Peach State politicos broke fast and talked shop earlier today at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Eggs & Issues Breakfast, an event signaling the start of Georgia's legislative hustle. Governor Brian Kemp used the stage to lay out his blueprint for keeping the state in the vanguard of business-friendly locales.
According to FOX5 Atlanta, Kemp's laundry list of priorities includes a legislative package heavy on pro-business measures, with insurance reform and funding sprees for infrastructure and transportation projects designed to give Georgia's freight system a competitive edge. One of the highlights at the breakfast, Kemp underscored his mission to reinforce Georgia as a paradise for commerce, echoing his dedication to "stand for free enterprise, job creation, economic growth, and pro-business policies" for the duration of his tenure.
But it's not all roads and regulations. Kemp has a soft spot for boosting Georgia's healthcare workforce. Reported by Atlanta News First, the governor announced his proposal to plunk down hundreds of millions on new medical and dental schools at two state universities. Georgia Southern University would get the first dental school in the state, and the University of Georgia is pegged to expand its medical school, addressing the health professional shortage with a spate of new white coats.
Water and sewer infrastructure projects are also on Kemp's agenda, geared toward fertilizing growth and luring businesses. Echoing his earlier pledge to curb lawsuits, which he claims are hiking up insurance premiums, Kemp announced, "I look forward to introducing legislation this year that will reflect my priorities to stabilize the market for insurers, stabilize premiums for Georgia’s families, and level the playing field in our courtrooms so we can continue to create even more quality, good-paying jobs." House Speaker Jon Burns also chimed in, suggesting that election legislation is on the table, including stripping QR codes from ballots to strip voter confusion.
The annual suit-and-tie grub fest hosted by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce wasn't all eggs and applause, though. These policy teases set the scene for Kemp's State of the State Address, where Georgians expect the governor to dive deeper into his grand plan for the Peach State's prosperous horizon.
