Affordability Agenda — Mike Thurmond for Governor

Georgia’s Affordability Crisis

Georgia families are working harder than ever—and still falling behind.

The cost of housing, health care, childcare, groceries, and insurance continues to rise, while wages struggle to keep up. Families are being squeezed from every direction.

On Day One as governor, I will declare an Affordability Crisis in Georgia and make lowering the cost of living the top priority of my administration.

This agenda is built on a fundamental commitment:
The Georgia State government will tighten its belt. I will direct every department head and agency chief to scour their budgets and bring forth a plan that will help Georgia families breathe easier.

We will cut costs, expand opportunity, and build an economy that works for everyone—not just the elite few.

Cutting Taxes & Helping Georgians Keep What They Earn

Cut the State Sales Tax

Reduce the state sales tax by two cents—cutting it in half—to lower the cost of everyday essentials for all Georgia families.

Implementing a State Earned Income Tax Credit

Lower the tax burden on the hardest-working families by introducing a tax credit that will let them keep more of their paycheck.

Eliminate the Tampon Tax

End the sales tax on feminine hygiene products and eliminate an unfair burden on women and girls.

Reward Work, Not Tax It

Double the state income tax deduction on overtime wages and tips so hardworking Georgians keep more of what they earn.

Making Housing More Affordable

Expand Access to Homeownership

Increase funding for the Georgia Dream program by establishing a Shared Equity Fund to help more first-time homebuyers achieve ownership and build generational wealth.

Keep Families in Their Homes

Create a permanent, state-funded emergency rental assistance program to help families stay housed during unexpected financial hardships. Preventing homelessness

Lowering Health Care Costs

Close the Coverage Gap

Use existing state resources to expand access to affordable healthcare coverage for working Georgians who are currently uninsured.

Protect Mothers and Babies

Fully fund 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage, expand access to midwives, and address disparities in maternal health outcomes.

Strengthen Local Health Care Access

Invest in micro-hospitals and emergency care clinics in underserved communities so families can access care close to home.

Supporting Families & Fighting Hunger

Make Child Care More Affordable

Increase funding to provide 20,000 additional childcare scholarships for working families and raise income eligibility so more parents can qualify.

Feed Georgia Families

Expand the successful “Feeding the 5000” model statewide—partnering with local farmers, food banks, and faith organizations to deliver fresh, Georgia-grown food to families in need.

Universal Free School Meals

Provide free breakfast and lunch for every public school student and eliminate all existing school lunch debt.

Fair Insurance Pricing

Ban the use of credit scores in setting auto insurance rates so Georgians are not penalized for financial hardship.

Creating Jobs & Expanding Opportunity

A Job for Every Georgian

Align economic development with workforce needs to ensure every Georgian has access to meaningful employment.

Hire Local, Invest Local

Require companies receiving state incentives to prioritize hiring and training Georgia workers.

Georgia First for Small Business

Help Georgia-based small businesses compete for state contracts through increased access, training, and support.

Rebuild Workforce Pathways

Expand job training and transitional employment programs to help more Georgians enter and re-enter the workforce.

Raise the Minimum Wage

Increase Georgia’s minimum wage to $20 per hour by 2030 so full-time work provides a pathway to stability.

Ensure Fair Pay for Hard Work

Strengthen enforcement of equal pay laws to ensure fairness across all demographics.

Lead in the EV Economy

Leverage billions in electric vehicle investments to create jobs and position Georgia as a national leader in clean energy manufacturing.

Strengthening Public Education & Career Pathways

Fund Public Education

Revise the Quality Based Education (QBE) Formula to account for poverty in order to fully fund Georgia’s underserved schools.

Modern Career Pathways

Fully fund 50 college and career academies to prepare students for high-demand careers.

Make Higher Education More Affordable

Freeze in-state tuition and fees to make college more affordable.

Launch Statewide Internship Opportunities

Create the General James Oglethorpe Internship Program that will connect students and recent graduates with real-world job experience.

Build a Future-Ready Workforce

Offer tuition-free AI certification programs through technical colleges and universities to prepare Georgians for emerging career opportunities.

Lowering Utility Costs & Investing in Infrastructure

Make Big Corporations Pay Their Fair Share

Require data centers to cover the costs of power grid upgrades instead of passing them on to Georgia families.

Protect Georgia’s Water Supply

Hold developers accountable for sustainable water use and safe discharge practices.

Promote Affordable Energy

Encourage renewable energy use to reduce long-term energy costs for residents.

Invest in Transportation

Advance passenger rail connecting Atlanta to Savannah to boost economic growth, tourism, and mobility.

A Government That Works for You

This Affordability Agenda will GIVE EVERY GEORGIAN A MUCH NEEDED RAISE.

For too long, working families have carried the burden of rising costs while opportunity falls out of reach.

As governor, Mike Thurmond will:

Lower everyday costs
Expand economic opportunity
Invest in Georgia’s future
And ensure government works for the people—not the other way around

Because when families can afford to live, Georgia can thrive.