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Friday, April 13, 2007
Black Caucus leader says slavery apology might have to wait
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A resolution apologizing for Georgia’s role in slavery might have to wait until next year because it has failed to gain consensus in the Legislature, the head of Georgia’ Legislative Black Caucus announced this afternoon.
“Until we are able to bring about more consensus, I have made the decision not to [introduce] the resolution at this time in the state House,” Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway), said at a news conference in the state Capitol rotunda today.
With about 15 other black caucus members by his side, Williams said his decision is “not to abandon it but just to massage it more and work more for a greater amount of cooperation and agreement.”
Williams said he hopes to introduce the resolution this year but said it is possible it will have to wait until next year. His announcement follows more bad signs for the effort: a standoff between Senate Republican and Democratic leaders.
Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) blasted Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown (D-Macon) Thursday for not taking an active role in supporting the resolution. Brown responded that Johnson never invited him to get involved.
The slavery debate arose several weeks ago when the state NAACP called on the Georgia General Assembly and Gov. Sonny Perdue to apologize for the state’s role in slavery.
The NAACP’s call for a slavery apology initially received a cool reception from GOP leaders in both the House and Senate. Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) reflected the sentiments of many lawmakers by saying he did not think people could apologize for something they did not do.
The issue appeared to be dead — until Johnson stepped into the picture and said he would work with Rep. Williams on crafting language for a resolution addressing slavery that would engender bipartisan support. Rep. Williams originally said he was planning to introduce a resolution this year.
The wording of the resolution has become a sticking point, however. Several weeks ago, Rep. Williams circulated a four-page draft that would acknowledge the history of slavery in America “with contrition” and call for “reconciliations” among all Georgians.
A more recent draft of the proposed resolution obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution did not offer an apology for slavery but expressed “profound regret for Georgia’s role in the enslavement of Africans.”
Lawmakers in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland have approved an apology for their states’ roles in slavery this year.
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Property tax cut included in budget deal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Taxpayers would receive about a $100 property tax cut under a budget deal given final approval by the General Assembly this morning.
The measure passed the House 166-0 and the Senate 48-0. The deal still must be signed into law by Gov. Sonny Perdue.
House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram), said he hopes the tax break will come in the form of a check counties send to property owners in coming months. Or homeowners could get a tax credit on the annual property tax bill they receive.
“We’re still working on the details,” Richardson said.
The measure will save taxpayers — and cost state coffers — $142 million.
“You are giving tax relief to the citizens of Georgia. It’s something you can all be proud of,” House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans), told his colleagues this morning.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill (R-Reidsville) said, “Sending money back to taxpayers is the right thing to do.”
House leaders proposed the tax cut after they reached an impasse with Senate leaders on the mid-year budget for fiscal 2007, which ends June 30.
Members of the House felt the Senate had portrayed them as big spenders because they’d tried to include projects such museum funding and Gov. Sonny Perdue’s “Go Fish Georgia” fishing tourism program in the mid-year budget.
The Senate gutted the mid-year budget of those projects, and the two sides did not appear near a deal when they began negotiations Tuesday.
Under the deal being approved today, the mid-year budget will provide $81 million to prop up the PeachCare health insurance program for children of the working poor, more than $9 million to keep the public defender’s system afloat and about $40 million to aid the startup of a new Kia car plant in West Georgia.
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Property tax cut approved by Legislature
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Taxpayers would get about a $100 property tax cut under a budget deal given final approval by the General Assembly this morning.
The measure passed the House 166-0 and the Senate 48-0. The deal still must be signed into law by Gov. Sonny Perdue.
House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram), said he hopes the tax break will come in the form of a check counties send to property owners in coming months. Or homeowners could get a tax credit on the annual property tax bill they receive. “We’re still working on the details,” Richardson said.
The measure will save taxpayers - and cost state coffers - $142 million. “You are giving tax relief to the citizens of Georgia. It’s something you can all be proud of,” House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans), told his colleagues this morning.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill (R-Reidsville) said, “Sending money back to taxpayers is the right thing to do.”
House leaders proposed the tax cut after they reached an impasse with Senate leaders on the mid-year budget for fiscal 2007, which ends June 30.
Members of the House felt the Senate had portrayed them as big spenders because they’d tried to include projects such museum funding and Perdue’s “Go Fish Georgia” fishing tourism program in the mid-year budget.
The Senate gutted the mid-year budget of those projects, and the two sides did not appear near a deal when they began negotiations Tuesday.
Under the deal being approved today, the mid-year budget will provide $81 million to prop up the PeachCare health insurance program for children of the working poor, more than $9 million to keep the public defender’s system afloat and about $40 million to aid the startup of a new Kia car plant in West Georgia.
Permalink | Comments (35) | Post your comment | Categories: Taxes
