Kemp Proposes 4% Pay Raise For GA Workers, Teachers

ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp proposed in his budget a 4 percent pay raise for state workers and teachers during his sixth State of State address Thursday at the Georgia State Capitol.

"It’s no secret that most state government jobs pay less than private sector opportunities in the same line of work. But many of our employees do it because they feel a sense of public service and they want our state to succeed," Kemp said in front of the Georgia General Assembly.

"But for state government to stay efficient and stay ahead of Georgia’s continued growth, we must be able to attract and then retain employees who perform vitally important jobs."

The measure comes after Kemp granted $1,000 bonuses to state workers and educators and allotted $45,000 in school safety funding in December 2023.

Kemp said his proposed budget also allocates $500 million to the state retiree fund.

"Instead of expanding the size and scope of government, we’re putting state dollars to work in targeted, efficient ways to recruit, retain and thank employees in vital roles from corrections officers to case workers," he said. "By doing so, we’re continuing our efforts to wisely use every penny taxpayers send us, from state agency personnel, to our schools, public safety and the healthcare marketplace."

During his address, Kemp added his budget includes an increase of $205 million to benefit the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and other organizations that address mental health.

He said the funding will help maximize services for people and their mental health and will grow the number of crisis beds statewide.

"It will further crisis intervention resources in all communities, and improve the quality of mental health services overall," Kemp said. "Once passed, we will be spending 1.6 billion dollars on mental health - more than ever before. I’m proud of what these and other agencies are doing to help their fellow Georgians and to keep us the best state to live, work and raise a family."