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The 2026 Eggs & Issues conference, the 72nd edition, took place on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday morning. Hosted by the Georgia Chamber, the event featured hundreds of tables and chairs on the field, filled with local and statewide executives from corporations such as Georgia Power, Delta Air Lines, and others. Alongside those business executives were politicians, including Georgia Lt. Governor and current Republican gubernatorial candidate Burt Jones, Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former State Representative Jason Esteves.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Along with Georgia Power CEO and President Kim Greene, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp took the stage to address the crowd on hand. For Kemp, this would be his last time speaking at an Eggs & Issues as governor. He made a point of saying that, while also taking a shot at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which ceased printing papers on New Year’s Eve 2025.
In the middle of his speech about the economic growth of Georgia’s economy and the importance of continuing the cooperation between the governor’s office and the Georgia General Assembly, Kemp said it might be time for “the Atlanta paper that went full digital” to get the story right.
“Maybe now they will have the resources to be able to tell the whole story,” Kemp said.
On a more positive note, Kemp thanked Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens for working with his office over the years.
During his speech, Kemp stated that his administration was responsible for keeping Georgia’s economy on the right track during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We led the great recovery and built the strongest economy Georgia has ever seen,” he said.
A lame duck governor, Kemp said the citizens of Georgia should be a politician’s main focus, whether in an election year like 2026 or not. He added that during his time under the Gold Dome, $9.7 billion has been returned to Georgia taxpayers.
The work Kemp is trying to do for Georgians includes $1.8 billion for a dedicated express lane project on I-75 in Henry County. When he announced that project, loud applause followed. The traffic in metro Atlanta is notorious for its congestion, but the traffic in the Henry County corridor has been studied for the amount of time it costs commuters.
“We listened to the people and put them first,” Kemp said.
Kemp also announced $100 million for improvements on local bridges. During his two terms as governor, billions have been spent on infrastructure projects, transportation projects, and water infrastructure projects, according to Kemp.
“All of this additional funding for transportation projects is certainly needed,” Kemp said. “Those projects are a direct result of our conservative approach to budgeting.”
As of fiscal year 2025, the state of Georgia has a $14.6 billion surplus.
“Let’s stay focused on the future, and let’s keep continuing to be the best state in the country to live and work,” Kemp said.
Greene, Georgia Power’s CEO and president, spoke about the company’s plan to freeze rates and stated that plans are underway to file paperwork to extend the rate freeze for an additional three years.
Burns made sure not to leave the stage without saying his signature line, “It’s a great day to be in Georgia,” he said. “Today, we are setting the stage for what will undoubtedly be another year of great success.”
Burns took his time on stage to also address the child literacy rate in Georgia. Among elementary school students, for example, one in three students can read at their proper grade level.
“One in three is unacceptable,” Burns said. “It frustrates me that we are performing so poorly in literacy. We must do better for the future of our children.”
According to Burns, plans are in place to have a literacy coach in every elementary school in the state. That was also followed by loud applause.
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Donnell Suggs
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