Politics

On the final day of the 2026 regular session, the General Assembly approved a budget but did not address issues related to Georgia’s voting system.

Late Thursday, lawmakers passed measures to considerably reduce income taxes and diminish property tax relief.

They also enacted a spending plan of $38.5 billion, which increases funding for child literacy, retirement benefits, and other key areas.

• Approved a $38.5 billion budget for 2027 that focuses on essential priorities for both legislative chambers, with the Senate securing an additional $100 million for the Employee Retirement System in Georgia.
• Allocated $70 million for literacy coaches in every elementary school in the state, funding which is derived from the state’s basic education funding system, requiring local governments to contribute a portion.
• Passed legislation to make the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin available without a prescription.

This article has been updated to clarify aspects of the property tax proposal that the General Assembly passed on Thursday. A cap will be implemented on real estate valuations based on the rate of inflation.