Brian Kemp Releases Policy Proposals For Georgia Veterans

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Republican gubernatorial nominee Brian Kemp speaks to reporters at his Atlanta campaign headquarters.

Republican nominee for governor Brian Kemp unveiled new policies aimed at Georgia’s military veterans on Wednesday.

The first pillar would eliminate state income tax for military retirement income, and he estimated it would cost the state about $60 million.

The secretary of state said the economic advantages veterans can provide to Georgia outweigh that revenue.

“They’re going to be spending money in their local economy, they’re going to be buying cars here, they’re going to restaurants here,” Kemp said. “So that’ll be great for our economy as well.”

It’s the latest policy proposal in the general election for Kemp, who is running against Democrat Stacey Abrams.

Flanked by more than a dozen veterans, Kemp also said he would fund the services of the Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center (VECTR) at all 22 campuses of the Technical College System of Georgia. VECTR offers career training and placement services for veterans, such as career counseling, workshops and connections with the Georgia Department of Veterans Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Kemp and Abrams both say that protecting Georgia’s military bases from closure is a top priority. The last round of the Base Realignment and Closure process took place in 2005.

The Abrams campaign’s proposals include tackling veteran homelessness and predatory lending to veterans.

Georgia’s nine military installations account for more than 327,000 jobs, and they generate a $19 billion economic impact for the state.