ATLANTA, GA — In response to the Georgia House Appropriations Committee’s decision to reject Governor Brian Kemp’s amended FY 2026 budget, which would provide immediate income tax rebates to hardworking Georgians, Secretary of State and conservative businessman Brad Raffensperger issued the following statement:
“Thanks to the failed leadership of Joe Biden, hardworking Georgians are struggling to make ends meet. Governor Kemp’s proposed income tax rebate would immediately put cash back in the pockets of the people who earned it in the first place.
“Unfortunately, some legislators have decided they know better than the Governor who successfully led Georgia through COVID, civic unrest, and economic hardship. Instead of returning money directly to taxpayers, they want to route it through local governments, many of which are flush with cash and have contributed to the affordability crisis through runaway assessments and property tax hikes.
“I don’t know what these lawmakers are thinking, but I hope they reconsider and do the right thing for the people they serve. Georgians need relief now. Adding another layer of bureaucracy is not how you make life more affordable for Georgia families.”