State Lawmakers Furloughed

Georgia lawmakers are the latest group of state employees to be furloughed. The House and Senate lawmakers will take one furlough day each month. They will go on through the end of the year, when legislative leaders will decide whether they should continue. House Speaker Glenn Richardson said House lawmakers should not only control the state's spending but also "carry a part of the financial burden that we are asking of other state employees." Lawmakers are not in session, but they are still receiving an annual salary. It was not immediately clear how much money the move would save.

(Associated Press)

Early bill takes on property taxes

Today a Georgia lawmaker filed the first "pre-bill" in anticipation of the upcoming 2009 legislative session. Republican Representative Ed Linsdsey wants to cap property tax assessments. House Speaker Glenn Richardson had sought to wipe out property taxes in the last legislative session but the plan died. The legislative session begins Jan. 12.

(Associated Press)

Richardson re-elected to Speaker post

The Republican caucus of the state House today re-elected Glenn Richardson to his post of Speaker.

Representative David Ralson of Blue Ridge had challenged Richardson for the job--a bold move rarely seen against a sitting Speaker.

In his speech to the caucus before the vote, Ralston said if elected, he would put members first and lobbyists last. Ralston cautioned the GOP caucus to be mindful of the losses the national party endured in last week's election. Ralston added "the people did not give us a permanent lease on power."

Richardson in his pre-vote speech to the caucus said "I have made mistakes along the way, but I've also learned from my mistakes." He added "Leaders are picked to lead, and that's what I intend to do. I'd rather try to do something good and fail, then to do nothing and succeed."

Richardson has come under criticism for taking a tough stance, often clashing with Governor Sonny Perdue and Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle.

In the end, the 105-members of the Republican caucus re-elected Richardson in a secret ballot. Because it's secret, results are not public.

GA House Speaker challenged

Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson is getting a run for his job. Representative David Ralston of Blue Ridge is challenging for the post through a letter to House members-saying under Richardson the House has been defined by its quote “heated rhetoric and infighting”.

Today, a House Republican caucus will vote on whether to replace Richardson. There is broad support for Richardson however, who is the first Republican speaker in the House since Reconstruction.

Warring lawmakers appear with Governor

Governor Sonny Perdue is back in Georgia after an economic development trip to China. The Governor signed a trio of bills into law dealing with health care, education and transportation. Today Mr. Perdue also appeared at the Capitol with House Speaker Glenn Richardson and Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle. Richardson and Cagle disputed publicly over tax reform throughout the legislative session … an issue that failed to get anywhere. Today neither backed away from attacks they traded last week … Richardson calling on Cagle's ouster for failing to pass tax reform … and Cagle accusing Richardson of being quote "blinded by ego."

Lawmakers move many bills in busy Crossover Day

Yesterday was the 30th day of the legislation session--the final day for lawmakers to pass bills in one of the chambers.

In the House, Speaker Glenn Richardson got an altered tax reform plan approved with the help of Democrats--a vote of 166-5. The revised version would do away with the car tag tax and limit property tax assessments. Democrats jumped on board when a provision was dropped that would have restricted local spending of tax money.

Other measures out of the House yesterday--approved by a 164-7 vote was legislation to help fortify Georgia's struggling trauma system by adding a 10-dollar vehicle registration fee. Winning approval was a measure to deliver tougher penalties against students who falsely accuse teachers and school employees of inappropriate behavior.

A measure concerning billboard regulation was twice voted down however. It would have compensated billboad owners when they have to move their signs.

From the Senate, there was unanimous passage of legislation to give scholarships to students who have a parent killed or wounded in military combat. The program would cost the state up to 1.3 million dollars. A Governor Sonny Perdue-backed bill won passage that allows voters to oust school board members if that district loses accreditation. This came in the wake of Clayton County's troubles.

The sports of ultimate fighting and mixed martial arts would be regulated by the same panel that covers boxing. The Senate bill however doesn't put the money-making wrestling industry in Georgia under the same oversight.

Richardson introduces property tax cuts

Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson appeared before the House Ways and Means tax reform subcommittee Thursday to present his plan to cut school and automobile property taxes across the state. The proposal would eliminate school and car taxes, worth $422 million over three years. That revenue would be made up by broadening the state sales tax to include groceries, lottery tickets and some services. Richardson insists that school funding will not be affected by the plan.

State leaders list priorities for 2008 session

State leaders including Governor Perdue and House Speaker Glenn Richardson laid out their legislative priorities to the members of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce today.

It was the first time Perdue and Richardson appeared together in public since the State House overrode 12 of the Governor's vetos. They greeted each other fleetingly and promised the crowd of 2500 that they will work in the best interest of the state, in their speeches. Afterward, Perdue told reporters that State House members should let it go.

"If it's about messages, then I hope they got it out of their system. And we can more forward, and move our state forward to the issues we need to address."

For Perdue, those include water, education and funding for trauma care. For Richardson it's transportation and property tax reform. For GPB News, I'm Susanna Capelouto

Grady supporters bring petitions to keep Grady public

A group of Grady Hospital supporters brought petitions to the Capitol today asking that the Atlanta hospital remain public. Meanwhile state leaders vowed to help the financially strapped hospital while also funding a state-wide trauma care system.

Grady Hospital is trying to stay open for business. There is fear that if it changes management, it will no longer serve Atlanta's poor. House Speaker Glenn Richardson told business leaders in Atlanta that he is willing to support state funding, but with conditions.

"Grady's got to help themselves first. When Grady helps itself, I'm willing to jump it. But we have to do something about trauma care statewide. We gotta get on the same page."

Governor Perdue is expected to outline help for Grady in his "State of the State" address. One idea is to charge speeders more money to fund hospitals. For GPB News, I'm Susanna Capelouto at the State Capitol.

New state DOT commish details mass problems

Only eight days into her term as new commissioner of Georgia’s Department of Transportation, Gena Abraham has delivered a sobering assessment of where things stand. Abraham told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that her new staff is unable to indicate how many projects the department has in the works or who’s overseeing projects. She also says over 15-hundred lawsuits are unresolved, and projects from the Governor’s Fast Forward program are 4.2 billion dollars over cost estimates.

Abraham had the support of Governor Sonny Perdue to replace Harold Linnenkohl as DOT commissioner. Abraham was chosen in a one-vote margin by the board over a candidate supported by House Speaker Glenn Richardson.

Augusta school officials oppose tax reform plan

School officials in Augusta are going on record against a controversial tax reform plan.

The Richmond County school board has voted to formally oppose the tax plan for education proposed by Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram).

They will take their opposition before legislators at a breakfast on Thursday.

The plan would eliminate a portion of property taxes, replacing education dollars with expanded sales taxes.

But school officials in Augusta fear they would lose control of local education funds.

"Now, we're working under a system where the local authorities have the ability to cut taxes or raise taxes to support a system that the public will support," said Jack Padgett, a Richmond County school board member. "I'm just not sure that anytime you send money away that you would get it all back."

Richardson eventually wants to eliminate all property taxes.

"Property taxes are rising faster than people's ability to pay them, and it is time that local governments stop balancing their checkbooks on the backs of homeowners," said Clelia Davis, a spokeswoman for Richardson. "All we are asking is for the citizens of Georgia to have the right to vote and decide whether they want to eliminate property taxes and change the system. That is the ultimate form of local control."

The Georgia School Boards Association, meanwhile, says only a few school systems so far have asked them for assistance in drafting resolutions opposing the plan. Richardson has dubbed the plan GREAT, which stands for Georgians for the Repeal of Every Ad Valorem Tax.

Perdue: no need to kill property taxes

Governor Sonny Perdue on Monday cautioned against diving headfirst into the type of tax reform proposed by state House Speaker Glenn Richardson.

In a speech to the Atlanta Press Club, Perdue said Georgia's tax structure is fundamentally sound, and any ideas to change it should be carefully analyzed.

"We aren't facing the same funding crisis that other states are dealing with, and we don't need to create one in our state by shifting revenue sources from more stable streams of revenue, to more volatile streams of revenue".

Richardson wants to eliminate the property tax, which generates nine billion dollars in state revenues, and instead expand sales taxes.

Perdue said that could make Georgia's revenue stream vulnerable during economic downturns.

The governor said he's not opposed to some tweaks in the tax system, but that they should be date-driven and openly debated.

Top Senate Republican doubts tax plan

The Georgia Senate's top Republican says a proposal to eliminate property taxes will be a tough to support for some lawmakers. Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson of Savannah says the tax plan being pushed by House Speaker Glenn Richardson will anger many by taxing goods such as groceries, water usage, wheel chairs and Girl Scout cookies. Johnson says Georgians would also be taxed on services such as legal advice, cable TV, haircuts and garbage collection. Richardson, a Republican from Hiram, wants to do away with property taxes, car tag taxes and other ad valorem taxes worth about $9.6 billion in revenue.

Lt. Gov. says tax plan could hurt seniors

The state’s second-highest lawmaker says eliminating Georgia’s property taxes could hurt senior citizens. Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle commented today on the idea by House Speaker Glenn Richardson to replace property taxes with new sales taxes. Cagle says the plan has the potential to cost senior homeowners on fixed incomes even more in taxes than they pay on their homes. The plan would make Georgia the only state with no property taxes.

Transportation Funding Study Committee wraps meetings

Finding money for Georgia’s transportation needs is the issue a committee of state lawmakers hopes to solve. They wrapped up two days of meetings in Atlanta today.

Members of the Joint Senate and House Transportation Funding Study Committee heard a number of proposed solutions, but it’s the bigger ideas that will be debated the next few weeks-—an additional statewide gasoline tax versus a sales tax.

Committee chair, Republican Senator Jeff Mullis of Chickamauga, says the emergence of non-taxed alternative fuels changes the equation:

"I think a sales tax maybe instead of a motor fuel tax could be the funding source".

House Speaker Glenn Richardson in his brief address to committee members says he's "willing to do anything, except do nothing" in solving Georgia's transportation woes. Richardson told reporters he would hope lawmakers in next year's General Assembly can consider a transportation sales tax, along with his own sales tax proposal.

The committee expects to come out with its recommendations in a few weeks for consideration by top lawmakers.

Opposition to property tax cut getting vocal

Groups opposed to House speaker Glenn Richardson’s proposal to eliminate the property tax in Georgia are stepping up their lobbying efforts.
Richardson already toured the state pushing his plan to eliminate the property tax.

He wants the state to collect sales taxes on food and other items instead and let the state decide how much money will go back to about 640 local governments.
Now, local governments have complete control over property taxes.

That’s why the Georgia Municipal Association is against the plan. Jim Higdon is the groups Executive Director

“This will destroy Local Governments, plain and simple," says Jim Higdon with the Georgia municipal association. "If a mayor and council have no authority, why do they even exist?"

Hidgdon’s group joins the Georgia School Boards Association, the Georgia AARP and others in their own tour of Georgia, to show they say that Speaker Richardson’s plan only benefits those owning big homes in high priced areas and landowners. The plan they say would hurt the elderly because medical services would be taxable.

The Tax Reform: A Reality Check tour will visit cities throughout Georgia, holding events from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on the following dates:
September 25, Macon - Ramada Plaza Hotel
October 2, Rome - Days Inn Downtown
October 9, Athens - UGA Center for Continuing Education
October 17, Albany - Albany State University
October 23, Augusta - Ramada Plaza Hotel
October 30, Savannah - Savannah State College
November 6, Gainesville - Gainesville State College

Perdue questions ditching property taxes

Governor Sonny Perdue also said today that he isn't sold on a proposal to eliminate property taxes in Georgia. House Speaker Glenn Richardson is pushing the plan to have Georgians pay more taxes for consumer goods. The governor said the loss of local control is a key concern with the speaker's plan. Local governments and schools depend heavily on property taxes.

Opposing a taxing proposal

Opposing a taxing proposal from Dave Bender and Vimeo.

A statewide fiscal watchdog group is taking issue with a far-reaching tax-reform plan to impose a state sales tax instead of property taxes.

The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) is fronting a coalition of groups opposed to a plan by House Speaker Glenn Richardson to abolish property taxes. Instead, Richardson's proposal would tax all goods and services sold in Georgia.

Alan Essig, who heads the Atlanta-based think tank spoke at Columbus State University Tuesday. He says Richardson's plan is ill-advised:

“Right now it's all guesswork, and are we going to blow up the tax system based on guesswork? Again, it's something we really need to think about before we do it.”

Along with Essig, a panel of city, school and local hospital officials discussed the plan's pros and cons with close to 100 Columbus residents.


Essig addressing the audience at
Cunningham Center at CSU.
(Dave Bender)

Perdue considers Richardson tax plan

Gov. Sonny Perdue says he has met with the economist behind House Speaker Glenn Richardson's plan to replace property taxes with a four-percent sales tax on goods and services, such as haircuts and legal counseling.

Perdue says he is interested in broadening the tax base, as this plan would do, and he understands property taxes are onerous. But, he stopped short of endorsing Richardson's proposal. He says he has many questions.

"This would be a huge departure," Perdue says. "We need to have to have the facts on exactly how it impacts [people]."

In addition, Perdue says he wants to make sure a sales tax would raise enough revenue alone.

Local officials across the state have criticized Richardson's plan. They fear they could lose money if the property tax were abolished.

Richardson tax plan fails to woo wealthy suburbanites

Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) is traveling Georgia's civic and country club circuits in an attempt to rally public support for his sweeping tax reform plan.

He visited the Country Club of the South in Alpharetta Tuesday. There he told the audience that he wanted to replace the taxes they pay on their homes and other property with a four-percent sales tax on goods and services.

Richardson said it is supply-side economics: If people have more money in their pockets, they will spend it, and the taxes will fund public services.

This is a conservative area, but Richardson still raised eyebrows.

"My concern is the math doesn't add up," said Fulton County Commissioner Lynn Riley, who represents this area.

Property taxes now bring in $8.2 billion. That's more than the state would reap from sales taxes, Riley says.

Richardson has several hurdles to leap. He must convince a majority of lawmakers to support his plan, and then voters would have to approve it.