Georgia State of the State: Gov. Brian Kemp delivers final address

Gov. Brian P. Kemp will deliver his final State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly, and Georgia Public Broadcasting is streaming the speech live.

Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp will deliver his final State of the State address Thursday before a joint session of the state's General Assembly. He is expected to outline priorities for his administration's final legislative session and preview budget items. Kemp spoke about budget priorities and administration accomplishments at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues event on Wednesday. Georgia Public Broadcasting is streaming the address live. Key details: - Kemp previewed final budget priorities and noted administration accomplishments during Wednesday's Eggs and Issues event. - The state plans to spend $1.8 billion on congestion relief and related road projects, including new express lanes on Interstate 75 in Henry County. - Kemp said initial estimates indicate the new express lanes could allow as much as 70 percent more vehicles through that corridor during rush hours. - He pledged additional funds for local road improvements and proposed $50 million for a new program to reduce homelessness in Atlanta and other urban areas through social services. - Kemp teased a workforce readiness program to be introduced this legislative session and is expected to address a Republican initiative to eliminate the state income tax. - House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley will deliver the Democratic response at 2 p.m. EST, and Georgia Public Broadcasting will stream that response live. Summary: The address will set priorities for Kemp's final legislative session and previews several spending plans for transportation and homelessness programs. Lawmakers in the General Assembly will consider measures tied to those priorities during the session. Undetermined at this time.