Burt Jones: Where the Georgia candidate for governor stands on the issues

Burt Jones is wrapping up a single term as lieutenant governor, presiding over the state Senate and serving as the state’s second in command. The Republican from Jackson is running for his party’s nomination for governor.

Here are his stances and record on key issues.

Affordability

Jones says his record as lieutenant governor shows that he has worked to reduce costs for Georgia residents.

He says the best way to address rising costs of living is letting Georgians keep more of the money they earn.

Jones was a lead supporter of recent cuts to the state income tax. He also backed a suspension of the gas tax in the wake of the Iran war, and income tax rebates worth $250 to individuals and $500 to married couples.

Jones also promotes a new state income tax credit that passed last year, giving $250 per child under 6 years old.

If he’s elected governor, Jones says he will eliminate the state income tax entirely.

Taxes

Jones says his plan to end state income taxes would amount to a 5% raise for every Georgian who pays it.

Jones takes credit for annual tax cuts passed by the General Assembly in recent years, with the state income tax rate falling from 5.75% in 2023 to 5.19% today.

Legislators approved a bill this year to gradually reduce the tax rate further, to 3.99%.

It’s unclear how the state government would make up for the loss of income tax revenue if it were eliminated. Personal income taxes generate about $16 billion annually, nearly half of the state’s total revenue. State income taxes fund government services including public education, healthcare, roads, and public safety.

Jones maintains he would eliminate billions of dollars in tax breaks, targeting industries ranging from data centers to medical equipment.

Jones supports freezing property tax assessments at their current levels. The General Assembly passed a different proposal that limits property assessment increases to the inflation rate.

Jones says he would reduce property taxes by increasing Georgia’s homestead exemption, making it easier for homeowners and seniors to stay in their homes.

Immigration

Jones says he’s “one of Georgia’s most aggressive leaders” on immigration enforcement.

Jones backs laws requiring local officials to report people suspected of being in the country illegally to federal immigration authorities. He also supports measures mandating that sheriffs help enforce federal immigration laws and banning “sanctuary cities” in Georgia that refuse to enforce the law.

Georgia law already forbids any local government from adopting policies that would limit enforcement of immigration laws.

Jones says the murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student killed while running on the University of Georgia campus, shows the threat posed by dangerous people who are in the country illegally. Jose Antonia Ibarra, a Venezuelan man who entered the United States illegallly, was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for Riley’s murder.

Jones says he will work with President Donald Trump, who has endorsed his campaign, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to fight illegal immigration in Georgia communities.

Healthcare

Jones emphasizes the need for health access in rural areas in Georgia where patients live in “healthcare deserts” that require them to drive long distances to visit a hospital or see a doctor.

He wants to make sure that where Georgians live doesn’t determine the qualify of care they receive. Eighty-two of Georgia’s 159 counties don’t have an obstetrician.

Jones says he supports policies that reduce “needless regulations” and encourage doctors to start their practices in Georgia.

Jones says he wants to end no-bid contracts that drive up healthcare costs.

Along with most Georgia Republicans, Jones opposes expanding Medicaid, the state and federal health care plan for the poor and disabled.

Georgia is one of 10 states that has decided against broad Medicaid expansion, under which the Affordable Care Act would provide 90% federal funding for health insurance coverage to lower-income adults who still earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid.

Housing

Jones views lower property taxes as the key to making housing more affordable.

He says he’ll work to ensure that no Georgian is taxed out of their own home. He says Georgians who work their whole lives to buy a home shouldn’t be forced to move out by unaffordable property taxes.

While the General Assembly didn’t pass a broader push to freeze property tax assessments, lawmakers did vote to limit annual increases in home value assessments to the inflation rate. Home values, combined with tax rates, determine how much residents pay in property taxes.

Jones would also attack property taxes by increasing the state’s homestead exemption, which reduces the taxable value of a home. Currently, the state offers a $2,000 exemption from county and school taxes that is deducted from the assessed value of a home, but some counties and cities offer higher homestead exemptions.