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)

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.

Property tax assessment resolutions pass in Senate

Tax reform has been the buzzphrase at the State Capitol during this election year. Tuesday, lawmakers put some actions to their words when the Georgia Senate passed two similar resolutions that would freeze property tax assessments.

Property values would be frozen and increases would be limited each year under the resolutions. The most popular one was sponsored by Republican State Senator Chip Rogers.

"This would actually freeze the property assessments at the 2008 value for residential and non-residential property...and allow the residential to go up by 2-percent, and the non-residential property by 3-percent".

Over 30 Georgia counties have similar laws already on the books. A few Democratic Senators warned that the move could cause local governments to shift the tax burden to a higher sales tax. The resolution will need approval from the state House before it can go before voters in November as a Constitutional Amendment.