Alan Essig, director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute will be the guest speaker at the Dawson County Democratic Party's October meeting.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Dawson County Library. The public is invited.

The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that strives to raise the level of public policy debate in the state of Georgia.

The institute uses research, analysis and education to advance policies and practices that improve the quality of life for all Georgians.

Through the institute's fact-based research it educates policy makers, the media, and all Georgians about the importance of a fair and adequate tax system, affordable health coverage, and policies that expand opportunity and economic success for Georgians.

As Georgia Budget and Policy Institute's first executive director, Essig brings a wealth of experience and understanding of state government to his role in carrying out the institute's mission. In addition to leading a staff and board, he analyzes overall state budget proposals and revenue policy issues. Essig is a respected tax and budget expert throughout Georgia and is a trusted resource for policymakers, members of the media and civic groups, according to a press release.

Essig's recent professional experience includes serving as a senior research associate with the Fiscal Research Center of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, as well as deputy policy director for the Georgia Governor's Office.

Essig's experience also includes serving as a committee aide for the Georgia State Senate and Georgia House of Representatives Appropriations Committees, assistant commissioner for the Georgia Department of Human Resources, director of the Georgia State Senate Research Office, deputy director of the Budgetary Responsibility Oversight Committee, and as a legislative budget analyst for the New York State Senate Finance Committee. Alan has a bachelor's degree in history from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a master's degree in public administration from the State University of New York at Albany.