Peach Tree Times

States led by Republican governors — including Georgia — have rebounded economically faster from the COVID-19 pandemic, reports show.

That is no surprise to state Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell).

“At first, the nation was overwhelmed and determining the best course of action,” Albers told Peach Tree Times. “Georgia led the way by safely and smartly reopening. This saved countless jobs and lives.”

Gov. Brian Kemp | Facebook

A Republican in his sixth term, Albers represents the 56th District, which includes northern portions of Fulton County and southeastern portions of Cherokee County. He said Gov. Brian Kemp deserves much of the credit for leading the state through the pandemic.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Georgia ranked 25th out of all 50 states in terms of economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s real GDP in the fourth quarter of 2020 totaled $637.2 billion, 9.7% greater than in the second quarter of 2020

The Tribune reported that South Carolina ranks 26th, with real GDP in the fourth quarter of 2020 totaling $248.8 billion, 10.7% greater than in the second quarter of 2020

On June 30, Kemp signed a pair of executive orders intended to continue the state’s economic recovery, while extending some state rule suspensions.

“Effective midnight tonight, the public health state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will end in the state of Georgia,” Kemp said in a statement. “From the beginning of our fight against this deadly enemy, my office has worked alongside countless hard-working Georgians in the public and private sector to implement a measured approach to protecting both lives and livelihoods. The public health state of emergency was absolutely vital to those efforts, and I thank the General Assembly for the trust they placed in my office last spring.

“With coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths at all-time lows — and vaccinations on the rise — Georgians are getting back to normal,” the governor continued. “These new executive orders will enable the state to make that transition as easy as possible for our health care infrastructure, our job creators and the supply chains they rely on, and Georgians getting back in the workforce. The people of our state have shown their resilience over the last 16 months, and I am truly grateful to them for the sacrifices they made each and every day to protect themselves, their loved ones and their fellow Georgians. Now, we must commit to working together to ensure Georgia's best and brightest days are ahead.”

In a recent policy report, Romina Boccia and Adam Michel of the conservative Heritage Foundation asserted that government needs to get out of the way and trust the private sector.

“The most effective policies that enable the American economy to recover will remove disincentives that stand in the way of economic activity,” they wrote. “Policymakers can realize the great American economic recovery through ensuring policy predictability and pursuing an environment that enables working, hiring, commerce and investing without unnecessary distortions.”

Albers told Peach Tree Times that Kemp relied on people and companies to make smart decisions that paid off.

“Opening fully and assuring proper protections are in place from liability," he said. "Allow the private marketplace to thrive. Georgia is the No. 1 place to do business for eight straight years, which is a record. We allow capitalism and strong conservative principles to thrive.”

The numbers bear that out. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the latest numbers from Georgia (May 2021) indicate that out of Georgia’s total labor force of 5.1 million workers, 4.9 million are employed and 211,700 are unemployed, resulting in an unemployment rate of 4.1%

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, Georgia experienced its highest unemployment rate at 12.5% 

Albers said he expects to see a successful economic recovery from the pandemic this year.

“Yes, in Georgia,” he said. “Other states in the Northeast, West Coast and Midwest are likely to suffer based on their poor leadership and anti-business approach. Gov. Brian Kemp was masterful and most states followed his lead. Georgia is on the move.”