Georgia families are working harder than ever, yet many feel like they are falling behind. We should focus on practical ways to lower costs, strengthen economic opportunity, and provide responsible tax relief.
Being able to afford housing is more than the American Dream. It is a necessity for life.
Georgia is facing a multifaceted affordability crisis, brought on by an alarming loss of affordable housing units and an increasing cost burden for basic necessities due to rising inflation.
An increasing population and a reduction in available affordable housing units is accelerating housing prices on existing stock, leading to large increases in both property taxes and insurance rates.
Many Georgians have seen their energy bills rise steadily over the last several years, while the Public Service Commission approved several rate hikes and energy generation projects, fueled by the data center industry.
There is no single "silver bullet" answer to affordability challenges. These are some ideas that deserve discussion and have shown promise around the country.
Most industry experts agree that the rapid increase in housing costs in recent years is due to a shortage of supply in housing stock. There are several approaches to improving our housing supply in Georgia.
Property taxes are one of the most common concerns I hear from constituents. Responsible tax relief can help families and seniors remain in their homes while protecting the local services that communities depend on.
In Georgia, property taxes are paid to local governments and school boards to fund local services like police and education, with the majority going to education. For years, the state has underfunded public education and shifted the burden to local school systems, leading to higher millage rates and higher property taxes.
We can provide real, meaningful property tax relief by better funding public education in the state budget.
Georgia families deserve more choices for clean, affordable energy. Right now, the PSC blocks community solar — meaning if you rent, live in a shaded area, or can’t afford rooftop panels, you’re locked out of the solar savings your neighbors enjoy. I support restoring fairness by opening the market to shared solar projects that lower bills, create local jobs, and keep energy dollars in our communities through policies like:
Recent efforts to eliminate income taxes and property taxes may provide some relief for working Georgians, but they will threaten critical services that Georgians depend on. And they will give a windfall tax break to the wealthiest Georgians, who aren't struggling.
A more meaningful approach to tax relief for Georgia families would be to reduce the state sales tax and eliminate it altogether for some necessities, such as feminine hygiene products and childcare products. That is a tax cut that truly helps all Georgians, especially those who are suffering the most.
For years, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has quietly approved rate hikes and guaranteed record profits for Georgia Power — currently around 11.9% return on equity, one of the highest margins in the nation. These decisions often happen through backroom settlements between utility lawyers and PSC staff, with little transparency and no advocate in the room speaking for you.
It wasn’t always like this. Until 2008, Georgia had an independent consumer utility watchdog: a dedicated office tasked with representing the interests of residential and small business customers in utility cases. Since its elimination, there’s been no one at the table pushing back when powerful utilities demand more from working Georgians.
We need to bring back the consumer watchdog, strengthen ethics rules for PSC members, and demand real transparency in how utility rates are set. Energy is a basic need, not a guaranteed profit engine for monopoly utilities.
