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January 28, 2026

Rep. Eddie Lumsden – Week 2 Legislative Report: Highlights Georgia “Budget Week,” Kemp Proposals, and Weather Preparations

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State Rep. Eddie Lumsden, a Republican from Armuchee, who represents Chattooga County and part of Floyd County, says the second week of the Georgia legislative session focused on “budget week,” as lawmakers reviewed Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposals for the amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget and the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Lumsden highlighted a proposed one-time $1 billion tax rebate, a $2,000 supplement for state employees and school personnel, investments in rural economic development and timber industry recovery, increased funding for higher education and HOPE scholarships, and the creation of the state’s first need-based aid program through the DREAMS scholarship. He also noted funding for behavioral health housing support, public safety, transportation projects, and workforce development, along with updates on Georgia’s revenue outlook and preparations for winter weather, including a statewide State of Emergency. Lumsden said budget subcommittees will continue their work in the coming weeks and encouraged constituents to stay informed and engaged. See his complete report below:

January 24, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Kemp Opts Georgia Into New Federal Tax Credit for Private School Scholarships

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Georgians will soon have another way to support private school students—and receive the money back through tax credits—after Gov. Brian Kemp opted Georgia into a new federal scholarship tax credit program tied to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

January 22, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Rep. Eddie Lumsden Recaps Week One Under the Gold Dome as 2026 Session Begins

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State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R–Armuchee) says the Georgia House returned to Atlanta on January 12 to open the 2026 legislative session, beginning the second regular session of the 158th General Assembly. Lumsden noted the week included recognition of the newly restored House Chamber and adoption of the session calendar, with the 40-day session scheduled to end April 2, known as Sine Die. He also highlighted Governor Brian Kemp’s priorities shared at the Georgia Chamber’s Eggs & Issues Breakfast, including transportation spending proposals, a one-time natural gas infrastructure fund, and a Homeless Response Grant tied to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta. Lumsden said Kemp’s final State of the State Address focused on tax relief, cost-of-living issues, education and workforce training, school safety, and public safety priorities, including efforts to combat human trafficking and gang-related crime. The week concluded with a Celebration of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Lumsden said lawmakers returned after the holiday for “budget week,” when agencies outline funding needs to appropriations committees. You can see the complete legislative report below:

January 20, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Kemp Proposes $1.8 Billion Expansion of I-75 Toll Lanes to Ease Metro Atlanta Gridlock

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Gov. Brian Kemp says Georgia should invest $1.8 billion to relieve one of metro Atlanta’s most notorious traffic choke points by expanding toll express lanes on Interstate 75 in the southern suburbs. The proposal would add a lane in each direction along a heavily congested stretch in Henry and Clayton counties, where 12 miles of reversible express lanes already operate, and Kemp argues the change could boost traffic throughput on I-75 by as much as 70% as congestion surges back after the pandemic-era lull.

Kemp pitched the plan during the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as part of a broader request for $2.4 billion in additional infrastructure spending, funded through an amendment to the current year’s budget using Georgia’s surplus cash. The package also includes $200 million to continue upgrades along Georgia 316, $250 million for local road improvements, $100 million aimed at bridges and rural communities, and $35 million to extend natural gas lines in rural areas.

January 20, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Gov. Kemp Budget Plan Highlights Pay Supplement, DREAMS Scholarships, and Major Investments for UGA

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Governor Brian Kemp used his final State of the State address last week to roll out his recommendations for Georgia’s amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget and the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, calling for major investments aimed at affordability, student opportunity, workforce development, and public higher education.

January 17, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Kemp Delivers Final State of the State, Pushing Tax Relief and Major Investments as His Last-Lap Agenda Takes Shape

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Gov. Brian Kemp delivered his final State of the State address this week at the Georgia Capitol, using the annual speech to lay out what he wants lawmakers to prioritize as he enters the home stretch of his second term. In front of a joint session of the General Assembly, Kemp struck an upbeat tone about Georgia’s economy and growth, while arguing the next set of decisions should center on affordability for families, long-term competitiveness for the state, and keeping Georgia “open for business” in a changing national landscape.

January 16, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Kemp at Eggs & Issues: Affordability First, Big Transportation Spending, Energy Reliability, Workforce Pathways, and a New Homelessness Grant

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Governor Brian Kemp delivered the closing address at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs & Issues event earlier this week, outlining what he described as his top legislative and budget priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session.

December 29, 2025

by WZQZ NEWS

Field Swells to 20 Candidates in Special Election Race for Northwest Georgia’s 14th District

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The race to replace U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene continues to grow, with four more Republicans filing paperwork, bringing the total to 20 candidates registered with the Federal Election Commission so far.

February 16, 2024

by Jimmy Holbrook

Governor Kemp Announces Export Numbers For 2023

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This week, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in announcing that the state surpassed $49.7 billion in exports in 2023, eclipsing the record-setting $47 billion in 2022. The state currently ranks seventh in the U.S. for dollar value of trade, facilitating more than $186 billion in total trade to 222 unique countries and territories, and 12th in the country for dollar value of exports.