Kemp Touts Midyear Spending Plan Fueled by American Rescue Plan That He Called a ‘Slap in the Face’

After criticizing the American Rescue Plan, Brian Kemp is again hypocritically trying to take credit for its benefits in Georgia. Today, Kemp signed a $30.2 billion midyear spending plan, which was possible thanks to a state budget surplus fueled by President Biden and Democrats’ landmark  COVID-19 relief package. In response, the Democratic Party of Georgia released the following statement:

“After calling the American Rescue Plan a ‘slap in the face for hardworking Georgians,’ Brian Kemp is quick to reap its benefits, spending state tax collections fueled by massive federal funds on initiatives he thinks will be popular with voters as he seeks re-election. From teacher raises to tax refunds, Kemp should be thanking President Biden and Democrats in Congress for Georgia’s budget surplus — but what can we expect from a typical politician? Brian Kemp says one thing and does another, as long as it benefits his re-election campaign,” stated Max Flugrath, spokesman for the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Background: Before it was passed, Brian Kemp tore into the American Rescue Plan, calling it a “slap in the face to hardworking Georgians.” Kemp also said his state “would be the worst-hit” under the plan and urged Georgia’s two U.S. Senators to vote against the bill. Kemp is using Georgia’s budget surplus – fueled by increased tax collections thanks to federal COVID-19 relief – “to put cash in the hands of as many voters as possible, as quickly as possible, as he tries to get reelected this year.”

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