HD47 Runoff
Miller vs. Cochran

Brian Cochran

Homeowners should not have to worry about losing their homes due to property taxes. I will expand the homestead exemption for owner-occupied primary residences. Of course, this reduces income for local county schools which may need to be backfilled with State funding support. However, instead of raising other taxes to offset the cost, we must cut wasteful government spending and reallocate those funds. I have started a list of programs, including modernizing our government's IT infrastructure, which can cut total spending and reduce taxes across the board.

Jack Miller

My first priority would be providing meaningful property tax relief for seniors. I would support creating a 100% Fulton County Schools senior exemption beginning at age 65 and increasing Fulton County's senior homestead exemption from $50,000 to $100,000. Fulton County has the highest per-capita property tax digest among Georgia county school systems, and many seniors are being taxed out of homes they have owned for decades. These exemptions can be funded without raising tax rates because Fulton County continues to experience substantial growth in property values, new construction, and real estate transactions. As the tax digest expands, that growth should be used to provide relief for longtime residents rather than simply increasing the tax burden on seniors living on fixed incomes.

Brian Cochran

Growing up in Milton, I recognize we must protect Milton's heritage from overdevelopment. I have spoken to residents who feel pushed out of their farms due to expansion. I will also expand tax credits for agricultural landowners which will reduce the pressure to sell to large land developers.

Jack Miller

My approach is simple: preserve local control and protect the character of our community. Milton's equestrian heritage, rural character, and high quality of life are among the reasons people choose to live here. As your state representative, I would use my relationships with local and state officials to advocate for policies that support those priorities while allowing appropriate economic growth where local leaders determine it makes sense. Most importantly, I believe zoning and land-use decisions should remain in the hands of local governments, not the state. In my first year, I would oppose any effort to weaken municipal authority over zoning and would consistently advocate for Milton's ability to make decisions that reflect the values and vision of its residents.

Brian Cochran

I will push GDOT to continue to keep Milton city officials the lead on the project. Our local governments are closer to the people and will lead best. Milton officials can receive feedback from local residents while utilizing traffic engineering resources from the State to come to the best resolution. I would advise them to seek long term traffic management solutions rather than simply constantly widening roads as temporary measures.

Jack Miller

I would push GDOT to grant the City of Milton greater planning authority over State Route 372, similar to the authority the city received over State Route 9 in 2025. Local officials understand the transportation challenges, traffic patterns, and community priorities better than anyone in Atlanta. Giving Milton a stronger voice in planning and project development would help ensure that improvements at Birmingham Crossroads reflect the needs of residents while preserving the community's character. My role would be to advocate for that local authority, facilitate productive conversations between Milton and GDOT, and help secure the resources needed to move practical, community-supported transportation solutions forward.

Brian Cochran

The incumbent voted yea on House Bill 1009 passed in the 2025-2026 regular session where I would have voted nay. While the bill claims to create "distraction free learning environments," there are two key problems. First, it is a blanket ban on personal electronics across the state which is an overreach of the State legislators. Local schools know their students best and should be able to manage their students as the local community sees fit. Secondly, while we should promote phone-less, distraction free education, the bill pretends that a full ban on personal electronics is a solution while ignoring the larger problem. Students are growing up in the age of technology with both infinite knowledge and infinite distractions at their fingertips. We need to teach kids to use technology well and manage themselves, not depend on authorities taking away their phones.

Jack Miller

I would have voted against any industry-specific tax incentive legislation that lacked a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis before receiving a vote. Taxpayer dollars should not be committed without clear evidence that the proposed incentive will generate meaningful economic benefits. Every industry tax break should include an independent analysis estimating expected job creation and economic impact compared to a scenario without the incentive. Additionally, all such incentives should include a sunset provision and a requirement for a post-implementation review to determine whether the promised outcomes were achieved. Government should hold itself accountable for results, and taxpayers deserve transparency before, during, and after these incentives are granted.

Brian Cochran

While meeting with constituents during my campaign, I have consistently been told that residents want opportunities to share with their representative. I plan to host town halls where constituents can bring their issues or feedback on upcoming bills. I also expect to meet with constituents one-on-one to dive deeper into problems and find solutions.

Jack Miller

Transparency and accessibility will be central to my service. I will maintain a public voting record on my website so residents can easily see how I vote on every major issue. I will also publish an analysis of the state budget after each legislative session, so taxpayers understand how their money is being spent. Beyond that, I will make myself directly accessible to constituents and ensure my office is responsive to questions and concerns. I live and work in House District 47, and my neighbors should not have to go into Atlanta to meet with their state representative. I will meet with constituents here in the district, where they live, work, and raise their families. Accountability starts with being visible, available, and willing to explain every decision I make.