House Speaker Wants Tax Reform Now

With one day left in Georgia's Legislative session disagreements between the House and the Senate on tax reform still prevent legislation from being passed. Gerogians may not see a tax break in 2008 as the bickering continues. Leuitenet Governor Casey Calge blocked the House's proposals for and end to car taxes yet again. Cagle issued a statement asking the House to get on course with the Senate's plan for tax reform which is a cut in income tax.

House Speaker Glen Richardson said the Senate has simply found a new way to hide from the issue.

"The senate, again refused to vote on House Resolution 1246, and again the Leiutenet Governor of this state and the Senators of this state denied the people of GA the right to end taxes on their cars."

The time to pass tax reform in running short; Richardson is asking for a conference committee between the House and the Senate to try and work something out. Friday is the last day of the session.

State Senate seeks income tax cuts

Georgia Senate Republicans introduced yesterday a plan to cut state income taxes by 10 percent over five years. Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle announced the proposal, which immediately caused a stir among House Republicans who have been pushing their own tax cut plan.

Last week, the House GOP passed a measure to eliminate the state’s car tax and the state portion of property taxes. The Senate plan, introduced in the final days of the legislative session, is expected to deepen tension between the two chambers and Governor Sonny Perdue, who has been skeptical of tax cuts during the current economic slowdown.