By Asia Ashley
ATLANTA — Overcoming the challenges of governorship during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Brian Kemp touted his first-term successes and future plans for the state during his fifth State of the State address.
Planned improvements for education, public safety and health care were key focuses of Kemp’s address.
He also lauded the Georgia Department of Economic Development for bring large investments and jobs to Georgia, particularly in rural areas of the state.
“Just last week, we learned that in the first half of this fiscal year, our top-ranked Department of Economic Development helped to announce 17,500 new jobs and more than $13 billion in investment coming to Georgia,” Kemp said. “I’m especially proud that, once again, 85% of those jobs are coming to areas outside metro Atlanta.”
While Democrat leaders acknowledged the job growth and development as positive happenings for the economy, Democrats argue that the state must also raise its minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $15.
“The time to do this is now. We need to ensure that all Georgians make a living wage,” Democratic Sen. Nan Orrock said during a press conference following Kemp’s address. “We face a situation where countless numbers of Georgians work two, three and unbelievably, even four jobs at a time… Those are facts that will hold us back and hold back Georgia families and hold back our economy.”
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