Press release, 2021 January 15

ICYMI: Governor Kemp Delivers State of the State Address
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For Immediate Release Friday, January 15, 2021
ICYMI: Governor Kemp Delivers State of the State Address
Atlanta Journal Constitution: In his own words: Governor's comments today on state of education in Georgia (ajc.com) The state was proactive and aggressive in easing the overwhelming challenges that faced teachers and administrators last year, including allocating $30 million to help ensure student connectivity, slashing the requirements on testing, allocating $19 million to support childcare for working parents, and providing over 8.3 million units of PPE to school systems across our state. But the daunting task of teaching Georgia's next generation in the midst of COVID-19 has been anything but easy. Read the full article here.
WSB: Gov. Brian Kemp calls for teacher bonuses, more support for educators More money could be coming for Georgia educators. Governor Brian Kemp wants to give teachers and school employees, a $1,000 bonus for their work during the pandemic. He made the announcement during his State of the State address on Thursday. "And today, I'm proud to announce that, working closely with State School Superintendent Richard Woods, the state will provide additional support to school system re-opening efforts, equating to a one-time supplement of $1,000 per teacher and other employees," Kemp said. Also in the address, Kemp said there will be no tax increases or additional budget cuts. Kemp also wants to restore more than half of the cuts made to K-12 education last year.
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ICYMI: Governor Kemp Delivers State of the State Address
"Yes, we still have challenges ahead, a virus to beat, and economy to rebuild and restore, but my fellow Georgians, the state of the state is resilient, and we will endure," Kemp said. Read the full article here.
WSAV: State of the State: Gov. Kemp outlines budget priorities after trying year In his State of the State address Thursday, Gov. Brian Kemp reflected on the trying year Georgia faced and outlined his priorities for the one ahead. He held a moment of silence for those who lost their lives to COVID-19 in the Peach State and across the nation. "Despite incredible loss and unprecedented challenges, Georgia is still standing," Kemp said, adding, "This state, while battered, is not broken. A better, brighter future is right around the corner." The first-term Republican said his top focus for 2021 will be on pandemic recovery, health care and education. "The budgets my administration will propose in the coming days will include no new cuts to state agencies and departments, no furloughs, no widespread layoffs to state employees," Kemp said, "and might I add, no new taxes to pay for it all." Read the full article here.
11 Alive: Georgia Gov. Kemp's State of State address remains upbeat Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp painted an upbeat verbal portrait of the state on Thursday while acknowledging the challenges of the pandemic in his annual "State of the State" speech to the Georgia General Assembly. "The State of the State is resilient, and we will endure," Kemp said to applause, avoiding superlatives often used by other governors while talking up successes. Kemp started his speech with a moment of silence for the 10,000-plus people who have died from COVID-19 in Georgia. Kemp didn't mention Georgia's challenges getting vaccines distributed the state has lagged behind much of the nation -- but instead highlighted that 283,000 Georgians have gotten inoculated. "There are 283,000 reasons for hope and optimism. We will get through this. We will get there, together," Kemp said. Read the full article here.
https://madmimi.com/p/2d6b811?pact=1370987-161634454-11554464864-e9fcfbc78e441538f36fffdbd8846e6bf06d18ed[1/20/2021 8:49:48 AM]

ICYMI: Governor Kemp Delivers State of the State Address
CBS Atlanta: Gov. Kemp Message In Georgia State Of The State Address: "Put 2020 In The Rear View"
Governor Brian Kemp's 2021 State of the State Address at the Georgia House of Representatives came after a tumultuous year, as he reflected on 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
"One year ago, I had no idea what we would experience in 2020," Kemp said. "When I stood at this rostrum on January 16th, 2020, I didn't know that a deadly, global pandemic was on the horizon. We didn't know that businesses would be shuttered, unemployment would skyrocket, and opportunity would slow under the weight of COVID-19."
Kemp also discussed the recent distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. "Thanks to the efforts of Operation Warp Speed, we have a miracle of modern science that is quickly being administered," he said.
He also recounted the protests and civil unrest. "In addition to the pandemic, our country faced another crisis throughout the summer and early fall of 2020. In the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, the entire nation witnessed injustice with our own eyes. I was proud to support the peaceful protests that drew the world's attention to these terrible acts, and those voices demanded change to protect the lives of every Georgian regardless of race, creed, or political preference."
Read the full article here.
Calhoun Times: Kemp highlights pandemic response, rural Georgia in State of the State message
Gov. Brian Kemp asked state lawmakers Thursday to give businesses more help dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, double down on investment in rural Georgia and build on last year's criminal justice reforms.
In a 65-minute State of the State address to a joint session of the state House and Senate, Kemp proposed expanding a tax credit the General Assembly passed last year for Georgia businesses that make personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks and gowns to manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.
"We cannot waste time in bidding wars with other states or foreign adversaries," the governor said. "No one nation should hold a monopoly on life-saving medicines and medical supplies, and we should bring these critical industries and the jobs that come with them back to America and here to Georgia."
Read the full article here.
Highlights from State of the State Address
See key moments from Governor Kemp's State of the State address in the video below.
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ICYMI: Governor Kemp Delivers State of the State Address
2021 State of the State
Press Contacts Mallory Blount - Press Secretary Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp mallory.blount@georgia.gov Tate Mitchell - Deputy Press Secretary Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp tate.mitchell@georgia.gov
2021 Office of Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp | Georgia State Capitol Web Version Preferences Forward Powered by Mad Mimi A GoDaddy company
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