Gov. Kemp calls for tort reform in State of the State address

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp delivered his annual State of the State address at the Gold Dome Thursday morning. The Governor emphasized school safety, tort reforms, and fiscal conservatism.

Before Kemp began his speech, State Senator Colton Moore was arrested. Moore attempted to enter the House Chamber after he was banned in 2024. In a speech, Moore called Ralston “one of the most corrupt Georgia leaders we’ll ever see.” Moore also claimed Ralston improperly delayed court cases he handled as a lawyer. 

Here are the three takeaways from inside the House Chamber.

Tort Reform is top of mind for some Georgia Republicans 

Governor Kemp spent a significant time discussing his desire for tort reform. Georgia Republicans believe stopping frivolous lawsuits would lead to lower insurance rates for businesses and consumers.

Last year, Governor Kemp worked with the General Assembly to pass House Bill 1114. It allowed Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King to gather data and information on Georgia’s insurance industry. They concluded reforms could be made to stabilize insurance costs, expand choices, and prevent more insurance carriers from leaving Georgia. 

“It’s abundantly clear that the status quo isn’t working,” Kemp said. “And a failure to act on meaningful tort reform will continue to put Georgians and their livelihoods in serious jeopardy. For some that I met, the cost of insurance has threatened their ability to operate.”

Since then, Republicans have targeted attorneys and the public for going after high dollar remedies or judgements. However, the problems may lie within the insurance companies themselves. Coupled with their outright refusal to negotiate with their customers without being dragged into a courtroom. 

“There is a Republican Georgia, which has only valued corporate interests and profits. And there is a Georgia where hardworking folks work two and three jobs but still struggle to pay their bills, afford good housing, afford better medical care or take care of their family members in their time of need,” Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones said in the official Democratic response. 

Thursday, Kemp intimated he might call a special session in order to fully address tort reform. 

“But I also want to be very clear, there’s always room for compromise,” Kemp explained. “But there will be no room for excuses, half measures or failure. Whether it is this legislative session or perhaps a second one later this year, we will achieve meaningful, impactful tort reform.”

Governor Kemp wants more tax cuts

Governor Kemp is echoing sentiments made by the larger Republican Party: limited government, low taxes, and loosening restrictions on businesses. Last year, the Georgia income tax rate fell to a rate of 5.39%. During his speech, Kemp proposed a cut of 20 basis points (0.20%) to bring Georgia’s flat income tax rate 5.19%. Kemp said this move saves Georgians $7.5 billion over the next 10 years. 

“Because at the end of the day, that’s your money, not the government’s,” explained Kemp. “And here in Georgia, we believe you should keep more of it. Our conservative budgeting and balanced approach to taxes and spending are just some of the reasons that we’ve been named the top state for business for 11 years in a row, which is absolutely unprecedented.”

In October 2024, Governor Kemp announced a third round of income tax rebates. His proposals would return $250 to single tax filers, $375 to head-of-household filers, and $500 to married couples filing jointly.

Democrats cite the $16 billion surplus Governor Kemp means nothing. They point to the Georgia GOP’s unwillingness to modernize the state’s education funding formula and healthcare issues.

“Governor Kemp is bragging in his State of the State Address about Georgia’s multi-billion dollar budget surplus,” said the Democratic Party of Georgia in a statement. “This is the same surplus he bragged about while refusing to fund a program to feed hungry Georgia kids over summer break. That’s who Kemp is: hoarding resources to brag about his bottom line while deliberately under-investing in Georgia.”

The State of Georgia has $5.5 billion in its rainy day fund and $11 billion in other surpluses. 

Governor Kemp insists Georgia Pathways works; rejects Medicaid expansion

During his speech, Governor Kemp said Georgia Access and Georgia Pathways is covering over 1.5 million people across the state.

“And I’m going to keep repeating this until I’m blue in the face,” Kemp said. “Even though many in the media don’t want to hear it. We’re covering well over 200,000 more Georgians than traditional Medicaid expansion. And those Georgians are on better plans that deliver better coverage, and lead to better healthcare outcomes for them and their families.”

Democrats did not applaud any of Kemp’s claims because Pathways has blown through $40 million while failing to expand Medicaid. They believe his version of Medicaid is an abomination.

“Governor Kemp clearly recognizes ‘Pathways’ is a total flop, and leaving thousands of Georgians without coverage who would receive it if he simply agreed to full Medicaid expansion is unacceptable,” said Democratic Party of Georgia spokesman Dave Hoffman. “Georgians are sick – literally – of Governor Kemp’s half measures that fail to improve health care in our state.”

The topics Governor Kemp failed to mention during The State of The State

Notably, Governor Kemp did not mention the state’s maternal mortality rates. Plus, Kemp did not voice support of the state’s six-week abortion ban. Dr. Kathleen Toomey, the head of Georgia’s Department of Health, dismissed members of a state committee investigating pregnancy-related maternal deaths. That move came after the deaths of Amber Nicole Thurman and Candi Miller were made public. The news was first reported by ProPublica. Their report specifies Dr. Toomey said the individual that shared the information violated state law and confidentiality agreements. 

“Brian Kemp’s abortion ban has made it dangerous to practice medicine or even have a child in Georgia,” said Democratic Party of Georgia spokesperson Ellie Schwartz. “As Brian Kemp’s political choices repel qualified doctors from Georgia, rather than admit a mistake, he’s content to let Georgia’s women and families suffer the consequences.”

Kemp also did not make mention of the transgender sports ban. Similar bills have been championed by Republicans in both chambers at the General Assembly. Notably, the first bill debated in the Georgia Senate would keep boys from participating in girls teams. The bill also defines a student’s sex as what is on their birth certificate.

Photo Gallery inside the State of the State