Sen. Raphael Warnock has warned that a proposed GOP tax bill could put 42,000 new jobs in Georgia at risk. The bill aims to repeal clean energy tax credits that have been key in creating manufacturing jobs and bringing in billions in investments to communities across the state.
Warnock stresses the importance of these tax credits. He is calling on people to speak up and protect good-paying, advanced manufacturing jobs, especially in often overlooked communities. He argues that the push to repeal the credits is politically motivated.
The goal is to undo measures passed by a Democratic Congress and signed into law by a Democratic president. In his first term in the Senate, Warnock fought for the clean energy tax credits. They were part of major climate legislation passed in August 2022.
Since then, Georgia has seen a big increase in clean energy investments. New projects have been announced or moved forward. This has been especially helpful for areas outside metro Atlanta, where jobs are needed most.
In a rare show of agreement, both Democrats and Republicans in Georgia have recognized the benefits of these clean energy manufacturing jobs. Rep.
Warnock warns of job risk
Marjorie Taylor Greene supported the expansion by solar panel maker Qcells.
She said their growth was partly due to the tax credits. Rep. Barry Loudermilk also praised the company’s solar panel production in his district. Rep. Buddy Carter noted that many American companies have used the tax credits for major clean energy investments.
He said his constituents stand to gain from many new projects. Warnock points out an important irony. Most of the districts benefiting from the tax credits are represented by Republicans.
In Georgia, 80% of the projects and a big portion of investments and jobs are in GOP-held districts. He warns that repealing the credits to favor a tax cut for the wealthy could cause Georgia to lose up to 42,000 new jobs. This would severely impact communities that need economic opportunities.
Warnock is calling on Georgians to ask their Congressional representatives where they stand when the GOP tax bill comes up for a vote. He says protecting these jobs goes beyond politics. It serves the best interests of everyday Georgians.