Gov. Brian P. Kemp urges 20‑basis‑point income tax cut, comprehensive tort reform and expanded disaster relief in State of the State

Governor Brian P. Kemp told a joint session of the Georgia General Assembly that he will propose a 20‑basis‑point reduction in the state individual income tax rate and introduce a comprehensive tort‑reform package, while calling for continued state and federal support for communities damaged by Hurricane Helene.

Kemp said the move to cut the income tax rate from 5.39% to 5.19% would save Georgians an estimated $7.5 billion over the next 10 years and repeated his administration’s case for conservative budgeting and returning money to taxpayers. He also said his office will introduce legislation aimed at stabilizing insurance costs and reducing litigation burdens that, he said, threaten small businesses, hospitals and other employers.

The speech outlined why those proposals matter to Georgians still recovering from Hurricane Helene and to small businesses facing rising costs. "Tough times don't last, but tough people do," Kemp said. He described the storm's impacts — including a reported $5.5 billion in damage to farmers and timber producers…