Geoff Duncan, of Cumming, served as Georgia’s Republican lieutenant governor for a one term. Now a Democrat, he is running for his new party’s nomination for governor.
Here are his stances and record on key issues.
Affordability
Duncan says he would prioritize affordability on his first day in office by spending up to $1.7 billion of the state’s savings on childcare services, welfare, housing and Medicaid expansion.
He says the cost of living is a statewide “crisis,” but state and federal leaders aren’t doing anything about it.
Duncan’s plan would expand the state’s Childcare and Parent Services Program, providing additional funding so it can lower childcare costs so parents can attend work, school or training programs.
Duncan says Georgia should invest in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the monthly cash assistance program for low-income families. He wants TANF to help pay for power bills or transportation to work. He’d also work to revise the state’s TANF work requirements, which require recipients to work at least 30 hours weekly at low wages before they can qualify for assistance.
Money for these programs would come from the governor’s discretionary spending from the state’s $14 billion surplus, he says.
Tax cuts
Duncan calls Republicans’ attempts to eliminate the state income tax “reckless and irresponsible.”
Taxpayers’ money would be better invested in public education, transportation, infant and maternal healthcare, and Medicaid expansion, Duncan says.
The Republican-run General Assembly didn’t move forward with proposals this year to entirely eliminate state income taxes, instead passing bills to gradually reduce the income tax rate from 5.19% to 3.99%, and to limit increases in property tax assessments.
Duncan says the government needs to work and provide efficient services for the public.
He’d spend tax money on free and reduced-price lunches for schoolchildren, state funding for schools, transportation plans and health insurance expansion.
Immigration
Duncan pledges to stand up to President Donald Trump on immigration enforcement in Georgia.
He says he’ll fight any efforts to use state government resources for immigration raids. Trump last year ordered deployments of National Guard troops in Los Angeles; Washington D.C.; Memphis, Tennessee; Portland, Oregon; and other cities.
The United States needs immigration laws and enforcement, but not by spreading fear and using intimidation tactics, Duncan says.
He says deportations should focus on immigrants who commit crimes and are living in the country illegally. The government shouldn’t go after law-abiding immigrants who are strong members of their communities, he says.
Duncan criticizes Republicans in Georgia who support Trump’s “immigration disaster” that led to the killings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January.
Healthcare
As a former Republican, Duncan says he can work with conservatives to overcome political hurdles and expand Medicaid, the state and federal health care plan for the poor and disabled.
Providing health coverage to those who need it is both humane and financially responsible, he says. When patients go to the hospital without health insurance, both the patient and the hospital bear the costs.
Duncan says he believes most Republicans know that expanding Medicaid is the right thing to do, and some of them could be persuaded to vote for it if he were elected governor.
Georgia is one of 10 states that has decided against a full-scale expansion of Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act, which would provide 90% federal funding for health insurance coverage to lower-income adults who still earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid.
Besides Medicaid, Duncan says he wants to double the rural hospital tax credit from $100 million to $200 million a year to help the state’s 54 rural hospitals survive.
Housing
Georgia should provide state money to cities that start local programs to attack homelessness, such as those in Atlanta and Savannah, Duncan says.
Rather than starting a new state government program, Duncan prefers “scaling up” programs that are showing results for affordable housing.
He cites Atlanta’s efforts to quickly create modular housing units on unused city-owned property. Atlanta has completed four projects through its Rapid Housing Initiative, creating 500 new units across the city with case management, mental health support and other services nearby.
Duncan would also emulate Savannah’s construction of the Dundee Cottages, which provided 39 new homes for people who can’t afford normal rent prices. The cottages come fully furnished, with rents set at $650 to $850 per month, including utilities.
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