This week marked the beginning of the 2026 Legislative Session, and we have officially finished five days of legislative business. This year, I am honored to continue serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, where I can support legislation and policies that will defend our first responders and protect the hardworking people on the frontlines.
Meanwhile, your Georgia Senate has immediately hit the ground running. On January 15, Governor Brian Kemp addressed the Senate and the House, laying out a bold vision for the 2026 Legislative Session in his State of the State Address. His agenda is aimed at investing in transportation infrastructure across Georgia, improving teacher retention, and returning another $1 billion to taxpayers. These tax cuts alone will provide individual filers with $250 and married, joint filers with $500. Over the past 7 years, this will bring us close to $10 billion in tax rebates and cuts while we continue reducing the state income tax rate to help our families and small businesses.
We will see additional support for education and school safety, which will contribute to a better-trained, more efficient workforce. All in all, the Governor and Legislature are prioritizing economic development and affordability across numerous sectors and industries, and I am committed to realizing those goals.
Senate Republicans understand that affordability isn’t an abstract policy debate. It’s about whether a family can afford groceries, pay their bill and still have something left at the end of the month. That’s why our priorities align with Governor Kemp’s focus on lowering everyday costs, holding the line on utility rates and advancing reforms that are already bringing down insurance premiums. These are real savings Georgians feel at the checkout line and will help families breathe easier, plan ahead and keep more of what they earn.
While Democrats push short-sighted proposals they know will never pass, Republicans are delivering real, tangible changes that strengthen our economy and give families meaningful flexibility. In an era defined by Democrat-driven financial strain, nothing is worse than a broken promise. That’s why Republicans will continue doing the work to clean up the mess left by negligent federal policies and the costly effects of Bidenflation.
As we work to uphold the American Dream, I am proud to sponsor Senate Bill 392, the “Zero-Based Budgeting Act.” With zero-based budgeting, every dollar of spending must be justified from the beginning of the budget process, rather than repeating last year’s spending. SB 392 would bring the same common-sense budgeting practices used by Georgia families into state government. It requires us to take a kitchen-table approach and look at where we can cut back. I believe it is crucial that we continue to ask hard questions and prioritize what truly matters if we want our history of sound budgeting to endure.
It remains an honor to serve under the Gold Dome, and I look forward to another Legislative Session. I will continue to advocate for a safer, more affordable state for all Georgians, and I encourage you to contact my office with any questions, comments or concerns.
Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton counties. He may be reached by phone at (404) 463-8055 or by email at [email protected].
