Washington, D.C. – The Club for Growth Foundation released its 2024 Georgia State Economic Scorecard, offering residents of the Peach State an insight into how their representatives approach economic policies in Atlanta.
The Scorecard analyzes policies and votes to assign an Economic Growth Score from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the highest support for pro-growth policies. In 2024, the Foundation reviewed over 1,200 floor votes, scoring 17 Georgia House and 14 Georgia Senate votes.
“Georgia has taken a commendable step forward by implementing significant tax relief, which will provide much-needed support to families and businesses across the state,” said Club for Growth Foundation President David McIntosh. “However, the positive impact of these reforms is at risk from continued profligate spending. To ensure a stronger economic future, Georgia’s leaders must pair tax relief with a commitment to fiscal discipline and responsible budgeting.”
Click here to view the full 2024 Georgia State Economic Scorecard from the Club for Growth Foundation.
Key Highlights from the 2024 Georgia Scorecard:
Georgia Senate:
- Average Republican Score: 41%
- Average Democrat Score: 9%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Colton Moore (SD-53): 93%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. David Lucas (SD-26): 23%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Sen. John Albers (SD-56): 30%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Harold Jones II (SD-22): 0%
Georgia House:
- Average Republican Score: 34%
- Average Democrat Score: 15%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Charlice Byrd (HD-20): 100%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Rep. Michael Smith (HD-41): 30%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Clint Crowe (HD-118): 23%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Rep. Omari Crawford (HD-84), Rep. Sandra Scott (HD-76), and Rep. Inga Willis (HD-55): 0%
Notable Pro-Growth Legislation:
HB 808 – STATEWIDE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
- Through a statewide ballot referendum, this bill provides targeted property tax relief by increasing the current personal property tax exemption from $7,500 to $20,000 for all property (except vehicles, trailers, mobile homes)
HB 1015 – PHASED INCOME TAX REDUCTION
- Reduces the existing 5.49% personal income tax rate down to 5.39%
- On an annual basis, the bill reduces the rate until it reaches 4.99% if specific revenue targets are met
- Estimated reduction of taxes on Georgians will be more than $1.7 billion over the next six years
HB 1023 – SIGNIFICANT CORPORATE INCOME TAX REFORM
- Lowers the state’s corporate tax rate to match the individual rate (5.49%)
- The corporate income tax rate will equalize the individual with the intention to reduce the rate down to 4.99% over the next several years
- Estimated savings for Georgia businesses is at least $750 million over the next six years
Notable Anti-Growth Legislation:
HB 206 – ABSURD GREEN NEW DEAL BOND SCHEME
- Grants new taxing powers at the local level by creating Commercial Property Assessed Conservation, Energy, and Resiliency Authorities (CPACE)
- These would levy unlimited bonds and increase local taxes to fund costly green energy infrastructure changes for commercial properties
- Adds an assessment tax on the property to repay green energy bonds
HB 916 – ANOTHER PROFLIGATE BUDGET AGREEMENT (CFGF OPPOSES)
- $36.1 billion in state funds for FY2025, an 11.4% increase compared to the previous year’s budget
- $260 million towards a 4% pay raise for state employees
- $399 million for COVID-level Medicaid reimbursement payments
- $22 million for a goat barn at the Georgia National Fairgrounds
- $426 million in pay raises for pre-K-12 teachers
HB 1115 – SIGNIFICANT SALES TAX INCREASES (CFGF OPPOSES)
- Increases the limit on local sales taxes from 2% to 3%
- Eliminates the prohibition on simultaneously levying a homestead option sales tax (HOST) and local option sales tax (LOST)
- Creates a new tax called the flexible penny local option sales tax (FLOST) to help counties and cities hit the highest possible sales tax rate
Note: This Scorecard is based on selected votes and does not reflect a legislator’s entire voting record. The Club for Growth Foundation does not endorse or oppose any legislator for public office.