After four years of conducting nonpartisan statewide polls, we can no longer deny an alarming truth. Although Georgia brags about being the “best state for businesses,” Georgia is not the best state for working families.
This year, 9to5 Georgia supported the execution of the fourth annual Georgia Pre-Legislative Poll. The results are clear: affordability is the defining issue for Georgians, and our government must address our concerns.
Affordability isn’t a new issue. People here and across the nation are feeling left behind. For too many Georgians, the costs of housing, child care, health care and utilities exceed their monthly income. In a state with a multi-billion dollar surplus, voters are understandably finding it difficult to justify underfunded public schools, closing rural and urban hospitals, unaffordable child care and one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.
We conduct these studies so that we can tell our state leaders that this matters to Georgians in concrete terms and ask them to act based on the results. This year’s results show an even stronger consensus than in previous years. Voters across race, age and geography share common priorities rooted in the rising cost of living. To our lawmakers and leaders: this is what your constituents want from you.
Focus on Affordability and Protecting Georgians’ Finances
Affordability is at the front of Georgians’ minds, with “jobs and the economy” remaining a top issue. People want policies that put more money in their pockets, not the wallets of billionaires and corporations. Policies supporting working families are popular across the board.
From raising the minimum wage to rent control regulations, affordability is popular beyond partisan affiliations. A majority of all respondents, both Democrat and Republican, support expanding paid sick and parental leave and providing state-funded child care subsidies. No one wants to be forced to choose between their paycheck and caring for themselves or their loved ones. These policies are common sense.
Take Action for Consumer and Utility Protections
Georgians overwhelmingly want to see the Public Service Commission (PSC) use their role to protect consumers. Almost all respondents were eager to see the PSC hold utility companies accountable for overcharging customers, as well as prevent utility companies from passing data center costs onto residents.
The job of the PSC is to “ensure that consumers receive safe, reliable and reasonably priced” services. Given that, protecting residents from these unwanted developments is directly aligned with their purported mission. No one wants to be taken advantage of, or see their communities destroyed by unwanted data centers and irresponsible utility companies. We simply want our commissioners to ensure a fair system.
Support the Full Expansion of Medicaid
Voters across the state show strong support for full Medicaid expansion, significantly outpacing support for the Georgia Pathways program. Georgians consistently view expansion as a practical, proven solution to health care access rather than an ideological debate. It’s not about being partisan; it’s about protecting people.
Invest in Public, Not Tax Cuts for the Wealthy
Our state government should be investing more in public services such as education, infrastructure and health care. Too much of our state budget funds large corporations and boosts the wealthy; our funds should instead be allocated to essential public goods by having the wealthiest people and corporations pay more in taxes.
We cannot give our children the future they deserve and our communities the security they need unless we prioritize them in our budget. The vast majority of their constituents are working families, not billionaires. Our budget should reflect that.
Georgia can afford to expand Medicaid, subsidize child care and housing, fully fund public schools, raise the tipped minimum wage and so much more. We hope that our lawmakers will use these findings to guide and inspire policy. Then will Georgia truly be the best state for workers.
