COLUMN: Ginn: Investing in Families, Veterans and the Future of Georgia

By: Sen. Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville)

Georgia is following through on its promise to support hardworking families and our nation's heroes in its newest budget. I'm proud to highlight two key bills I supported this session, House Bill 68 and House Bill 266, that ensure Georgia's gratitude isn't just spoken, but written into law.

House Bill 68 is our balanced Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget, which began July 1 this year. Passing the state budget is our most important job in the General Assembly. It's how we decide what matters most to Georgia families while making sure our tax dollars are put to good use.

Keeping a balanced budget has always been a priority at work and at home. When I served as Franklin County's manager and city manager for the cities of Royston and Sugar Hill, I made sure that every dollar going out was accounted for and covered by a dollar coming in. This precise budgeting helped me continue delivering essential services to the communities I served while cutting unnecessary areas of spending. That experience taught me a simple truth: you can't print money at the local level, and you certainly can't spend what you don't have. I bring that same mindset to the Capitol. In the Georgia Legislature, we make smart, responsible daily decisions that keep our state financially strong.

Our budget invests in the core services our state depends on, including education, public safety and economic development, while keeping spending in check. This year's budget contains $37.7 billion in state funding and supports our state's infrastructure, correctional facilities and mental health policy while also focusing on retirees, educators, first responders and many more.

Our legislative body has prioritized conservative thinking in building this budget, ensuring we can still invest in our priorities without raising taxes and placing new burdens on hardworking people.

These investments mean more support for our local schools, more tools for law enforcement in Barrow, Jackson, Madison, and Clarke counties, and more opportunities for families who call northeast Georgia home. Whether it's upgrading public safety infrastructure or creating pathways for student success, this budget delivers resources that will have a real impact from Braselton to Danielsville to Athens.

We're showing gratitude to our nation's heroes this Independence Day by delivering financial relief. With House Bill 266, we've eliminated the state income tax on military retirement pay. That's a big win for Georgia, especially in Northeast Georgia, where many veterans already work in businesses across the district, invest in fellow businesses with their hard-earned pay, and serve in their communities. We want those veterans to stay in Georgia and continue to build their lives with the confidence that the state will support them.

This bill also helps bring more veterans and their families to our state, which is good for business and our growing communities. Lastly, this legislation offers a new tax incentive for those who donate to law enforcement foundations. These organizations support officer training, equipment upgrades, mental health services, and family assistance programs. This legislation and our state budget endorse our veterans and first responders. Georgia backs the blue, supports our veterans, and is leading by example.

As always, it's an honor to serve the people of the 47^th Senate District. As the legislative interim continues, I'll keep listening to your concerns, working hard on your behalf, and doing my part to keep Georgia the best place to live, work and raise a family.

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Sen. Frank Ginn represents the 47^th Senate District, which includes Madison County and portions of Barrow, Clarke, and Jackson County. He can be reached at (404) 656-4700 or by email at [email protected].

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