Gov. Brian Kemp delivered his fourth annual State of the State Address, in which he outlined his budgetary and legislative priorities for the session. While Georgia was certainly not spared from the economic impact of the pandemic, our economy has continued to rebound stronger than ever, and Gov. Kemp's proposed budget reflects that strength. Georgia has only 2.8% unemployment, which is the lowest in state history and leads most of the nation.
One of my and Gov. Kemp's key priorities is to enhance public safety and support law enforcement statewide. To help crack down on the presence of street gangs, Gov. Kemp has proposed $1.6 million for the Department of Law to create a gang prosecution unit and expand our existing human trafficking unit as well as $3 million for an additional state trooper school class. An additional $7 million has been proposed for medical and forensic services at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to help expedite the backlog of criminal cases and ensure that justice can be served as quickly as possible.
Getting criminals off the streets is only half the equation. We are also calling for enhancements to Georgia's prison system to appropriately house inmates and provide a safer environment for correctional officers. In the long run, this will lead to savings when old and dangerous prison facilities are closed. As Chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, these issues are close to my heart, and I believe that Gov. Kemp conveyed it best when he said, "Georgia will Back the Blue – always!"
As we continue to feel the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia's health care workers deserve to be saluted. Additionally, Georgians statewide, particularly our most vulnerable, are at risk of not being able to afford vital health care services. So, Gov. Kemp has proposed $139 million in the FY23 budget to implement Georgia's reinsurance program and online health insurance portal to help connect citizens with quality, affordable health care with lower insurance premiums. Even with these advancements, some Georgians (especially those in rural areas) don't have immediate access to a health care provider or hospital. To address this need, Gov. Kemp has proposed $1 million to the University System of Georgia to expand nursing programs and create new residency slots to fill the physician gap in rural Georgia.
Our students and educational staff also deserve recognition for their resilience during the pandemic. Early in his tenure, Gov. Kemp promised to implement a $5,000 pay raise for Georgia's teachers. His proposed budget will fulfill that promise as well as restore $388 million in austerity cuts made during the pandemic, so that students are more prepared than ever to achieve their academic potential.
As the legislative session continues, the General Assembly will work continuously on both the FY22 and FY23 budgets to ensure all agencies and programs are funded in an appropriate and responsible manner. If you have any questions or concerns about any of the budgetary items or legislative priorities this session, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.