Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp delivered his final State of the State address Thursday before a joint session of the state's General Assembly. The governor outlined priorities for his administration's final legislative session.
Watch Georgia Public Broadcasting's stream of the address in the video player above.
Kemp gave a preview of his final budget priorities and noted some of his administration's accomplishments during the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues legislative event on Wednesday.
"Together over these past seven years since I took office, we've brought historic jobs and opportunity to our state … and invested in rural Georgia in an unprecedented way," Kemp said.
He also said that the state will spend $1.8 billion to address congestion and other issues on Georgia's roads. The projects include the construction of new express lanes on Interstate 75 in Henry County, located south of Atlanta and often the site of heavy traffic.
"Our initial estimates indicate that once these express lanes are completed, as much as 70 percent more vehicles will be able to pass through that corridor during rush hours," Kemp said.
He also pledged more money for local road improvements and $50 million for a new program to reduce homelessness in Atlanta and other urban areas through social services.
Kemp teased a new workforce readiness program, as well, that will be introduced this legislative session. He is also expected to address a new initiative by Republican legislators to eliminate the state income tax.
House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley delivered this year's Democratic response on Thursday.