GREAT Plan hearing brings critics, supporters

In the first of three hearings scheduled this week, legislators got to hear from the public today on House Speaker Glenn Richardson's so-called GREAT Plan.

Richardson's proposal calls for funding education by eliminating property taxes.

Money would instead come from taxes on an expanded array of goods and services.

Under the GREAT Plan, the state collects and then disburses money to local school districts.

However, some worry the Plan offers no guarantee districts will get the money they need.

Sally Fitzgerald is with the statewide Georgia PTA.

“We are concerned that public school students are all of a sudden going to have state strings attached to all of their revenue sources."

The GREAT plan does have its supporters, including property owner and Cobb County resident William Lively, Jr., who thinks the measure could and should go even further.

"The GREAT Plan, as it was originally introduced, which it took away all property taxes, I would be more in support of that, than I am now where it’s only taking away the education portion."

Because the GREAT plan calls for an amendment to Georgia’s Constitution, it must first be approved by two thirds of both the state House and Senate to appear on the ballot in November.
Public hearings on the GREAT Plan continue Wednesday and Thursday in Atlanta at the Legislative Office Building.