Priorities
Where I Stand
Education | Tax Cuts | Healthcare
During my service to you in the Georgia House of Representatives, I have championed continued fiscal responsibility in the State’s budget and spending, meaningful tax reform (including passing the largest tax cuts in Georgia’s history), multiple teacher pay raises, school safety and literacy initiatives, backing public safety from all possible angles, supporting historic mental health initiatives, and strengthening healthcare through expanded medical residency opportunities and greater transparency in billing.
This year, my agenda continues to build on last year’s historic tax cuts, reductions in insurance premiums, cost-saving measures, education initiatives, and investments in healthcare. My goal remains delivering results that make everyday life more affordable for Georgia families.
At the end of the day, my priorities are your priorities. I am here to listen and apply the knowledge I learn from you directly to my work at the Capitol. I am not taking my eyes off what the citizens of Hall County have told me matters most, and I’m laser-focused on making life more affordable for our fellow Georgians. I will continue championing commonsense solutions that keep more money in the pockets of hardworking Georgians and create a better, brighter future for each of my neighbors.
Tax Cuts
Affordability is not a buzzword with me — it is a rallying cry. I believe every Georgian has the right to the best quality of life possible. In recent years, I have helped return $10 billion into the pockets of Georgia taxpayers through income tax reductions, meaningful property tax relief, suspension of the gas tax and tax rebates.
I proudly supported two of the largest State income tax cuts in Georgia history. In addition, I helped sponsor a bill to eliminate the homestead property tax for all Georgians. With a laser focus to put hardworking Georgians first, I’ll continue my efforts to make Georgia the best state to live, work, and raise a family.
Education
Education remains a central priority of mine. As Chairman of the House K-12 Budget Committee, I oversee the state’s largest investment, ensuring our 1.8 million students have the tools to succeed in a safe environment. During my four years in this role, I have included more than $500 million in the state’s budget to strengthen school safety, expand access to student mental health services, and provide schools with additional tools to support students and staff. In addition I have supported HB340 which is a bill to help promote learning by eliminating cell phone usage at school in grades K-8, and we are looking to expand into the high schools this year.
Last, but certainly not least, I am helping develop a comprehensive plan to address elementary school literacy rates. Only 1 in 3 children in Georgia can read proficiently by the end of third grade. This year, I am leading an unprecedented push to fund reading coaches in every elementary school, providing hands-on support for students in the classroom with plans to expand support at home.
Healthcare
Expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare has been and will continue to be a top priority for me. Georgia can’t address healthcare access and affordability without ensuring we address our state’s healthcare workforce shortage. That’s why I continue to pursue opportunities that further expand medical residency opportunities to ensure doctors can train here, want to stay here, and serve communities in every corner of the state. In addition, I have voted in favor of a bill to require clear, upfront healthcare billing as well as a bill that helped mandate that mental health be treated just like physical health.
Backing the Badge
Our law enforcement officials and first responders answer the call of duty and bravely serve on the front line each and every day to protect the lives and livelihoods of all Georgians. I have supported Back the Badge legislation which increases punishment of individuals who commit certain crimes against public safety officers. I have also helped to pass House Bill 838 (known as the Peace Officers Bill of Rights) which creates a new crime of bias-motivated intimidation, which would apply to the death or serious bodily injury of a police officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician. I have helped to provide pay supplements and pay raises for all eligible sworn law enforcement officials and first responders in Georgia. I secured additional resources for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s medical examiner and crime lab offices, ensuring that we can clear backlogs and provide justice to Georgians. Finally I helped create a pathway for local law enforcement foundations so that citizens can receive a tax credit for backing the badge. I proudly back the badge and will always support our law enforcement and first responders.
Second Amendment Rights
Supporting the Second Amendment is about defending a fundamental constitutional right and respecting the values of the people I represent. Protecting an individual’s ability to responsibly keep and bear arms is a right closely tied to personal freedom and limited government. I believe in gun ownership for protection, hunting, and sport, and I support policies that uphold this constitutional freedom while encouraging responsible ownership, safety training, and proper screenings to ensure that law-abiding citizens are not unfairly restricted in exercising this right.