Crossover Day is quickly approaching, and the work that benefits your pocketbook and your everyday life is well underway. Now, that work has extended beyond the walls of our Senate Chamber to the committee rooms throughout the Capitol complex.
The legislative process is complex, with many checks and balances, and for good reason. Legislation that passes in the Senate must also pass through the House. The process in both chambers is lengthy before bills reach the Governor’s desk, and even then, the Governor can veto the legislation if he feels it’s necessary.
On the Senate side, bills begin with an idea from a senator, often suggested by a constituent or a lobbyist on behalf of an organization or interest group. The bill is then drafted with the assistance of the Office of Legislative Council and delivered to the Secretary of the Senate, who reads it for the first time in the Senate chamber.
The legislation is then assigned to the appropriate committee by the Senate Committee on Assignments. Once the bill is assigned to a committee, the chairperson may bring it up for a hearing where it may be passed as introduced, amended or held.
As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries of the Utilities, I’m well aware of the importance of this role. There are many bills that are assigned to my committee for discussion. It’s up to me to decide which bills deserve discussion and those that are worthy of consideration by the full Senate.
When a bill is discussed in committee, it is either given an affirmative vote, a negative vote, or tabled for further discussion among the committee’s members. Many times, bills are amended or “perfected” before being voted out of committee. If the bill receives an affirmative vote, it then moves to the Senate Committee on Rules, which decides which bills are considered by the entire Senate.
If the bill is heard on the Senate floor, it must be passed by a majority vote. If the legislation amends our State Constitution, it must be passed by a two-thirds vote. If passed, it goes to the House and then to the Senate.
The Georgia Senate is now beginning to vote on priority legislation that will positively affect your life and your family’s life. Affordability is a major priority for the Republican Party.
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%, with the potential to further reduce that rate to 4.99% as proposed by Governor Kemp this year. This was accomplished by making tough decisions, prioritizing taxpayers, and keeping our state on a solid financial footing, even through COVID and historic inflation.
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. All taxpayers would save $5,000 in state income taxes, leaving that money in their pockets to spend as they choose.
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 hardworking families who keep our economy 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.
There are many bills currently under consideration in our committees addressing a wide variety of issues. 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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