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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSenate votes to end homeowner grants
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Senate gave final approval Tuesday to legislation that will probably mean homeowners won’t receive a taxpayer relief grant this fall.
The House passed the measure a few weeks ago, and the Senate narrowly approved it Friday. However, an opponent of the bill, Sen. Steve Thompson (R-Marietta), used a parliamentary maneuver to bring it up for a final vote again Tuesday. His move to have the bill reconsider failed 23-32.
The bill guarantees the state will fund the grants, which save homeowners about $200 to $300 on their property taxes, this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Homeowners received the grants on their tax bills last fall, but counties haven’t been reimbursed for those awards.
The bill essentially promises to pay the counties the $428 million to fund the awards from last fall. Without that money, counties would likely send out supplemental tax bills to homeowners later this year.
While the state may fund the grants in the future if the revenue outlook improves, they won’t be awarded this fall.
Gov. Sonny Perdue has not said if he’ll sign the legislation, or approve the $428 million needed to pay back the counties.
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By There you have it...
February 10, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this
Now this is what we call a “BACK DOOR” tax increase, many thanks to our good Republican friends. Thank you and may I have another!