Day 4: Kemp Delivers Final State of the State and Announces Educator Pay Supplement

Today's legislative agenda was dominated by Gov. Brian Kemp's State of the State address. During the speech, his final State of the State as governor, Kemp outlined several of his 2026 legislative priorities and reported that all state employees and educators will receive a one-time $2,000 salary supplement payment.

The GPB recording of the address is available HERE.

House Floor Action

Senate Floor Action

2026 State of the State

In his address, Kemp referenced successes during his two gubernatorial terms and Georgia's strong economic outlook. He announced additional tax rebates and thanked educators, public employees, and law enforcement for their service. He also referenced needed enhancements to state law enforcement retirement benefits.

Announced education initiatives included a one-time $2,000 pay supplement for all state employees and teachers, full funding of Georgia's Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula, continued funding for school safety, and $325 million for implementation of Georgia's first needs-based college scholarship program.

Read the address on the governor's website HERE.

Governor's Proposed Education Budget

In his budget report, which was released in conjunction with the State of the State, the governor outlined increases in educator compensation in his proposals for the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2026 budget, which covers the current school year, and the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget, which begins on July 1. He calls for a one-time $2,000 supplement for K-12 educators whose positions are allocated under state formulas in his AFY 2026 budget. Kemp’s FY 2027 spending plan includes $36.4 million to cover an increase in the employer contribution to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) for educators. His budget proposal also contains approximately $200 million to fund a 7.5% increase in the employer share of the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) for certified educators. Kemp’s budget proposal does not include funds to cover the increase in SHBP costs for non-certified staff members, which are also climbing. Districts must cover this increase.

Other key investments Kemp seeks include additional funds for student transportation, including replacing 270 out-of-date school buses, student mental health supports, lower class sizes in Pre-Kindergarten, and a new Career Navigator system to help connect students with employers. His FY 2027 spending plan eliminates $15 million for districts with high percentages of economically disadvantaged students.

Additional highlights of Kemp’s budget proposals include:

Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2026

Georgia Department of Education

• $369 million for one-time $2,000 salary supplement for state-funded K-12 teachers, school administrators, custodians, nutrition workers, school nurses, and bus drivers

• $43.5 million to the QBE formula for enrollment growth

• $26.9 million for State Commission Charter School Supplement

• $3.9 million for State Commission Charter School Supplement for training and experience

• $557,245 for sparsity grants for small rural schools

• $14.5 million for Special Needs Scholarships

• $750,000 for high-demand equipment grants

• $1.4 million to fully fund grants for social work services

• $1.3 million for mental health support grants to reflect an accurate count of middle and high schools

Department of Early Care and Learning

• $17.4 million for one-time salary supplement for Pre-Kindergarten teachers and assistant teachers

Governor’s Office of Student Achievement

• $9 million for new Career Navigator system

• $300,000 one-time funds for America250 literacy initiatives

Georgia Student Finance Commission

• $18.4 million for Dual Enrollment to meet projected need

• -$86 million decrease in the Promise Scholarship based on projected need

Fiscal Year (FY) 2027

Georgia Department of Education

• -$268,157 decrease to eliminate camp-affiliated staff in Agricultural Education

• -$2 million decrease to eliminate one-time funds for planning grant for South Rivers Completion High School

• $500,000 for grants to school systems to encourage authorization of locally approved charter schools

• -$2.5 million decrease to Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support in formula funds based on enrollment and training and experience

• $1.2 million for Sparsity Grants based on enrollment

• $38.6 million for pupil transportation

• $36.4 million for increase in employer contributions to TRS from 21.91% to 22.32%

• $9.3 million increase for enrollment growth and training and experience

• $44.7 million in formula funds for State Commission Charter School Supplement

• -$456,997 decrease in formula funds for differentiated pay for newly certified math and science teachers

• $1.6 million increase in formula funds for Completion Special Schools supplement

• $1.4 million increase for employer share of TRS for non-certified school management positions

• $199.7 million for increase in the health insurance employer contribution per-member per-month (PMPM) rate for eligible employees from $1,885 to $2,028

• $14.5 million for Special Needs Scholarship based on enrollment growth

• -$15.3 million decrease to eliminate one-time pilot funds for districts targeted to economically disadvantaged students

• $1.5 million in formula funds for social work services

• $1.3 million for mental health support grants to reflect an accurate count of middle and high schools

• $750,000 for high-demand equipment grants

• $264 million for construction and renovation projects for K-12 schools

Department of Early Care and Learning

• $5.9 million for increase in the health insurance employer contribution per-member per-month (PMPM) rate for eligible employees from $1,885 to $2,028

• $12 million for year three of a four-year phase in to reduce class size from 22 to 20 students

Governor’s Office of Student Achievement

• $5 million for ongoing operational costs associated with new responsibilities for Top State for Talent initiatives, including Career Navigator system

• -$2.6 million decrease to eliminate funding for the Governor’s School Leadership Academy

• $1.6 million in one-time funds to conduct phase two research and landscape analysis, conduct literacy pilot with selected Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs), and establish a framework for Georgia READS community collaborative

Georgia Student Finance Commission

• $27.6 million for Dual Enrollment to meet projected need

Legislators will begin digging into Kemp’s budget proposals with presentations from state agency heads, including State Superintendent Richard Woods, at a multi-day joint meeting of the Senate and House appropriations committee, next week. Education-related presentations are outlined in PAGE's Upcoming Schedule section below, and the full appropriations hearing schedule is available HERE.

Sign Up for the PAGE Capitol Report

If you would like to receive the PAGE Capitol Report blog directly to your email inbox, register HERE. PAGE encourages you to follow the action at the state Capitol, via the Capitol Report, Capitol Report Highlights, and Weekly Highlights.

Register for PAGE Day on Capitol Hill Feb. 17

Please make your plans to join us for 2026 PAGE Day on Capitol Hill, in partnership with the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) and the Georgia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (GACTE).

This free event will include breakfast, lunch, information sessions with key education-focused policymakers, advocacy opportunities under the Gold Dome, and a state school superintendent candidate forum.

Register and watch a brief informational video HERE.

Upcoming Schedule

Friday, Jan. 16 - Legislative Day 5

Tuesday, Jan. 20 - Joint Appropriations Hearings

• 1:15-1:15 p.m. GaDOE

• 3:15-4:15 p.m. DECAL

Wednesday, Jan. 21 - Joint Appropriations Hearings

• 3-3:30 p.m. ERS (includes the Public School Employees Retirement System)

• 3:30-4 p.m. TRS