Georgia lawmakers approve income tax cut, property tax relief

Politics

On the last day of the 2026 regular legislative session, the General Assembly also approved a budget but took no action on Georgia’s voting system.

Lawmakers toss papers when the session is called to a close at the House of Representatives on Sine Die, the last day of the legislative session, at the Capitol in Atlanta on April 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

The General Assembly late Thursday approved a significant income tax cut and a scaled-back proposal for property tax relief.

Lawmakers also approved a $38.5 billion spending plan that boosts funding for children’s literacy, retiree pensions and other priorities.

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• Approved a $38.5 billion 2027 budget that funds key priorities of both chambers. The Senate won $100 million in additional funding for the Employee Retirement System of Georgia. Tillery said the new funding could be enough for a 2.25% raise, though any cost-of-living adjustment would have to be approved by the retirement system board.
• Allotted $70 million in funding for literacy coaches in all of the state’s elementary schools. The money will be funneled through the state’s basic education funding formula, which means local districts will be required to match some of it.
• Passed a bill that would make the antiparasitic medication ivermectin available without a prescription.

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Correction

This story has been updated to correct information about a property tax proposal that passed the General Assembly on Thursday. It would cap property assessments at the rate of inflation.

David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.

David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.

Caleb Groves is a general assignment reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s politics team and a Kennesaw State University graduate.

Caleb Groves is a general assignment reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s politics team and a Kennesaw State University graduate.

Riley Bunch is a reporter on the local government team at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution covering Atlanta City Hall. She covers the mayor and Atlanta City Council while also keeping an eye on the city’s diverse neighborhoods.

Riley Bunch is a reporter on the local government team at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution covering Atlanta City Hall. She covers the mayor and Atlanta City Council while also keeping an eye on the city’s diverse neighborhoods.