Number 5.06
Dec. 31, 2009
VIEW ONLINE: www.bettersouth.org/email/email_091231.htm
 










JUST TWELVE HOURS LEFT
Last chance this year to help the Center work for a better South

PLEASE GIVE TODAY

If you have problems, please click here.

DEC. 31, 2009 -- The Center for a Better South is looking forward to a busy 2010 by continuing its work to help set an Agenda for a Better South.

But we need your help.

For the coming year, we're planning a conference that looks at tax reform, the environment and violence. We're working on a book that addresses our eight agenda items. And we continue to interact with leaders across the region to spread our pragmatic message.

But for us to be successful, please consider a tax-deductible gift today -- and take your tax credit in 2009.


• Read the Agenda for a Better South

Download the Briefing Book

Your gift is critical and will serve as a foundation for the Center. We'd appreciate your help today.

We can't do our vital educational work without the continued support of people who want to build a better South. We need all the help you can give to continue our work.

Please give $25 or even $100 so we can continue to develop quality policy projects to help thinking leaders in the South make a difference.

Thanks you for a donation you can afford.

Give online.

Click the button to give through a secure transaction offered by PayPal (Go here if you have problems):

Send a check.

You can send a donation by check to the following address:

Center for a Better South
P.O. Box 22261
Charleston, S.C. 29413

Thank you for your support. Have a happy holiday season.Let us know if you have any questions by contacting us today.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CENTER

Take a look at our 7-minute video that outlines the critical mission of the Center for a Better South, its past works and its future projects.


The Center for a Better South is a non-profit, non-partisan organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. Donations are tax-deductible. Our federal ID number is: 65-1242422. Click here to see our approval of federal tax-exempt status.

OUR AGENDA

A group of Southern leaders and thinkers gathered in November to develop a forward-looking agenda to create a better South. Here's a summary:

NURTURING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION

To compete in a 21st century global economy, each Southern state must increase its high school graduation rate and have 60 percent of native Southerners and new residents with post-secondary degrees, including associates’ degrees from technical colleges, by 2020.

BOOSTING WELLNESS

Each Southern state should increase life expectancy to levels on par with Canada.

IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Each Southern state should develop a state energy plan that improves per capita energy efficiency by 20 percent in 2020.

REFORMING TAXES

Each Southern state should adopt or change tax structures by 2015 that expand the tax base while lowering the rate to help ensure revenue sources match or exceed the state’s growth rate in the state's overall economy.

INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE

Each Southern state must invest 90 percent of its capital budget spending on priorities identified in its infrastructure capital planning process.

CULTIVATING GOVERNANCE

Each Southern state should develop and implement a benchmark citizen trust survey by 2011. By 2015, each state's levels of trust in state government should increase by 20 percent over the benchmark.

ENSURING OPPORTUNITIES

Southern states should reduce disparities in the treatment and well-being of different groups to foster a more inclusive, creative, productive and prosperous South. By 2012, each Southern state should adopt measures to drive significant reduction in identified disparities within at least five major categories.

FOSTERING SAFE COMMUNITIES

Each Southern state should reduce the rates of violent crime to below the national average by 2020.

RESOURCES

2009 Conference Briefing Book, filled with more than 50 pages of statistics about Southern states and the region.


FEEDBACK: Send us your feedback to tell us what you think about the Center or suggest a new project.

ABOUT: The Center for a Better South is a pragmatic think tank dedicated to developing progressive ideas, policies and information for thinking leaders who want to make a difference in the American South. Learn more. The Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.
© 2009, Center for a Better South. All rights reserved.
Center for a Better South
P.O. Box 22261
Charleston, S.C. 29413
info@bettersouth.org