Anavitarte: A Christmas Reflection on Georgia’s Resilience

By: Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas)

As Christmas approaches, Georgians across our state are arriving at the end of a long, exhausting year. Whether you live in a small town, in the mountains, along the coast, or in the city, you don't need an economist to tell you that 2025 has tested families in ways Washington still seems unwilling to understand.

The federal shutdown may have ended, but the uncertainty that has unleashed has not. For months, the data we rely on to understand our national economy simply wasn't available. Markets swung back and forth on incomplete information. The Federal Reserve shifted its guidance more than once. Interest-rate expectations whiplashed between optimism and reality. This all has left Georgians wondering what the next month would bring, let alone the next year.

Understandably, people are anxious, and many people are angry. They're angry that Washington allowed the longest shutdown in modern history to drag on with little regard for families living paycheck to paycheck. They're angry that grocery prices and utility bills still feel too high. They're angry that leaders in Washington seem more focused on fighting among themselves than on fighting for the American people. These hardworking Georgians are doing everything they can just to stay afloat in an economy that doesn't feel steady beneath their feet.

While Washington drifted from crisis to crisis, Georgia did not. Here at home, we stayed committed to governing with conservative principles that put Georgia families first.

This year, Georgia set a record $26 billion in business investment, bringing thousands of new jobs to communities across the state. From advanced manufacturing in the north and logistics hubs in Middle Georgia, to innovation centers in Metro Atlanta, these investments occurred because businesses recognize that Georgia is a responsible and serious partner for growth.

We also broke export records and welcomed the highest level of tourism in our state's history. That's what happens when you build an economy on sound policy, wise investments, and a government that understands its people.

Yet, even with those victories, we cannot ignore the challenges that lie ahead. A period of broader economic uncertainty-driven by shifting global conditions, volatile markets, and inconsistent federal signals-continues to weigh on families, employers, and investors alike. When the outlook feels unpredictable, it becomes harder for households to plan, for small businesses to expand, and for communities to grow with confidence. Georgians deserve steadiness and foresight, not guesswork.

At the same time, the rapid growth of data centers and artificial intelligence-industries advancing faster than federal regulators can keep up with-is reshaping the demands on Georgia's energy grid. Families across the state are watching closely, concerned that rising demand could lead to higher costs or strain reliability. That is why responsible, transparent planning and engagement with Georgia's citizens matters. Georgia must continue to welcome innovation while ensuring our energy markets remain competitive, reliable, and fair for the people who live and work here.

Looking ahead, my priorities for the coming year are clear. We will remain focused on lowering the cost of living for Georgia families, ensuring our energy markets stay strong and competitive, supporting our children and families so they can thrive, and conserving Georgia's natural beauty so future generations can enjoy the quality of life that makes our state special. Economic growth and conservation are not competing goals-they go hand in hand when guided by thoughtful leadership.

While global economic forecasts continue to shift, Georgia will be prepared to navigate whatever comes next. That is what drives me. That is what drives Republican leadership in the Senate, and it will continue to guide our work in 2026.

What gives me hope is not federal bureaucrats in Washington; it is Georgia. It's the grit in our local communities, the innovation in Georgia industry, and the compassion of our people. Across this state, families who have felt squeezed or ignored continue to get up every morning and do their best. They deserve a government that meets them where they are.

As we enter the Christmas season, I hope that you find moments of peace and rest after a year that has demanded so much from all of us. Let's move forward with a renewed sense of purpose grounded in the values that make Georgia the greatest state in the nation.

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas, and may God bless the great state of Georgia.

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Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 31^st Senate District, which includes Polk County and a portion of Paulding County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0085 or by email at [email protected].

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