Brace yourselves: A Stormy Session Looms over Gold Dome
There’s a storm coming to Atlanta, and no meteorologist can predict its severity because it isn’t a weather-based phenomenon. It stems from the confluence of fierce political headwinds in the context of Georgia’s 2026 legislative session.
The General Assembly lumbered into the Gold Dome on January 12 with the goals of passing a budget, promoting pet projects and—for some members—grabbing as many headlines as possible. While this may not sound different than any prior legislative session, 2026 is poised to be unique thanks to a host of challenging factors—leaving many wondering what can be accomplished.
Heading into session, House and Senate leadership’s concentration appears trained on kitchen table issues. “One of our main focuses this year is going to be looking at what we can do for homeowners to make their largest purchase that most families make in their lifetime,” Speaker of the House Jon Burns explained to WSB-TV. “We want to make that affordable.” He also wants to explore methods of reducing insurance costs and limiting taxes—among other things.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones said, “I hope to get accomplished things that mean something to everyday Georgians like lowering the state income tax, giving them a potential tax rebate also working on cost of living expenses [and] things of that nature.” These seem like winning topics, but passing legislation is often fraught, especially this year.
Recent turnover and allegations in the House creates some uncertainty. Rep. Mandi Ballinger, R-Canton, passed away, and Republican Bill Fincher replaced her; Rep. Lynn Heffner, D-Augusta, resigned on Jan. 1; federal prosecutors charged Reps. Karen Bennett, D-Stone Mountain, and Sharon Henderson, D-Covington, with fraud relating to COVID-19 government assistance; Bennett resigned on Jan. 1; Rep. Marcus Wiedower, R-Watkinsville, resigned, and Democrat Eric Grisler shockingly flipped the seat.
While the resigning Democrats will almost certainly be replaced by other Democrats, Grisler’s flipping of Wiedower’s former district narrows the relatively slim Republican House majority further. This could make it more difficult to pass some GOP priorities. Even if it didn’t, Republican and Democratic leadership must carefully view every major action within the context of controlling the House. Republicans want to retain their majority, but Democrats are feeling increasingly confident that they might be able to win enough seats in November to seize control of the House.
The Senate has faced some of its own turnover—plus a different, unique situation. Sen. Jason Esteves, D-Atlanta, resigned his seat to focus on his gubernatorial run, and Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, did the same as he ramps up his campaign for lieutenant governor. Sitting members of the Legislature are forbidden from fundraising for state office during session. So stepping down has its benefits. Others within the Senate are also seeking higher office.
Sens. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, and Josh McLaurin, D-Sandy Springs, are likewise running for lieutenant governor. Sens. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, and Brian Strickland, R-McDonough, are running for attorney general. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is vying for the governor’s office. Sen. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, is looking to succeed former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Sen. Nabilah Parkes, D-Atlanta, launched a campaign for insurance commissioner.
There is a lot happening in the Senate, but the question remains: How will this impact Senate business? Murmurs in the halls of the Capitol reveal a fear that it will lead to dysfunction as aspirants for higher office use their current positions to grand-stand and snipe their competition. This is certainly possible. I can almost guarantee there will be tense moments this session, but it is important to keep in mind that the Senate’s members are professionals who have taken their oaths of office.
With so much at stake, it is easy to envision scenarios in which session goes sideways and a host of good bills simply die. That would be unfortunate and could be session’s fate, but it sounds like Burns and Jones have smart plans in place to focus on a non-partisan issue that weighs on all Georgians: affordability. Meanwhile, it may take some time to see what agenda Democrats develop.
If I were advising both sides, I would suggest that Republicans and Democrats focus on common sense solutions to kitchen table issues that are so unobjectionable that they are difficult to oppose. A few policy solutions immediately come to mind: Letting Georgians keep more of their own taxpayer money, making benefits—like health insurance—more affordable by implementing a portable benefits system, or cutting burdensome red tape that inhibits housing development.
It’s too early to tell if anyone will heed my unsolicited advice, but keep your eyes on the Gold Dome this session. A storm is certainly brewing, and the coming weeks and months will show how it plays out.