Media release from the Georgia Senate Press Office:
By: Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R–Rome)
With just one week left under the Gold Dome, we are fulfilling our responsibility to lower costs, protect your family and make sure Georgia continues to lead in responsible government.
Let’s be honest, what you’re seeing in Georgia stands in stark contrast to what’s happening in Washington. While others continue to spend recklessly, raise taxes and grow government, we’ve taken a different path rooted in discipline and respect for your hard-earned money.
That approach is on full display in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
This week, the Senate took up House Bill 974, a $38.5 billion budget that reflects both the strength of Georgia’s economy and our commitment to conservative financial stewardship. Unlike the federal government, which continues to rack up debt with no tangible plan to pay it back, Georgia is constitutionally required to balance its budget, and we do it the right way.
At the district level, I’m proud to share that this budget would include funding for two higher education institutions in Rome. $1.3 million will go toward new equipment and renovations for the Lakeview Nursing and Dental Hygiene building at Georgia Highlands College, and more than $13 million will go toward new construction at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Both institutions produce spectacular leaders, and I’m proud to see the state invest in our corner of the state.
We are making targeted investments in education, including $70 million to place a literacy coach in every K-3 classroom. That’s a strategic investment in our state’s future workforce. We’re also expanding the Georgia PROMISE Scholarship to give families more options and more control over their child’s education, because we trust parents, not bureaucracies, to make those decisions.
While some on the left continue to push one-size-fits-all education policies, we are empowering families with real choices and real opportunities. We’re also standing by the people who have dedicated their lives to public service. By contributing $100 million to the Employees’ Retirement System, we are ensuring that Georgia’s retirees can remain here, continue contributing to our communities and live with the dignity they’ve earned.
We are continuing to cut through government overreach and protect your wallet through a variety of measures that have also passed through the Senate this week.
At the same time, we are making practical, common-sense updates to keep Georgia the best place to live and do business. House Bill 1112 allows businesses to round to the nearest five cents as pennies are phased out, a small but meaningful step to reduce inefficiencies and reflect the realities of today’s economy.
We are also continuing to stand up for Georgia’s rural communities and the industries that keep them strong. The Keep Georgia Forested Act supports our forestry manufacturers, protects jobs and helps stabilize an industry that has been hit hard by economic pressures and storm damage. This session, we’ve made sure that every corner of Georgia, from our largest cities to our smallest towns, has a path forward.
Finally, I want to update you on the progress of several bills that I am either sponsoring in the Senate or am carrying from the House as we approach the end of the session:
- Senate Bill 195 passed out of the Senate this week and is on its way to Gov. Kemp’s desk to be signed into law. This is a commonsense healthcare bill that allows pharmacists to dispense HIV tests and prevention medication for patients who believe they may have been exposed or are already experiencing symptoms.
- Senate Bill 566, a bill I passed out of the Senate on Crossover Day, has now passed the House and is coming back to the Senate for final consideration. Tackling housing costs remains a big priority for me, and this bill takes us a step in the right direction by clarifying exactly what you are being taxed on and whether you are eligible for exemptions. Georgia homeowners should not be at risk of accidentally undervaluing their homes due to a lack of information. This is a commonsense bill that I look forward to passing before the end of this legislative session.
As we approach our final legislative day, I encourage you to stay engaged and reach out with any questions or concerns. Your voice matters, and it continues to shape the work we do here under the Gold Dome.
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Sen. Chuck Hufstetler serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. He represents the 52nd Senate District, which includes portions of Bartow, Floyd and Gordon counties. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0034 or by email at Chuck.Hufstetler@senate.ga.gov.
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