ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The man who wants to be Georgia’s next governor has put in place a plan to eliminate the state’s income tax.

On Thursday, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones announced the creation of a state Senate committee on eliminating the tax.

“Last year, nine states cut individual income taxes, and three others cut corporate income taxes,” Jones said. “Among southeast states, only South Carolina currently has a higher income tax rate than Georgia. If we wish to remain the number one state for business and keep our state competitive, we must expand on the progress made over the past four years to eliminate Georgia’s income tax.

“It is vital the Senate lead the effort to continue reducing our reliance on income taxes by examining additional ways to make significant cuts to our income tax rate, while maintaining the fiscal soundness of our state.”

The committee will be led by state Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia), who has been rumored to be considering a lieutenant gubernatorial bid himself. Besides Tillery, state Sen. John Kennedy (R-Macon) — the top-ranking Senate Republican who has already announced his campaign to replace Jones in 2026 — is also on the committee.

Also on the committee is another announced lieutenant governor candidate, state Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega).

Here are the other committee members:

• Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas), Senate majority leader
• Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee
• Sen. Ed Harbison (D–Columbus), chairman of the Senate Committee on State Institutions and Property Committee 
• Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R–Rome), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee
• Sen. Nan Orrock (D–Atlanta)
• Sen. Michael “Doc” Rhett (D–Marietta)
• Sen. Larry Walker (R–Perry), president pro tempore nominee
• Sen. Sam Watson (R–Moultrie), chair of the Senate Ethics Committee.

State lawmakers have previously voted to gradually lower the state income tax over time.

Democrats fear removing the revenue stream could impact some of the state’s priorities, like education and healthcare.

Democratic state Sen. Michael “Doc” Rhett said he understands why it’s an easy sell to voters, but eliminating the income tax will likely require a change in another way.

“They have to recoup that money somewhere. Each time we turn it back, we’re affecting hundreds of thousands of lives throughout the state of Georgia,” said Rhett.

The committee will begin working sometime this summer, Jones said, and will be abolished on Dec. 15, 2025.

Jones ended months of speculation about his future political plans on July 8, when he announced his campaign to become the state’s 84th governor.

He joins Republican Attorney General Chris Carr as the only two Republicans so far who are running to succeed the two-term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp.

Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves, pastor and businessman Olu Brown, state Rep. Derrick Jackson and former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms are running for governor on the Democratic side.

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