Tillery: Week 7 Under the Gold Dome
Crossover Day is almost here, which means we are working quickly to move Senate legislation to the House before the March 6 deadline. The days before Crossover are always long, but we remain focused on getting conservative priorities to the finish line.
First, I want to welcome our new Republican colleague, Sen. Steven McNeel of Macon. He will serve families from Fort Valley to Forsyth, and I am glad to have another strong conservative voice at the Capitol.
This week, we sent the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to the Governor for his signature. This budget maintains Georgia’s strong reserves while responsibly returning surplus dollars to the taxpayers who earned them. We are protecting our financial foundation while providing relief.
Our financial stewardship has delivered substantial tax relief without raising other taxes or expanding government.
Budget highlights include: e biggest winners: Georgia tax payers. They see over $2 billion returned to their pockets. This budget brings over $1.17 billion in income tax relief, continuing our long-term effort to lower the tax burden on Georgia families and $850 million in property tax relief, helping homeowners offset rising housing costs.
More than $400 million to con struct Georgia’s first new state forensic mental health hospital in over six decades.
$2,000 one-time pay supplement for state employees and teachers.
$100 million for state retirees to as sist in triggering a COLA.
The investment in a new forensic mental health hospital addresses a longstanding public safety issue. For too many years, county jails have functioned as de facto mental health facilities. This project will allow eligible individuals to receive appropriate treatment while reducing strain on local law enforcement and county resources.
In addition to passing a balanced budget, we passed Senate Bill 392, the “Waste Reduction Act of 2026.” This bill uses zero-based budgeting to require state agencies to be fully transparent about their spending and to justify their purchases at least once every eight years. SB 392 will improve government financial efficiency and ensure that your taxpayer dollars go only toward what is necessary.
We also moved forward on important public safety and education measures. Senate Bill 433, “Rio’s Law,” strengthens protections for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. This bill allows for a voluntary emblem on license plates denoting the driver has autism or a developmental issue. This would help law enforcement when encountering such citizens and promote safer interactions across our communities.
I also introduced a bill to slow the corporate ownership of households. Senate Bill 576. My goal is to stabilize the housing market and give young families an opportunity to become owners rather than renters. I will provide updates as this legislation advances.
I was also joined in the Capitol this week by my friends from the Jeff Davis and Toombs County Board of Education. We had students from Toombs, Wheeler and Montgomery County schools visit for FFA and 4-H Days. We also were greeted by many families who came up to participate in civics clubs and learn more about governments and our State Capitol. While the work is constant and the meetings are often brief, I’m always so glad to see folks from home at the Capitol.
As we approach Crossover Day, Senate Republicans remain focused on delivering results that strengthen the economy, protect our communities and help you keep more of your hard-earned income. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your thoughts or concerns as we continue through the second half of the 2026 Legislative Session.
Sen. Blake Tillery serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. He represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Bacon, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Wayne and Wheeler counties, as well as a portion of Coffee County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-5038 or by email at Blake.Tillery@ senate.ga.gov.
By Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia)
