By: Sen. Mike Hodges (R–Brunswick)
The 2026 Legislative Session has officially come to a close, and while our work under the Gold Dome has concluded for the year, my work on your behalf continues. I now look forward to bringing that same focus and commitment back home to the 3rd Senate District, where it matters most.
Since January, my colleagues and I have worked diligently to pass legislation that lowers costs, strengthens our communities and keeps Georgia on a strong path forward.
One of our most important responsibilities each year is passing a balanced state budget, and I am proud of the one we delivered for Fiscal Year 2027. Because we have exercised responsible stewardship of your tax dollars, we are able to invest in key priorities while maintaining Georgia’s strong financial position. This includes meaningful support for education, our workforce and our state’s largest industry, agriculture.
One area where we recognized the need for greater focus is early childhood literacy. Currently, only about a quarter of Georgia students are reading on grade level, which is simply unacceptable. In response, we invested $70 million to place literacy coaches in every K-3 public school and passed the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026.
These measures will help identify struggling readers earlier, provide targeted support and ensure students are better prepared for long-term success. This is not only an investment in education, but also in Georgia’s future workforce and overall economic strength.
This year, we also took meaningful steps to provide long-term property tax relief for Georgia homeowners. Under legislation passed by the General Assembly, local governments must now cap annual reassessment increases at no more than 3% or the rate of inflation, bringing predictability and protection for families facing rising home values. In addition, counties and cities now have new tools, pending voter approval, to significantly reduce or even eliminate property taxes through local sales tax options like the Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) and the Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST). These measures could save you and your family hundreds of dollars as soon as this year, with even greater relief in the years ahead. In many communities, homeowners could see their property tax bills cut in half or, in some cases, eliminated entirely, while ensuring that growth and investment remain balanced and sustainable.
We also passed House Bill 463 to help you keep more money in your pocket. This bill will gradually reduce the state income tax rate to 3.99% while increasing the standard deduction to $18,000 for individuals and $36,000 for families over the next several years. By lowering the tax burden and allowing more income to remain tax-free, this legislation provides meaningful relief as many Georgians continue to feel the strain of rising gas and grocery prices.
At its core, this effort reflects a guiding principle: your tax dollars should be used wisely and returned to you whenever possible. That approach has guided our work throughout the session—reducing costs where we can, investing where it matters and ensuring government operates more efficiently for those we serve.
Finally, I am proud to announce that Senate Bill 500 is on its way to the Governor. This bill expands the Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base to include data from all licensed health care professionals. Many areas of our state struggle to pinpoint shortages, and a broader dataset will be instrumental in directing resources to the areas where they are needed most. For our rural and underserved communities, SB 500 represents real data-driven solutions that will support Georgia families.
Although the legislative session has ended, my commitment to serving Senate District 3 remains constant. Whether it is assisting constituents, listening to your concerns or preparing for the next session, I will continue working on your behalf year-round.
It is an honor to serve you and your family, and I look forward to seeing you back home in the district. Thank you for your support every step of the way.
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Sen. Mike Hodges serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. He represents the 3rdSenate District, which includes Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn and McIntosh counties, as well as a portion of Ware County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-7127 or by email at Mike.Hodges@senate.ga.gov.
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