Ga. Democrats float bold agendas – Atlanta Business Chronicle

Addressing income inequality is at the heart of the 2014 General Assembly agendas rolled out by legislative Democrats Thursday.

Democrats in the state House of Representatives and Senate outlined proposals that included expanding Medicaid, raising the minimum wage and requiring greater government accountability to taxpayers.

Echoing President Barack Obama’s recent speeches highlighting income inequality across the nation, the Georgia Democrats cited statistics illustrating the Peach State suffers from one of the largest income gaps in the U.S.

Georgia has the nation’s sixth-worst child poverty rate, while poverty overall in Georgia is at its highest since 1982, said Sen. Horacena Tate, D-Atlanta, chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

“It’s time for the governor and legislature to look out for everyday middle-class Georgians,” added Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta.

The minimum wage bill would nearly double Georgia’s minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $10.10 an hour.

Senate Democrats also are pushing legislation expanding Medicaid coverage in Georgia to individuals with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

On the House side, Democrats are backing a bill requiring state agencies to show how they’re spending money to outsource jobs.

None of the legislation stands much chance of winning passage since the General Assembly is heavily dominated by Republicans.

The minimum wage increase would appear to be a non-starter on cost alone. Plus, $10.10 an hour is higher than the federal minimum wage.

via Ga. Democrats float bold agendas – Atlanta Business Chronicle.