My constituents have been clear that cost of living is their top concern.
This session, I focused on practical solutions that provide real relief now while also setting our state up for long-term success. Fortunately, thanks to our state’s conservative governance, we have the financial stability to take action. From lowering taxes to improving healthcare access and strengthening public safety, my goal has been simple—make Georgia more affordable, more secure, and better positioned for the future.
Lowering Costs for Georgia Families
Helping families deal with rising costs was the top priority.
We took meaningful steps to help you keep more of what you earn and bring accountability to both government and industry:
- We capped property tax increases on homestead properties to prevent unchecked spikes and provided direct homeowner relief of up to $500.
- We delivered tax rebates up to $500 for families and worked to lower the state income tax rate to as low as 3.99%.
- We suspended the gas tax for 60 days to provide immediate relief at the pump.
- We held insurance companies accountable by increasing penalties for bad practices and improving how claims are handled.
- And since Hurricane Helene, we’ve delivered over $1 billion in direct relief to those impacted.
These are steps toward easing the pressure on your family budget—both now and in the years ahead.
Strengthening Education and Workforce Readiness
We’ve made strong investments in education, but this year was a transformational year for students in Georgia. Our efforts to transform literacy will have impacts for generations to come.
This year, I supported efforts to:
- Improve early literacy by placing coaches in K–3 classrooms and equipping teachers with proven tools.
- Expand advanced math opportunities and strengthen instruction.
- Grow career training and apprenticeship programs to better connect students to the workforce.
- Reduce classroom distractions by limiting cell phone use during the school day.
- Invest in a needs-based HOPE scholarship to help keep talent here in Georgia.
Expanding Access to Healthcare
Access to affordable, reliable healthcare, especially in rural and underserved areas, is important to family budgets and overall health outcomes.
This year, I supported efforts to:
- Expand our healthcare workforce by investing in new medical and optometry schools.
- Protect patients from surprise ambulance bills—even when providers are out of network.
- Create portable benefits options so independent workers can access healthcare and retirement savings without losing flexibility.
Keeping Our Communities Safe
Public safety is non-negotiable. Georgia has led the way in backing the badge with pay raises and support for the rule of law.
This session, I worked to strengthen protections for families, homeowners, and some of our most vulnerable citizens:
- Expanding efforts to combat human trafficking, including required training for hospitality workers.
- Increasing penalties for those who exploit others through trafficking and related crimes.
- Protecting seniors by providing safeguards against suspicious financial activity.
There are always bills and priorities we hope will get across the finish line, and this session was no exception. However, I’m proud that we kept an unrelenting focus on cost of living and quality of life in Georgia.
My focus remains the same: lowering costs, strengthening our communities, and making sure Georgia continues to be a place where families can thrive.
If you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns, even if you are not in my district, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I was elected by the citizens of District 111 and my constituents are my top priority. However, I am dedicated to working with my colleagues from other districts on bills that will improve the lives of all Georgians.
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