdens for enrollment and renewal of coverage increases the likelihood that eligible children will enroll and remain covered.  During a recession, this is crucial, as parents who are accustomed to private insurance plans may apply for public health care assistance.

Teach children healthy habits. Roy understands that keeping Georgia healthy starts with the next generation.  Studies have consistently shown that providing comprehensive preventative care for children drastically reduces their chances to develop health problems later in life, so we must take steps to ensure that every Georgia child has access to quality preventative and primary health care services.  Our public schools must also play a role in ensuring that Georgia children get a healthy start in life.  We need to think more critically about the habits we teach our children in school, from menu options at lunchtime, to health and nutrition education, to the importance of physical education and exercise. There is a significant connection between a healthy childhood and adulthood free of medical problems.

Focus on women’s health. One of Roy’s first acts as Governor was to create an Office of Women’s Health, which focused solely on the health care needs of Georgia women.  Roy made fighting cancer a cornerstone of his health care agenda.  Roy created the Georgia Cancer Coalition, a program that accelerated cancer research, prevention, early detection and treatment.  If re-elected, Roy will continue to be a strong advocate for measures that improve health outcomes for women.

Want to learn more about Roy's plan to make Georgia work for women and families?  Download our Women for Roy Toolkit.