Day four of the Georgia Legislative calendar took place on Thursday, January 15.
On the Senate floor, Governor Brian Kemp delivered his annual State of the State address at 11:00 a.m. Kemp gave business leaders and local leaders, including Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and former Atlanta Mayor and Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, a preview of his speech at the 72nd Eggs & Issues event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday, January 14.
Kemp was joined behind the lectern by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Both men had family members in the gallery. Dickens was also in attendance and received applause from the General Assembly when House leader Jon Burns announced his presence.
Burns said he had some misgivings because he had to introduce Kemp for the final time as governor. He said he couldn’t thank Kemp enough for his work over the past seven years.
“You’ve done so much for this state,” Burns said.
Kemp began his final State of the State by saying it has been an honor to serve the state of Georgia.
“There’s no question the state of our state is stronger, more prosperous, and safer today than it was in January 2019. But I want to be clear. This success isn’t guaranteed,” said Kemp during his speech.
Kemp added that communities and ports are safer and that unemployment is down. His speech included investments in infrastructure projects, K-12 education, and tax rebates.
“That’s why my budget proposal will include a fourth, one-time, $1-billion-dollar tax rebate this year that will return or save the average filer $250 and a married couple up to $500,” Kemp said. “With this rebate, my administration and this General Assembly will have returned over $7.5 billion in surplus revenue to the taxpayers of our state over the last four years.”
Kemp made sure to tout his administration’s responsible fiscal policies and conservative budgeting during his speech. “I learned a long time ago that it’s better to be a workhorse than a show horse,” Kemp said.
The day’s order of business in the House began with Rep. Matt Hatchett, the chairman of the Influential House Appropriations Committee, announcing that fellow House members should pick up their budget books.
The first and second readings of bills and resolutions began at 10:23 a.m. and 10:29 a.m., respectively. The Lovejoy High School 5A state championship cheerleading squad was invited to the gallery to be recognized as Clayton County’s first state championship cheerleading team.
The 118th anniversary of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Founder’s Day was also recognized on the House floor. The sorority was started at Howard University on January 15, 1908.