- Jan 23
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2026
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During Budget Week, Senate Democrats Press Governor Kemp’s Economist on Middle Class Tax Hike
Governor Brian Kemp’s economist refused to endorse Senate Republicans’ massive middle class tax increase
Dr. Robert Buschman once said it would force raising taxes on “everything everyone… needs to live”
Atlanta, Ga. — During Budget Week, Senate Democrats raised concerns over the real-world impact of Republicans’ massive tax increase on middle class Georgians.
Caucus Chair Elena Parent (D-Atlanta) pressed Georgia’s state economist, Dr. Robert “Bob” Buschman, about his previous public opposition to the effort. In a series of since-deleted tweets, Dr. Buschman, a Kemp appointee, slammed eliminating the income tax as an “unrealistic talking point spouted by unserious people.” He said it would require more than doubling the state sales tax to “avert fiscal disaster.”
Additionally, Senate Democrats introduced legislation on issues impacting Georgians such as gun violence, housing, labor rights, and data centers.
Bills Introduced by the Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus
Senate Bill 413 to expand protections for victims of gun violence by allowing tenants with qualifying documentation to break their leases without penalty. This bill is led by Minority Whip Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain).
Senate Bill 414 to protect residential tenants from predatory landlords by prohibiting landlords from hiding full rent price or other fees that were not disclosed during the initial rental agreement. This bill is led by Minority Whip Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain).
Senate Bill 416 to prohibit third-party hotel booking websites from misrepresenting their affiliations with hotels and designate such misrepresentation as an unlawful, unfair, and deceptive trade practice. This bill is led by Caucus Vice Chair Sonya Halpern (D-Atlanta).
Senate Bill 417 to allow public employees, including teachers and firefighters, to negotiate working conditions more fairly and consistently. This bill is led by Senator Nikki Merritt (D-Grayson).
Senate Bill 421 to require local governments, authorities and political subdivisions to publicly disclose their water and electricity usage relating to data center projects. This bill is led by Senator RaShaun Kemp (D-Atlanta).
Media Coverage of the Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus
In south DeKalb County, neighbors are now pushing back against a proposed data center planned for a wooded area, while lawmakers at the Capitol question whether the state should continue offering generous tax incentives to the industry.
“I think it’s very important that the state stop doing handouts to the data centers,” said Democratic State Sen. Nan Orrock, who is sponsoring legislation to eliminate those incentives.
On Wednesday, a coalition of lawmakers and housing advocates highlighted the hotel homelessness crisis during a press conference inside Georgia’s Capitol.
State Sen. Kim Jackson said she is backing several housing-related bills this year, including Senate Bill 414, which would prohibit landlords from charging hidden fees after a property is rented.
State Senator Kim Jackson has announced a press conference to introduce new legislation that would allow gun violence victims to terminate their residential leases early without penalties.
Advocates say the legislation would provide support for individuals seeking to relocate after experiencing gun violence.
Democrats on the committee pushed back against the resolution, arguing that there were no legal grounds to turn over the data.
“We are, with this resolution, asking the secretary of state to violate Georgia law,” said Sen. Nan Orrock, an Atlanta Democrat.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Raffensperger a no-show before state Senate Ethics Committee
Democrats on the committee who opposed the measure raised concerns about what would happen with voters’ data.
“I’m deeply concerned about the privacy data not being stored properly,” said Sen. Kim Jackson, D-Stone Mountain.
Senate Democrats are available for comment.
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