House Republicans across the state are poised for success at the ballot box in November because of the results we have delivered on the issues that matter most to Georgians.
Whether it’s lowering taxes, investing in education, increasing public safety or expanding access to healthcare, Georgia Republicans have proven that common-sense, conservative policies make our state the best place for everyone to live, work and raise a family.
While out-of-control spending and sky-rocketing inflation continue to place an undue burden on families across the country, the general assembly passed a historic package of legislation to lower taxes for Georgians, keeping billions of dollars in the pockets of our citizens. We accomplished this while passing a fiscally responsible, balanced budget that generated an unprecedented $16 billion surplus and made significant investments in the future of our state.
Those investments included significant funding for K-12 education. Teachers received an additional $2,500 pay raise and every public school in Georgia will receive $45,000 annually for additional safety resources. I believe there is no more important mission than ensuring our children receive the best education possible, and I’m proud of the work we accomplished to pass school choice legislation that provides parents and students the opportunity to pursue the educational options that are best suited to their needs.
Public safety continues to be a top priority for the House. We remember all too well the tragedy that occurred on the University of Georgia’s campus when a young woman, Laken Riley, was tragically murdered by an illegal immigrant. While Washington continues to ignore the crisis at the southern border, Georgia made it clear that we will stand firmly against illegal immigration through the passage of legislation that requires local law enforcement to comply with federal reporting guidelines. We also provided $3,000 pay raises for our state law enforcement officers, reiterating our commitment to supporting our men and women in uniform and keeping our communities safe.
We also made significant progress in ensuring that every Georgian, regardless of zip code, has access to quality, affordable healthcare. The House passed bills to increase the rural hospital tax credit and modernize certificate of need requirements to reduce costs and make healthcare more accessible for citizens across the state. As Georgia experiences continued population growth, we are investing in increasing our healthcare workforce with $50 million for a medical school at the University of Georgia and $178 million for a dental school at Georgia Southern University. The general assembly has also continued to prioritize access to mental health resources with $16.5 million allocated for behavioral health crisis centers throughout the state.
These issues matter to Georgians, and the results of May’s primary election prove the conservative agenda is a winning one. We’ll continue to share our platform throughout Georgia as we work to strengthen and expand our majority ahead of November.
Speaker Jon Burns was elected as Georgia’s 75th Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2023. He represents the 159th legislative district in southeast Georgia.
