Tax reform amendment passes House

Yesterday was Crossover Day at the state Captiol, and several bills did not make the cut for consideration this year. They include constitutional amendments to make English the official language of Georgia and to give a fetus the same rights as a person.

However, the state House did finally pass Speaker Glenn Richardson's tax reform amendment. The final version, which is dramatically different from Richardson's original proposal, passed with only five dissenting votes.

As it stands, the resolution would cut taxes on cars, eliminate the state portion of property taxes, and slow down property tax assessments. It does not cap millege rates, which had been a sticking point in debate of the measure last week. The amendment now goes to the Senate where it needs a two-thirds majority to be placed on the November ballot.

Cagle proposes local sales taxes for transportation

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle has introduced legislation that would allow voters to decide whether to tax themselves to fund road improvements in their county. The penny sales tax measure needs two-thirds approval from both houses of the Legislature and approval from voters in a statewide referendum. Eighty percent of the money generated by a county sales tax would go towards local transportation projects, while the remaining twenty percent would fund statewide transit needs. Under the plan, local governments would decide whether to put a tax measure before voters.

Bill would abolish state property taxes

A bill filed today in the General Assembly would get rid of the state property taxes. It would get rid of the state portion of ad velorem taxes on homes, land, automobiles and personal property. It would require a Constitutional Amendment the measure calls for putting the question to voters. An amendment requires the approval of a majority of Georgia voters.