Talks with families in North Georgia and across the country reveal a common concern: the rising cost of living. Everyday expenses such as groceries, gas, rent, electricity, and home insurance have increased, causing many people to adjust their spending habits and delay major purchases.
There are various explanations for this situation in Washington D.C., including global instability, supply chain issues, and corporate practices. However, some believe these factors do not fully explain the problem. According to critics, policy decisions made by Democrats in Washington played a significant role in increasing and prolonging the current cost-of-living crisis.
One cited decision was related to American energy policy. In 2021, the Biden Administration halted the Keystone XL pipeline project, slowed federal leasing for energy production, and made domestic permitting more complex. This signaled to energy producers and investors that operating conditions would become more challenging for American oil and gas companies.
The impact of higher energy costs has been felt throughout Georgia. Increased fuel prices have affected farmers’ equipment costs, truckers’ transportation expenses, and family budgets for electricity and transportation.
Another key event was the passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. “Democrats passed it alone, even as economists that included former Obama advisers warned it could overstimulate an economy that was already dealing with the effects of reopening after COVID,” according to one statement from state leadership. The result was rapid inflation as demand outpaced supply.
Housing costs also rose sharply due to increased demand, low interest rates, expensive construction materials, higher diesel prices for farmers, fertilizer price spikes, labor shortages, and regulatory hurdles. These pressures were felt at every stage of the supply chain.
Additional regulations from federal agencies on agriculture, transportation, finance, and energy added further costs for businesses and consumers during this period.
Efforts are now underway in Congress to address these challenges. For example, H.R. 4776—the SPEED Act—aims to speed up energy permitting processes to support reliable domestic energy production.
Georgia is presented as an example of an alternative approach with balanced budgets, pro-taxpayer policies, consistent energy strategies, and a business climate designed to attract investment rather than deter it through excessive regulation.
“In Georgia, this next legislative session,” said state leadership representatives,”I believe we will continue to reduce and remove cost driving regulations, provide meaningful income tax reductions and aim to bring meaningful and sustainable property tax caps and reductions.”
“Inflation didn’t appear by accident. It followed choices and a lot of bad ones. With better choices,” they stated,”we can restore affordability and give families room to breathe again.”
Burns has served as a Republican member of the Georgia State House since 2005 representing District 159 (https://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=94&Session=27).
