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Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax to Hold First Meeting

ATLANTA (August 12, 2025) — On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Study Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax, chaired by Sen. Blake Tillery, (R–Vidalia), will hold its first hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025
  • Time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Location: Georgia State Capitol, Room 450, 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
  • This event is open to the public.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax, created by Lt. Governor Burt Jones pursuant to Senate Rules, will deliver on the Lt. Governor’s commitment to chart a path for the state to eliminate the income tax and provide meaningful relief to all Georgians. This bipartisan committee will work with experts, parents, citizens, businesses, policymakers, and other leaders to explore effective, research-backed strategies to reform Georgia’s tax code while maintaining strong fiscal soundness.

Additional Senators appointed to the special committee include Senators Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas), Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming), Ed Harbison (D–Columbus), Chuck Hufstetler (R–Rome), Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega), John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), Nan Orrock (D–Atlanta), Michael “Doc” Rhett (D–Marietta), Larry Walker III (R–Perry) and Sam Watson (R–Moultrie).

SPEAKERS FOR THIS MEETING:

Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform

Patrick Gleason, Vice President of State Affairs, Americans for Tax Reform

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Zach Pishock at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Blake Tillery serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. He represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Bacon, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Wayne and Wheeler counties, as well as a portion of Coffee County. He can be reached at (404) 656-5038 or by email at Blake.Tillery@senate.ga.gov.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools to Hold First Meeting

ATLANTA (July 31, 2025) — On Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., the Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools, chaired by Sen. John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), will hold its first hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Location: Mercer University, President’s Dining Room – 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA, 31207
  • This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools, created through Senate Resolution 217, will examine the root causes and long-term impacts of chronic absenteeism among Georgia students. This bipartisan committee will work with educators, parents, policymakers, and community leaders to explore effective, research-backed strategies, such as early intervention and targeted support programs, that can help reduce absenteeism and improve student success.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Zach Pishock at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.  

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Sen. John F. Kennedy represents the 18th Senate District, which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Larry Walker III Honored with Prestigious Georgia 4-H Green Jacket Award

ATLANTA (July 29, 2025)— Senator Larry Walker III (R–Perry) has been named the 2025 recipient of the Georgia 4-H Green Jacket Award—one of the organization’s highest honors—for his exceptional leadership, sustained advocacy and meaningful support of 4-H programming across the state.

Presented annually at State 4-H Congress, the Green Jacket Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding and ongoing contributions to Georgia 4-H. Sen. Walker’s dedication to youth development, civic engagement and agricultural education made him a natural choice for this prestigious honor.

“Georgia 4-H is one of the most impactful youth programs in our state, and I’m truly humbled to receive this recognition,” said Sen. Walker. “I believe in investing in our young people, especially in ways that connect them to public service, agriculture, and leadership opportunities. I’ll continue to proudly support 4-H and all it stands for.”

Sen. Walker has served as Senate host for Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol for five consecutive years, helping expand the program’s reach and offering thousands of 4-H’ers the opportunity to connect with elected officials and experience the civic process firsthand. In 2022, he led the State 4-H Council’s Citizenship Ceremony, administering an oath that challenges new voters to participate in democracy.

In the legislature, Sen. Walker played a key role in securing $3 million in the Fiscal Year 2023 amended budget to support cabin replacements at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center. This investment will serve future generations of 4-H’ers for decades to come. He has also championed the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and helped build support for the UGA Grand Farm initiative.

A native of Perry and graduate of the University of Georgia, Sen. Walker lives in Kathleen with his wife, Adrienne. They have three sons and are active members of Perry Methodist Church.

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Treutlen, Pulaski and Wilcox counties, as well as portions of Houston County.  He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0095 or by email at Larry.Walker@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Larry Walker III Appointed to Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s State Income Tax

ATLANTA (July 17, 2025) —  Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones appointed Senator Larry Walker III (R–Perry) to the newly formed Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s State Income Tax.

“I’m honored to be appointed by Lt. Governor Burt Jones to serve on this important committee,” said Sen. Walker. “This effort marks a critical step toward shaping Georgia’s economic future. Eliminating the state income tax is a bold goal that requires serious, thoughtful commitment. Our mission is to ensure that any proposed changes are fiscally responsible and in the best interest of Georgia’s families and businesses.”

The Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s State Income Tax is charged with identifying viable pathways to eliminate the state income tax for all Georgians entirely. While the General Assembly has taken steps in recent years to reduce income tax rates for households and businesses, many Georgians still face a heavy tax burden. This committee will work to explore responsible solutions that ease that burden and create a more competitive economic environment.

Senator Blake Tillery (R–Vidalia) will serve as Chairman of the committee.

More information about this committee can be found here.

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Treutlen, Pulaski and Wilcox counties, as well as portions of Houston County.  He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0095 or by email at Larry.Walker@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Joint Agriculture Chairmen’s Ag Issues Summit Announced for August 21, 2025

ATLANTA (July 16, 2025) —State Senator Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and State Representative Robert Dickey (R–Musella), Chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, will host the annual Joint Ag Issues Summit on Thursday, August 21, 2025, in Perry, Georgia.

The summit will bring together lawmakers, industry leaders, and members of Georgia’s farming community to discuss the top issues impacting the state’s number one industry. The event will feature key policy updates and a forward-looking agenda focused on protecting Georgia’s agricultural future.

“This summit is about making sure farmers have a seat at the table as we shape policy at the State Capitol,” said Sen. Russ Goodman. “Chairman Dickey and I are both farmers ourselves. We know what’s at stake, and we’re committed to listening, learning, and leading on the issues that matter most to Georgia agriculture.”

“As farmers, we know firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing Georgia’s agriculture industry,” said Rep. Dickey. “The Ag Issues Summit is a vital chance for us to come together – farmers, lawmakers and industry leaders – to listen, learn and plan for the future of our state’s number one industry. I’m proud to help lead this effort as we work to strengthen and protect Georgia’s agriculture industry for the generations to come.”

The Summit will convene in the Miller Murphy Howard Building at 401 Larry Walker Pkwy, Perry, Georgia 31069. Registration will begin at 9:00 A.M., and the official program will start at 9:30 A.M. Coffee and lunch will be provided. A detailed agenda will be released in the weeks ahead.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by Friday, August 8, either online here or by emailing Rachel.Whitted@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Russ Goodman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. He represents Senate District 8 which includes Atkinson, Clinch, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes and Pierce Counties and a large portion of Ware County. He may be reached at 404.656.7454 or at russ.goodman@senate.ga.gov

Representative Robert Dickey represents the citizens of District 134, which includes Crawford and Upson counties, as well as portions of Lamar and Peach counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 and currently serves as Chairman of the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, Banks and Banking, Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, Higher Education, Natural Resources and Environment and Ways and Means committees, as well as the Special Committee on Resource Management.

For all media inquiries, reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.