James_Nov-Dec_2025_web - Flipbook - Page 51
t the start of next year,
Gov. Brian Kemp will
give his State of the State
address, and we all know
the seven words that will
come at the end: “The
state of our state is strong.” It is what
we are told every year like clockwork. But from Columbus to Savannah to the streets right outside the
Gold Dome, too many Georgians have
been left out and left behind. Democrats’ vision for Georgians is rooted
in common sense legislation that will
help every Georgian thrive, no matter
their background or zip code.
Georgia Republicans have held
power for more than two decades.
But what do they really have to show
for it? They love to say that Georgia is
the best state to do business, but ask
any working family and you’ll hear
the other side of that story:
We are one of the most dangerous states in the nation for a woman
to be pregnant, one of the hardest
states to access quality healthcare
and one of the toughest states to
afford rent or buy a home.
The 2026 General Assembly session will also be defined by budget
challenges that stem from decisions
made at the federal level. With a
federal government shutdown and
new financial responsibilities being
pushed down to the states, Georgia
will be under increased pressure to
do more with less.
So the question before us is this:
How do we meet essential needs
while maintaining our AAA bond
rating and a healthy rainy-day fund?
Our answer is rooted in smart,
responsible budgeting that prioritiz-
es people— not politics. That means
ensuring every dollar is spent wisely,
protecting our state’s fiscal health
and keeping our commitments to the
citizens we serve. We must safeguard
core services like education, healthcare and public safety while making
strategic investments that position
Georgia for long-term success.
Our vision for healthy and sustainable communities begins with
expanding Medicaid, protecting
mothers and families, and ensuring
every Georgian has access to the care
they need. The cost of care and prescription drugs continues to climb,
while rural hospitals are closing their
doors and entire regions are being
left without access to primary care.
We believe every Georgian deserves
affordable, quality healthcare no
matter their zip code. Georgia has the
tools, if we are willing to use them.
As one of only 10 states still paying
into a system Georgia Republicans
refuse to use, expanding Medicaid remains one of the most effective steps
we can take. Federal cuts will devastate our families, but with Medicaid
expansion, we can fund hospitals
and provide coverage to hundreds of
thousands of Georgians and strengthen our healthcare infrastructure.
Economic security also means ensuring every Georgian earns a wage
that allows them to support their family. Today, the state minimum wage
is just $5.15 an hour, which is not
nearly enough to cover housing, food
and childcare. By raising wages and
investing in job training, we can build
an economy that rewards hard work
and gives everyone a fair shot.
Education is the foundation of our
kids’ opportunity. Yet, Georgia has
been underfunding its schools with
an outdated formula from the 1980s,
shortchanging a generation of students. House Democrats believe every
child deserves a fully funded public
school, no matter their neighborhood.
Our children deserve to be given
every opportunity to succeed, but
they cannot do that if they are hungry
in the classroom. We must codify free
and reduced lunches for our kids and
not just leave it up to an annual line
item in our budget that’s up to the
whims of politicians. By investing in
education at every level— from early
childhood through college or technical training— we’re not just shaping
the future workforce, we’re giving
every child the tools to dream big and
achieve their potential.
Our vision for Georgians is rooted
in common sense legislation that will
help every Georgian thrive, no matter
their background or zip code.
We may have many differences
with our Republican colleagues, but
I hope that this session they will
choose to put people over their party.
The tradition of bipartisanship in
Georgia is still alive, and we are ready
to work together on solutions that
put policy before politics.
It’s time to make Georgia the
best place to live, learn and earn— for
everyone— not just the best state to
do business in.
State Rep. Carolyn Hugley, who has represented portions of Columbus since 1992, serves
as the House of Representatives Democratic
Minority Leader.
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