Gov. Brian Kemp used the State of the Union address to draw a contrast between his Republican philosophy and the Democratic Party in an election year in which the presidency and all seats in Georgia's House and Senate are on the ballot, but Republicans Governor Kemp himself has not faced that with his constituents.
Combined with a ton of political activity, this is good news for the pocketbooks of state employees and public school teachers. Kemp has said he would like to see a 4% cost-of-living increase for public employees and an equivalent $2,500 increase for teachers. That's possible because the state is on track to run billions more in surplus despite slowing tax revenues and has amassed nearly $11 billion in additional cash over the past few years.
Kemp on Thursday echoed his 2022 re-election economic message and his 2018 campaign promise of “Georgians first,” while portraying his policies as delivering opportunity and prosperity. , called on voters to reject “Washington, D.C.” because of its high inflation and overregulation. .
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“They will see what we have accomplished working together at the state level to make Georgia an even better place to live, work and raise a family,” Kemp said. “And they will see the hardships that Washington, D.C., brings to every home and to every kitchen table across the state.”
Kemp contrasted economic performance, including low unemployment, major industry announcements, and billions of dollars in tax refunds and cuts, with the inflation and high prices that are weighing down Georgians.
“These are the people that Washington, D.C., left behind,” Kemp said. “Because for every challenge our country faces, the federal government's response is to spend more, regulate more, tax more, and do yet more to cure every disease. Because it’s about devising government programs.”
Republican Governor Kemp of Georgia delivers the State of the Union address in Atlanta on January 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Bryn Anderson)
The national message comes after Donald Trump weathered the coronavirus storm, overcame attempts to block his re-election bid, and defeated Democratic superstar Stacey Abrams for the second time. , which is consistent with the political profile that Kemp has built.
Kemp has cultivated a profile as a staunch conservative who does not alienate moderates. In some ways, he is enjoying the fruits of his second term, including attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, for the second year in a row next week.
But Kemp also cares for a political organization that hints at future plans. His organization plans to support Republican candidates in this year's state elections, but could also support Mr. Kemp if he runs for the U.S. Senate or for president.
In line with that political future, Kemp on Thursday set a theme of uniting Republicans and discouraging Democrats with his strongest push yet on school aid legislation and support for controversial police and fire training centers. emphasized.
The governor last year belatedly supported a proposal to give parents $6,500 in education savings accounts to pay for private school tuition and home education necessities. But on Thursday, he expressed full support for the bill, which failed to pass after 16 House Republicans voted against it.
“Our job is not to make decisions for each family, but to help them make the best choice for their child,” Kemp said.
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In his speech, Kemp praised state trooper Jerry Parrish and reiterated his support for the training center, dubbed “Cop City” by opponents. Officials said Parrish was shot and wounded by Manuel Paez Teran in January 2023 as officers tried to clear protesters from occupying a compound that included a training center.
Parrish was identified as one of six officers who fired their weapons at Paes Teran, who was inside the tent, according to the report. The officers who shot Paes Teran were not wearing body cameras, and Paes Teran's family and other activists have expressed skepticism about law enforcement's explanation for the shooting.
But Mr. Kemp continued to voice his support for the training center without question, which aides believe may make some Democrats look anti-police. .
“There will be no gray areas or political double talk as long as I am governor,” Kemp said. “We support our law enforcement officers. We support our firefighters and first responders. And we need to build the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. Of course!”
Kemp also emphasized support for law enforcement by proposing a 4% raise for all employees and an additional $3,000 pay increase for state law enforcement officers, including police officers and correctional officers. He called on lawmakers to pay off police officers' college loans.
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The governor has promised to significantly increase spending on mental health, create more beds in crisis centers, and increase pay for mental health workers and service providers.
But Kemp also said he would spend on reducing state debt, proposing $500 million to reduce unfunded debt in the pension fund that covers most of the state's less-educated employees.
Kemp defended his track record in health care, saying less than 3,000 people enrolled in the first six months despite criticism of the partial expansion of Medicaid. Kemp did not mention the Pathways program, which provides insurance to low-income adults who meet work, education and community service requirements. Instead, he focused on the far more popular support for subsidies that lower premiums and help persuade more insurers to offer coverage in rural areas of the state. .
Notably, Kemp also announced his position on whether Georgia should further expand Medicaid coverage across the board for low-income adults, as state House Speaker John Burns has said he would like to consider. was not outlined.
