Tax Breaks Pushed to Spur Hiring

Unemployment is at a record high. To help create jobs, state House Republicans want to pass a series of tax breaks to businesses.

Businesses would get a $2,400 income tax credit for each unemployed person they hire before July 1 of next year and keep on the job for at least two years. The package also includes a $500 credit toward unemployment insurance taxes for those new hires.

House Republicans hope the measure will give businesses an incentive to hire out-of-work Georgians, as well as lure new companies to the state. Additionally, the state would reduce the 6 percent corporate income tax and eventually eliminate it.

The breaks could save businesses upwards of a billion dollars.

Opponents say there’s no guarantee the package will create good-paying jobs; the tax-breaks kick in even for those hired to work 30 hours a week.

They also criticize slashing revenue at a time when more Georgians rely on the state for health care, education and other services.

The bill will go to the House floor for a vote this week.

(The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Chambliss "surprised" by bailout vote

One of Georgia's Senators says he would have voted YES to the sweeping federal bailout bill defeated by House members Monday.

Chambliss says the plan’s current version contains adequate safeguards and oversight that he--and taxpayers--should feel comfortable with.

Chambliss spoke on Tuesday just back from Washington, where he and fellow GOP Senator Johnny Isakson met with House Republicans. As for GOP House members who voted against the recovery measure, Chambliss offered this:

"We all were opposed to the first two versions...I was hopeful that changes would be made that would convince them they need to support it. They represent different congressional districts...Johnny and I represent nine-and-a-half million people. Sometimes you see things a little bit differently".

As for Chambliss' office getting flooded with calls from Georgians opposed to a massive bailout?

"I can’t worry about politics. This is so important for my constituents and it’s so important for my children and my grandchildren and the economy that they’re going to inherit, that you’ve got to think about what’s in the best interest of the country first".

Democrat Jim Martin is vying for Chambliss’ seat in November. At a candidate forum Monday, Martin blamed the incumbent and the Bush administration for the economy’s condition. Martin says he does not support the current bailout bill.

House votes to change death penalty law

The state House voted yesterday to grant judges the ability to impose the death penalty, even if a jury does not unanimously endorse the punishment. Current state law forbids the death penalty if one or more jurors disapprove of the sentence in a case.

The move divided Georgia’s Republican legislators. GOP sponsors of the bill say the change will prevent convicted murders from avoiding the death penalty because of a sole dissenter. GOP opponents warned that putting life-or-death decisions in the hands of one judge jeopardizes fairness and justice.

House members voted 112-55 to pass the measure. It is the chamber's second attempt to change the law in as many years.

Lawmakers craft new sex offender bill

House Republicans are pushing a new bill that would limit where sex offenders may live in Georgia. The state Supreme Court overturned a previous bill’s ban on sex offenders living within a thousand feet of any place where children congregate. The new bill would create exceptions including allowing a sex offender who owns a home to stay if a place like a day care center opened up within a thousand feet. Another exception would allow sex offenders with established employment to keep their jobs if a day care center opened nearby.