When working people do well, Georgia does well.

Building a Fairer Economy

ACTION:

Reinstate graduated tax brackets.

Our economy should reward hard work — not just wealth. Georgia’s unemployment rate is low and our economy is growing, yet we rank ninth in the nation in income inequality. That means too many working families are still struggling to make ends meet while the wealthy get out ahead.

One big reason behind Georgia’s high level of inequality is the state’s regressive tax code. In 2022, Governor Kemp and the legislature passed a law that eliminated graduated tax brackets — the system that asked those who earn more to pay more. All Georgians now pay the same flat rate of 5.19%, whether they make $30,000 or $300,000 a year. This means working-class families now pay a larger portion of their income in taxes than millionaires do. It also means less food on the table and few opportunities for those at the margins. It’s time we fix this. I’ll fight to reinstate graduated tax brackets so that everyone pays their fair share.

Growing the Economy from the Bottom Up

ACTION:

Increase strategic investments and create an Economic Development Bank to revitalize Georgia’s cities.

There are far more Georgians in the middle and working class than there are at the very top — which means our economy grows fastest when prosperity starts at the bottom and builds its way up. But too many of our small towns and cities—and the people who live there—are being left behind in today’s economy.

Over the past decade, Georgia has attracted new residents and businesses, yet that growth hasn’t reached every corner of our state. Atlanta’s population and economy are booming, while smaller cities — especially those in South Georgia — have lost people and opportunity. This imbalance hurts everyone. Atlanta now faces overcrowding and infrastructure strain, while other communities lack the very workforce and energy that once fueled them.

Georgia’s long-term success shouldn’t depend on one metro area — it should be tied to the state’s total potential. Our state legislature needs to shift its focus from what Atlanta needs to what Georgia needs—and what Georgia needs is for small cities and towns to thrive again.

We can do this by prioritizing revitalization and increasing investments in the industries of tomorrow. Specifically, our campaign supports:

1. The creation of a Georgia Economic Development Bank — a state-level institution that invests directly in local revitalization projects. This will put people to work now and pave the way for future private investment.

2. Boosting strategic investments in industries that create good-paying jobs and enhance Georgia’s regional competitiveness, such as infrastructure, green energy, and advanced agriculture.