#gasenate – Page 6 – Georgia Senate Press Office

January 23, 2026

Ginn: Week Two Under the Gold Dome

As the 2026 Legislative Session moves into its second week, the General Assembly is turning its full attention to its most important responsibility: passing a balanced, thoughtful budget that spends taxpayer dollars wisely.

Budget hearings began on Tuesday, January 20, when the Senate and House Appropriations Committees met jointly to hear budget requests from various departments and agencies. These hearings continued through Thursday, but the work doesn’t stop there. In the coming weeks, I’ll be serving on Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture and Natural Resources and Transportation. We will further discuss these recommendations and make our own suggestions. Passing a balanced budget is not only our constitutional duty as legislators, but it’s also imperative in creating a responsible government that serves its people.

One of the most impactful budget proposals this legislative session is Governor Brian Kemp’s plan to rebate more than $1 billion in income taxes, giving single filers $250 and joint filers up to $500 in additional savings. Affordability is one of our top priorities this legislative session, and providing tax relief through rebates and income tax cuts is an important first step toward strengthening our economy. These tangible policy decisions are just a further reminder that Senate Republicans’ overarching ideology of fiscal conservatism is to thank for positioning our economy as one of the best in the nation, despite reckless federal economic policy during the Biden Administration.

Gov. Kemp’s proposed budget also outlines numerous higher education investments, including those for the University System of Georgia and, more specifically, the University of Georgia. The faculty, staff and students of UGA make up a significant portion of our district (Go DAWGS!), and as an alumnus myself, I will always support investments in our state’s flagship university. Investments in our education system are often the first step to building an educated workforce and a stronger economy.

The Governor is recommending $9.5 million in formula funding for essential startup costs for the UGA School of Medicine, as well as $5.6 million for the design of a UGA School of Nursing facility. The proposal also includes over $34 million to support the ongoing modernization of Science and Ag Hill. The project promotes continued growth in STEM education and research, two fields that are growing in our workforce. Gov. Kemp has also allocated more than $31 million to food and farm operations. This is a critical industry in Northeast Georgia, and I’ll be working throughout the legislative session to secure this funding.

As the legislative session begins, I would like to invite students ages 12 to 18 to serve as Senate Pages. This highly informative program allows students to participate in the legislative process at our State Capitol for one day during the legislative session. Interested students may apply for the program by contacting my administrative assistant or me at my office via email. (Frank.Ginn@senate.ga.gov.)

Please don’t hesitate to contact my office regarding any legislative matter as we begin another productive legislative session. I hope you and your family enjoy a successful 2026!

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Sen. Frank Ginn represents the 47^th Senate District which includes Madison County and portions of Barrow, Clarke, and Jackson County. He can be reached at (404) 656-4700 or by email at frank.ginn@senate.ga.gov.

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

January 22, 2026

Sen. Donzella James to Hold HOA, COA, and POA Day

ATLANTA (January 22, 2026) — On Tuesday, January 27, Sen. Donzella James (D–Atlanta) will hold Homeowners’ Association (HOA), Condominium Owners’ Association (COA), and Property Owners’ Association (POA) Day at the State Capitol.

MEETING DETAILS:

Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: 125 State Capitol, 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
This event is open to the public.

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Sen. James invites constituents to share community association issues and work with lawmakers to make owning a home a smoother process. She has also sponsored three bills during the 2025 Legislative Session to improve transparency and safeguard property owners from predatory associations. Senate Bill 106 would allow local governments to impose rent regulations, while Senate Bills 107 and 108 would provide protections for community association members and offer alternatives to legal involvement in the event of disputes. Sen. James intends to explore these legislative avenues while also hearing from residents who wish to share their lived experiences.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Donzella James serves as Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs. She represents the 28^th Senate District, which includes portions of Cobb, Douglas and Fulton counties. She may be reached by phone at (404) 463-1379 or by email at Donzella.James@senate.ga.gov.

January 22, 2026

Summers: Week One Under the Gold Dome

Last week marked the beginning of the 2026 Legislative Session, and we have officially finished five days of legislative business. It’s an honor to represent more than eight South Georgia counties under the Gold Dome, and I’m looking forward to the next few months.

Governor Brian Kemp addressed the Senate and House, laying out his vision for the 2026 legislative session in his final State of the State Address. His agenda includes continued tax cuts, state employee and retiree raises, and targeted investments in education and workforce development.

Many families, farmers and small businesses across Georgia are still struggling to make ends meet, thanks to the previous White House administration’s reckless financial policies. Thankfully, Senate Republicans have stepped up and already outlined a comprehensive plan, in line with the Governor, to fully reignite our economy. Our plan ensures that all Georgians who are willing to work will keep more of what they earn.

Instead of living paycheck to paycheck, those who live and work in our state can comfortably save and reinvest in our growing economy. Individual filers will not be taxed on the first $50,000 of earnings, and joint filers will not be taxed on the first $100,000 of earnings. State employees, including our teachers, will also receive a one-time $2000 supplement. This is another tangible investment in the long-term health of our state. Democrats can continue to throw short-sighted pipe dreams at the wall, knowing they will never stick, but we’ll be making changes that move South Georgia families from scarcity to security.

This past week, members of our majority party introduced Senate Resolution 563. This resolution will urge Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to immediately and fully comply with the United States DOJ in producing Georgia’s voter registration list. It’s a simple ask, but our Secretary of State refuses to cooperate and do the right thing. Nobody is above the law, and it is important to uphold integrity at all levels of government. I’ll always make sure that South Georgians have the full truth and all the facts, especially when it comes to our elections.

In the Senate Chamber, we also took action on a measure to regulate firearm storage and further strengthen state gun laws: Senate Bill 204. When the Second Amendment needs to be protected, you can rest assured that I will step up to protect your right to bear arms.

It is a privilege to serve the people of South Georgia, and I look forward to another productive Legislative Session. If you have any concerns, questions, or comments on legislation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. Please like and follow my Senate page on Facebook (Carden H. Summers) for continuing updates.

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Sen. Carden Summers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions. He represents the 13^th Senate District, which includes Ben Hill, Berrien, Crisp, Irwin, Lee, Tift, Turner and Worth counties, as well as a portion of Coffee County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-9224 or by email at Carden.Summers@senate.ga.gov.

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

January 20, 2026

Sen. Jason T. Dickerson Introduces Legislation to Cap Cherokee County School District Property Tax Assessments

ATLANTA (January 20, 2026) — Last week, Sen. Jason T. Dickerson (R–Canton) introduced Senate Bill 407 to set a cap on property tax assessments in Cherokee County at no more than a four percent annual increase. If a home’s assessed value rises by more than four percent, the excess amount will be exempt from school district ad valorem taxes.

January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

Sen. John Albers Urges Students to Apply for the Senate Page Program

ATLANTA (January 20, 2026) — Today, Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) encouraged middle and high school students in the 56^th Senate District to apply for the Senate Page Program. As a Senate Page, students deliver important information to senators on the chamber floor and serve as messengers around the State Capitol.