Legislative

Originally posted by MCO Group on May 29, 2026

1. Burt Jones vs. Rick Jackson in Governor Race

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson are headed to a June 16 Republican runoff after neither cleared 50%. This week, both campaigns pivoted hard: Jones consolidated rural/MAGA support and the Trump-world apparatus, while Jackson leaned on his foster-youth biography and self-funding advantage to keep pressure in the Atlanta, Augusta, and Columbus media markets. Clients should watch endorsement cascades from losing primary candidates and whether Gov. Kemp signals a lane.

2. Collins–Dooley Senate Runoff and the Ossoff Matchup

The U.S. Senate primary also went to overtime, with Derek Dooley and Rep. Mike Collins advancing to the GOP runoff to take on Sen. Jon Ossoff. This week, the national money started moving. This is the most expensive race in the country and will define paid media inventory in Atlanta through November.

3. Statewide Election Audit Kicks Off

The Secretary of State's office formally launched the risk-limiting audit of the May 19 primary results this week. Given that two of the highest-profile races on the ballot are headed to runoffs decided by relatively narrow margins, the audit is drawing more scrutiny than usual and is feeding directly into the second item Kemp put on the special-session call (see #4).

4. Special Session Prep: Redistricting + Ballot QR Codes

Kemp's May 13 proclamation calling lawmakers back on June 17 continued to drive the policy conversation all week. The call covers two items: redrawing congressional maps for the 2028 cycle following the Louisiana Supreme Court redistricting ruling, and addressing QR codes on ballots, a long-running fight between election-integrity advocates and the SOS's office. This week, House and Senate leadership quietly circulated draft map concepts and conducted whip counts on the QR code language. Expect map leaks in the first week of June.

Action item for clients with federal footprints: model exposure under at least two plausible CD scenarios.

5. Bottoms Positioning and the Down-Ballot Democratic Slate

Keisha Lance Bottoms spent this week pivoting to general-election posture, including unity events, fundraising calls with the DGA, and early framing against both potential GOP nominees. Worth tracking alongside her rollout: the Democratic slates for Lt. Gov., AG, and SOS — open-seat races up and down the ticket are giving the party its deepest statewide bench in a generation, and coordination decisions being made this week will shape independent-expenditure activity into the summer.

Bottom Line for Principals

Every one of this week's top stories points to the same operational reality — Georgia is in a 17-day sprint to two consequential runoffs and a special session immediately on its heels. Client engagement plans for June need to assume the Capitol is functionally in session from June 16 forward, and any policy ask that touches elections, maps, or healthcare should be sequenced with the runoff calendar in mind.

Originally posted by MCO Group on May 20, 2026

Georgia’s 2026 May 19th primary is full of more uncertainty than certainty, with several high-profile races heading to June 16th run-off races with two exceptions – Incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D) and Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms easily won their party nominations with 1,040,074 and 606,801 votes, respectively. Overall election results are still being tabulated, but over 1.02 million voters, or roughly 14 percent, of active voters cast early ballots.

Georgia’s 2026 General Election will decide all statewide elected officers and all 236 members of the Georgia General Assembly. The non-partisan judicial races for two Supreme Court seats and one Court of Appeals seat, along with several superior court and state court races, were decided in the Primary Election. Georgia primary candidates need to secure a 50-plus-one vote to avoid a runoff election.

Primary Results

U.S. Senate Republican Primary

Congressman Mike Collins (40.43) will face Governor Kemp-backed outsider Derek Dooley (30.22). President Trump did not endorse a candidate in this primary battle. All eyes will be on whether the President endorses Collins in this run-off election given the friction between Trump and Kemp over the 2020 election results.

Governor Republican Primary

Lt. Governor Burt Jones led the Republican ticket by securing 38.33 percent of the vote despite being outspent 3-1 by businessman Rick Jackson. Collectively, both candidates spent a historic $100 million dollars to secure the party's nomination in a crowded six-candidate race. Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger finished third with 14.97 percent of the vote and Attorney General Chris Carr placed fourth with 11.87 percent of the vote. President Trump endorsed Jones five times during the primary election and is expected to support Jones in the runoff election. This primary race is expected to exceed $150 million.

Supreme Court of Georgia | Court of Appeals of Georgia | Superior Court

Incumbent Supreme Court Justices Charlie Bethel (51.11) and Sarah Warren (59.32) were reelected Tuesday night in a non-partisan General Election. Challengers Mircale Rankin and former state senator Jen Jordan ran on an unconventional joint partisan ticket to unseat the incumbent justices.

Judge Elizabeth Gobeil was reelected to the Court of Appeals over challenger Fatima Felton 56.50 to 43.50. There was an upset in the Superior Court Atlanta Judicial Circuit with Janice Moore (59.97) defeating the favored incumbent Craig Schwall (40.33).

U.S. House of Representatives – Ga-01 OPEN

The Son of former Rep. Jack Kingston, Jim Kingston, will be the nominee to face the run-off victor between Joyce Griggs (34.45) and Amanda Howell (24.66). This is a heavily Republican district, and Kingston is expected to win in November. This seat was vacated by Rep. Buddy Carter to seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

U.S. House of Representatives – Ga-10 OPEN

State Rep. Houston Gaines easily won this heavily Republican district by garnering over 67 percent of the vote. Gaines was Vice Chair of the state House Republican Caucus before running for Congress. This seat was vacated by Rep. Collins to seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

U.S. House of Representatives – Ga-11 OPEN

Dr. John Cowan (42.78), a neurosurgeon, will face Rob Ackerson (21.81) in the Primary Run-Off. Ackerson is the chief of staff to current Congressman Barry Loudermilk. Loudermilk did not seek reelection. PSC Commissioner Tricia Pridemore failed to make the run-off and was heavily criticized for her votes in support of Georgia Power and data centers while on the PSC.

U.S. House of Representatives – Ga-13 OPEN

State Rep. Jasmine Clark overwhelmingly secured the nomination for this heavily Democratic-controlled congressional seat. The late U.S. Rep. David Scott held this seat for 12 consecutive terms. Georgia Senator Emanuel Jones (D) secured only 7.5 percent of the vote.

Georgia Public Service Commission – District 3

Democrat Peter Hubbard will face former PSC Commissioner Fitz Johnson in the November General Election. Hubbard defeated the incumbent Johnson in a special election held on November 4, 2025. Hubbard was elected on a platform focused on unaffordable energy costs, largely due to the rise of AI and data centers.

Georgia Public Service Commission – District 5

Republicans Josh Tolbert (47.17) and Bobby Mehan (31.06) will face off in the runoff election in June. The winner will run against Democrat nominee Sheila Edwards in November. Tolbert is an engineer with extensive energy expertise. Tolbert supports data centers but believes rate payers should be protected. Mehan is actively opposed to data centers. Edwards opposes “corporate welfare” and believes utility companies should recoup costs from data center expansion.

Lt. Governor Republican Primary

Former Senate President Pro-Tempore John F. Kennedy (27.29) will face Senator Greg Dolezal in the June Primary Run-Off Election. Dolezal, a close ally of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, surprised several insiders by securing 23.08 percent of the vote. Kennedy led the fight for Kemp’s backed tort reform package in 2025. Senate Appropriations Chairman Blake Tilliary garnered the support of trial lawyers but fell short with 19 percent of the vote. U.S. Military veteran state House Rep. David Clark and son-in-law of U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach fell short with 15.78 percent. Former Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch finished fifth with 11 percent of the vote.

Lt. Governor Democrat Primary

Georgia Senators Josh McLaurin (41.44) and Nabiah Parkes (39.44) will face one another in June. Parkes was a late qualifier in this race as she first announced her candidacy for Insurance Commissioner.

Secretary of State Republican and Democrat Primary

Rep. Tim Fleming, former Gov. Kemp's Chief of Staff will face party switcher Vernon Jones for the GOP nomination in the June run-off election. Jones is a former Democrat State representative and CEO of DeKalb County. Gabriel Sterling, Secretary of State COO under Secretary Raffensberger, finished 4th of 5 candidates with 11.9% of the vote.

Former Fulton County Judge Penny Brown Reynolds will face Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett in a runoff for the Democratic nomination.

Attorney General Republican & Democrat Primary

State Senator Brian Strickland (71.59) soundly defeated state Senator Bill Cowsert (28.41) to win the party’s nomination. Strickland will face state Rep. Tanya Miller (D) in November. Strickland is an attorney in private practice. Miller is a former prosecutor with impressive high-profile child predator convictions. This is a race to watch in November.

State School Superintendent Republican and Democrat Primary

Republican incumbent Richard Woods (49.88) narrowly missed a run-off election against Fred “Bubba” Longgrear (29.10). Longgreer was backed by House Republican Leadership, including Speaker Jon Burns. The winner of the run-off election will face Democrat nominee Dr. Lydia Powell. Dr. Powell, a lifelong educator and administrator, secured over 50 percent of the vote in a three-way primary race.

Insurance Commissioner Republican and Democrat Primary

Incumbent John King (R) will face the winner of the Democrat Primary Run-Off Election between state Rep. Keisha Waites (42.03) and veteran and insurance and financial services executive DeAndre Mathis (19.81). King endorsed Rick Jackson for Governor.

Agriculture Commissioner Republican and Democrat Primary

Incumbent Tyler Harper (R) ran unopposed and will face Democrat nominee Katherine E. Juhan-Arnold. Katherine runs a nonprofit focused on connecting farmers with markets to provide fresh locally grown food. Harper endorsed Burt Jones for Governor.

Labor Commissioner Republican and Democrat Primary

Incumbent Barbara Rivera Homes (R) ran unopposed and will face the winner of the Democrat primary run-off election between Nikki Porcher (30.76) and Michelle Sanchez (25.84). Porcher is a former educator and runs a nonprofit and is known for her work in the community. Sanchez is a former member of the Hall County Board of Elections and the founder of Georgia Families Unidas.

General Assembly Elections

Republicans control the State Senate 33-23 and the State House 100-80. Of the contested primary and open elections, Republicans lost one incumbent seat and Democrats lost zero. There will be one Republican House runoff and five Democratic House runoffs. Seats of note for the General Election are HD-40, HD-99, and HD-105.

Originally posted by MCO Group on May 8, 2026

01. Speaker Burns Announces 2026 Study Committee Appointments

House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) announced appointments to study committees for the 2026 interim. The House Blue-Ribbon Study Committees, Joint Study Committees and House Study Committees will work throughout the interim to gather the facts and hear from citizens, experts and stakeholders on key policy areas impacting Georgia.

02. Gov. Kemp Signs Bills Strengthening Literacy and K-12 Schools

Governor Brian Kemp signed 9 pieces of legislation into law to support literacy and math education, expand educational opportunities, and support students and teachers in Georgia's K-12 education system. "The bills I signed today implement proven strategies to improve literacy and math scores, reduce distractions in the classroom, expand pathways to graduation, and further support hardworking educators and families. These are just the latest steps we've taken to create opportunity for all Georgians, no matter their zip code,” Kemp said.

03. AJC Poll Shows Keisha Bottoms Leads Democratic Field for Governor

An AJC poll released Monday showed Keisha Lance Bottoms with 39% support among likely Democratic primary voters, far ahead of former DeKalb County Chief Executive Michael Thurmond at 10%, former state Sen. Jason Esteves at 8% and former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan at 7%. About one-third of voters remain undecided.

04. State Begins Issuing Tax Refunds of up to $500

For the fourth time in five years, Georgia officials have begun issuing special income tax refunds of up to $500 as the state continues to spend down its substantial budget reserves. Earlier this year Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law authorizing these special tax refunds, which are made possible because the state has accumulated billions of dollars in budget surpluses in recent years.

05. April Net Tax Revenues Up 5.9%

The State of Georgia’s net tax collections in April totaled almost $3.95 billion, for an increase of $220.2 million, or 5.9%, compared to FY 2025, when net tax collections totaled $3.73 billion for the month. Year-to-date, net tax revenue totaled $28.45 billion, for an increase of $683.7 million, or 2.5%, compared to last year, when net tax collections totaled roughly $27.77 billion through ten months of FY 2025.

Originally posted by MCO Group on April 3, 2026

The Georgia General Assembly adjourned Sine Die just after 1 am this morning, marking the end of Governor Brian Kemp's final legislative session. The Governor now has until May 12th - 40 days - to sign or veto bills. If he takes no action, a bill will become law without his signature. Campaigns are now in full swing as candidates barrel towards primary election day on May 19th, with the run-off date scheduled for June 16th for races where no candidate received more than 50% of the vote.

01. Georgia Bills Passed on Sine Die

Georgia lawmakers worked into Friday morning to pass a nearly $39 billion budget and a slate of bills related to:

• Homelessness: Lawmakers passed a bill that would allow property owners to sue local governments for failing to enforce ordinances related to homelessness, immigration or public safety.
• Transit: Lawmakers approved a bill dissolving two state transit agencies and shifting some powers to a new Georgia Transportation Efficiency Authority. The measure also extends MARTA's 1% sales tax for a decade and further limits the state's role in transit planning.
• Taxes: Lawmakers approved a plan to cut Georgia's income tax to 3.99% if fiscal conditions are met. The bill also exempts tips and overtime up to $1,750 from taxes.
• Education: The Senate narrowly approved a needs-based scholarship program for low-income students attending postsecondary institutions.
• Transparency: Sexual harassment settlements involving members of the Georgia General Assembly could be made public under legislation approved on Sine Die.
• Pennies: The House sent legislation allowing retailers to round cash transactions' totals to the nearest nickel as the U.S. phases out the penny to Kemp.

02. FY 2027 State Budget Passes in Final Minutes of the Legislative Session

Georgia lawmakers met their one and only constitutional duty in the final hours of their legislative session: They finally agreed on a budget. The House passed the 2027 budget around 11:40 p.m. Thursday. The $38.5 billion spending plan came before Sine Die, marking the end of the 2025-2026 session.

03. Early Voting Ends for 14th Congressional District Seat

As early voting ended Thursday for Georgia's 14th Congressional District to fill the seat Marjorie Taylor Greene vacated. In last month's special election, none of the 22 candidates received at least 50% of the vote, prompting a runoff between Democrat Shawn Harris, who received 37% of the vote, and Republican Clay Fuller, who trailed by just 3 points. The official runoff election date is April 7th.

04. Campaign Battle Heats Up in Georgia

After a 40-day sprint of tax cuts and spending bills, Republicans and Democrats head into election season with starkly different answers for anxious voters. Just about everyone under the Gold Dome began this session agreeing that affordability would define the year’s debate. What became even clearer over the 40-day sprint that ended Friday is just how far apart the parties are over how to bring down prices — and how divided Republicans are within their own ranks.

05. UCB Investing $2B in Georgia, Establishing First U.S. Manufacturing Facility

Governor Kemp announced that global biopharmaceutical giant UCB, Inc. plans to invest $2 billion in Georgia to establish its first U.S. pharmaceutical biologics manufacturing facility. The investment will generate 330 new jobs over the next several years at the Rowen Foundation's state-of-the-art, 2,000-acre science and learning campus in Gwinnett County.

Originally posted by MCO Group on March 27, 2026

As the Georgia General Assembly approaches Sine Die on April 2, several major policy and political developments are shaping the final days of the 2026 session.  Lawmakers are in the final stretch of the session, moving quickly to advance or revive bills on education, elections, taxes, public safety, and health care. Committees and floor calendars are active as leaders negotiate last‑minute changes and amendments, including reconciling the state's $38.5 billion budget.

01. Georgia Early Literacy Act Nears Final Passage

House Speaker Jon Burns’ proposed literacy overhaul, the Georgia Early Literacy Act (HB 1193), remains a centerpiece of late-session negotiations. The bill would fund reading coaches in every K–3 classroom to combat the state’s persistent literacy crisis. The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a revised version that allocates $70 million in grants for literacy coaches, setting up potential final negotiations before Sine Die

02. Senate and House Wrangle Over FY 2027 Budget

The Senate approved its FY 2027 state budget, including funding for literacy reforms, $100 million for state retiree COLAs, and $30 million for private school vouchers (the expanded “Promise Scholarship” program). The spending priorities differ from the House plan, setting up a last-minute budget conference.

03. Ballot Reform Bill Advances in Senate

Legislators advanced HB 397, a GOP-led measure that would fundamentally change the state’s ballot format for millions of voters. Details are still being debated, but the bill could have implications for election administration ahead of the 2026 midterms.

04. City of Hiram Faces Possible Dissolution

Lawmakers are debating a bill that could dissolve the city of Hiram amid an ongoing budget and governance crisis, making it one of the rare cases in which the state might revoke a city charter. The measure is prompting broader questions about the fiscal oversight of small municipalities

05. Property Tax Cap Proposal Gains Momentum

The legislature is considering a new proposal to cap property tax hikes for homeowners, limiting how much local governments can raise assessments year over year. The measure has bipartisan interest, given the rapid home value increases across metro Atlanta

Originally posted by MCO Group on March 13, 2026

The Georgia General Assembly was in session for three days this week, reaching day thirty-one of forty on Thursday. Next week, the legislature will meet on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, reaching day thirty-five of forty. Tuesday will be a committee day. As a reminder, the General Assembly will adjourn Sine Die on Thursday, April 2nd.

01. February Net Tax Revenues Down 0.1%

The State of Georgia’s net tax collections in the month of February totaled $2.12 billion, for a decrease of $2.4 million, or 0.1%, compared to February 2025, when net tax collections approached $2.13 billion for the month.  Year-to-date, net tax revenue collections through eight months totaled roughly $21.88 billion, for an increase of 343.2 million, or 1.6%, compared to FY 2025, when net tax collections totaled $21.53 billion. 

02. Georgia Candidates Rush to File Election Papers

Taxes, data centers, AI safety, psychedelics, and more remain on Georgia lawmakers' agendas as the legislative session moves toward its final weeks. Lawmakers can still turn stalled proposals into legislation up until House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones gavel Sine Die on April 2nd. Read an overview of what’s passed and what remains on the table. 

03. House Passes $38.5B Budget

The House sent a $38.5 billion spending plan to the Senate on Tuesday. HB 974 proposes a 2% increase over the current budget approved this time last year, although lawmakers increased the remaining portion of this year's spending significantly — to $43.7 billion — in the amended current-year budget that Gov. Brian Kemp signed in early March. Similar changes are probably in store for the new proposal this time next year. Until then, priorities include funding for education, health care, prisons, and poverty, with a nod to problems caused by feral hogs.

04. Georgia’s 14th Congressional District Race Heads for Runoff

Democrat Shawn Harris and Republican Clay Fuller advanced to a runoff for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s former U.S. House seat in Georgia after no candidate won a majority in Tuesday’s special election. President Donald Trump in February endorsed Fuller, a district attorney who prosecutes crimes in four counties, to succeed Greene in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District. Greene, once among Trump’s most ardent supporters, resigned in January after a falling out with the president.

05. Three Georgia Legislative Special Elections Head to April 7th Runoff

All three Georgia legislative special elections will head to an April 7 runoff, according to unofficial results, to fill the seats for the rest of the year. There will be separate May primaries and November general elections to fill the seats starting in January 2027.

Senate District 53: Republican retired educator Lanny Thomas will head to a runoff against Democratic communications professor Jack Zibluk to see who will replace former state Sen. Colton Moore in this deeply red Northwest Georgia district

House District 94:  Democratic education consultant Venola Mason and Democratic attorney and former Snellville Mayor Kelly Kautz are vying to replace former state Rep. Karin Bennett, who resigned in January, then was indicted on federal charges for alleged COVID-19 pandemic unemployment fraud.

House District 130: Democratic former state Rep. Sheila Clark Nelson landed safely in the runoff to replace former state Rep. Lynn Heffner, who resigned in January. Seven votes separated Republican minister Thomas McAdams and Democrat community development consultant Karen Gordon in the battle for the second runoff spot. 

Originally posted by MCO Group on February 27, 2026

The Georgia General Assembly convened Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week, completing legislative day twenty-five of forty. Monday was designated a committee day, and the legislature is in recess today, Friday, February 27th. Next week, Monday, March 2nd, and Thursday, March 5th, will be committee days, and the legislature will be in session Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, completing day 28th on Friday, March 6th, which is a crossover day. Crossover Day is the point in the legislative session by which a bill must pass out of its chamber of origin (House or Senate) to remain viable for the current session. Bills that fail to “crossover” are generally considered dead for the year, though they can sometimes be revived by being added to other moving legislation. Candidate qualifying will also begin on Monday, February 2nd, and will close at noon on Friday, March 6th.

01. House Approves Amended FY2026 Budget

The amended Fiscal Year 2026 Budget (HB 973) passed on Wednesday and now heads to the governor's desk for his signature. The budget provides $2 billion in income tax rebates, giving $250 to single filers and $500 to married couples and families. It also includes about $850 million for a homeowner relief grant program, amounting to around $500 per homeowner.

02. Democratic Rep. Ruwa Romman Drops Out of Governor’s Race

State Rep. Ruwa Romman announced Thursday that she will suspend her bid for Georgia’s governorship. Romman, who made history in 2022 when she became the first native Jordanian and Muslim woman elected to Georgia’s legislature, said she will qualify for state Senate District 7 instead. The remaining Democratic candidates include DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former state Sen. Jason Esteves, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, businessman/pastor Olu Brown, and Republican-turned-Democrat and former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan.

03. House Passes High School Cell Phone Ban Bill

Last year, state lawmakers passed a statewide prohibition on all electronic personal devices during class hours at public schools in grades K-8. A new bill (HB 1009), passed by Georgia House Reps, would extend the ban to high schools. Students would be barred from accessing their phones from the start of the academic day to the end.

04. House Passes K-3 Literacy Coach Bill

Georgia House Reps overwhelmingly passed HB 1193 on Tuesday to fund a literacy coach in every school offering any grades, kindergarten through third grade. A major legislative priority for House Speaker Jon Burns, the bill passed 170-2. Under the bill, the Quality Basic Education formula for funding public schools would cover the base salary of one literacy coach for every school with kindergarten through third grade. Schools with 200 or fewer full-time students would receive half the funding.

05. Pratt & Whitney Completes Expansion, Announces Another in Columbus

Governor Kemp announced aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney is investing $200 million to expand its operations in Columbus, Georgia, creating 15 new jobs, with more to follow. The news follows the company’s completion of a $70 million, 81,000-square-foot expansion that created 400 new jobs.

Originally posted by MCO Group on February 13, 2026

The Georgia General Assembly convened this week on Monday, February 9th, for legislative day fifteen and completed legislative day eighteen on Thursday, February 12th. The General Assembly will be in recess on Friday and Monday and will reconvene on Tuesday, February 17th, for day nineteen. It will be in session for four days next week, concluding on Friday, February 20th.

01. January Net Tax Revenues Down 0.6%

The State of Georgia’s net tax collections in the month of January totaled $3.03 billion, for a decrease of $18.1 million, or 0.6%, compared to January 2025, when net tax collections totaled $3.05 billion for the month. Year-to-date, net tax revenue collections through seven months totaled roughly $19.75 billion, for an increase of 345.6 million, or 1.8%, compared to FY 2025, when net tax collections totaled almost $19.41 billion. 

02. Govenor Candidate Rick Jackson Sues Over Campaign Finance

Rick Jackson's campaign filed a lawsuit against Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Attorney General Chris Carr, and other state officials, alleging that Jones' position as incumbent lieutenant governor provides him a unique and unconstitutional advantage in raising money to support his campaign. Two other similar legal challenges filed by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s and Chris Carr’s campaigns were unsuccessful.

03. Puberty Blocker Ban Passed by Georgia Senate

Senate Republicans added two last-minute amendments to House Bill 54, which was initially aimed at increasing access to home health care and passed on Tuesday. The first, by Sen. Ben Watson, R-Savannah, would ban doctors from prescribing puberty blockers to minors with gender dysphoria. The second, by Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, would prevent Georgia’s health insurance from covering gender-affirming care for state employees and dependents and block state hospitals from providing such care. This language mirrors Senate Bill 39, approved in 2025 but not voted on by the House. 

04. Senate Passes Personal Income Tax Reduction Package

Georgia state senators passed four bills reducing the state income tax on Thursday, rapidly advancing the legislative package to the House.

• SB 476 deducts $50,000 from individual filers and $100,000 from joint filers’ taxable income. It sunsets all income tax credits by 2032 and repeals many credits to fund the tax cuts.
  
• SB 477 reduces the personal income tax from 5.19% to 4.99% in 2026, 4.49% in 2027, and 3.99% in 2028, unless revenue decreases. The corporate tax drops to 4.99%.
  
• The Senate Finance Committee replaced HB 134 and HB 463 proposals with SB 476 and SB 477 to avoid procedural issues, as budget laws must originate in the House.
  

05. DeKalb County Could Close 27 Schools

The DeKalb County School District released a list of nearly three dozen schools on Thursday morning that could be closed or repurposed. Administrators say hard choices have to be made to address declining employment. They report that over the last decade, they have lost 20,000 students. The decisions to close or change schools have not been finalized. The school district says the list is just a potential scenario.

Originally posted by MCO Group on February 6th, 2026

The Georgia General Assembly convened on Monday, February 2nd, for legislative day ten and will complete legislative day fourteen today, Friday, February 6th.  The General Assembly will be in recess for the weekend and will reconvene Monday, February 9th for day fifteen, and will be in session for four days next week, completing day eighteen on Thursday, February 12th. 

01. Governor’s $37.7B 2026 Budget Passes House

Georgia Representatives overwhelmingly passed Gov. Brian Kemp's $37.7B fiscal 2026 state budget, 171-4, on Tuesday, a spending plan that prioritizes prisons and education. The budget is smaller than the record $40.5 billion fiscal 2025 mid-year budget lawmakers passed last week, which used $2.7 billion of the state's $16 billion surplus. The 2026 spending plan, which takes effect July 1, does not count on surplus funding, a recognition that economic headwinds likely lie ahead. 

02. Business Owner Rick Jackson Enters Governor’s Race

Health care business owner Rick Jackson announced his Republican run for governor in Georgia on Tuesday. Jackson, 71, is vying with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who has already been endorsed by President Donald Trump, as well as with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich backed Jackson, who is pledging to spend $50 million of his own money on his campaign.

03. 11th Congressional District Rep. Announces Retirement

Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., who represents the 11th Congressional District, announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to a seventh term. He is at least the 29th Republican to announce plans not to seek re-election at the end of the current term, part of a broader wave of departures from the House. Twenty-one House Democrats have also announced they will not seek re-election

04. Trump Endorses Clay Fuller to Fill Rep. Greene’s Congressional Seat

President Trump said he endorsed Clay Fuller, the former district attorney of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, to fill former U.S. Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene’s 14th Congressional District seat. Fuller finished fourth in the 2020 Republican primary that Greene won before being appointed as district attorney in 2023 and winning a full term in 2024. 

05. Chief Justice Nels S.D. Peterson Delivers State of the Judiciary Address

Chief Justice Nels S.D. Peterson delivered the State of the Judiciary address to the General Assembly this week in the House chambers of the Capitol. The Chief Justice addressed several topics, emphasizing the importance of an independent judiciary and the preservation of the rule of law.

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