Gov. Kemp Highlights Economic Policies, Criticizes Washington in State of the State Speech
Proposes pay raises for public employees and teachers, supports school voucher bill and police training center, and pledges increased mental health spending.
- Gov. Brian Kemp used his State of the State speech to highlight his Republican philosophy and contrast it with Democrats, emphasizing his economic policies and criticizing Washington D.C. for high inflation and overregulation.
- Kemp proposed a 4% cost of living increase for public employees and a $2,500 raise for teachers, made possible by Georgia's multibillion-dollar surplus and nearly $11 billion in extra cash.
- Kemp expressed strong support for a school voucher bill and a disputed police and fire training center, and proposed an additional $3,000 pay raise for state law enforcement officers and prison guards.
- Kemp pledged to increase spending on mental health, including increasing crisis center beds and paying more to mental health workers and service providers, and proposed $500 million to reduce the state's unfunded pension fund liability.
- Despite criticism for his partial expansion of Medicaid, Kemp defended his health care record, focusing on subsidies that have helped reduce premiums and attract more insurers to offer coverage in rural areas.
Associated Press 
Fox News 
