Educational Freedom Tax Credit + Budget Week

This week was Budget Week under the Gold Dome, and the House was hard at work planning to deliver another fiscally conservative, balanced budget for the people of Georgia.

Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees heard testimony from each state agency head about the successes and challenges they are facing within their departments. One thing was made abundantly clear—Georgia’s leaders have made the strategic investments we need to keep our state strong, resilient, and prosperous, all while saving taxpayers billions of dollars.

This year, we are committed to putting more money back in the pockets of hardworking Georgians, while continuing to make investments where they matter most.

Thanking the Joint Appropriations Committee for their hard work developing a balanced, fiscally responsible budget for the people of Georgia

Federal Educational Freedom Tax Credit

Our children are our future, and their future depends on their ability to get a quality education–whether that’s in our public school classrooms, private schools, or at home.

That’s why I was proud to join Governor Kemp on Tuesday as he opted Georgia into a historic federal educational freedom tax credit. For nearly two decades, Georgia’s student scholarship organization tax credit program has helped thousands of students and families pursue the educational options that best fit their needs.

Now, for the first time, Georgia’s taxpayers will have the ability to receive federal and state tax credits for their contributions to student scholarship organizations. This means that more resources will flow directly to students who need them most, creating more opportunities and empowering more families to make the best educational decisions for their children.

Joining Governor Kemp and state leaders to celebrate Georgia’s participation in the federal educational freedom tax credit

Georgia Literacy Coach Training

Last week, Dayle had the opportunity to attend a Georgia literacy coach training at Kindezi Old Fourth Ward School in Atlanta.

Literacy coaches are critical to our mission to ensure every child can read proficiently. Their expertise, knowledge, and tailored support make a meaningful difference in the lives of Georgia’s children every day. That’s why the House will put forward a plan to place a literacy coach in each K-3 elementary school across the state, taking another step toward giving our children every opportunity to succeed.

Dayle pictured with Dr. April Aldridge, Julillian Davis, Dr. Nik Philmon, and Steph Byrd at the Georgia Department of Education’s literacy coach training

Severe winter weather is expected to impact much of the state over the weekend. Please take this time to prepare, and make sure to tune in to your trusted local news sources for updates.

You can learn more about the resources available to you and your families, or find information about how to prepare for winter weather at https://gema.georgia.gov/winter.

Stay safe, everyone!

My best,
Speaker Jon Burns