Georgia State of the State Address: Kemp touts economic record, tax cuts

ATLANTA - Gov. Brian Kemp used his State of the State speech to draw contrasts between his Republican philosophy and Democrats in an election year when the presidency and all of Georgia’s state House and Senate seats are on the ballot, but the Republican Kemp himself doesn’t face the voters.

"The state of our state is strong, growing, and full of opportunity. Let's use this session to keep it that way!" the governor told members of the Georgia General Assembly.

Speaking at the Capitol, Kemp used the annual speech to paint his "Georgians First" policies as bringing opportunity and prosperity, while calling on voters to reject "Washington D.C." because of high inflation and overregulation.

Kemp contrasted his economic record, including low unemployment, big industrial announcements and billions in tax rebates and tax cuts, with inflation and high prices that he said are squeezing Georgians.

"They will see what we’ve achieved together on the state level to make Georgia an even greater place to live, work and raise a family," Kemp said. "And they’ll see the hardships Washington, D.C. has brought into every home and placed on every kitchen table across our state."

Kemp told the crowd he plans to propose $1.8 billion in added spending on infrastructure, as well as expand health care training for dentists and physicians, showing how the state’s $11 billion in surplus cash is giving Georgia's top official the power to spend big even as state revenues slow.

The governor's budget allocates $250 million in funding for water and sewer projects to improve the state's infrastructure, and an additional $1.5 billion for GDOT projects.

Kemp is also requesting $1.4 billion in additional funding for K-12 education, another $100 million for school safety enhancements, and said his administration will work to get a school voucher bill passed this session.

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The governor said he wants to give a 4% cost of living increase to public employees and an equivalent $2,500 raise for teachers.

"I firmly believe we can take an all-of-the-above approach to education, whether it's public, private, homeschooling, charter, or otherwise," Kemp explained.

Kemp framed themes Thursday to rally Republicans and dismay Democrats, making his strongest push to date for a school voucher bill and emphasizing support for a much-disputed police and fire training center.

The governor was a late supporter last year of a proposal that would give a $6,500 educational savings account to parents to pay for private school tuition or homeschooling supplies. But he voiced full-throated support Thursday for a bill that failed to pass because 16 House Republicans voted against it.

"Our job is not to decide for each family — but to support them in making the best choice for their child," Kemp said.

Kemp also spent part of his address focusing on Atlanta's controversial public safety training center, announcing his support for its continued construction.

"As long as I’m your governor, there will be no gray area or political double-talk," Kemp said. "We support our law enforcement officers. We support our firefighters and first responders. And the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center should be built — period!"

Kemp also emphasized law enforcement support by proposing an additional $3,000 pay raise for state law enforcement officers, including troopers and prison guards atop the 4% raise for all employees. He also called on lawmakers to repay police officers’ college loans.

Kemp said that he’ll need more than a year to follow through on a pledge to limit lawsuits. He also wants to make it harder for workers to unionize at the big developments Georgia is subsidizing.

The governor's legislative package allocates funding to improve the state's infrastructure and pay for GDOT transportation projects, to help move freight more efficiently and safely while making the system more reliable. The governor will also push for insurance reform.

Other proposals in Kemp's budget include additional money for the state's workforce housing fund and the creation of a first-of-its-kind dental school at Georgia Southern University. 

The governor did not outline a position on whether Georgia should make a fuller expansion of Medicaid coverage to low-income adults, as state House Speaker Jon Burns says he wants to explore.

"From our caucus' perspective, it is much of the same." House Minority Caucus Chair Billy Mitchell told reporters following Kemp's remarks. "The governor is uninterested in fighting for ordinary, everyday Georgians."

.Democrats blasted the Kemp's proposals, saying a portion of the state's $16-billion budget surplus should go to address the housing shortage, mental health crisis, and Medicaid expansion.

"A modest investment of less than one percent of the state budget would fully  expand Medicaid and unlock new federal funding," Democratic Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes explained.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.