Lt. Governor Burt Jones Reaffirms Commitment to Parents and Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, February 2, 2026

ATLANTA | Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones announced a priority for the 2026 Legislative Session - reaffirming his commitment to empowering parents, expanding educational opportunity, and ensuring every Georgia child has access to a high-quality education, regardless of their ZIP code. The legislation, Senate Bill 446, directs the Dept. of Revenue to maintain Georgia's permanent participation in the federal tax credit program for scholarship granting organizations, which Governor Brian Kemp opted the state into via executive action earlier this month.

"Every Georgia parent deserves the freedom to choose the educational environment that best meets their child's unique needs," said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. "As Lieutenant Governor, I have fought to put parents back in the driver's seat of their children's education - and we delivered. I was honored to join President Trump during School Choice Week in D.C. as he works to expand educational opportunities and empower parents. School choice is about opportunity, accountability, and putting students and their unique needs first. When parents are empowered, schools improve, and children succeed. Georgia is leading the way - and we're just getting started."

Under Lt. Governor Jones' leadership, Georgia achieved the most significant school choice victory in state history with the passage of SB 233, creating the Georgia Promise Scholarship in 2024. The program expanded education options for families across the state and opened new doors for students who need alternatives to traditional classrooms.

Senate Bill 446 is sponsored by Senator Clint Dixon (R - Gwinnett). This legislation codifies action taken by Governor Brian Kemp on January 20, 2026, to opt Georgia into a new federal tax credit for donations to school choice programs as outlined in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." Under Senate Bill 446, the Dept. of Revenue would be required to perpetually keep Georgia in the program.