Tillery: Week One Under the Gold Dome
The first week of the 2026 Legislative Session is already complete. We’ve got a lot of work ahead, and I’m focused on getting results that matter to the people who earn a paycheck every week. This year, I am honored to continue serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, where we will help set the state’s amended budget for 2026 and the budget for the 2027 Fiscal Year. Georgia’s careful, conservative budgeting has put us in a strong position, and we’re not about to throw that away.
On January 15, Governor Brian Kemp addressed the Senate and the House, laying out his vision for the 2026 Legislative Session in his final State of the State Address. His agenda includes: Returning another $1 billion to the taxpayers, marking the fourth return in four years; Commitments to further raise teach er pay and prioritize school safety; and Additional investments into trans portation infrastructure.
Senate Republicans understand that affordability isn’t an abstract policy debate. It’s about whether a family can afford groceries, pay their bills and still have something left at the end of the month. That’s why our priorities align with Governor Kemp’s focus on lowering everyday costs, holding the line on utility rates and advancing reforms that are already bringing down insurance premiums. These are real savings Georgians feel at the checkout line and will help families breathe easier, plan ahead and keep more of what they earn.
Over the interim, I chaired the Senate Special Committee on Eliminating the State Income Tax. The question wasn’t whether getting rid of the income tax makes sense, it was how to do it the right way.
Our proposal would exempt the first $50,000 of individual filers’ income and $100,000 of joint filers’ income from being taxed. This would eliminate the state income tax for about two-thirds of hardworking Georgians on day one, giving the average citizen the equivalent of a five percent raise. Georgia is well-positioned to implement our proposal, and I look forward to discussing our recommendations further in the coming weeks.
Starting next week, state agencies will present their needs and priorities for the Amended FY 2026 Budget to carry us through the remainder of the fiscal year. This process is critical to passing a balanced budget and funding the needs of our state.
It remains an honor to serve under the Gold Dome, and I look forward to another Legislative Session. I will continue to advocate for a safer, more affordable state for all Georgians, and I encourage you to contact my office with any questions, comments or concerns.
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)
