Tillery: Weeks four and five under the Gold Dome

Crossover Day is coming up, and things are moving quickly under the Gold Dome.

In addition to passing bills on the floor, I’ve spent most of this week in Appropriations subcommittee meetings, going line by line through the House’s changes to the budget. That’s the part most folks don’t see. We’re reviewing every adjustment to make sure it makes sense and that we’re spending taxpayer dollars the right way. Careful budgeting is why Georgia is in the financial shape it’s in today.

This week was also Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol. It’s always good to see farmers and producers in the building. Agriculture is still our state’s number one industry, and the policies we pass, especially tax and budget decisions, directly affect the people who grow our food and keep rural Georgia strong.

Because we’ve kept the budget in check, we’re able to move forward with meaningful tax relief.

Income Tax Relief – SB 476 & SB 477

Both of my tax bills passed the Senate this week:

SB 476 eliminates state income tax on the first $50,000 for individuals and eliminates state income tax on the first $100,000 for married couples. Those making over $100,000 would see an approximate $5,000 reduction in their state income tax.  Under this legislation, about 64% of Georgia taxpayers would pay no state income tax.  We didn’t raise any other taxes to achieve this- we simply cut 29 corporate tax exemptions and credits and prioritized people over big business.

SB 477 reduces the income tax rate by 1 full percentage point over 3 years and continues the drop from 6% in 2017 to 5.19% today, with a path to 4.99%. It locks in long-term, structural tax relief, with the simple goal of letting people keep more of what they earn.

Education – SB 150

This bill extends the retired teacher return-to-work program and helps schools bring experienced teachers back when they need them

Protecting Our Children

HB 54 prevents irreversible gender procedures for minors.  It also includes my Senate Bill 39 that stops taxpayer dollars from being used for transgender surgeries.

Medicaid Oversight

SB 460 strengthens eligibility verification and cuts down on misuse and protects the program for those who truly qualify.

SB 461 puts Medicaid oversight fully under the Department of Community Health and improves accountability.

There’s still a lot of work ahead before Crossover Day, but our focus hasn’t changed. We’ll keep spending responsibly, protect taxpayers, and make sure Georgia stays strong.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to serve. Reach out anytime with your thoughts or concerns.