By Jill Nolin | Editor
Gov. Brian Kemp administration is directing agency heads to freeze their spending and identify “potential efficiencies and savings” — or cuts — as the budget process gets underway. He’ll hand those budget proposals over to Georgia’s new governor as the state braces for major leadership changes and federal spending cuts, particularly for Medicaid.
And the last of the three House Democrats who were caught up in a COVID-19 unemployment fraud probe has pleaded guilty after earlier fighting the allegations (while also unsuccessfully seeking a higher office).
Gov. Brian Kemp announces $300 million in budget cuts on May 12, 2026. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder
STATE BUDGET
By Alander Rocha
Gov. Brian Kemp’s office has instructed Georgia state agencies to keep spending level as they prepare budget proposals ahead of next year’s legislative session.
Kemp is term-limited and signed his final budget earlier this year, cutting more than $300 million in new spending at the time to help pay for an income tax cut package that lawmakers passed earlier this year.
The next budget will be signed by Georgia’s new governor, who could be healthcare executive Rick Jackson, a Republican, or former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, but state agencies must submit their budget request by Sept. 1, giving Kemp some control over the process in his final months in office.
Sharon Henderson, who was suspended from her legislative duties earlier this year, has pleaded guilty to collecting nearly $18,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits. Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder
COURTS
By Ellie Fivas
A suspended state lawmaker pleaded guilty Thursday to unemployment fraud, the third in a series of Georgia Democrats to do so.
Former state Rep. Sharon Henderson, a Covington Democrat, was charged in December with fraudulently collecting thousands of dollars in pandemic-era unemployment benefits. Henderson will appear for a sentencing hearing on Nov. 3 before U.S. District Judge Michael Brown.
Previously, during an initial court appearance in December, Henderson pleaded not guilty. Gov. Brian Kemp suspended her from office in January.
Erica Schwartz testifies during her confirmation hearing to become director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on July 15, 2026. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
PUBLIC HEALTH
By Shauneen Miranda
Dr. Erica Schwartz got a step closer in her bid to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after a key U.S. Senate panel propelled her nomination to the Senate floor Thursday.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions voted, 13-10, to advance Schwartz’s nomination with all GOP members backing her bid. President Donald Trump nominated Schwartz in April.
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia was the only Democrat on the panel who voted to move her nomination forward.
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