Lawmakers tackle poverty and homelessness in Georgia
ATLANTA (WJBF) – State lawmakers want to keep Georgia streets safer and are exploring many options to reduce poverty levels.
State lawmakers say not tackling poverty and homelessness can lead to crimes like human trafficking, gang activity, robberies, aggravated assault and murders.
According to Georgia data, 13 percent of Georgians fall below the poverty line and 17 percent are children under 18 years old.
In Georgia, the average poverty threshold for a family of 4 was a little under $27,000 dollars.
State lawmakers say this points to having reduced child care costs and affordable housing solutions so families don't end up on the streets.
'The big ones is to allow counties to have rent stabilization so that this bill can allow counties the opportunity to see if rents are skyrocketing and opportunity to see some type of rent stabilization program,' said State Senator Harold Jones.
Georgia's attorney general says tackling public safety is also key for bring new investments into the state. Census data shows Georgia has the 14th highest poverty rate in the country.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Oklahomans kick off Pride Month in the metro with packed parade on 39th Street
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — June is Pride Month and Oklahomans from near and far gathered across the metro to celebrate. Joy and freedom is what many at Sunday's Pride parade say it's all about. 'It's a family outside of blood. It's a family that's there for people who don't have a blood family,' said Dusty Engel. Sonja Martinez told News 4, 'It's about everybody and we all need each other, especially in today's time. We all need each other and this is our party.' Families, kids and pets packed 39th Street to kick off Pride Month, enjoying music, food and community. 'It's like kind of triumph through adversity and like, that's something to be proud of and being true to yourself and who you are and everything like that,' said David Gleeson. Gleeson is the oldest of ten siblings, teaching them about the history of Pride and why it's important. 'I've spent my life being open and, like, visible to my younger siblings. And so, I feel like that's important because, if kids see it early, then they won't become hateful as adults,' Gleeson said. In this year's legislative session, Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill banning obscene performances adult performances in the public. Many people at Sunday's parade heard about the law. Dusty Engel said, 'People like to judge before seeing something. Come out to Pride, see what a drag queen really does with the community. They're the backbone and they're here to push our rights. They're here to just help us, they're here to educate kids. You know, they're not here to show obscenities. Gleeson added, 'If they would just come out here and have an open mind I would hope they change their minds.' Sonja Martinez said everyone in the community depends on one another. 'We all have basically the same dreams. We just want to let people love who we want to love and let us be ourselves,' Martinez said. Oklahoma City Mayor, David Holt, also kicked off the month with a post on social media reading, 'As the eyes of the world turn to our city this coming week, they will know that all people are welcome in Oklahoma City, a place of inclusion, freedom and love. Happy Pride, OKC!' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gloucester County warns residents of fake Virginia DMV scam
GLOUCESTER COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — The Gloucester County Sheriff's Office is warning citizens of a scam using texts posing as the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to target victims. Residents are receiving text messages claiming to be from the Virginia DMV, stating, 'Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties Begin on June 4.' The message included a link for residents to make payments for an outstanding traffic ticket to avoid having their license and vehicle registration suspended. See an example of the text below: GSCO warn the text is a scam and are advising people to ignore the message. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
DC police investigating after teen shot in Northwest
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating after a teenage boy was found shot on Sunday. Police responded to reports of a shooting at 8:19 a.m. in the 1400 block of Fairmont Street, NW, where the boy was found suffering from a gunshot wound. Teenage boy hurt in Southeast DC shooting Police say he was transported to the hospital by DC Fire and EMS, conscious and breathing. The shooting remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
