Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is on a mission to make Georgia the most military and veteran-friendly state to live in. It’s working.
“I grew up in Athens, Georgia, where my grandfather served as a state senator for years. Coming from a family that was so involved in our community, it was instilled in me early to be grateful for the servicemen and first responders, without whose sacrifices we could not enjoy the freedoms we do,” he explained. “I learned that we could not accomplish anything we do, in politics or business, without the bravery of those who protect our freedoms overseas, and I’ve carried that belief with me throughout my life and always tried to remain grateful for their sacrifices no matter where I find myself.”
Kemp took a different path, choosing to pursue business after attending college. When he began to get frustrated with the government and the red tape it caused, he decided to pursue making a change from within.
“Marty and I built our first business, Kemp Development and Construction Company, from the ground up with a pickup truck and a shovel. While we felt the struggles of those Friday nights when we weren’t sure if we could pay our employees, I grew fed up with the government standing in the way of its citizens’ success and ignoring their concerns,” Kemp shared. “That’s why I ran for and served in the Georgia State Senate in the 2000s, then as Secretary of State: to cut red tape and streamline government.”
Kemp took office as the Governor of Georgia in 2019 and just this year spearheaded efforts to expand opportunities for its military community.
HB 880 allows spouses of military service members to start work under a license they hold in another state under the supervision of an existing Georgia entity after applying for expedited licensure by endorsement. SB 449 creates a 12-month provisional practice allowance for military medical personnel while a license application is pending, establishes a new Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license and sets up a new licensing system for APRN licenses. HB 995 clarifies that K-12 educational institutions are able to administer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) during school hours, but are not required to do so.
Lastly, SB 389 removes a requirement to annually print and distribute the military code to save taxpayer dollars and protect the identities of military officers.
“We wanted to ensure our veterans and their families have the resources they need to thrive in Georgia. One of our proudest accomplishments is implementing the state’s first military retirement tax exemption. Alongside our partners in the legislature, we’ve also worked to cut red tape and make it easier for veterans and their families to join the workforce in our state. For example, we’ve passed legislation providing incentives and an expedited pathway for veterans and transitioning military to become teachers, providing for a 90-day expedited process for professional licenses for military spouses and reimbursing tuition costs for basic law enforcement training for former military members,” Kemp added. “We’ve also worked to strengthen a critically important aspect of caring for our veterans: mental healthcare. This year’s budget included more funding for mental health than ever before, including an additional $1 million for the Veterans Mental Health Service Program administered by our Department of Veterans Service. There’s certainly more I could touch on, but I hope these convey the holistic approach we are taking to supporting our military and veteran communities in Georgia.”
Though politics is certainly much different than being a business owner, Kemp was adamant about remaining true to why he ran for office in the first place.
“I told people that whether they agreed or disagreed with me, they could trust me to do what I told them I would. There have certainly been some tough decisions we have faced during my time as governor, but I hope when people look at everything I’ve done, they can’t say I’m not exactly who I told them I would be,” he shared. “When I said I was going to pursue specific policies, I made sure we accomplished that. When facing challenges, I’ve prioritized the safety of our people and following the law, as I swore I would. I didn’t run to be just another politician who says one thing and does another, so I’ve tried every day to live up to the promises I made to the people of this state, and that is something I take great pride in.”
Another point of pride for Kemp is ensuring policies and the state of Georgia remain a beacon for military families, whether they stay temporarily on assignment or forever.
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who have put on a uniform and served our nation in our Armed Forces. Though we know nothing we can do will ever fully repay that debt, we must do all we can to ensure these everyday heroes and their families have all the tools they need to lead successful, fulfilling lives in our state,” Kemp said. “With dozens of military installations throughout Georgia, we have a long history as both a major base of operations for our armed services and a home to military families and veterans. These aren’t just veterans; these are our neighbors, our coworkers and our friends. We want them to feel welcomed no matter where they are in our state and will always work to make that a reality.”
When asked if he had a message for the military community, Kemp had a lot to say.
“This year, Georgia’s military community faced an incredible tragedy. Three of our soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice while serving abroad: William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders and Breonna Moffet. That was a dark time as we traveled the state to honor those three heroes, but it left us with a message we must always carry with us: freedom isn’t free. Men and women like those three brave Georgians put on a uniform every day and put themselves in harm’s way so that we can enjoy the lives we do in the greatest nation on Earth,” Kemp said. “We’re blessed to be Americans, but we must never take that blessing for granted. That’s why we pray for the safety of our military every day and work to support our veterans who have given us so much.”