Georgia in perspective [electronic resource]

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE 2007:
A STATISTICAL PROFILE OF THE STATE
PREPARED BY: GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND BUDGET
270 WASHINGTON ST. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334
APRIL 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Growing Georgia ........................................................................................................................1 Georgia's Population Growth and Change...................................................................................... 2 Georgia's Population 1900 to 2015 ................................................................................................... 2 Population Growth in Southeast during the 1990s .......................................................................... 2 Migration Patterns............................................................................................................................ 3 Components of Population Growth 1991-2006 ................................................................................ 3 Domestic and International Migration ............................................................................................. 3 International Immigration............................................................................................................... 4 Demographics ................................................................................................................................... 5 2004 Georgia Births by Race/Ethnicity............................................................................................ 5 2015 Georgia Population Projection by Race/Ethnicity................................................................... 5 Age Group Shift 2000-2015 .............................................................................................................. 5 Age Group Shift by Race/Ethnicity 2000 and 2015 ......................................................................... 5 Georgia Revenue Estimates FY2007 and FY2008 & Revenue Projections FY2009 to FY2012.... 6 Georgians' Income Continues to Rise............................................................................................... 7 Per Capita Income 1995-2005........................................................................................................... 7 Median Household Income ............................................................................................................... 7 Job Growth in Georgia ..................................................................................................................... 8 Job Sector Mix ................................................................................................................................... 8 Unemployment Rate.......................................................................................................................... 8 Value of Georgia's Exports ................................................................................................................ 9 Direct Tourism Expenditures............................................................................................................ 9 Gross Domestic Product .................................................................................................................. 10 Value of Agricultural Products ........................................................................................................ 10 Georgia is a Major Transportation and Logistics Hub for the SE and Nation............................ 11 Georgia Ports Annual Tonnage ........................................................................................................ 11 Total Cargo Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport................................................................... 12 Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Total Passengers .......................................................... 12 Highway Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) ......................................................................................... 12 Poverty Rate--Georgia and the US.................................................................................................. 13 Poverty Thresholds .......................................................................................................................... 13 TANF Cases July 2004-September 2006 ....................................................................................... 13 Georgia Housing is 8.3% More Affordable than the Average US Housing ................................. 14 Cost of Housing Index ..................................................................................................................... 14 Homeownership Rates .................................................................................................................... 14
An Educated Georgia...................................................................................................................15 Educational Attainment.................................................................................................................. 16 Education Attainment of Georgians Ages 25 and Older: 1960-2005 ............................................ 16 Georgia Median Earnings and Employment Rate by Level of Education ..................................... 16 Pre-K Students by School Year.........................................................................................................17 K-12 Total Enrollment 1994-2006 .................................................................................................. 18 K-12 Students by Race and Ethnicity .............................................................................................. 18 Students with Disabilities ............................................................................................................... 19 National Assessment of Fourth-- and Eighth--Graders...............................................................20

Fourth Grade and Eighth Grade National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Math Scores ...............................................................................................................................................20 Fourth Grade and Eighth Grade NAEP Reading Scores ................................................................20 Georgia High School Graduation Test........................................................................................... 21 Percentage Passing GHSGT Sections.............................................................................................. 21 High School Graduation Rate.......................................................................................................... 21 High School Dropout Rate............................................................................................................... 21 SAT Score and Ranking .................................................................................................................. 22 Georgia Average SAT Scores 1995-2006......................................................................................... 22 Georgia ACT Scores Highest in Eight Years .................................................................................. 23 Georgia Average ACT Score 1995-2006.......................................................................................... 23 Nearly 80% of Georgia Schools Made Adequate Yearly Progress in 2006 ................................. 24 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) of Georgia Schools 2005-2006.................................................. 24 Number of Schools in Needs Improvement Status 2003-2006..................................................... 24 Average Salaries of Teachers Remain Competitive ...................................................................... 25 2005-2006 Salaries of SREB States................................................................................................ 25 Average Instructor Salary at Four-Year and Two-Year Institutions.............................................. 25 Technical and Adult Education ...................................................................................................... 26 Technical College Enrollment ......................................................................................................... 26 Employment of Technical College Award Recipients..................................................................... 26 Earnings Of Technical College Strategic Industry Graduates........................................................ 27 Adult Literacy Program Graduates ................................................................................................. 27 University System Enrollment Growing in Number and Diversity.............................................28 Enrollment in the University System of Georgia ............................................................................28 University System Minority Enrollment.........................................................................................28 Foreign Student Enrollment in the University System .................................................................. 29 First Year Retention Rates............................................................................................................... 29 College Graduation Rates ...............................................................................................................30 SixYear Graduation Rates of Freshmen Attending Four-Year USG Institutions .......................30 Three-Year Graduation & Transfer Rates of Freshmen Attending USG Two-Year Colleges........30 Research Awards Received by University System of Georgia ..................................................... 31 Research Fund Resources Fall 2004 to Fall 2005.......................................................................... 31 Georgia College Tuition Lowest, Most Affordable Among Southern States................................ 32 Service-Cancelable Loans ................................................................................................................ 32 HOPE Scholarship and Grant Program .......................................................................................... 33 Tuition Equalization Grants (TEG)................................................................................................. 33 University System of Georgia: Facility Locations ......................................................................... 34
A Healthy Georgia ....................................................................................................................... 35 What Determines Health?............................................................................................................... 36 Health Status in Georgia.................................................................................................................. 36 Lifestyle ............................................................................................................................................ 37 Teen Pregnancy Rates--Georgia and the United States ................................................................. 37 Percentage of Adults Who are Obese--Georgia and the United States ......................................... 37 Percentage of Adults Who Smoke--Georgia and the United States .............................................. 37 Children's Vaccination Rate--Georgia and the United States........................................................38 Percentage of Women Who Have Received a Mammogram Within the Last Two Years .............38 Percentage of Adults Ever Vaccinated for Pneumococcal Disease ................................................38

Total Rate of Physicians Per 100,000 Population in Georgia........................................................ 39 Geographic Distribution of Georgia's Physician Workforce .......................................................... 39 Health Insurance Coverage ............................................................................................................40 Health Insurance Coverage--US and Georgia 2005 ......................................................................40 Uninsured in Georgia (non-elderly)................................................................................................40 Change in Uninsured Rate by Age: 2 year moving average ...........................................................40 More Developmentally Disabled Consumers Are Served in the Community ............................. 41 Developmentally Disabled Consumers Served in Hospitals .......................................................... 41 Deaths from Heart Disease 1999-2003 .......................................................................................... 42 Cardiovascular Disease Death Rates by County: 2000-2004........................................................ 42 Cancer Mortality Rates in Georgia .................................................................................................. 43 Age-adjusted Lung Cancer Mortality Rates 1994-2004................................................................. 43 Age-adjusted Breast Cancer Mortality Rates by Race 1994-2004 ................................................. 43 Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes per 100 Adult Population in Georgia...................................... 44 Age-adjusted Pneumonia Mortality Rates 1994-2004................................................................... 44 Cervical Cancer Mortality Rates ..................................................................................................... 45 HIV/AIDS Mortality Rates ............................................................................................................ 45 Traffic Fatalities and Seat Belt Use................................................................................................ 46 Traffic Fatalities in Georgia 1975-2005 .......................................................................................... 46 Seat Belt Use--Georgia and U.S. ..................................................................................................... 46
A Safe Georgia.............................................................................................................................. 47 Public Safety ....................................................................................................................................48 Active Child Protective Services Cases............................................................................................48 Judicial Branch of Georgia............................................................................................................. 49 Georgia Bureau of Investigation.................................................................................................... 50 Investigative Hours Allocation--December 2006 .......................................................................... 50 Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs in Georgia ........................................................................... 50 Drug Cases Submitted to the GBI ................................................................................................... 50 Drug Offenses ...................................................................................................................................51 Methamphetamine-Related Admissions to Prison FY97-FY06......................................................51 DJJ System Flow.............................................................................................................................. 52 Juvenile Crime................................................................................................................................. 53 Juvenile Arrests and Dispositions................................................................................................... 53 Department of Juvenile Justice ...................................................................................................... 54 Juvenile Justice FY06 Placements .................................................................................................. 54 DJJ Admissions by Offense............................................................................................................. 54 YDC Placements by Offense ............................................................................................................ 54 Criminal Justice System Flow ......................................................................................................... 55 Adult Corrections ............................................................................................................................ 56 Adult Offenders in Georgia--2006.................................................................................................. 56 2005 Prison Incarceration Rates per 100,000 Residents .............................................................. 56 Inmate and Probation Facility Population ..................................................................................... 56 Profile of Current Prison Inmates and Current Probationers........................................................ 57 2006 State Daily Cost by Offender Placement ............................................................................... 57 Reconviction .................................................................................................................................... 58 Three-year Felony Reconviction Rate by Facility Type.................................................................. 58

Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles ......................................................................................... 59 Average Parole Completion Rates--Georgia and US...................................................................... 59 Profile of Current Parolees ............................................................................................................. 59 Crime Type of Active Parolees......................................................................................................... 59 Prison Population and Parole Population FY91 FY06 .................................................................60 FY06 Cost Per Day ...........................................................................................................................60 Parole Releases and Prison Maxouts FY91--FY06 .........................................................................60
Best Managed State .................................................................................................................... 61 Best Managed State ........................................................................................................................ 62 How State Dollars Are Spent (FY2007) .......................................................................................... 62 Debt Management Plan .................................................................................................................. 63 Laffer Report Ranks Georgia's Economic Outlook #1 in the Nation............................................64 Georgia Maintains Highest Credit Rating.......................................................................................64 Human Resources ........................................................................................................................... 65 State Government Employment by Function FY2006 ................................................................... 65 Commission for a New Georgia .....................................................................................................66 CNG--Highlights of Innovation in Action ..................................................................................... 67 Customer Service in Georgia State Government: Faster, Friendlier, Easier ..............................68
Sources .............................................................................................................................................69

GEORGIA IN
PERSPECTIVE
A GROWING GEORGIA

A GROWING GEORGIA

Georgia's Population Growth and Change

Georgia's Population 1900 to 2015

The state's popula- 12,000,000 tion doubled in the period from 1960 10,000,000 to 2000.

8,000,000
The Census Bureau

estimate places Georgia's population at 9,363,941 residents in 2006.

6,000,000 4,000,000

Georgia grew by

2,000,000

almost 1,177,488 people between 2000 and 2006, a growth of 14.4% and third fastest in

0

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2015

Source: Office of Planning and Budget--2015 Population Projections

Proj Proj OPB OPB

the nation.

Georgia now has 15 Metropolitan Statistical Areas and 20

Micropolitan Statistical Areas.

Population Growth in the Southeast During the 1990s 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%
US GA FL TX NC TN SC VA AR MS AL LA
Source: US Census Bureau

During the 1990s, the Southeastern states grew at a faster rate than the national average.
Also during the 1990s, Georgia grew 26% while the United States grew 13%.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

2

A GROWING GEORGIA

Migration Patterns
Components of Population Growth 1991-2006
1991

1996

2001

2006

0% 10%
Source: US Census Bureau

20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Natural Increase Domestic Migration International Migration

90% 100%

An area's population grows by natural increase and net migration. Less than half of Georgia's growth has been due to natural increase (more births than deaths).

Migration accounts for more than half of Georgia's growth. Hurricane Katrina evacuees increased domestic migration in 2005 and 2006.

During the period from 2005-2006, about 120,953 domestic migrants and 37,451 international migrants moved to Georgia.

Domestic and International Migration

100%

80% 88.4%

84.8%

60%

About four out of

10 people moving

to Georgia are

international

72.5%

migrants.

40%
20% 11.6%
0% 1990-1994

15.2% 1995-1999

52.9% 47.1%
2000-2004

27.5% 2005-2006

An estimated yearly average of 36,500 people moved to Georgia from another country between 2000 and 2006.

Source: US Census Bureau

%Domestic %International

120,953 domestic migrants and 37,451 international migrants moved to Georgia in the period from 2005-2006.

Although most international migrants to Georgia are from Mexico, the state also has many immigrants from other countries.

Domestic migrants include foreign born who first lived in another state.

3

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A GROWING GEORGIA

International Immigration

The 2000 Census data shows the percentage of Georgia residents who speak a language other than English at home.
In 2000, at least 1 out of 10 residents in 15 counties spoke a language other than English at home.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

4

A GROWING GEORGIA

Demographics
2004 Georgia Births by Race/Ethnicity
Hispanic 14%
White 51% African American and Other Minority 35%
Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health
In addition to changes caused by the growing immigrant population, the demographics of Georgia's population will continue to change because of differing birth rates.

The proportion of Georgia's population that is White declined from 70% in 1990 to 62% in 2000 and is expected to decline to 59% by 2015.
2015 Georgia Population Projection by Race/Ethnicity
Hispanic 10%

African American

and Other Minority

31%

White

59%

Source: Governor's Office of Planning and Budget

Age Group Shift 2000-2015

Age Group

2000

2015

Age <20

29.5%

34.0%

Age 20-64

60.9%

52.5%

Age 65+

9.6%

13.6%

Source: Governor's Office of Planning and Budget--2015 Population Projections

Georgia has a relatively young population: by 2015 the percentage of residents under age 20 is expected to grow to 34%, compared with 26% nationally.
During the same time-frame the proportion of Georgians over age 65 will grow to 13.6%, compared to 16% nationally.
Thirty-five counties are expected to have at least 20% of their county population age 65 or older.

The age spread is not uniform across the racial/ethnic groups--the White population has a lower percentage of youth (under 20 years of age) and a higher percentage of elderly (age 65 and older) than Hispanics and African Americans.

Age Group Shift by Race/Ethnicity 2000 and 2015

Age Group

2000

2015

2000

2015

2000

Race/ Ethnicity

White

White

AfricanAmerican &
Other Minority

AfricanAmerican &
Other Minority

Hispanic

Age <20

26.1%

29.1%

35.1%

39.6%

36.3%

Age 20-64

62.0%

51.9%

58.6%

54.2%

61.7%

Age 65+

11.9%

19.1%

6.3%

6.2%

1.9%

Source: Governor's Office of Planning and Budget--2015 Population Projections

2015 Hispanic
46.1% 50.6%
3.3%

5

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A GROWING GEORGIA

Georgia Revenue Estimates FY 2007 and FY 2008 and Revenue Projections FY 2009 to FY 2012

25,000,000,000

20,000,000,000

15,000,000,000

18,190,422,771

19,221,539,895 5.7%

20,175,694,957 5.0%

21,226,254,396 5.2%

22,381,421,218 5.4%

23,599,239,763 5.4%

10,000,000,000

5,000,000,000

Note: Blue text denotes percentage change in revenue projections

-

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

The estimates and projections are for General Fund revenue only and do not include estimates for the Georgia Lottery, Tobacco Settlement Funds and the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund.
The Governor's proposed budgets for Amended FY 2007 and FY 2008 are based on the General Fund revenue estimate shown above.
The Georgia Constitution, Article 3 Section 9, Paragraph 4, provides that the General Assembly "shall not appropriate funds for any given year which, in aggregate, exceed a sum equal to the amount of unappropriated surplus...together with an amount not greater than the total treasury receipts from existing revenue sources anticipated to be collected in the fiscal year, less refunds, as estimated in the budget report and amendments thereto."
These revenue projections are used to assist the Governor and the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget in meeting this constitutional requirement for a balanced budget through the management of overall state spending. Budgets will be managed within the constraints of available revenue.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

6

A GROWING GEORGIA

Georgians' Income Continues to Rise

Per Capita Income 1995-2005
$36,000

$34,000

$32,000

$30,000

$28,000

$26,000

$24,000

$22,000

$20,000 1995 1996 1997 1998
GA $21,677 $22,945 $23,795 $25,279 US $23,076 $24,175 $25,334 $26,883
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis--Regional Economic Accounts

1999 $26,359 $27,939

2000 $27,989 $29,845

2001 $28,675 $30,575

2002 $28,689 $30,804

2003 $29,000 $31,472

2004 $30,051 $32,937

2005 $31,121 $34,586

Georgia's per capita income increased by 43.5% from $21,677 in 1995 to $31,121 in 2005.

Georgia's median household income of $44,140 in 2005 was second highest among Southeastern states (Virginia's was highest).

Median Household
Income
1990

GA

US

$34,372 $39,949

1995

$33,623 $39,931

2000

$42,057 $43,848

2001

$42,006 $42,900

2002

$42,359 $42,409

2003

$42,421 $43,318

2004

$43,695 $45,893

2005

$44,140 $46,071

Source: U.S. Census--American Community Survey 7

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A GROWING GEORGIA

Job Growth in Georgia

The number of non-agricultural jobs declined from 3,913,547 in 2000 to 3,786,976 in 2003 (-3.2%).
During the next two years the number of non-agricultural jobs increased 3.8% to 3,933,307 jobs in 2005.

Number of Non-Agricultural Jobs 1990-2005
4,100,000 3,900,000 3,700,000 3,500,000 3,300,000 3,100,000 2,900,000 2,700,000 2,500,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Source: Georgia Statistics System--University of Georgia

1967

Job Sector Mix 1990

2005

5% 11% 28%
19% 6% 31%
Source: Georgia Statistics System--University of Georgia

30% 24%
18% 16%
7% 5%

36% 19%

22% 12%
6% 5%

Trade, Transportation, and Utility

Manufacturing

Construction

Public Administration

Financial, Professional, and Business Services

Leisure and Hospitality, Education, Health, and Information Services

Unemployment Rate
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 US 5.6% 5.4% 4.9% 4.5% 4.2% 4.0% 4.7% 5.8% 6.0% 5.5% 5.1% 4.6% GA 4.7% 4.6% 4.4% 4.2% 3.8% 3.5% 4.0% 4.9% 4.8% 4.8% 5.3% 4.7%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics--State and Local Unemployment

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

8

A GROWING GEORGIA

Value of Georgia's Exports

1999

$ 13,749,000,000

2000 $ 14,925,000,000

2001

$ 14,634,000,000

2002 $ 14,413,000,000

Georgia ranks 11th among states in total value of exports.
Canada, Japan, and Mexico are Georgia's top three trade partners.
Top three Georgia exports: transportation equipment, computer and electronic products, and machinery.

2003 $ 16,286,000,000

2004 $ 19,633,000,000

2005 $ 20,577,000,000
Source: US Department of Commerce--Trade Stats Express

Studies by Georgia's Department of Economic Development indicate that companies that export create and/or retain twice as many jobs as domestic-market companies.

$17,000,000,000

Direct Tourism Expenditures in Georgia

$16,500,000,000

$16,000,000,000

$15,500,000,000

$15,000,000,000

$14,500,000,000

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

Source: Travel Industry Association of America and Georgia Department of Economic Development

Note: Direct Tourism Expenditures is the amount spent by visitors to the state

Georgia's direct tourism expenditures grew from $15.3 million in 2002 to $16.6 million in 2004, an increase of 8.4%. Georgia consistently ranks 8th in the nation in tourism expenditures.

9

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

In millions of dollars

A GROWING GEORGIA

400,000 350,000 300,000 250,000 200,000

Gross Domestic Product of Georgia

$237,468

$277,082 $255,612

$299,442 $290,887

$306,680

$363,839
$339,730 $317,490

150,000

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis--Regional Economic Accounts
Note: Gross Domestic Product by state is the total value of goods and services produced by a state

Top 5 Agricultural Commodities (2005):
- Broilers - Cotton - Greenhouse/nursery - Peanuts - Cattle & calves

$6,500,000

Value of Agricultural Production

$6,000,000

$5,500,000

$5,000,000

In thousands of dollars

$4,500,000

$4,000,000

$3,500,000

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

$3,000,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Source: US Department of Agriculture--Economic Research Service
10

tonnage
A GROWING GEORGIA

Georgia is a Major Transportation and Logistics Hub for the SE and Nation

20,000,000

Georgia Ports--Annual Tonnage

18,000,000

16,000,000

14,000,000

12,000,000

10,000,000

8,000,000

6,000,000

4,000,000

2,000,000

0 FY91 FY92 FY93 FY94 FY95 FY96 FY97 FY98 FY99 FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03 FY04 FY05 FY06

Source: Georgia Ports Authority

Brunswick Savannah

Currently, the Port of Savannah is the fourth busiest port in the US (measured in Twentyfoot Equivalent Units--TEUs).
Since FY03, annual tonnage at both Brunswick & Savannah has increased 59.2%.
The University of Georgia's study, The Economic Impact of Georgia's Deepwater Ports in Georgia's Economy, determined the ports contribute:
- more than 286,000 jobs - $14.9 billion in income to the economy - $55.7 billion in sales

11

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A GROWING GEORGIA

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport's economic impact was more than $18.7 billion in 2005.

In 2005, the airport was #1 in the nation in total passengers and #9 for total cargo.

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Total Passengers

2000

80,162,407

2001

75,858,500

2002

76,876,128

2003

79,086,792

2004

83,605,218

2005

85,907,423

Source: Hartsfield Jackson International Airport Annual Report

Total Cargo (in metric tons) Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
950,000
900,000
850,000
800,000
750,000
700,000
650,000
600,000 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Source: Hartsfield Jackson International Airport Annual Report
Note: The decrease in 2005 was due to a loss of a cargo carrier.

120,000

Highway Vehicle Miles Traveled

115,000 110,000 105,000

107,686 105,010

108,321

112,620 109,246

100,000

99,304

95,000

96,433

93,530
90,000

85,000

80,000 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics--State Transportation Profile

Highway Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) is a common measure of highway usage and can provide a general measure of an area's economic activity.
VMT in Georgia has increased at an average of 2.7% per year.
In 2004,Georgia was 2nd in the Southeast in VMT; the national VMT was 2,962,513 million miles.

In millions

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

12

Jul-04 Sep-04 Nov-04 Jan-05 Mar-05 May-05 Jul-05 Sep-05 Nov-05 Jan-06 Mar-06 May-06 Jul-06 Sep-06
A GROWING GEORGIA

Poverty Rate--Georgia and the United States
20%
15%

10% 5%

0% 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

GA 15.6% US 13.8%
Source: US Census Bureau

15.3% 13.7%

14.7% 13.3%

14.1% 12.7%

12.7% 11.9%

12.3% 11.3%

12.9% 11.7%

11.2% 12.1%

11.9% 12.5%

13.0% 12.7%

14.4% 12.6%

Poverty rate measures the percentage of people or families who are below an income

threshold specified by the federal government. This threshold varies by family size and

composition (see chart).

Threshold ($) -

Size of family unit

2005

One person

9,973

Two persons

12,755

TANF is a monthly cash assistance program for lowincome families and children under age 18.

Three persons

15,577

Four persons

19,971

Work is a major component of TANF; adult recipients

Five persons

23,613

are required to work in order to become self sufficient.

Six persons

26,683

60,000
52,342

TANF Cases July 2004--September 2006

Seven persons Eight persons Nine persons or more

30,849 33,610 40,488

50,000

The number of TANF

cases decreased 47%,

40,000

from 52,342 in July

2004 to 27,553 in

September 2006. Much

30,000

27,553 of the decline is due to

adult recipients moving

into the workforce.
20,000

10,000

0

13

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A GROWING GEORGIA

Georgia Housing is 8.3% More Affordable Than the Average US Housing

Median Housing Values 2000-2005 $180,000

$160,000

$140,000

$120,000

$100,000

$80,000

$60,000

$40,000

$20,000

$-

2000

2001

2002

2003

2005

GA US
Source: US Census Bureau--American Community Survey

The median housing value in Georgia grew at an average of 6.8% compared to 8.6% nationally.

Cost of Housing Index

Georgia US

Current

0.938 1.023

2005

0.889 0.960

2003

0.917 0.974

2001

0.950 1.002

1996

0.889 1.020

Source: Laffer Report

The Cost of Housing Index measures homeownership costs adjusted for incomes, mortgage rates, and applicable taxes.

A higher index level indicates higher cost/ lower affordability.

Homeownership rates are the number of owner-occupied housing units divided by the total number of occupied housing units.

Homeownership Rates--Georgia and the United States 74% 72% 70% 68%

In 2005, Georgia's homeownership rate was 67.9%, slightly lower than the national rate of 68.9%.

66%
64%
62% 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

GA 69.3% 70.9% 71.2% 71.3% 69.8% 70.1% 71.8% 71.4% 70.9% 67.9%

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

US 65.4% 65.7% 66.3% 66.8% 67.4% 67.8% 67.9% 68.3% 69.0% 68.9%
Source: US Census Bureau--American Community Survey 14

GEORGIA IN
PERSPECTIVE
AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

Educational Attainment

Educational Attainment of Georgians Ages 25 and Older: 1960-2005

100%

80%

60%

40% 17.7%

20%

5.9%

0%

1960 Census

25.0% 14.0%
1970 Census

28.0% 8.0%
1980 Census

70.9%

78.6%

82.8%

19.3%

24.3%

27.1%

1990 Census

2000 Census

2005 ACS

High School Graduates

College Graduates

Note: 2005 American Community Survey data (ACS) do not include populations of persons living in group quarters (e.g., dormitories); Census totals do include group quarters.

Almost 83% of Georgians over age 25 have at least a high school education compared to 84% nationally.
As of 2005, 27% of both Georgia residents and United States residents 25 and older had a bachelor's degree or higher.

Georgia Median Earnings 2004

$70,000 $60,000 $50,000 $40,000 $30,000 $20,000 $10,000
$0

$58,771
$44,358
$29,195 $23,979 $17,712

HS

HS Some Bachelor's Advanced

Dropout Graduate College Degree Degree

Source: Institute for Higher Education Policy

Georgia Unemployment Rate 2004

6.0%

5.5%

5.0% 4.5%

4.0%

3.0%

2.6%

1.9%

2.0%

1.0%

0.5%

0.0%

HS

HS Some Bachelor's Advanced

Dropout Graduate College Degree Degree

A college graduate with a bachelor's degree in Georgia earns, on average, $20,379 more per year than a high school graduate, and will earn over one million dollars more over a lifetime than a high school dropout.
A study from the Institute for Higher Education Policy reveals that earnings increase 84.9%, unemployment rates drop 100%, good health increases 12.7%, volunteerism increases 90.3%, and voting rates increase 31% for Georgians who have a bachelor's degree compared to Georgians who have a high school diploma.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

16

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

In 1993, the State of Georgia established a statewide Pre-K program for at-risk four-yearold children. Today all of Georgia's four-year-old children can attend pre-school for free, regardless of parental income.

Pre-K Students by School Year

80,000

75,000

70,000

65,000 60,000

59,626

60,269

60,916

61,733

63,613

65,674

68,119

71,473

72,902

55,000 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006
Source: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning

The number of students enrolled in Georgia's Pre-K program has increased more than seven-fold since its inception.
Children enrolled in the statewide program come from all socioeconomic backgrounds with 55 % of the students, 39,833 students, coming from families that qualify for some form of state assistance.
Georgia is one of only three states that meets all of the Preschool Education standards identified by Quality Counts 2007 . These standards identify contributors to a child's chance for success in life.
Georgia's Pre-K program operates statewide, in public and private locations, with funds provided by the state lottery.
In the 2005-2006 school year, 42,112 students (58%) enrolled in Georgia Pre-Kindergarten were either Black, Hispanic, Asian, or multi-racial.

17

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

K-12 Total Enrollment 1994-2006

1,700,000

1,600,000 1,500,000 1,400,000 1,300,000

1,346,623

1,391,579 1,370,815

1,437,324

1,486,125

1,412,689

1,461,267

1,559,828

1,515,646

1,589,839

1,200,000 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Source: Governor's Office of Student Achievement, Annual Report Cards on K-12 Public Schools
Enrollment in K-12 reached 1,589,839 in the 2006 school year with 755,038 of those children in elementary schools, 372,152 in middle schools, and 462,649 in high schools.
Over the past 10 years, public school enrollment increased by almost a quarter of a million students (18%).
The greatest increase in enrollment has taken place in high school with an increase of 26.6% between 1997 and 2006. Elementary and middle school enrollment has increased 12.4% and 13.2%, respectively, since 1997.
Georgia's public school enrollment is projected to grow 7% , close to 112,000 students more, between years 2006 and 2012 according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
K-12 Students by Race and Ethnicity

1995-1996

58%

38%

2% 2%

2000-2001

54%

38%

5% 3%

2005-2006

48%

38%

8%

5%

White

Black

Hispanic

Other

Source: Governor's Office of Student Achievement, Annual Report Cards on K-12 Public Schools

The Hispanic K-12 student population has grown 400%, since the 1995-1996 school year and is projected to become 29% of the graduating senior population in 2018, according to the Southern Regional Education Board.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

18

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

Students with Disabilities

Source: The Governor's Office of Student Achievement, Annual Report Cards on K-12 Public Schools, 2000-2006

Since the 2001-2002 school year 12% of Georgia's public school
population has consisted of students 0f with disabilities.

Georgia public school students with disabilities receive individualized instruction and other supportive services (e.g., transportation) at no additional cost to parents.
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act requires states to ensure that all students, including students with cognitive disabilities, have access to a general curriculum that encompasses challenging academic standards.
During the 2005-2006 school year, 186,272 students with disabilities were enrolled in K-12 classes; an additional 10,960 students with disabilities were enrolled in Pre-K.
During the 2005-2006 school year, in place of taking the standard state assessment aligned with NCLB, 0.08% of Georgia public students took the Georgia Alternate Assessment--an exam available only to students with severe cognitive disability.
The graduation gap between students with disabilities and students without disabilities declined from 40% to 38.4% from the 2004-2005 school year to the 2005-2006 school year.
During the 2005-2006 school year 32.4% (3,307) of students with an Individual Education Plan graduated from high school with a standard high school diploma.

19

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

Percentage of Scores at Basic Level and Above

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

National Assessment of Fourth and Eighth Graders
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) administers the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test of elementary and secondary students in various subject areas. Under the No Child Left Behind Act, all states must participate in the biennial NAEP test for fourth and eighth grade reading and mathematics. The most recent tests were held in 2005.

NAEP Score

Fourth Grade NAEP Math Score

Eighth Grade NAEP Math Score

Percentage of Scores at Basic Level and Above NAEP Score

500

100%

400

72% 76% 79% 80%

300 53% 53% 58%

60%

500

100%

400 300

48% 51% 55% 54% 62% 68%

80% 60%

200

40%

200

40%

100

20%

216 215 219 230 234 237

0

0%

GAG1A992GAG1A996GAG2A000GAG2A003GAG2A005NNaattiioonn

1992 1996 2002 2003 2005 22000055

Percentage of Scores at Basic Level and Above

100

20%

259 262 265 270 272 278

0

0%

GA GA GA GA GA Nation

1992 1996 2000 2003 2005 2005

Percentage of Scores at Basic Level and Above

Source: National Center on Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress, Nation's Report Card

Higher percentages of Georgia students are performing at the basic level and above in math than they did when the test was first administered on the state level in 1992.

In 2005, fourth grade students scored 18 points higher in math than in 1992.

Eighth grade students scored 13 points higher in math in 2005 than they did in 1992.

Fourth Grade NAEP Reading Score

Eighth Grade NAEP Reading Score*

Percentage of Scores at Basic Level and Above NAEP Score

500

100%

400 300

57% 52% 55% 59% 59% 58% 62%

80% 60%

500

100%

400 68% 70% 69% 67% 71% 80%

300

60%

NAEP Score

200

40%

200

40%

100

20%

212 207 209 215 214 214 217

0

0%

GA GA GA GA GA GA Nation 1992 1994 1998 2002 2003 2005 2005

100

20%

257 258 258 257 260

0

0%

GAG1A998 GAG2A002 GAG2A003 GAG2A005 Nation

1998 2002 2003 2005 20055

Percentage of Scores at Basic Level and Above

Percentage of Scores at Basic Level and Above

Source: National Center on Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress, Nation's Report Card

* The Eighth Grade NAEP Reading test was not assessed on the state level until 1998.

Percentage of Scores at Basic Level and Above

Georgia's fourth- and eighth-grade reading scores have remained fairly consistent since 2002.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

20

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

Georgia High School Graduation Test

All students in Georgia who seek a high school diploma are required to pass the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) in four content areas--English, math, social studies, and science--as well as pass the Georgia High School Writing Assessment.

Percentage Passing GHSGT Sections Eleventh Grade First -Time Takers

In 2005, eleventh grade first-time test takers passed English, social studies, and science portions of the exam in greater proportions than in prior years.

100

90

80 70

60 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006

English

Math

Social Studies

Science

Source: The Governor's Office of Student Achievement, Annual Report Cards on K-12 Public Schools, 2001-2006

High School Graduation Rate

75%

69.4%

70.8%

70%

65.4%

65% 61.8%

63.3%

60%

55%

50% 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006

Source: The Governor's Office of Student Achievement, Annual Report Cards on K-12 Public Schools

Georgia's high school graduation rate increased from 61.8% to 70.8% between the 2001-2002 and 2005-2006 school years.
The high school graduation rate reflects the percentage of students who entered ninth grade in a given year and were in the graduating class four years later.
High School Dropout Rate

Georgia's high school dropout rate decreased from 5.5% to 4.7% between the 2002-2003 and 2005-2006 school years.
The high school dropout rate reflects the number of students who officially dropped out of school divided by the number of students who attended school.

6.0%

5.5%

5.5% 5.3%

5.1%

5.0%

5.0%

4.7%

4.5%

4.0% 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006

Source: The Governor's Office of Student Achievement, Annual Report Cards on K-12 Public Schools

21

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

SAT Scores and Ranking

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized test used by most colleges to determine admittance along with other deciding factors including coursework, grades, letters of recommendations, and other criteria.

The SAT tests critical thinking in three sections: verbal, math, and writing. Georgia Average SAT Scores 1995-2006

1600

1477*

1400

1200 959 961 967 968 969 974 980 980 984 987 993
1000

800

600

400

200

0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

SAT Writing* N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 487

SAT Math 477 477 481 482 482 486 489 491 491 493 496 494

SAT Verbal 482 484 486 486 487 488 491 489 493 494 497 491

Source: The College Board

SAT Verbal

SAT Math

SAT Writing*

Note: Georgia's average SAT score reflects scores of public and private high school students characterized as graduating seniors.

* The SAT was initially designed to measure verbal and mathematic skills, and was scored out of a possible total of 1600 points: 800 points for verbal and 800 points for math. In 2006, the SAT was modified to include a writing section, thus increasing the total possible score on the exam to 2400: 800 points for verbal, 800 for math, and 800 for writing.

Between 2005 and 2006, Georgia's national SAT ranking improved 3 positions from 49th to 46th.

A higher percentage of Georgia's students (65%) take the SAT test compared to the national average (41%).

In 2006, Black students in Georgia scored an average of 1,293 on the test, ranking 34th among Black students across the nation.

Georgia's Hispanic students improved their SAT performance in 2006 with an average score of 1,419--48 points higher than the national average for Hispanic students.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

22

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

Georgia ACT Scores Highest in Eight Years
The ACT--formerly known as American College Testing--is a standardized test that colleges use comparably to the SAT to determine admittance. The ACT assesses students' general educational development and ability to complete college-level work.
The ACT tests four subjects--English, reading, mathematics, and science; each section is scored on a range between 1 and 36. The overall, or composite, score is the average score of all the four sections. Students may also take an optional writing assessment which does not affect the composite ACT score.

Georgia Average ACT Score 1995-2006

20.4

20.3

20.3 20.2

20.2 20.2

20.2

20.2

20.1

20.0

20.0 20.0

20.0

19.9 19.9

19.9

19.8 19.8

19.8

19.7

19.6

19.5

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Source: ACT, Inc.

NOTE: Georgia's average ACT score reflects scores of public and private high school students characterized as graduating seniors.

In 2006, Georgia's average score on the ACT rose to 20.2, a 0.4-point increase from 2003.
The number of students taking the ACT rose 7.5% between 2005 and 2006 to a total of 25,064 students.
Student performance improved on all sections of the exam in 2006, with a 0.2-point increase in science and reading, a 0.3-point increase in mathematics, and a 0.4-point increase in English from 2005.
Between 2005 and 2006, Hispanic and White students in Georgia showed greater improvement than the nation with increased scores of 0.5 and 0.3 points, respectively.
Georgia's Black students and Asian students showed similar gains as the nation between 2005 and 2006 with increased scores of 0.1 and 0.2 points, respectively.

23

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

Nearly 80% of Georgia Schools Made Adequate Yearly Progress in 2006

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) is a federal law that seeks to help close the achievement gap between disadvantaged students, minority students, and their peers.

NCLB significantly raises expectations for states, local school districts, and schools in that all students will meet or exceed state standards in reading and mathematics by 2013.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is a measure of year-to-year student performance based on student achievement of goals set by the state in math and reading.
During the 2005-2006 school year, 1,630 schools made AYP, approximately 79% of Georgia schools.
Fifty-four of Georgia's 183 school districts had every school in its district make AYP in the 2005-2006 school year.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) of Georgia Schools 2005-2006
Schools Making AYP
79%
Schools Not Making AYP
21%
Source: Georgia Department of Education

Schools that do not meet AYP in the same subject for two or more consecutive years are placed in Needs Improvement (NI) status. NI schools receive extra help to improve student performance. Furthermore, students in NI schools may transfer to a higher performing public school and receive extra help with schoolwork based on eligibility.
Number of Georgia Schools in Needs Improvement Status 2003-2006

600

533

500

413

400

353 308

300

200

100

0

2003

2004

2005

2006

Source: Georgia Department of Education

Since 2003, the percentage of Georgia schools in "Needs Improvement" status has decreased by 40%.

In the 2005-2006 school year, 99 Georgia schools were removed from "Needs Improvement" status, dropping the net total of NI schools to 308Georgia's lowest total ever.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

24

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

Average salaries of Teachers Remain Competitive

The salaries of Georgia's K-12 teachers continue to be the highest among surrounding states and third highest among states within the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).

The average teaching salary for the nation is $49,109 and $43,325 for SREB states.

Georgia ranks 18th

OK

in the nation for

38,772

teacher pay.

2005-2006 Salaries of SREB States
MD 54,486

DE 54,264

WV VA
38,284 43,823

KY

41,903

NC
43,922

TN 42,537

SC

AK 42,093

43,242

AL

MS
37,924

40,347

GA 48,300

TX
41,744

LA
40,253

FL
43,302

Average Instructor Salary at Four-Year Institutions, 2005

$66,230

$63,770

$67,880

Source: National Education Association

Average Instructor Salary at Two-Year Institutions, 2005
$52,810

$45,980

$45,250

Georgia

SREB

US

Source: Southern Regional Education Board

Georgia

SREB

US

In 2005, the average instructor salary at four-year colleges and universities in Georgia was $1,650 less than the national average, but $2,460 more than the SREB average in 2005. Georgia ranked fifth in four-year college instructor salary among the SREB states.

The average salary for faculty at two-year colleges in Georgia was $6,830 lower than the national average, but $730 higher than the SREB average in 2005. Georgia ranked sixth in two-year college instructor salary among the SREB states.

25

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

Technical and Adult Education

56,737 59,776
64,101 69,327 74,905 81,355 88,801 93,431 101,194 118,496 142,074 153,444 159,835 155,126 152,037

Georgia's technical college system consists of 34 technical colleges and four joint University System technical divisions that offer instruction at 87 sites across the state and online through the Georgia Virtual Technical College.

180,000 160,000 140,000

Technical College Enrollment

Students may enroll in programs leading to an associate degree, a diploma, or a technical certificate.
During the 2005-6 school year, more than one-third of Georgia technical college students (53,924 students) enrolled in programs addressing the state's six strategic industries: aerospace, agribusinesses, energy and environment, healthcare and eldercare, life sciences, and logistics and transportation.

120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000
0

91-92 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06
Source: Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education

Employment of Technical College Award Recipients

Year

Total Awards

Employed

Conferred In Field or Related Field

Employed Out of Field

Continuing Education

Total

Percent

Total

Percent

Total

Percent

2000

15,304

11,435

75%

1,057

7%

1,677

11%

2001

23,093

14,515

63%

1,388

6%

5,583

24%

2002

27,200

15,905

58%

2,274

8%

7,349

27%

2003

31,354

19,674

63%

4,593

15%

9,470

30%

2004

33,050

19,867

60%

4,159

13%

10,523

32%

2005

34,626

20,998

Source: Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, Annual Reports

61%

3,758

11%

11,333

33%

Note: Columns do not add up to the total due to duplication of graduates who are both employed and continuing education.

Of the 34,626 award recipients in 2005, about 61% (20,988) are working in their field of study, 11% (3,758) are working in another field, and close to 33% (11,333) are continuing their education.

In 2005, those who entered technical college programs in 2003 and graduated in 2004 increased their earnings by a total of $123 million and added 3,991 full-time employees to Georgia's state economy.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

26

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

Earnings of Technical College Strategic Industry Graduates Before And After Graduating

Logistics and Transportation Aerospace
Life Sciences Energy and Environment Healthcare and Eldercare
Agribusiness

After Graduating

$18,464
$18,839 $21,543 $22,102
Before Graduating

$25,967

$29,991 $32,856
$31,331

$29,940
$27,470 $29,905

$27,897

Source: Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education

The 3,086 graduates of strategic industry programs in Georgia technical colleges earned $46 million more in one year after their graduation in 2004 than they did when they began their technical college programs in 2003.

Earnings of graduates in all six strategic industry programs increased, with the greatest increase of 62% ($11,476) occurring in the Life Sciences programs.

Adults throughout the State of Georgia have access to literacy programs that provide basic, general, or specialized skills instruction through three programs: Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Education Development (GED), and the English Literacy Program (ELP).

Adult Basic Education (ABE) provides instruction on six educational levels to help adult Georgians acquire necessary basic skills in reading, writing, computation, speaking, and listening.
General Education Development (GED) provides adults at least 16 years of age the opportunity to earn a high school equivalency diploma.
The English Literacy Program (ELP) helps individuals of limited English proficiency achieve competence in English as a second language.

Adult Literacy Program Graduates

Year*

ABE Graduates

GED Graduates

ELP

Total

Graduates Graduates

2000 29,348

18,073

15,362

62,783

2001 30,232

24,646

15,389

70,267

2002

33,357

13,220**

12,915

59,492

2003 36,800

18,087

13,215

68,138

2004

27,391

18,562

14,006

59,959

2005 27,045

19,735

Source: Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education

17,887

64,667

* GED graduate figures are for a calendar year; ABE and ELP figures are for a fiscal year

** Significant decline in GED graduates primarily due to new mandate requiring students to pass all sections of the exam

27

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

University System's Student Body Growing in Number and Diversity
Georgia's 35 public colleges and universities operate under the umbrella of the University System of Georgia (USG). The system consists of four research universities, two regional universities, 13 state universities, four state colleges and 12 two-year colleges.
Enrollment in the University System of Georgia
300,000 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000
0 1995-1996 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006
Enrollment 206,484 204,332 205,389 200,102 203,806 205,878 217,546 233,098 247,020 250,659 253,552
Source: Board of Regents Annual Reports, 1988-1989, 2005-2006
Between the 1995-1996 school year and the 2005-2006 school year, USG student enrollment increased 23%, from 206,484 students to 253,552 students.

University System Minority Enrollment

The minority student 2005

population of the

2004

Black

University System has 2003

Hispanic

nearly doubled over

2002

the past ten years.

2001

The most significant 1998 enrollment growth has 1996

Asian American Native American Multi-Racial

occurred within the

1994

Other*

Black student

1993

population.

30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000

Source: Board of Regents
* Until 1996, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, and multi-racial students were collectively reported as "Other."

In 1993, Black students represented 19% (39,378 students) of the University System. In the fall of 2005, the percentage of Black students had risen to 24% (59,890 students).

The proportion of other minority students--Hispanic, Asian-American, Native American, Multi-Racial students--in the University System doubled, increasing from 5% (10,621 students) in 1993 to 11% (28,972 students) in 2005.

In 2005, about 3% (7,088 students) of the college population was Hispanic and about 6% (59,890 students) was Asian.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

28

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

Foreign Student Enrollment

1988-1989

2005-2006

South Asia 9%

Europe & Canada 17%

East Asia & the Pacific
44%
Foreign Student Enrollment Total: 5,120 students (2%)

Latin America & Caribbean
10%
Africa 10%
Middle East & North Africa 10%

Source: Board of Regents Annual Reports, 1988-1989, 2005-2006

South Asia 15%

Europe & Canada 20%

East Asia & the Pacific
26%
Middle East & North Africa 3%

Latin America & Caribbean
19% Africa 17%
Foreign Student Enrollment Total: 18,366 students (7%)

International students comprised about 7% (18,366) of students within the University System of Georgia during the 2005-2006 school year, up 5% (13,246) from the 19881989 school year.

The proportion of foreign students from each region has changed significantly over time.

The first-year retention rate reflects the percentage of all fall-semester, first-time freshmen who re-enrolled the following Fall semester in the same institution or in another institution within the University System of Georgia.

USG First-Year Retention Rates: Fall 1999 to Fall 2004

100.0% 80.0% 60.0% 40.0% 20.0% 0.0%

73.4% 67.5%
Fall 1999

74.9% 69.1%

76.3%

76.7%

77.2%

70.3%

71.1%

72.0%

Fall 2000

Fall 2001

Institute-Specific Rate

Fall 2002 University System Rate

Fall 2003

75.9% 70.5%
Fall 2004

Source: Board of Regents Annual Report, 2005-2006 Publication
Of the 11,414 degree-seeking, first-time freshmen who entered a USG institution in Fall 2004, 70.5% returned to the same USG institution in Fall of the next year, and 75.8% returned to the same or another USG institution in Fall of the next year.

29

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

College Graduation Rates
The six-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time freshmen at four-year colleges and the three-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time freshmen at two-year colleges are key national indicators of post-secondary performance.

Six-Year Graduation Rates of Freshmen Attending Four-Year USG Institutions

70%

60%

48.3%

50% 41.1%

40%

30%

48.8% 41.3%

50.3% 43.5%

53.7% 46.6%

47.9% 55.0%

20%

10%

0%

Fall 1995 - Spring 2001 Fall 1996 - Spring 2002 Fall 1997 - Spring 2003 Fall 1998 - Spring 2004 Fall 1999 - Spring 2005

Percent Graduated from Initial Institution
Source: Board of Regents Annual Reports, 2005-2006

Percent Graduated fromthe USGSystem

Of the 21,229 first-time, full-time freshmen who entered a four-year USG college or university in Fall 1999, 47.9% graduated from the same institution in 2005 and 55% graduated from the same or another institution within the University System.

Six-year graduation rates for first-time full-time freshmen enrolled in University System of Georgia institutions increased 16.5 % between fall 1995 and fall 1999.

Three-Year Graduation & Transfer Rates of Freshmen Attending USG Two-Year Colleges

60%

50%

40%

28.4%

27.9%

29.6%

30.6%

30%

20.6%

20%

13.5%

13.2%

6.2%

14.7%

16.2%

10%

14.9%

14.7%

14.4%

14.9%

14.4%

0%

Fall 1995 - Spring 2001 Fall 1996 - Spring 2002 Fall 1997 - Spring 2003 Fall 1998 - Spring 2004 Fall 1999 - Spring 2005

Percent Graduated fromUSGTwo-Year College Percent Transferred to a Four-Year Institution

Source: Board of Regents Annual Reports, 2005-2006

An increasing proportion of first-time, full-time freshmen are continuing their education at a four-year institution than in years prior.

Out of 9,322 first-time, full-time freshmen who sought an associate degree at a two-year USG institution in fall 2002, 14.4% graduated in three years and an additional 16.2% transferred to four-year institutions.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

30

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

Research Awards Received by the University System of Georgia
Research within the University System of Georgia spans many subject areas and is primarily concentrated in its four research universities: the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and the Medical College of Georgia.

Research Fund Resources Fall 2004 to Fall 2005
Other 10%

Industry 13%

Non-Profilt 4%
State & Local 5%

Federal 68%

Total Awards Received by the University System of Georgia
Fall 2001 to Fall 2005

Year

Total Awards

Fall 2001 Fall 2002 Fall 2003 Fall 2004 Fall 2005
Total

$686,139,500 $794,474,800 $860,501,000 $847,035,700 $805,362,200 $3,993,513,200

The majority of University System of Georgia (USG) research awards come from federal sources.
Between FY01 and FY05, the USG received almost $4 billion in external grants and contracts.
During FY05, USG received $805 million: $623.5 million for research, $88 million for instruction, and close to $94 million for public service grants.
Source: Board of Regents Annual Report, 2005-2006 Publication

31

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

Georgia College Tuition Lowest, Most Affordable Among Southern States

Affordable tuition rates of Georgia's four-year public colleges and universities increase access to higher education for students.

Annual College Tuition Costs And Tuition as Percent of Median Household 2004-2005

United States SREB States Georgia Oklahoma Florida Louisiana
North Carolina West Virginia
Mississippi Tennessee Kentucky
Texas Alabama Arkansas Virginia Delawate Maryland South Carolina

$4,579 $4,043 $2,906 $3,007 $3,092 $3,240 $3,273 $3,621 $3,837 $4,134 $4,176 $4,182 $4,243 $4,468 $5,291 $5,965 $5,976 $6,100

10.3% 10.3% 7.1% 7.6% 7.6% 8.9% 8.1% 10.9% 11.0% 10.8%
11.7% 10.1%
11.6% 12.8% 10.3% 12.4% 10.4% 15.7%

$- $1,000 $2,000 $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $6,000 $7,000

Source: Southern Regional Education Board

The average annual tuition costs of public four-year colleges in Georgia was lowest among the 16 states of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) during the 2004-2005 school year.
Georgia's average annual tuition is $2,906 compared to $4,043 for the SREB states, and $4,579 for the nation.
Georgia families spend 7.1% of household income on annual tuition at a four-year college in comparison to 10.3% for SREB states and the nation.
Note: The medians for the United States and SREB states are the middle values of all institutions by type. The medians for each state are the middle values of the institutions by type in that state.

According to the National Association of Student Grant and Aid programs, Georgia ranks second in the nation in providing scholarships and grants to college students. ServiceCancelable loans, Hope Scholarships and Grants, and Tuition Equalization Grants are a few of the many options available to help Georgia students cover the costs of attending college.
Service-Cancelable Loans
Service-cancelable loans are provided in critical fields of study that a graduate can pay back in cash or by serving the field of study. Critical fields include teaching, health care, agriculture education, military service, veterinary medicine, engineering, and social work.
Over $3 million has been awarded in nursing service-cancelable loans during the 2006-2007 school year.
More than 12,300 students have received HOPE Teacher service-cancelable loans to obtain advanced education degrees in critical shortage areas.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

32

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

HOPE Scholarship and Grant Program
Georgia's HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Program is Georgia's most reputable college finance program. The HOPE Program is a unique merit scholarship and grant program that rewards students in degree, diploma and certificate programs at eligible Georgia public and private colleges and public technical colleges.

Georgia's HOPE Program Disbursements
September 1993 to January 2007

Type of
Educational Institution
Public Colleges & Universities
Public Technical Colleges
Private Colleges & Universities

HOPE Scholarship

Total HOPE Scholarship
Dollars

Total Number of Scholarship Recipients

$ 2,201,437,769

388,288

$ 40,453,084

27,600

$ 458, 794,736

121,016

Total

$2,700,685,589

Source: Georgia Student Finance Commission

536,904

HOPE Grant

Total HOPE Grant Dollars

Total Number of Grant
Recipients

$ 65,891,494

36,670

$ 740,342,574

509,667

N/A

N/A

$806,234,068

546,337

Georgia's HOPE Program began in September 1993, and as of February 2007 more than $3 billion in HOPE funds has been disbursed to more than one million Georgia students.

Out of the 74,059 high school graduates in 2006, 62% were eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship.

Georgia's HOPE GED Grant Program has further provided close to $27 million to offset the cost of higher education for Georgians who earned their General Education Development (GED/high school equivalency) diploma through a Georgia public technical college after June 1993.

About 63.5% of HOPE Scholarship dollars went to Georgia public colleges and universities, 13.5% went to private colleges, and 23% went to public technical schools.

Tuition Equalization Grants (TEG)
In addition to the HOPE Scholarship for private colleges and universities, students who attend certain private and public colleges may be eligible for up to $1,000 a year though the Tuition Equalization Grants (TEG).
In 2006, more than 32,000 students received Tuition Equalization Grants.
Georgia residents who live near the state's borders may receive TEGs to attend out-ofstate, public four-year colleges within 50 miles of their home.

33

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

AN EDUCATED GEORGIA

University System of Georgia: Facility Locations

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

34

GEORGIA IN
PERSPECTIVE
A HEALTHY GEORGIA

A HEALTHY GEORGIA

Life Styles, 51%

Health Care, 10% Environment, 19%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Genetics, 20%

Health Status by County, Georgia, 2003

Dade

Catoosa

Murray

Whitfield

Walker

Chattooga

Gordon

Fannin

Towns Union

Rabun

Gilmer Pickens

White

Lumpkin

Habersham Stephens

Dawson

Hall

Banks Franklin

Floyd

Bartow

Cherokee Forsyth

Hart

Jackson

Madison

Elbert

Health Status Excellent 76-100 Good 53-75 Fair 37-52 Poor 0-36
Georgia Health Status Score: 54.7

Polk Haralson

Cobb Paulding

Gwinnett

DeKalb

Douglas Fulton

Rockdale

Barrow Walton

Clarke Oglethorpe
Oconee

Wilkes

Carroll

Clayton

Newton

Morgan Greene Taliaferro

Lincoln Columbia

Heard

Henry

Fayette

Coweta

Spalding

Butts

Jasper

Putnam Hancock

McDuffie Warren

Richmond

Glascock

Troup

Pike Meriwether

Lamar Monroe

Jones

Baldwin

Jefferson Washington

Burke

Harris

Upson Talbot

Bibb Crawford

Wilkinson Twiggs

Johnson

Jenkins Screven

Muscogee Marion Chattahoochee

Taylor

Peach Houston

Macon

Bleckley

Laurens

Emanuel

Treutlen

Candler

Bulloch

Effingham

Schley

Stewart Webster

Sumter

Quitman Randolph Terrell

Lee

Dooly

Pulaski

Crisp

Wilcox

Dodge

Montgomery

Wheeler

Toombs

Evans

Telfair

Tattnall

Bryan

Turner

Ben Hill

Jeff Davis Appling

Liberty Long

Chatham

Clay

Calhoun

Dougherty

Early

Baker

Miller

Mitchell

Worth

Irwin Tift

Coffee

Colquitt

Berrien Cook

Atkinson

Bacon

Wayne

Pierce

Ware

Brantley

McIntosh Glynn

Seminole Decatur

Grady Thomas

Brooks

Lanier

Clinch

Lowndes

Echols

Charlton

Camden

Prepared by: G.E. Alan Dever, Ph.D., M.T., M.D. (Hon.) & Leah Sm ith, M.P.H. Mercer University- Health Sciences Center
Data Source: Inforum, 2004

What Determines Health?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, life style choices have the greatest impact on a person's health.
Life style choices such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco use can positively affect a person's health status.

These Health Status Maps, produced by Dr. Alan Dever at Mercer University, reflect self-reported health status. The maps are a composite score of:
presence of disease (e.g., diabetes, cancer) self report of health; and health behaviors (e.g., smoking, exercise, nutrition).

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

36

A HEALTHY GEORGIA

Lifestyle

Teen Pregnancy Rates (per 1,000) Ages 15 to 19 Georgia and the United States

80 70 60 50 40
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Source: 2006 Kids Count-The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Georgia United States

Teen birth rate in Georgia declined 30% between 1990 and 2003.

Georgia ranks 41st nationally in teen births.

Percentage of Adults 18 and Older Who Are Obese-- Georgia and the United States
Year 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Georgia 11% 10% 12% 13% 15% 13% 12% 14% 19% 21% 22% 23% 24% 25% 25% US 12% 13% 13% 14% 14% 16% 17% 17% 18% 20% 20% 21% 22% N/A N/A
Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Annual Health Status Measures 2006
Note: Obesity is self-reported and defined as Body Mass Index equal to or greater than 30.0.

In 2003, 25% of Georgia adults were obese, two and one-half times the number in 1990.

One in five Georgians smoke.
The percentage of smokers in both Georgia and the U.S. is relatively unchanged since 1990.

Percentage of Adults 18 and Older Who Smoke-- Georgia and the United States
30% 25% 20% 15% 10%
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Georgia 24% 22% 19% 24% 23% 21% 20% 22% 24% 24% 24% 24% 23% 23% 20% 22% United States 23% 23% 22% 23% 23% 22% 24% 23% 23% 23% 23% 23% 23% 22% 22% 21%

Source;: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Annual Health Status Measures 2006

37

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A HEALTHY GEORGIA

Children's Vaccination Rate--Georgia and the United States

Georgia ranks 1st in the

100%

Southeast and 3rd in the

nation in vaccination coverage for children.

90% 76.5%
80%

74.6%

82.0%

82.4%

All children attending day

70%

76.0%

76.1%

care or school are required

65.5%

72.5%

to receive vaccines to

60%

protect against these

diseases: diphtheria,

50%

2002

2003

2004

2005

hepatitis B, Hib, measles,

mumps, rubella, pertussis, tetanus, varicella and polio.

Georgia

United States

Source: National Immunization Survey-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Percentage of Women 40 Years of Age and Older Who Have Received a Mammogram within the Past Two Years

100.0%

80.0% 60.0%

67.2%

65.8%

71.5%

72.7%

72.9%

70.2%

72.4%

76.1%

79.5%

76.0%

75.5%

74.5%

40.0%

20.0% 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Annual Health Status Measures 2006
Percentage of Adults 65 Years of Age and Older Ever Vaccinated for Pneumococcal Disease

80.0%

60.0%

60.2%

57.9%

57.3%

61.0%

59.4%

48.5%

50.1%

49.7%

40.0%

20.0%

0.0%

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Annual Health Status Measures 2006

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

38

A HEALTHY GEORGIA

Georgia's Supply of Physicians Has Increased Over the Past Ten Years

Total Rate of Physicians per 100,000 Population in Georgia
205 202
200

195

193

190

192

193

192

185

182 180

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

Source: Georgia Board for Physician Workforce

Although the supply of physicians has increased in Georgia, there has been a decline in per capita rates in the following specialties: anesthesiology, cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, general surgery, neurological surgery, pulmonary disease, radiology, rheumatology, and urological surgery.

Geographic Distribution of Georgia's Physician Workforce

Specialty

Metropolitan Statistical Areas
Number Rate*

Family Practice

1633 18.8

Internal Medicine

2122 24.4

Pediatrics

1309

15.1

OB/GYN

934 10.8

General Surgery

579

6.7

*Rate per 100,000 population

Source: Georgia Board for Physician Workforce

Non-Metropolitan Statistical Areas

Number 660 530 279 237 154

Rate* 7.6 6.1 3.2 2.7 1.8

Access to physicians is more favorable in urban areas than in rural areas of the state.

The rate of pediatricians per 100,000 population is five times greater in urban areas than in rural areas.

39

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A HEALTHY GEORGIA

Health Insurance Coverage

Uninsured, 18%
Other Public, 2%
Medicare, 9%

Health Insurance Coverage--2005

Georgia

United States

Uninsured 16%
Other Public 1%

Employer, 53%

Medicare 12%

Employer 53%

Medicaid,
14% Individual,
4%
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, State Health Facts

Medicaid 13% Individual 5%

The number of uninsured in Georgia increased by 13% between 2004 and 2005 compared to a 2% increase in the number of uninsured nationwide. Approximately 1.7 million Georgians are uninsured. 82% of Georgians have some form of health insurance.

Uninsured in Georgia (non-elderly)

25% 20% 15%

19% 19%

18%

18%

19%

16%

21% 19%

10%

5%

0%

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Source: Custer and Ketsche, Robinson College, Georgia State University

Change in Uninsured Rate by Age: 2 Year Moving Average

40% 30% 20% 10%
2000/2001

2001/2002

2002/2003

Source: Custer and Ketsche, Robinson College, Georgia State University

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

40

2003/2004

2004/2005

Under 18 18-24 25-44 45-64

A HEALTHY GEORGIA

More Developmentally Disabled Consumers Are Served in the Community

18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000
0

13,774
1,637 FY01

13,499
1,543 FY02

14,385
1,423 FY03

14,392
1,402 FY04

14,709
1,305 FY05

15,385
1,201 FY06

Mental Retardation/Developmentally Disabled Institutions

Mental Retardation/Developmentally Disabled Community Services
Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases

The number of developmentally disabled consumers served in state hospitals has steadily declined due to the emphasis on community services and placements.

In Georgia, 16,586 individuals have mental retardation or a developmental disability. In FY06, nearly 93% of these individuals received state services in the community.

Developmentally Disabled Consumers Served in Hospitals

2,500

2,059 2,004 1,947

2,000

1,685 1,640 1,637

1,500

1,543

1,423

1,402

1,305

1,201

1,064

1,000

500

0 FY96 FY97 FY98 FY99 FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03 FY04 FY05 FY06 FY07
Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Disease

41

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A HEALTHY GEORGIA

Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States and in Georgia. These diseases account for 7 of every 10 deaths and are preventable through adoption of healthy behaviors. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes all diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including ischemic heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, hypertensive disease, and atherosclerosis.
In 2004 in Georgia: Cardiovascular disease accounted for 34% (22,378) of deaths. The CVD death rate was 14% higher than the national rate. CVD death rates were 1.4 times higher for men than for women. CVD death rates were 1.3 times higher for Blacks than for Whites.

Cardiovascular Disease Death Rates by County: 2000-2004

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

Source: Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, August 2006 42

A HEALTHY GEORGIA

Cancer Mortality Rates (per 100,000) in Georgia
215 210 205 200 195

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Georgia.
Cancer mortality rates in Georgia have declined at an average annual rate of 1.2% since 1990.

190 185 180
1995-1999 1996-2000 1997-2001 1998-2002 1999-2003 2000-2004

Lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers account for 57% of all cancer diagnosed and for 53% of all cancer deaths.

Source: Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry

Lung Cancer Mortality Rates--Georgia and the United States

70.0

60.0

63.5

64.7 59.6

62.1 61.4 59.0

62.2 61.2 59.6 59.6 59.0

58.6

58.4 57.9

57.5

57.1

55.5 56.1

55.3

54.9

50.0

40.0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Georgia

United States

Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Annual Health Status Measures 2006

Breast Cancer Mortality Rates--Georgia and the United States Women by Race
40
35
30
25
20 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Georgia Black Women

United States Black Women

Georgia White Women

United States White Women

Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Annual Health Status Measures 2006

43

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A HEALTHY GEORGIA

Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes per 100 Adult Population in Georgia

8

6.9

7.2

7.4

7.5

6.4

7

6.1

6

5.2

4.7

5 4.0 4.0 4.0

4

3 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Source: National Center for Chronic Disease and Health Prevention

More than 7% of Georgians are diabetic.
20.8 million people or 7% of the U.S. population have diabetes.
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.

Pneumonia Mortality Rates--Georgia and the United States

45.0

40.0

38.4 36.6 37.3 37.0 37.9

35.0

30.0 25.0 20.0

33.1 33.2 32.6 33.0 33.9

22.9 23.1 23.8 27.7 24.9

18.1

23.1

21.9

22.4

23.0

15.0

10.0

5.0

0.0

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Georgia United States

Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Annual Health Status Measures 2006

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

44

A HEALTHY GEORGIA

Cervical Cancer Mortality Rates-- Georgia and the United States

4

3

2

1

0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Georgia

United States

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Georgia 3.3 3.7 3.3 3.4 3.2 3.2 2.7 2.8 3 2.7 2.9

Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Annual Health Status Measures 2006

Cervical cancer is the eighth most common cancer in Georgia women.
The cervical cancer mortality rate has decreased from 3.3 to 2.9 from 1994 to 2004.
Each year from 1999 to 2003, about 120 Georgia women died from cervical cancer.

HIV/AIDS Mortality Rates--Georgia and the United States

25

20 19.1

20.6

15 16 16.1

16.2

10

11.5

9.3 8.5 9.4

8.8

8.4

8.2 7.6 7.8

5

6

4.9

5.3 5.2

5

4.9

0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Georgia United States

Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Annual Health Status Measures 2006

45

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A HEALTHY GEORGIA

Traffic Fatalities and Seat Belt Use
Traffic Fatalities in Georgia 1975 2005

1,800

1,700

1,729

1,600

1,500

1,562

1,541

1,400

1,488

1,300 1,360

1,361

1,200

1,100

1,000

1975

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

Traffic fatalities in Georgia have increased 16% since 1995.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for the age group 3 to 14 years old.

Source: Federal Highway Administration

Seat Belt Use--Georgia and the United States

According to the National 100% Highway Traffic Safety

Administration's

90%

(NHTSA) study, The

Economic Impact of

Motor Vehicle Crashes

80%

2000, the use of safety

belts saved society $585

70%

billion in medical care,

lost productivity, and

60%

other injury-related

economic costs since

50%

1975.

40%

NHTSA's studies indicate

that when lap/shoulder

30%

safety belts are used

properly, they reduce the 20%

risk of fatal injury to front

seat occupants by 45%

10%

and the risk of moderate

to critical injury by 50%.

0%

Seat belt use by Georgia

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

drivers has increased 16.3% since 2000.

Georgia US
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

46

GEORGIA IN
PERSPECTIVE
A SAFE GEORGIA

A SAFE GEORGIA

Public Safety
The Georgia Office of Homeland Security leads and directs the preparation, employment, and management of state resources to safeguard Georgia and its citizens against threats or acts of terrorism and the effects of natural disasters. This office also houses the Homeland Security Agency and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA).
GEMA's State Operations Center is the focal point for state response to emergencies in Georgia as well as coordinating a state response for disasters to other states such as Hurricane Katrina. The center is staffed by state, federal, local, volunteer, and private agencies.
Georgia's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) brings together many parts of the criminal justice community. Members represent the citizens, police, sheriffs, city and county officials, the school system, judges and other court officials as well as adult and juvenile corrections.
The CJCC administers about $30,000,000 in Federal grants annually. About half of the grant money goes to law enforcement and criminal justice system improvement. The remainder of the money goes to Georgia crime victims. In FY2006, the CJCC served 187,257 crime victims.
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association is a non-profit organization comprised of the 159 county elected Georgia sheriffs. GSA also sponsors Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes, which provides five residences for about 100 children.
The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police includes more than 1,000 municipal and county law enforcement agencies, college and university police departments, corporate and private security firms, citizens, and numerous state and federal agencies.
There are jails in 147 counties and several cities. Georgia has a jail capacity for more than 39,000 offenders.

Active Child Protective Services Cases
35,000
28,815 30,000

25,000

20,000

18,912

15,000

10,000

5,000

Additionally, the Department of Human Resources' Child Protective Services responds to reports of child abuse or neglect. More than 72,000 cases were investigated in FY2005.
The number of Child Protective Services active cases decreased 34%, from 28,815 in July 2004 to 18,912 in September 2006.

Jul-04 Sep-04 Nov-04 Jan-05 Mar-05 May-05 Jul-05 Sep-05 Nov-05 Jan-06 Mar-06 May-06 Jul-06 Sep-06

0 GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

Source: Outcome Measures and Results, Child Welfare, September 2006, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Family and Children Services
48

A SAFE GEORGIA

Judicial Branch of Georgia

MAGISTRATE COURT
159 courts, 159 chief magistrates, 354 magistrates.
Jurisdiction (limited): Search and arrest
warrants, felony and misdemeanor preliminaries, misdemeanor bad check violations, county ordinances. Civil claims of $15,000 or less, dispossessories, distress warrants. No jury trials.

PROBATE COURT
159 courts, 159 judges.
Jurisdiction (limited): Exclusive jurisdiction in
probate of wills, administration of estates, appointment of guardians, involuntary hospitalizations, marriage licenses. Traffic in some counties. Truancy in some counties. Hold courts of inquiry. Search warrants and arrest warrants in certain cases. Some misdemeanors.

JUVENILE COURT
159 courts, 120 judges and associate judges
Jurisdiction (limited): Deprived, unruly,
delinquent juveniles. Juvenile traffic. No jury trials.

STATE COURT
71 courts, 110 judges
Jurisdiction (limited): Civil law actions
except cases within the exclusive jurisdiction of superior court. Misdemeanors, traffic, felony preliminaries. Jury trials.

Counties with population over 96,000 where probate judge is attorney practicing at least seven years. Jury trials.

SUPERIOR COURT
49 circuits, 193 judges Jurisdiction (general): Civil law actions, misdemeanors, and
other cases. Exclusive jurisdiction over cases of
divorce, title to land, equity. Exclusive felony jurisdiction.

COURT OF APPEALS
12 judges (4 divisions) Jurisdiction : Appellate jurisdiction over trial courts in cases in which Supreme Court has no exclusive appellate jurisdiction.
SUPREME COURT
7 justices Jurisdiction: Appellate jurisdiction over cases of
constitutional issue, title to land, validity of and construction of wills, habeas corpus, extraordinary remedies, convictions of capital felonies, equity, divorce, alimony, election contest. Certified questions and certiorari from Court of Appeals.
As of January 2006.
49

Capital felonies, Constitutional issues, Title to land. Wills, equity, and divorce.
GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A SAFE GEORGIA

Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Investigative Hours AllocationDecember 2006

1.8%

The GBI spends most of its time

5.4% 1.9%

investigating crimes against persons,

9.0%

27.2%

including deaths, child abuse, sex crimes, assaults, kidnappings,

robberies, and terrorist acts.

About 1/4 of GBI's investigative

12.1%

hours are spent investigating

narcotics.

26.9%
Source: Georgia Bureau of Investigation

15.6%

Crimes Against Persons Property Crimes Narcotics Polygraph and Background Exams Other Investigations Bomb Disposal Services Intelligence Examinations Crime Scene Specialists

Of the 6,223 investigative hours used to investigate narcotics, only 28 were used to investigate clandestine methamphetamine labs.
The number of clandestine meth labs in Georgia has decreased by 79% (projected) in 2 years, suggesting that meth is now entering Georgia already manufactured.

Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs in Georgia
400 371
350

300

250 228
200

150

100 78
50

0

FY05

FY06

Source: Georgia Bureau of Investigation

FY07 projected

25,000 20,000

Drug Cases Submitted to the GBI

The GBI receives more cocaine cases than methamphetamine cases.

15,000

10,000

5,000

-
Cocaine Methamphetamine

2000 18,717 2,094

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

2001 19,204 3,321

2002 16,543 4,457

2003 14,180 5,575

2004

2005

2006

13,701 19,795 17,224

6,758 9,978 7,224 Source: Georgia Bureau of Investigation
50

Cocaine cases decreased from 2001-2004 by 32%, and 13% from 2005-2006.
Methamphetamine cases have increased 377% from 2000-2005, but decreased by 28% in 2006.

A SAFE GEORGIA

Drug Offenses
According to the National Institute of Justice, up to 80% of offenders have some substance abuse problem related to their criminal activity.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy states that in-prison treatment followed by post-incarceration supervision can reduce recidivism by about 50%.
About one in three inmates admitted to Georgia prisons in FY2006 were sentenced for drug offenses. Many other inmates (about 37%) reported having substance abuse problems.

Methamphetamine-Related Admissions to Prison FY97-FY06

3,500

3,000

2,874

2,500

1,969

2,000

1,791

1,500

1,282

1,017

1,000

525

662

562

731

500 339

0

FY97

FY98

FY99

FY00

FY01

FY02

FY03

FY04

FY05

FY06

Source: Georgia Department of Corrections

Of all drug arrests in Georgia in 2005: 11% were methamphetamine-related (more than 7,200) 60% were marijuana-related and 36% were cocaine-related.

Although most of the inmates admitted to prison on drug offenses in FY06 were convicted of cocaine-related offenses, methamphetamine-related offenses are a growing problem.

Prison admissions for methamphetamine-related offenses increased from 339 in FY96 to 2,874 in FY06--more than 700%.

51

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A SAFE GEORGIA

GEORGIA JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM FLOW
State of Georgia Juvenile Intake Process
State of Georgia Assessment
and Placements
for Adjudicated
Juveniles Under 17 Years of Age
Assessment or Decision
Disposition
Placement

Taken Into Custody or Referral of Youth

Court/DJJ Detain

Juvenile Court and DJJ

Decision /DAI

DAI - Detention Assessment

Instrument

Performed By DJJ and Independent

Court

In Community Placement
At Home With Parent or Guardian

Out of Home Residential Non-Secure Emergency

Regional Youth Detention Center
(RYDC)

Dismissed / Released

Proceed Filing With
DA

DJJ Performs RYDC Function
Informal Adjustment /
Diverted

Dismissed / Released
Dismissed / Released
Independent Court
Probation Supervision Placement At Home With Parent or Guardian

DA Petition
Decide not to file

District Attorney Office

File Charges with Juvenile Court

SB440 >= 13 Year of Age

Juvenile Courts

Adjudication and
Disposition

Superior Court

Department

Of

Corrections

Probation

Short Term Program

Commitment

Comprehensive Risk Needs Assessment
CRN I

Probation Dependent Court Served by DJJ

Regional Youth Detention Center RYDC Awaiting
Placement

Comprehensive Risk Needs Assessment
CRN I & II

Probation Supervision Placement At Home With Parent or Guardian

Short Term Program STP in Youth Development Campus YDC -
Secure Confinement
Short Term Program Court
Ordered Alternative Special Needs Residential

Georgia Dept. of Juvenile Justice

Commitment Supervision Placement at Home With Parent or
Guardian
Commitment Out of Home Placement Residential - Non
Secure
Commitment Youth Development Campus YDC Long
Term Secure Confinement

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

Source: Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice 52

A SAFE GEORGIA

Juvenile Justice FY06 Placements

YDC RYDC 6% 6%

Non-Secure Residential
5%

Source: Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice

Community 83%

Department of Juvenile Justice
83% (17,051) juveniles referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) are placed in community settings.
Another 1,111 (5%) of the juveniles referred to DJJ are placed in non-secure residential settings.
6% (1,240) go to youth development campuses (YDCs), the most secure juvenile corrections facilities in Georgia.

Only 18% of youth were referred to DJJ for violent offenses or violent sex offenses.
However, 39% of the youth placed in YDCs during FY06 were serving sentences for violent offenses or violent sex offenses.
Status offenses include runaway, truancy, ungovernable and unruly.

DJJ FY06 Admissions by Offense

Drugs

Other

8%

19%

Property 21%

Violent and Sex 18%
Status 19% Source: Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice

Public Order 15%

40%

35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

4.3%

5%

0% Drugs
Source: Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice

YDC FY06 Placements by Offense 38.7%
33.3%

13.2%

0.5%

Property

Public Order

Status

53

Violent and Sex

10.0%
Other
GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A SAFE GEORGIA

Juvenile Crime

Juvenile Arrests 1996-2005
60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000
0 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Source: Georgia Bureau of Investigation--Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC)

The juvenile arrest rate decreased during the late nineties but began increasing again in 2001.
About 76% of juvenile arrests are referred to court.
About 22% of the arrests are handled within the police department, and about 2% of the offenders are referred to the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

Juvenile Arrest Dispositions 2001-2005

Year 2001

Handled Within Dept.
7,558

Referred to
Juvenile Court
26,653

Referred to
DFCS
1,144

Referred to Other
Police Dept.
292

Referred to Adult/
Criminal Court

Total Dispositions

4,086

39,731

% to Court
77.4%

2002

8,714

26,762

970

443

2003

8,792

28,562

930

706

2004

9,453

32,105

2,070

856

2005

9,133

30,161

893

831

4,751 4,171 5,292 4,233

41,640 43,161 49,776 45,251

75.7% 75.8% 75.1% 76.0%

Source: Georgia Bureau of Investigation--Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC)

In FY06, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) served more than 55,000 youth.
Very few juveniles who are under age 13 are referred to DJJ. More than half of the 2005 referrals to DJJ were youth age 15 or 16.
Two-thirds of these youth were boys.
About 45% of the youth were White, the rest were minority youth (49% Black, 4% Hispanic, and 2% some other race).

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

54

A SAFE GEORGIA

Adult Corrections

Make laws
O P B FFICE OF LANNING AND UDGET
55

2
5/16/2007
Conceptualized by Dr. Timothy Carr Georgia Department of Corrections
GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A SAFE GEORGIA

Adult Corrections

Adult Offenders in Georgia--2006

Prisoners

55,869

Parolees

23,556

State Probationers

143,800

Private/County Probationers*

228,216

Federal Probationers*

3,254

Jail Inmates Total *
* estimate Nov. 2006
Source: Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

36,785 488,045

About 488,000 Georgians are under some form of correctional supervision.
Georgia ranks 6th in the nation in prison incarceration rate.
The number of inmates in state prison and probationers in state community correctional facilities increased 87.2% between 1994 & 2006, growing from 30,810 in 1994 to 57,665 in December 2006.

Year-End 2005 Prison Incarceration Rates per 100,000 Residents

Rank Rate

Place

491

United States

1

797

Louisiana

2

691

Texas

3

682

Mississippi

4

652

Oklahoma

5

591

Alabama

6

533

Georgia

7

529

Missouri

8

525

South Carolina

9

521

Arizona

10

499

Florida

Source: US Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics

70,000

Inmate and Probation Facility Population

60,000 50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Inmate Facilities 32,950 34,068 34,872 36,191 38,971 41,602 43,859 45,814 46,991 46,989 47,985 49,143 52,626 Prob. Facilities 3,076 3,555 3,543 3,898 4,231 4,028 4,429 4,752 5,253 5,295 5,514 4,811 5,039
Source: Georgia Department of Corrections

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

56

A SAFE GEORGIA

Profile of Current Prison Inmates and Current Probationers

Prison Inmates

Current Probationers

49,127 Men*

3,508 Women*

107,995 Men*

31,752 Women*

Black/White: 63%/37% Black/White: 47%/53% Black/White: 51%/48% Black/White: 44%/55%

Average age = 36

Average age = 36

Average age = 35

Average age = 35

61% single

53% single

Offense:

Offense:

Highest grade: 10

Highest grade: 11

23% violent/sex

12% violent/sex

Absent father: 42%

Absent father: 32%

31% property

48% property

58% are parents

73% are parents

37% drug

35% drug

Number of children: 62,890
Offense:

Number of children: 6,952
Offense:

*As of Nov. 2006
Source: Georgia Department of Corrections

59% violent/sex

39% violent/sex

20% property

34% property

16% drug

25% drug

*As of Nov. 2006
Source: Georgia Department of Corrections

2006 State Daily Cost by Offender Placement

The various center placement options are less costly than prison placement. Many offenders in these centers are able to hold jobs and pay for part of their upkeep.
Prison placement is the most expensive form of offender supervision ($46.06 per offender per day).
Security and medical costs account for most of this expense (45% and 22%, respectively).

$1.29 Regular Probation Supervision $3.40 Intensive Probation Supervision $9.15 Day Reporting Centers $30.21 Diversion Centers $39.19 Transitional Centers $42.29 Detention Centers $43.59 Private Prisons $46.06 State Prisons
Source: Georgia Department of Corrections

57

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

Percent reconvicted within 3 years
A SAFE GEORGIA

Reconviction

Three-year Felony Reconviction Rate by Facility Type

35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%

2000

2001

2002

2003

Year of release from prison

Transitional Center Probation Success

County Camp Detention Centers

State Prison, IBC, annexes Diversion Centers

Source: Georgia Department of Corrections

Georgia defines offender recidivism as reconviction for a felony offense. Typically, the data are reported as a three-year rate (i.e., offenders released from prison who return to prison on a felony reconviction within three years).

Probation is the least costly form of offender supervision and has the lowest felony reconviction rate.

Offenders who successfully complete probation have the lowest 3-year felony reconviction rate (about 10%).

Offenders released from state prisons, inmate boot camps and prison annexes have the highest 3-year felony reconviction rate (about 28%).

Offenders released from transitional centers have about a 20% 3-year felony reconviction rate.

Some variations in these felony reconviction rates can be explained by the type of offender serving a sentence on probation in the community versus the type of offender serving a sentence in prison.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

58

A SAFE GEORGIA

Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles

80% 70% 61% 60% 50% 45% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
FY1998

Average Parole Completion Rates--Georgia and U.S.

72%

68%

68%

64%

61%

61%

60%

60%

Begin stricter counting method

43%

43%

46%

45%

47%

47%

46%

45%

FY1999 FY2000 FY2001 FY2002 FY2003 FY2004 FY2005 FY2006

Source: Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

Georgia

US

Profile of Current Parolees
(as of Nov. 2006)

21,207 Men

2,659 Women

Black/White: 63%/37% Black/White: 47%/53%

Average age = 38

Average age = 39

Offense:

Offense:

18% violent/sex

12% violent/sex

28% property

42% property

41% drug
Source: Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

36% drug

Crime Type of Active Parolees

Other

Violent/Sex

10%

18%

Drug

Property

43%

29%

Source: Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

Seven out of ten parolees are serving sentences for drug or property crimes.

Many parolees over age 60 are serving sentences for violent crimes as these crimes often have life sentences. In January 2007, there were 627 parolees age 60 and older.

More than 80% of parolees are employed. Each day of employment while on parole reduces the parolee's likelihood of arrest by 1%. Only 49% of parolees were employed prior to incarceration.

7,866 parolees entered drug treatment in FY06. About 76% of parolees have substance abuse problems. Each month of attending treatment programs during parole means a 2% reduction in the likelihood of arrest.

In FY06, parolees paid $4.35 million back into the state treasury in parole supervision fees,

restitution, and victims' compensation fees.

59

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

A SAFE GEORGIA

Prison Population and Parole Population FY91--FY06

60,000

52,232

50,000

40,000 30,000

23,005

20,000
23,302 10,000

23,808

0 FY91 FY92 FY93 FY94 FY95 FY96 FY97 FY98 FY99 FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03 FY04 FY05 FY06

Source: Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

Inmate Population

Parole Population

FY06 Cost Per Day
Probation Supervision $ 1.29 Parole Supervision $ 4.08 Prison Incarceration $46.06

Georgia has the 7th highest parole population in the United States.
Georgia's FY06 cost per day of parolee supervision ($4.08) is 42% less than the 2002 national average of $6.94.

Inmates who leave prison at the expiration of their sentence are known as "maxouts".
The number of maxouts more than doubled over the past 15 years.

Parole Releases and Prison Maxouts FY91--FY06
18,000 16,772
16,000
14,000 11,525
12,000
10,000

Maxouts account for

8,000

6,456

36% of all releases, up

from 13% in FY91.

6,000

In FY91, there were almost as many offenders on parole as there were in prison. By FY06 there were twice as many offenders in prison as on parole.

4,000 2,397
2,000
0 FY91 FY92 FY93 FY94 FY95 FY96 FY97 FY98 FY99 FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03 FY04 FY05 FY06

Board Releases

Maxouts

Source: Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

60

GEORGIA IN
PERSPECTIVE
BEST MANAGED STATE

BEST MANAGED STATE

Best Managed State
Governor Sonny Perdue has set a goal to make Georgia the Best Managed State in America.
The Governor's vision is clear-- to ensure that in all endeavors, stewards of the state are mindful of some very basic principles that:
Inspire innovation and productivity by empowering our state employees on the frontlines by cutting unnecessary bureaucracy, cutting unnecessary regulation, and providing incentives for an effective and efficient state government; and, Ensure that the state is a good steward of the public treasury by creating a results-oriented government where productivity and outcomes carry a higher priority than the politics-ofthe-day.
Georgia is now the nation's ninth-largest state with a budget of $20 billion.

How State Dollars Are Spent (FY2007) HB 1027

Healthy Georgia 20.5%

Safe Georgia 8.2%
Best Managed State 6.6%

Educated Georgia 55.6%

Growing Georgia 4.5%
Debt Service 4.6%

Policy Area: Educated Georgia Healthy Georgia Safe Georgia Best Managed State Growing Georgia Debt Service

Total: State Funds Appropriations

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

62

$10,375,458,536 3,825,853,820 1,523,835,506 1,226,320,822 835,732,897 867,362,477
$18,654,564,058

BEST MANAGED STATE

Debt Management Plan

Georgia has implemented a formal debt management plan to help the State fund ongoing spending priorities for projects such as new schools and highways.

The plan guides the State in determining the proper level of bonds that can be sold to meet these needs without jeopardizing its triple-A rating. The better a state's bond rating, the lower the interest it must pay for borrowing.

The 2007 Debt Management Plan sets three limits: maximum debt ratios as measured by debt service to prior year revenues, debt to personal income, and debt per capita. The plan then uses these limits as benchmarks for determining the estimated bond obligations the state can incur during the plan years.

Debt Ratio
Debt Service to Prior Year Revenues Debt to Personal Income Debt per Capita

Maximum Levels Without GARVEEs
7.0% 3.5% $1,200

Maximum Levels With GARVEEs
8.0% 4.0% $1,500

Note: GARVEE bonds are taxexempt debt instrument financing mechanisms backed by annual federal appropriations for federalaid transportation projects.

The 2006 Debt Management Plan showed debt ratio levels comfortably below maximum levels set by the State:

Debt Service to Prior Year Receipts**
Debt Service to Current Year Receipts**
Debt to Personal Income
Debt per Capita

Projected Debt Ratios without GARVEEs

Triple-A Maximum Average Plan Level

2007

2008

2009

NA*

7.0%

6.45%

6.19%

6.30%

NA*

NA

6.16%

5.88%

6.01%

3.3% $915

3.5% $1,200

2.67% $881

2.71% $935

2.71% $973

2010 6.42% 6.10% 2.63% $981

2011

2012

6.33% 6.01% 2.54% $985

6.03% 5.73% 2.47% $990

Debt to Actual Value

----

NA

0.99%

1.03%

1.06%

1.05%

1.03% 1.02%

Note: Peak debt ratios shown in bold. Based on debt outstanding at the end of the year.

*Georgia's constitutional debt limit is for both general obligation and guaranteed revenue debt, the highest aggregate annual debt service requirements, including pro-

posed debt, for the current year or any subsequent year, cannot exceed 10 percent of the prior year's total treasury receipts. In addition, 10 percent is the standard used by

rating agency analysts as a warning level that should not be exceeded, as a greater percentage could place too heavy a fixed-cost burden on the budget, thereby limiting

fiscal flexibility.

**Debt service includes amounts authorized, but currently unissued.

Projected Debt Ratios with GARVEEs

Debt Service to Prior Year Receipts + Federal Reimbursements Debt Service to Current Year Receipts + Federal Reimbursements
Debt to Personal Income

Triple-A Average
NA*
NA*
3.3%

Maximum Plan Level
8.0%
NA
4.0%

2007 6.43% 6.15% 2.84%

2008 6.51% 6.19% 3.03%

2009 7.00%

2010

2011

2012

7.44% 7.55% 7.18%

6.68%

7.08% 7.17% 6.83%

3.19%

3.25% 3.22% 3.06%

Debt per Capita

$915

$1,500

$934

$1,043

$1,147

$1,213 $1,247 $1,228

Debt to Actual Value

----

NA

1.05%

1.15%

1.25%

1.29%

1.31% 1.26%

Note: Peak debt ratios shown in bold. Based on debt outstanding at the end of the year.
*Georgia's constitutional debt limit is for both general obligation and guaranteed revenue debt, the highest aggregate annual debt service requirements, including proposed debt, for the current year or any subsequent year, cannot exceed 10 percent of the prior year's total treasury receipts. In addition, 10 percent is the standard used by rating agency analysts as a warning level that should not be exceeded, as a greater percentage could place too heavy a fixed-cost burden on the budget, thereby limiting fiscal flexibility.

63

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

BEST MANAGED STATE

Laffer Report Ranks Georgia's Economic Outlook #1 in the Nation

Economist Arthur Laffer ranked Georgia's economic outlook first in the nation as of March 2006, followed by Virginia, Delaware, Arkansas and North Carolina.

Georgia's ranking has risen to number one over the past four years from 24th in 2002.
Georgia's success is credited in large part to its commitment to reducing the tax burden on its citizens and businesses over the past four years. This comes over a four-year period during which states as a whole have raised taxes annually.
Laffer also praised Georgia's 2005 decision to determine corporate income taxes based on sales alone, a move that he predicts might save businesses $100 million annually.
Arthur Laffer is the developer of the "Laffer Curve," which illustrates the theory that cutting taxes in certain situations can lead to an increase in economic activity and government revenue.
For more than two decades, Laffer Associates has specialized in the analysis of state and local economic policies.
Laffer's annual study is a seven-category analysis that compares state tax and fiscal policies.
A copy of the Laffer Report is available at www.gov.state.ga.us.

Laffer Report: State and Local Tax Revenue by Type of Tax (FY 2003)

Tax Type

GA

US

Individual Income Taxes Corporate Income / Corporate License Taxes Property Taxes General Sales Taxes Selective Sales Taxes * Motor Fuel Taxes * Alcoholic Beverage Taxes * Tobacco Taxes * Public Utility Taxes * Other Selective Sales Taxes

25.80% 21.20% 2.20% 4.00% 29.10% 31.60% 31.00% 24.40%

2.80% 1.10% 0.50% 0.90% 3.10%

3.60% 0.50% 1.30% 2.20% 4.00%

Motor Vehicle License Taxes Other Taxes

0.90% 1.90% 2.80% 5.30% 100.00% 100.00%

Georgia Maintains Highest Credit Rating

During September 2005, the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) approved $506 million in new bonds and refinanced $425 million in existing bonds, resulting in the largest bond issuance in state history or more than $931 million.
Georgia is one of only seven states currently rated triple-A by all three of the major bond rating agencies.
Through sound financial management the refinancing of existing bonds at a low interest rate of 3.9% will save $27.2 million.

As of June 30, 2006, the State of Georgia maintained these investment service bond ratings:

Moody's Investors Service Standard & Poor's Corporation

Aaa AAA

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

Fitch's Investor's Service Incorporated
64

AAA

BEST MANAGED STATE

Human Resources
With the best managed human resources system in the nation, Georgia boasts strengths in four of the five areas of personnel management: Strategic Workforce Planning, Hiring, Retaining Employees, Managing Employee Performance and Training and Development. Workforce planning is required by law for executive agencies in the state. Agency strategic planning incorporates business, technology, workforce, and budget planning at the same time, allowing for a truly comprehensive and interlinked strategic direction. Future workforce gaps can be identified by the agency and incorporated into the budget process. The state places great emphasis on competencies by maintaining and building on a centralized database. Aided by its interactive recruitment website, Georgia hires new employees quickly. Every state employee is evaluated through a pay for performance system that rewards workers with bonuses for their respective rating and achievements.
--Government Performance Project
As of July 2006, the State of Georgia employed 142,024 people.
State Government Employment by Function FY2006

Public Safety, 16.3%

Economic Development and Assistance, 3.2% Culture and
Recreation, 2.1% Conservation, .05%

Transportation, 4.0%

Georgia Technology Authority, .04%

Health and Welfare, 15.5%

Education, .08%
General Government, 4.8%

Higher Education Fund, 52.3%

General Government Education Health and Welfare Transportation Public Safety Economic Development and Assistance
Culture and Recreation
Conservation Georgia Technology Authority Higher Education Fund

Number of Employees
6,779 1,129 22,170 5,769 23,266
4,589
2,945 742
562
74,635

Source: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2006, reported by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts
Note: Employees of certain business-type activities organizations are included in Governmental Activities as follows: Employees of the State Employees' Health Benefit Plan are included as employees of the Department of Community Health in Health
and Welfare. Employees of the Unemployment Compensation Fund are included as employees of the Department of Labor in Economic Development
and Assistance.

65

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

BEST MANAGED STATE

Commission for a New Georgia
Governor Perdue created the Commission for a New Georgia in 2003, as an independent, privately-funded business-sector advisory council, to streamline government operations, and to analyze state government for increased efficiency.
The Commission brings an outside perspective and enterprise thinking to the workings of state government, and recommends business-tested tools and best practices to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Commission objectives are directed at best value for the tax dollar, operational cost savings

that will free up funds for higher priorities,

increased accountability and transparency in

managing state assets, streamlined management capabilities through enterprise-wide systems, and customer-centered services.

[Governor] Perdue has taken some important first steps. His foremost effort so far has been the creation of the Commission for a New Georgia, a public-private partnership to analyze

state government for increased efficiency.

Since 2003, the Commission has launched 17 short-term task forces of private-sector experts and pro bono consultants to analyze administrative processes and modernize

With more permanent status than a traditional blue-ribbon group, the commission is divided into a dozen smaller task forces that focus on issues ranging from procurement of supplies to

business systems and strategies.

tourism promotion and workforce training. The commission has come out for restructured

The Governor's Office of Implementation was established in 2004 to lead inter-agency

management of state-owned property and a leadership institute to better develop the state's workforce.

efforts to put the initiatives into action.

One change already in place is the appointment

As of December 2006, Commission initiatives

of a Director of Implementation -- which in itself provides hope that the commission rec-

implemented in government have generated

ommendations won't languish on a shelf.

$21.9 million in estimated savings. (This amount does not include cost avoidance and

----Governing: Grading the States `05

proceeds from property sales used to

renovate state office buildings.)

The Commission for a New Georgia Task Forces engaged more than 300 knowledgeable citizens and reported key findings, issues, and recommendations for:

Tourism

Receivables

Procurement

Space Management

Capital Construction

Fleet Management I and II

Workforce Development

Administrative Services

Strategic Industries

Leadership Development

Customer Service

Aviation

Public Finance Options

Competitiveness

Eminent Scholars Think Tank Session

Community Care for Behavioral Health, and Developmental Disabilities

Telecommunications & Technology

State Health Benefits Plan

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

66

67

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

BEST MANAGED STATE

BEST MANAGED STATE

Customer Service in Georgia State Government:

Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Georgia's Customer Service Task Force in January 2005. Its recommendations followed several months later:
Develop a customer-focused culture Imbed a process improvement methodology to speed up service delivery Improve the performance of existing call centers Create a General Information Center (GIC) as a single point of access for state services

Each Georgia citizen who walks through our door for a government service is an opportunity. It is my intention that Georgia government employees will take advantage of those opportunities, showing citizens that we respect and value their time. --Governor Sonny Perdue

In January 2006, Governor Perdue endorsed the recommendations, and the plans were shared with agency heads during the Governor's Customer Service Summit.

In July 2006, 42 executive agencies, including the University System of Georgia, launched their Customer Service Improvement Plans in conjunction with Governor Perdue's kickoff event. Employees all over the state, more than 130,000 strong, joined in this effort, proving that we are one organization, with one goal "Team Georgia. Ready to Serve."

First Year Results:
Driver Services Typical waits of 1 to 2 hours have been eliminated. Average time to be served now just over 6 minutes. In June 2005, only 79% of Department of Driver Services (DDS) customers were served within 30 minutes. Currently about 97% of DDS customers are served within 30 minutes.
Child Support Services Developed a process to slash the time to prepare a child support order for court action from 4 months to same day service. Process time for enforcement actions is being reduced by 2/3 (90 days to 30 days). Statewide implementation of these new processes began in April, 2006.
Call Center Improvement The average time to answer a call has been reduced from 4:42 minutes to 1:39 minutes. The target time is 0:37 minute. The percentage of calls not answered decreased from 17.3% to 11% . The target percentage is 7.5%. Time on hold was reduced by 65%, from 5 minutes to 2 minutes, saving constituents 3 minutes per call. Abandonment rates down; 600,000 more constituent calls were answered. These improvements were accomplished with the same staff, same amount of money. The General Information Call Center will begin implementation in May 2007. A directory of services and information to help call center staff answer and direct questions is currently being developed.

GEORGIA IN PERSPECTIVE

68

GEORGIA IN
PERSPECTIVE
SOURCES

A Growing Georgia
Governor's Office of Planning and Budget http://www.opb.state.ga.us/ US Census Bureau http://www.census.gov Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Economic Accounts http://bea.gov/bea/regional/data.htm Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/home.htm Bureau of Transportation Statistics http://www.bts.gov/ US Commerce Department Exports http://tse.export.gov/ US Agriculture Department http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/ American Housing Survey http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/ahs/ahs.html UGA Georgia Statistics System http://www.georgiastats.uga.edu/ Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport http://www.atlanta-airport.com/ GA Ports Authority http://www.gaports.com/index2.html GA Department of Economic Development http://www.georgia.org/ Georgia Trend Magazine http://georgiatrend.com/
An Educated Georgia
Georgia Department of Education http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/ Georgia Student Finance Commission http://www.gsfc.org/Main/dsp_main.cfm Georgia Board of Regents http://www.usg.edu/ Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education http://www.dtae.org/ Governor's Office of Student Achievement http://www.gaosa.org/ Bright from the Start http://www.decal.state.ga.us/
A Healthy Georgia
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count http://www.aecf.org/kidscount/ Kaiser Foundation http://www.kff.org/ National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy http://www.teenpregnancy.org/ Georgia Department of Human Resources http://dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHR/ Georgia Department of Community Health http://dch.georgia.gov/ Georgia Division of Family and Children Services http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site Georgia Division of Public Health http://health.state.ga.us/ Georgia Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Disease http://mhddad.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHR-MHDDAD/

Georgia Board for Physician Workforce http://gbpw.georgia.gov/02/gbpw/home/0,2515,49259818,00.html Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry http://www.georgiacancer.org/html/edu-cancerregistry.php Voices for Georgia's Children http://www.georgiavoices.org/
A Safe Georgia
Federal Bureau of Investigation http://www.fbi.gov/ Bureau of Justice Statistics http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/ Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin May 2006, NCJ 213133 U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Highlights Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 2005 National Institute of Justice http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=hstat5.section.37532 National Criminal Justice Reference Service http://www.ncjrs.gov/ National Criminal Justice Reference Service substance abuse http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/jr000244e.pdf Office of National Drug Control Policy http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/ National Highway Traffic Safety Association http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ Child fatalities http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/CHILDRENTSF05.PDF Seat belt usage http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/809970.PDF http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810690.PDF Traffic fatalities 1975-2005 http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/STATETRAFFICDATA05.PDF Youth Internet Safety Survey http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/ Georgia Department of Corrections http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/ Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice http://www.djj.state.ga.us/ Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles http://www.pap.state.ga.us/opencms/opencms/ Georgia Bureau of Investigation http://www.state.ga.us/gbi/ Georgia Bureau of Investigation juvenile arrests http://www.state.ga.us/gbi/2005ucrsum.html#juvarrestdis Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime data http://www.ganet.org/gbi/stcrime_100k.html Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council http://www.state.ga.us/cjcc/index.html Georgia Alliance for Drug Endangered Children http://www.georgiadec.org/ "The Impact of Methamphetamine on Georgia" Applied Research Services http://www.ars-corp.com/
Best Managed State
Laffer Associates, Laffer State Competitive Environment, A Supply-Side Ranking of the States As of March 2006 Report http://www.gov.state.ga.us

Governing State & Local Source Book 2006 Governing: Grading the States `05 GA Department of Economic Development http://www.georgia.org/ Georgia Trend Magazine http://georgiatrend.com/ State of Georgia Comprehensive Annual Financial Report June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2006 The Fiscal Survey of States, December 2006, National Governors Association, National Association of State Budget Officers Report Commission for New Georgia http://www.newgeorgia.org Governor's Office of Customer Service Georgia Merit System http://www.gms.state.ga.us/ Governor's Office of Planning and Budget http://www.opb.state.ga.us/ Office of the Governor http://www.gov.state.ga.us/