January 20, 2022
ICYMI: Governor Kemp Outlined Plan for a Safer, Stronger Georgia
Atlanta, GA – Last week, Governor Kemp outlined a bold, conservative agenda that prioritizes education, healthcare, public safety, and Georgia's economy. Ultimately, his proposals turn promises made into promises kept.
Building a Safer Stronger Georgia
"Over the last three years, we built Georgia's house on a firm foundation. The concrete, the frame, and the roof withstood the storms. We emerged resilient. We boldly seized the opportunity to plant seeds for the future in good soil, so a bountiful harvest would bring our state to brighter, more prosperous days ahead," said Governor Kemp. "Thanks to that approach and our work together, our state has celebrated unprecedented success. By keeping our state open for business, bringing record levels of jobs and investment, and fighting to put hardworking Georgians first, we now have the opportunity to build a safer, stronger Georgia for all who call the Peach State home."
His remarks focused on bolstering the state's education system, putting more dollars toward public safety and rebuilding the state's health care workforce.
Click here to read the Governor's remarks.
Click here to stream the Governor's remarks.
Click here to view photos of the State of the State.
Building a safer, stronger Georgia starts with putting our students, parents, and educators first.
"Hardworking Georgians in our schools - the school staff, administrators, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and teachers - all do a terrific job keeping our kids safe and investing in their futures. To support their heroic efforts day in and day out, I believe we as state leaders must continue to do everything we can to ensure they have the resources necessary to fulfill their mission and prepare the next generation of leaders for successful lives and careers. "
11 Alive: Kemp endorses restoring education budget, teacher raises, anti-CRT legislation
"On budgetary matters, Gov. Kemp said during his address that he will recommend his fiscal year 2023 budget proposal fully restore the state's education spending to pre-pandemic levels (Georgia fiscal years begin in the summer, so this would take effect for the next school year starting in the fall).
The governor also endorsed a $2,000 pay raise for Georgia teachers in his fiscal year 2023 budget — which would complete a $5,000 raise he promised back in 2019. Teachers first saw a $3,000 raise that year.
Additionally, Kemp said he would propose one-time bonuses in his amended 2022 fiscal year budget of $2,000 for full-time, state-funded educational staff, school support staff and administrators, as well as a $1,000 one-time bonus for bus drivers, nurses, nutrition workers and part-time employees."
US News: Kemp Seeks $2,000 Bonuses for Teachers Soon to Speed Raise
"Gov. Brian Kemp wants teachers to get the remaining $2,000 of his proposed $5,000 raise as soon as possible, with plans to ask lawmakers to give teachers a one-time $2,000 bonus before the current budget year ends, according to information obtained by The Associated Press.
"Kemp also plans to seek a one-time $2,000 payment to other full-time K-12 employees and administrators who aren't teachers, while asking them to pay a $1,000 one-time bonus to part-time employees, school nurses, bus drivers and cafeteria workers."
"The governor also endorsed legislative efforts to enact a parental bill of rights to ensure parents are involved in their children's education and a bill prohibiting the teaching of Critical Race Theory in Georgia schools..."
"I look forward to working with members of the General Assembly this legislative session to protect our students from divisive ideologies – like Critical Race Theory – that pit kids against each other." - Governor Brian Kemp
Education highlights:
- Completing the largest teacher pay raise in state history
- 2,000 dollar one-time pay supplements for full-time, state-funded instructional staff, school support staff, and school administration
- 2,000 dollar pay raise for K-12 teachers, assistant teachers, and pre-k teachers for a total raise of $5,000 since 2019, making it the largest pay raise in state history
- 1,000 dollar one-time pay supplements for school bus drivers, nurses, nutrition workers, and part-time employees
- Largest K-12 investment per student in state history
- $425 million to fully fund schools and restore austerity cuts
- $1.4 billion in additional direct funding of K-12 schools
- Establish a parental bill of rights
- Address obscene materials
- Ensure fairness in school sports
Social Media:
Governor Kemp's healthcare remarks wrap-up
Georgia Department of Education
Governor Kemp's remarks round-up
Claire Simms
Georgia Insurance & Safety Fire Commissioner's Office
Voices for Georgia's Children
Building a safer, stronger Georgia means focusing on innovative healthcare solutions, not expanding a one-size-fits-all, broken government program.
National Law Review: Gold Dome Report — Legislative Day 3
"Turning to healthcare, Governor Kemp touted his Patients First Act from 2019 and its impact expanding choice and increasing savings for Georgians buying health insurance. He then shifted to new proposals to expand the health workforce, including $1 million to the University System of Georgia to expand nursing programs and funds for the Technical College System of Georgia to grow allied health partnerships. His budget proposal also includes $2.5 million for 136 new residency slots and $1 million for Mercer University to work to address rural physician shortages. Governor Kemp emphasized his goal to add 1,300 health practitioners across the state.
To strengthen the State's foster care and adoption systems, Governor Kemp pledged $28 million to provide a 10% provider rate increase for foster parents, relative caregivers, child caring institutions, and child placing agencies."
"Governor Brian Kemp is allocating $900,000 to Middle Georgia State University's Dublin's campus to help the college to graduate more nurses and address the state's critical nursing shortage."
13 WMAZ: Mercer University to get $1 million to help alleviate Georgia's doctor shortage
"Governor Brian Kemp delivered his State of the State Thursday, during which he announced plans to give $1 million to Mercer University to help them fight the doctor shortage in rural Georgia."
Atlanta Journal Constitution: Kemp delivers agenda-setting State of the State address
Healthcare highlights:
- Patients First Act now supports 11 carriers offering plans in 2022
- 98% of Georgia's counties now have more than one healthcare carrier offering coverage
- 12% average premium reduction statewide for Georgians as a result of the states' $139 million investment in Georgia Access
- Up to 30% reduction in premiums for rural Georgians
- Allocate 1 million dollars to expand nursing programs by up to 500 students annually over five years
- Expand Technical College System's partnership with Allied Health to serve up to 700 additional students annually
- 2.5 million dollars to add 136 residency spots in rural Georgia
- 1 million dollars to address rural physician shortages
- Add up to 1,300 healthcare practitioners
- Build on last year's Medicaid expansion for new mothers from 6 months of coverage to 12 months
- Strengthen our foster care and adoption system with a 10% provider rate increase for all foster parents, relative caregivers, child-caring institutions, and child-placing agencies
Social Media:
Governor Kemp's healthcare remarks wrap-up
George Ray
Georgia Charity Care
Building a safer, stronger Georgia means ensuring every Georgian feels safe and secure in their communities.
Georgia Public Broadcasting: Kemp calls for 'safer, stronger Georgia' in State of the State address
"Combatting crime is top of the list for Republican leaders in the state in 2022, and they have offered a variety of proposals on how to tackle the rise in violent crime being seen both in Georgia and across the country.
The governor's address included plans for $3 million for additional trooper school cadets this year as well as $7 million for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for upgrades to lab equipment and additional personnel to combat a massive court backlog, which prosecutors testified is holding up cases."
Atlanta-Journal Constitution: Georgia governor's proposals aim to crack down on gang crime
"Gov. Brian Kemp will back legislation to create an anti-gang unit in the state attorney general's office and devote millions of dollars to hire dozens of technicians at the state's overwhelmed crime lab.
The Republican also plans to include funding to train an additional Georgia State Patrol class of 75 cadets this year, along with a separate initiative to provide tuition-free education for technical college students pursuing law enforcement and criminal justice degrees.
And he will support a new crackdown on human trafficking that adds the crime to a list of violent offenses that require a superior court judge to require a defendant facing the charge to post bond to be released. It's part of a years long effort spearheaded by his wife, Marty, to curb the crime.
He also called for funding to train an additional Georgia State Patrol class of 75 cadets this year, along with a separate initiative to provide tuition-free education for technical college students pursuing law enforcement degrees. The latter aims to provide free tuition to more than 1,000 Georgians."
The News Courier: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp State of the State highlights education, health, crime
"Kemp's proposal includes $7 million to upgrade GBI crime lab equipment and add 32 crime lab and medical examiner's office staff to address increased volume; $3 million to support an additional trooper class of 75 cadets; and adding funding to provide 1,000 Georgians free tuition through the Technical College System of Georgia for obtaining law enforcement or criminal justice degrees. The budget also proposes a $5,000 raise for state law enforcement and employees."
Public Safety highlights:
- Fully recognize the Constitutional rights granted to law-abiding Georgians by fully supporting Constitutional Carry
- Combat gang violence by creating a new anti-gang unit within the Office of the Attorney General to help dismantle street gangs
- Support GBI Crime Lab with $7 million to upgrade GBI Crime Lab and headquarters
- Provide 32 staff in crime lab and medical examiners office
- 3 million dollars to support recruitment and retention of an additional trooper school class of 75 cadets
- Add law enforcement and criminal justice degrees to our Technical College System's high-demand career initiatives providing over 1,000 Georgians free tuition to obtain those degrees at our technical colleges
- $5,000 raise for law enforcement and other state employees
- Introduce legislation backed by our First Lady and the GRACE Commission to add human trafficking to the list of serious violent and sexual offenses that require a superior court judge to grant bail
Social Media:
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr
Governor Kemp's public safety remarks wrap-up
Building a safer, stronger Georgia means creating an environment that fosters economic growth and fuels job creation.
Atlanta Journal Constitution: Opinion: Thoughts on 2022, Georgia's economy and COVID's impact
"Georgia's economic recovery has been truly remarkable and focusing on the issues that matter most to Georgia residents will firmly secure quality jobs for all while helping all communities prosper."
"Georgia has money to spare this year, and Gov. Brian Kemp (R) plans to direct much of it toward education, the governor said during his State of the State address on Thursday."
“Once again, Georgia is setting new economic records because of our mindset throughout the pandemic to trust our citizens and employers to be part of the solution rather than treating them as part of the problem,” said Governor Kemp. “While some criticized our decision to open as quickly as was safe to do so, we chose to put the lives and livelihoods of our citizens first. Now, our unemployment rate remains significantly lower than the rates of our critics, over 97% of Georgia jobs lost due to the pandemic have been regained, and our economy shows no signs of slowing down. Our conservative, pro-business policies will continue to attract job creators and opportunities for hardworking Georgians, and we look forward to continuing to lead in the Great Recovery.”
Economic highlights:
- Georgia is leading the nation in economic recovery
- Record low unemployment rates
- Job and investment numbers are through the roof
- Small businesses are bouncing back from the pandemic stronger than ever
- Largest, single economic development project in state history
Social Media:
Governor Kemp's remarks economic wrap-up