Opinion: Pence — Trump’s making Ga., America great again

When I visit Atlanta Friday – my second time in the Peach State in just the past week – I’ll bring a message to all the good people of Georgia. The American economy is booming, and we’re just getting started.

Since Day One of our administration, President Trump has been fighting to rev the engine of our national prosperity and restore hope to the forgotten men and women of America.

Our President has signed more laws cutting through red tape than any president in American history. We’ve eliminated 22 federal regulations for every one we’ve issued. We’ve fought for trade deals that put American workers first, and unleashed the affordable American energy that fuels farms and families all across Georgia.

And President Trump appointed former Gov. Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture, bringing Georgia values and a Georgia voice to one of the most vital areas of our national life.

The results have been nothing short of remarkable.

Since our election, businesses large and small have created nearly 3 million new jobs. This includes over 50,000 in the Atlanta area alone, and Georgia has added over 14,000 new good-paying jobs in manufacturing and construction. Nationally, the unemployment rate is at a 17-year low, and since our inauguration, it’s fallen almost 20 percent in Atlanta.

But make no mistake about it: The best is yet to come.

Our economy is going to keep picking up speed, because just over three months ago, with the strong support of every single one of Georgia’s Republicans in Congress, and both of your Republican Senators, President Trump signed the largest tax cuts and tax reform in American history.

We cut taxes for hardworking Georgians.

The first $24,000 in income for a married couple is now tax-free, the child tax credit is twice as high as it was before, and 90 percent of working families will soon see the tax cut reflected in their paychecks. All told, we estimate the typical Georgia family of four will see a tax cut of over $2,200.

We also gave Georgia families relief from the disaster of Obamacare by eliminating the law’s individual mandate tax. No longer will you be forced to buy unaffordable government-mandated health insurance.

We also cut taxes for job creators of all sizes.

We slashed the corporate tax rate from the highest in the developed world to below the average, so Georgia companies can compete and win against businesses anywhere in the world.

Georgia small businesses and family farms also received significant tax relief, which means deeper roots and bigger investments in communities all across the state.

Since the tax cuts passed, more than 75,000 Georgians have been impacted by our tax cuts, including bonuses for Atlanta workers as high as $2,000. Company after company has responded with raises, bonuses, and better benefits for their workers. Others have announced new investments and new jobs, including many new good-paying jobs in manufacturing.

In the years ahead, working families across the state can expect to see their paychecks grow by over $4,000. When you add in the tax cuts that families are already feeling, one thing’s for sure: Our tax cuts are working for Georgia.

But as President Trump likes to say, in this White House, that’s just what we call a good start.

We’re going to keep cutting job-killing red tape and standing up to unfair trade practices by other countries, such as China. And we’ll work with Georgia’s leaders in Congress to pass an historic infrastructure bill that will rebuild this state and all of America.

After the first year of our administration, it’s been a year of promises made and promises kept. We’re renewing prosperity and restoring opportunity in Georgia and all across America. With President Trump’s leadership, and the support of the good people of the Peach State, I know we’ll finish what we’ve started, and we’ll make America Great Again.

Mike Pence is Vice President of the United States of America.