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.
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.
