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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHouse continues tax break for jet fuel
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House just voted 132-31 to continue for two more years tax exemptions for airlines to purchase jet fuel.
The overwhelming vote on HB 212 to continue until 2011 the tax break came despite impassioned objections from two House members, who said the state can hardly afford the price tag in an era of massive budget cuts.
Rep. David Lucas (D-Macon) said he understands the idea behind the bill, which was sponsored by Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek), but said it’s a bad idea. The state is considering eliminating funding for school nurses but wants to give Delta and other airlines tax credits.
Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam (D-Riverdale) said even after the tax cut was first implemented in 2008, Delta still laid off hundreds of workers and that it and other airlines have done very little to improve the communities around the airport. Abdul-Salaam’s district includes much of Clayton County where, she said, unemployment and foreclosures have sky-rocketed.
The bill is estimated to cost the state $24.4 million a year and local governments $13.5 million per year in lost sales taxes.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
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