COLUMN: Hodges: Weeks Four & Five Under the Gold Dome

By: Sen. Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick)

Crossover Day is quickly approaching, and the Senate is working diligently to send strong, conservative solutions over to the House that deliver real results for you and your family.

It's never been more important to let Georgians keep more of what they earn. When Republicans first took control of state government in 2002, Georgia's income tax rate stood at 6%, where it had remained for more than three decades under Democratic leadership. Since then, through years of disciplined, conservative budgeting, we have reduced that rate to 5.19% and put our state on a responsible path toward further reductions. That progress didn't happen by accident. It happened because we made tough decisions, prioritized taxpayers, and kept our state on a solid financial footing, even through COVID and historic inflation.

Now we're taking the next bold step.

Senate Bills 476 and 477 represent a historic shift in Georgia's tax policy. SB 476 eliminates the state income tax on the first $50,000 earned by individual taxpayers and the first $100,000 earned by married couples filing jointly. That means nearly 64% of Georgia taxpayers would pay zero state income tax. We are accomplishing this by responsibly reviewing and modernizing tax credits issued over the years while preserving Georgia's competitive, pro-business climate. Supporting job creators remains important, but our first responsibility is to the families who work hard and keep our communities strong.

SB 477 ensures we stay on that path by reducing the income tax rate by a full percentage point over the next three years. This pushes us towards permanent, structural tax relief, not one-time gimmicks. Republicans believe that taxation represents a transfer of decision-making power from citizens to government. When the government claims too much of your income, it limits your freedom. We believe Georgia families are best positioned to decide how to spend their own money, whether that's groceries, childcare, school supplies or mortgage payments.

Education is another of our top priorities. Senate Bill 150 extends the program allowing retired teachers to return to the classroom, helping school systems hire experienced educators when they are needed most. Our students deserve stability and quality instruction, and this legislation will open a door for proven teachers to continue serving Georgia families.

Promoting job growth and keeping costs down also means ensuring our workforce policies are fair and fiscally responsible. I am proud to continue my work on SB 321, which clarifies that workers' compensation provisions do not apply to employees covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. This bill will be key in preventing "double dipping" into the state's system, effectively saving taxpayer money.

I am also pleased to announce that HB 117, which requires clear labeling of imported foreign shrimp, has reached final passage. For coastal Georgia communities like ours, where generations of hardworking shrimpers have built their livelihoods on the water, this bill is about fairness and survival as much as transparency. By requiring restaurants and food service establishments to identify foreign-imported shrimp, HB 117 supports our local shrimping industry and ensures consumers know exactly what they are buying. With this commonsense measure, families can choose to support Georgia-caught seafood, strengthening our coastal economy while promoting honest disclosure.

In other news, I welcomed visitors from our district for Probate Judges Day. It was a pleasure to visit with former Senior Probate Judge Debra Duncan and Deputy Court Clerk Nicole Sapp and salute their hard work for our judicial community. I also attended the swearing-in of Judge Steven Blackerby to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, who I know will do an excellent job in his new role as he continues to uphold the rule of law.

Additionally, I was honored to meet with Leadership Waycross while their dedicated class is participating in a hands-on educational program, designed to deepen their understanding of the challenges facing our communities. I commend their commitment to staying engaged, informed and ready to serve, and I trust their local leadership will keep our cities and towns moving forward.

Finally, I welcomed our district's school nutrition leaders to the Capitol to hear their concerns and ideas concerning the health of Georgia's students. Childhood obesity and malnutrition continue to be top issues facing our state's youth, and I am committed to ensuring that Georgia's children have a healthier future.

Your voice matters. Please continue reaching out with your thoughts, concerns and ideas. It is an honor to serve you, and I hope to see you under the Gold Dome this session.

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Sen. Mike Hodges serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. He represents the 3^rdSenate 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 [email protected].

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