Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is defending his record fighting the COVID-19 pandemic while highlighting a strong economy and promising $1,000 bonuses for teachers. Kemp's State of the State speech Thursday was shadowed by Georgia’s soaring COVID-19 death toll and historic Democratic wins in the state for president and two Senate seats. It marks the halfway point of four years in office.
The first-term Republican reflected at length on the crisis created by the virus, but also celebrated some victories. He argued that the state’s economy is growing and its budget picture has brightened considerably since lawmakers made $2.2 billion in cuts last year.
