Georgia Governor Kemp Rules Out Special Session on Redistricting or Curbing the Governor's Powers
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said in a November 4 statement that he will not call a special session to redraw legislative districts or to cut the administrative powers of the next governor. Kemp said Georgia voters have spoken and he will not use a special session to override the verdict just delivered at the ballot box; he left open only the possibility of a budget-related special session. The statement was issued in Atlanta.
The backdrop: after a 2026 U.S. Supreme Court ruling weakened parts of the Voting Rights Act, Georgia held a special session on districts, and state Republicans debated redrawing maps again over the summer before backing off. After this month's midterms, some voices urged Kemp to use his remaining time in office to lock in maps and constrain his successor - a debate Kemp's statement now closes.
Budget math also hangs over any session call. The state income tax rate has fallen to 4.99 percent, from 5.19 percent, on a path toward 3.99 percent, a cut the Office of Planning and Budget estimated in May would open a gap of about $1.3 billion; Kemp has already trimmed $300 million. The state's rainy-day reserve stood at $8.7 billion in the October annual report, down from $14.6 billion in January.
Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms, Lieutenant Governor-elect and state Senator Josh McLaurin, and House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley all responded to Kemp's announcement. The regular session convenes in January 2027, when the new administration's budget and redistricting agenda will be taken up.
(Source: Office of the Governor of Georgia)
Source: Office of the Governor of Georgia
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Wikimedia Commons「File:The gold dome of the Georgia State Capitol building.jpg」（Harrison Keely 摄，CC BY 4.0） Image: Wikimedia Commons "File:The gold dome of the Georgia State Capitol building.jpg" (by Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0)
