Presidential Politics and the Midterm Push

GA Legislative Watch

By Howard Franklin ● February 23, 2026
Smart Brevity™ count: 2 mins…533 words

☕ 🗞 🌅 . . . Aaand we’re back with the quick insights you need to start Week 7 of the legislative session.

1. The Lead: Presidential Politics and the Midterm Push

President Donald Trump made his first return to Georgia since reclaiming the White House, visiting a steel facility in Rome on Thursday.

The Message: Trump focused heavily on his economic agenda—specifically 50% steel tariffs—while taking a victory lap on “affordability” despite ongoing inflation concerns.
The Endorsement: The visit served as a massive boost for Clay Fuller, Trump’s hand-picked candidate in the crowded March 10 special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in the 14th District.
Down-Ballot Impact: Trump also reaffirmed his support for Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for Governor, a move aimed at freezing the primary field as Jones faces a $50 million self-funded challenge from billionaire Rick Jackson.

2. Special Election Watch: GOP Holds Middle Georgia

While the 14th District looms, Republicans secured a key win this week in the Macon area.

Senate District 18: Republican Steven McNeel won Tuesday’s runoff with nearly 60% of the vote, defeating Democrat LeMario Brown.
Why it matters: The victory preserves the GOP’s 32-23 majority in the Senate, blunting Democratic hopes of flipping conservative-leaning seats ahead of the general election. McNeel, an attorney and timber farmer, will be sworn in immediately to vote on the back half of the 2026 session.

3. Big Picture: The Tax Cut Tug-of-War

The House and Senate are locked in a high-stakes debate over how to return Georgia’s multi-billion dollar surplus. The primary friction isn’t if to cut, but where.

The House (HOME Act): Speaker Burns’ plan (HB 1116) seeks to eventually eliminate property taxes on primary residences.
- The Cost: Roughly $5 billion in annual revenue for local schools and governments. To bridge the gap, the plan suggests allowing local jurisdictions to levy up to a 3% sales tax.
The Senate Counter: This week, Senate Republicans signaled a preference for SB 382, which would impose a mandatory statewide cap on how much a home’s assessed value can rise each year, coupled with a 0.20% reduction in the state income rate (SB 476).
The Budget: The House passed a $42.3 billion Amended FY2026 budget this week, which includes $3.3 billion in one-time surplus investments for infrastructure and debt retirement.

4. Technology: The $2.5 Billion Data Center Backlash

The “honeymoon” for data centers is effectively over following a stinging report from the Department of Audits.

Sticker Shock: New projections show data center tax exemptions will cost Georgia $2.5 billion this fiscal year—a 600% increase over previous estimates.
Legislative Siege: Five bills are active, ranging from immediate repeal of exemptions to a two-year moratorium on new construction.
AI Regulation: HB 1351 was introduced Feb 17, requiring state agencies to provide a “decision pathway” if AI is used in hiring or firing decisions.

What’s next: Crossover Day, March 6

Any bill that hasn’t passed its chamber of origin by then is dead for the year. Expect a flurry of activity as leadership attempts to reconcile the “surplus math” before the deadline.