Originally posted by MCO Group - January 23, 2026.

01. Governor Kemp to Lead Economic Development Mission to Belgium, UK

Gov Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp will lead an international mission to strengthen economic ties with Belgium and the United Kingdom. The Governor and First Lady, joined by representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), will conduct meetings with companies already operating or under construction in Georgia during their trip. 

02. Brown, McNeel Advance to Runoff in Georgia Senate District 18 Race

Democrat LeMario Nicholas Brown led the field with 7,946 votes, or 36.93%, and Republican Steven McNeel finished second with 4,581 votes, or 21.29%, in the special election to fill the seat left vacant after Republican John Kennedy resigned to run for lieutenant governor. Senate District 18 covers a wide swath of Central Georgia, including northern Bibb County, all of Crawford, Monroe, Peach, and Upson counties, and northern Houston County. 

03. Georgia Opts into Big Beautiful Bill School Voucher Program

Gov. Kemp says the state is opting into a newly established federal school voucher program, despite concerns from critics that it could divert money away from public school systems. The program, created by the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” allows taxpayers to contribute up to $1,700 to state-approved scholarship organizations in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit. Those organizations would then distribute the money to eligible students to help cover private school tuition, tutoring, books, and other educational expenses. 

04. State Requests Release From 2010 Olmstead Settlement Provisions

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) announced a joint filing with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Independent Reviewer to release the State of Georgia from all behavioral health provisions of the 2010 Settlement Agreement, and Paragraphs 30-40 of the 2016 Extension of Settlement Agreement. The State entered into the original settlement agreement in 2010. Since then, the State has made significant, deliberate investments to dramatically increase the quantity and quality of services statewide.  

05. Georgia Economist Predicts Higher Inflation, Slow Job Growth

Georgia can expect slow growth of the real Gross Domestic Product and modest income growth, state economist Dr. Robert Buschman said during a joint meeting of the appropriations committees from the Senate and House of Representatives. Businesses may also see slower growth, which could lead to record levels of bankruptcies. Tariffs are reportedly causing some of the economic woes. As of August, 29% of the costs of tariffs were passed on to consumers, 53% were absorbed by U.S. businesses, and only 18% was absorbed by foreign producers.

The legislature was on recess this week for budget hearings. Lawmakers will convene briefly on Monday, January 26th for day six but will not conduct legislative business as parts of Georgia brace for an ice storm predicted to hit much of the state.  They will be in session four days next week completing legislative day nine.

Chuck McMullen, Principal
chuck@mcogeorgia.com 

Amy Odom, Principal
amy@mcogeorgia.com