Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) recently gave his final State of the State address to a joint session of the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia Senate. In the address, the Governor lauded the advancements and investments made by his administration and the prosperity Georgia can look forward to in the future.
The address began with Gov. Kemp expressing gratitude to all the members of the Georgia General Assembly who have welcomed and worked alongside him. He then lauded the state of education, infrastructure, and public safety, remarking that all have seen improvements since he took office in 2019.
Accomplishments and the work to be done
“Innovation, opportunity, hard work, and a fair shot at the American Dream have a home in the great state of Georgia,” Kemp stated. “There is no question the state of our state is stronger, more prosperous, and safer today than it was in January of 2019.”
After this celebration, the Governor then addressed the work that still needs to be done. He didn’t hold back in this section of the address and made clear what he thinks needs to change.
“We hear from Georgians in all walks of life, hard-working people trying to put food on the table for themselves and their families. And the reality is that too many of our citizens are still struggling to make ends meet each and every day because costs are still too high,” Kemp stated. “Groceries, rent, insurance, clothes for the kids; it all adds up to more than it used to.”
Kemp lauded Georgia’s record and its reputation as a state with strong reserves, citing fiscal responsibility.
“The Georgia of today that has been built over the last 25 years does not stand on sticks made of easy or politically convenient,” Kemp explained. “The Georgia of today stands on a firm foundation, a foundation built on the character of our people, the resolve of leaders both past and present, and by the grace of our creator.”
The governor lauded accomplishments like teacher pay raises and education cost reduction.
He also announced that his recent budget proposal includes $325 million for the new state DREAMS scholarship program.
Kemp's Final Address
In the final part of his address, Kemp reflected on his faith and recited a hymn reminiscent of his time as Governor. He expressed the belief that the work he did was good but that there is still more to do under the provision of God.
“But my hope, my prayer, is that God would be in those small things of our service together,” Kemp stated. “Because I believe He can take what we helped build for the people of our state and make it great.”
It was my distinct privilege to address the General Assembly this morning and deliver my final State of the State speech as Georgia's governor.
My family and I have been honored to serve our fellow Georgians these last 7 years, and we look forward to finishing the race and… pic.twitter.com/OZkysPXlmB
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) January 15, 2026
