Gov. Kemp lays out priorities in 2025 State of the State address
Jan 16, 2025
ATLANTA (WSAV) – Gov. Brian Kemp delivered the 2025 State of the State address before a joint session of the Georgia General Assembly on Thursday.
Now in his final two years as governor, Kemp laid out his top priorities, including lowering the state income rate to 5.19%. The governor said the efforts would save Georgians $7.5 billion over the next decade.
Tort reform is another area of focus, Kemp said, making sure no unnecessary lawsuits are happening around the state. After meeting with small businesses and large corporations, the governor is expected to roll out related legislation in the coming days.
Georgia lawmakers meet for first day of 2025 legislative session
Kemp said he'll work to make sure the most vulnerable Georgians are protected by investing more than $1.2 million to help with gang prosecution and human trafficking.
Full address
Another priority, he said, is school safety, ensuring schools have enough money, grants and resources to keep students and teachers safe.
"So, let’s keep playing hard for the people who sent us here. Let’s keep putting hardworking Georgians and our state’s success first," Kemp said at the end of his speech. "Let’s avoid distractions and line up together to secure victory. I believe Georgia’s success, its prosperity, and its promise of opportunity for all, are indeed contagious. And it’s our job to keep it that way."
Kemp has served as the Peach State's 83rd governor since 2019.