Brian Kemp
Candidate for Governor, Republican, Incumbent
Website: https://briankemp2022.com/
Occupation(s): Georgia Governor since 2018
The Brian Kemp campaign did not respond to our requests to participate in this effort. Any responses below are taken verbatim from the campaign website.
Image source: gov.georgia.gov
Our health is affected by a variety of factors that are directly influenced by policies made by and supported by the Governor:
Priorities
What priorities or key issues will you address if elected to this office?
The Brian Kemp campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Georgia Homeowner Rebate
As the cost to own a home skyrockets under Bidenflation, this proposal will allocate an additional $1 billion to fund homeowner tax relief at the local level in the amended fiscal year 2023 budget. Pending approval by the General Assembly, approximately $1 billion will be sent to local governments who will then exempt up to $20,000 of the eligible assessed value of each qualified homestead in the state for the 2023 tax year. This grant will save the average homeowner in Georgia between 15 and 25 percent – or $500 on average – on their local property tax bill next year.
K-12 Education
Throughout Governor Kemp’s first term, the Kemp administration – in partnership with the General Assembly – has put our students and educators first. From the largest teacher pay raise in state history and funding school security grants, to reducing high-stakes testing, fully-funding our schools, strengthening the teacher pipeline, and keeping divisive politics out of the classroom, Governor Kemp has delivered on his promises to stand with our educators, ensure our students have a bright and promising future, and give parents a voice in their child’s education.
Governor Kemp’s priorities for a second term build on these historic successes by focusing on addressing learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing our educator and school counselor workforce, and implementing stronger school safety measures.
Addressing Learning Loss
While Georgia led the nation in reopening under Governor Kemp’s leadership, a few local school systems chose to play pandemic politics with their students’ education. Ignoring the science and the negative impacts these decisions would have on our children, a handful of school boards and superintendents chose for their students to learn almost exclusively at home in front of a screen – instead of being in the classroom. As a result, in 2019, 73% of 3rd graders in Georgia were reading at or above grade level, and in 2022, that critical statistic had dropped to 63%. In fact, state data shows that over 44,000 students are currently reading below grade level as they enter 4th grade.
While the overwhelming majority of school systems across the state did the right thing by getting their students back in the classroom as soon as possible, a select few did not. Governor Kemp is committed to making sure every child in our state has the opportunity to reach their full potential and succeed in the classroom. Utilizing state funds in his 2023 budget recommendations, Governor Kemp will propose $25 million for a Learning Loss Opportunity Scholarship Grant (LLOSG).
The LLOSG will be a $25 million grant program in the Governor’s Amended Fiscal Year 2023 budget recommendation.
With approximately 44,000 3rd graders entering 4th grade reading below grade level, the LLOSG will provide a grant to eligible schools across the state.
Schools may apply for these grants to leverage additional tutoring services, non-traditional staff, or supplement existing learning loss services.
Educator and School Counselor Workforce
From the beginning of his service as Georgia’s 83rd chief executive, Governor Kemp has made strengthening the Peach State’s education workforce a top priority of his administration. From historic pay raises and record state funding for schools and staff, to reducing the cost of becoming a teacher by 67% and cutting high-stakes testing, Governor Kemp has delivered major reforms that made Georgia a better place to be an educator.
But our work is far from over. The need for more qualified, passionate teachers in our classrooms and counselors in our schools has never been greater. That’s why the governor is proposing two key initiatives for his second term that will build upon our state’s successes over the last few years in recruiting, retaining, and appreciating those who serve our students.
With approximately 9,000 paraprofessionals who have a four-year degree, Governor Kemp is proposing $15 million in state funds for a $3,000 reimbursable grant program to help these hardworking Georgians offset the certification costs of becoming a teacher. The Governor’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposals will also recommend an additional $25 million for local school systems to recruit more school counselors across the state.
Enhancing School Safety
In his first year in office, Governor Kemp proposed and signed into law school security grants of $30,000 to every school in the state. Schools used these funds to harden their campuses, utilize technology, and train staff.
In his second term, Governor Kemp will propose the following legislation to further enhance school safety efforts statewide.
Experience
What key experiences would you bring to this role?
The Brian Kemp campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Brian P. Kemp is a husband, father, businessman, and public servant. On November 6, 2018, he was elected as Georgia’s 83rd Governor, earning more votes than any gubernatorial candidate in state history. Governor Kemp built his first business – Kemp Development and Construction Company – with a pick-up truck and a shovel. Over thirty years later, he is a successful entrepreneur with companies and investments in banking, farming, timber, manufacturing, and real estate. Brian Kemp ran for Governor on a bold, conservative plan to spur economic growth, reform state government, strengthen rural communities, lower healthcare costs, and protect Georgia families from violence. Since his inauguration on January 14, 2019, he’s worked tirelessly to turn those campaign promises into reality and build a safer, stronger Georgia for all who call the Peach State home.
Gun Violence
What should be done in our state to protect the public from gun violence in the wake of the Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, NY mass shootings?
The Brian Kemp campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
In his first year in office, Governor Kemp proposed and signed into law school security grants of $30,000 to every school in the state. Schools used these funds to harden their campuses, utilize technology, and train staff.
In his second term, Governor Kemp will propose the following legislation to further enhance school safety efforts statewide.
Offer “intruder alert drills” for teachers and staff once during the months of August and September.
Intruder alert drills are not currently required in code and there is no reporting requirement
Legislation would require intruder alert drill notification to GEMA
Parents may opt their child out of these drills
District will have local control on what specific drills look like
Schools Safety/Anti-Gang Voluntary Training Endorsement for New Teachers
New teachers will be allowed to take school safety training and gang prevention training, developed by GEMA and GaPSC, as a voluntary endorsement with no cost to the teacher.
School Safety/Anti-Gang Voluntary Training Endorsement for Current Teachers
Current teachers will be allowed to take school safety training and gang prevention training, developed by GEMA and GaPSC, as a voluntary endorsement with no cost to the teacher.
Electoral Reform and Voting Rights
Do you support the enactment of Georgia’s Election Integrity Act of 2021 (S.B. 202)? Why or why not? What other policies related to voting would you support?
The Brian Kemp campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Governor Kemp’s Record - Election Integrity
Passed SB 202, making it easy to vote and hard to cheat in Georgia elections
Banned outside money from flooding local elections, expanded early voting days, secured drop boxes around the clock, and required photo ID for absentee ballots among other provisions to secure our elections
Health Insurance and Medicaid Expansion
An estimated 1.4 million Georgians do not have health insurance, making our uninsured rate the third highest in the country. Do you believe the government has a role in addressing this coverage gap? If so, what policies do you support?
The Brian Kemp campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Governor Kemp’s Record - Healthcare
Governor Kemp led the effort to pass more than 52 health care bills in the General Assembly, including two waivers to make health care accessible to thousands and affordable for millions more
Thanks to Governor Kemp’s leadership in passing the Patients First Act, premiums have decreased across the state, and more providers are now operating in Georgia
Expanded Medicaid coverage for new mothers to one year postpartum
Reproductive Healthcare
What is your position on abortion? Do you support Georgia’s 2019 law, H.B. 481, which prohibits abortion after 6 weeks? What other policies related to abortion do you support?
The Brian Kemp campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Governor Kemp’s Record - Georgia Values All Life
Signed the historic Heartbeat Bill (HB 481) to protect the unborn
Passed foster care and adoption reforms along with anti-human trafficking legislation
Public Safety and Policing
Do you believe there is a problem that exists and needs to be addressed regarding policing? What steps can the Governor’s office take to improve public safety and address concerns about policing in a way that supports trust, safety, and community?
The Brian Kemp campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Governor Kemp’s Record - Public Safety
Working alongside state and local law enforcement to crack down on gang violence, street racing, and sex trafficking
Raised state law enforcement pay by $5,000
Created the GBI Anti-Gang Task Force that partners with local law enforcement to get criminal street gangs off our streets
Toughened penalties for street racing, violent crimes
Created the Crime Suppression Unit to use state resources to go after crime in Atlanta
Signed anti-defund the police bill (HB 286) to prevent rogue local governments from defunding the police
Thanks to First Lady Marty Kemp, Georgia has led the way to bring an end to human trafficking.
Governor Kemp toughened penalties, increased awareness, and supported the victims of human trafficking through the unanimous passage of seven pieces of legislation.
The Brian Kemp campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. No information was found on the campaign website related to these questions:
Economists predict that the US is nearing a recession. What policies would propose to help Georgians weather an economic downturn?
The cost of living has exploded across the country. Georgia has seen record-breaking increases in housing costs and rent in 2022. What measures do you support to improve housing affordability?
An estimated 10% of people living in Georgia are immigrants. Our state also hosts several migrant detention centers, with the Folkston center expected to be one of the largest in the nation after the Biden administration approved its expansion earlier this year. What policy reforms do support for handling immigration influxes to our state? What is your stance on immigration, and how do you foresee working with the Federal government on issues related to immigration?
Note: We welcome any responses from candidates who did not previously answer our questionnaire request.