Political Insider

By Darrell

May 8, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

What an arrogant A*!

By Darrell

May 8, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

So much for offering an Olive Branch apology!

By Budro

May 8, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Gimme my rebate, Sonny!

By Debbie

May 8, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

The money should go back to the tax payers not put in reserves that will be spent.

I am proud of the stand the leaders in the House taken. Too bad the Senate is not.

By Ga Liberal

May 8, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Why doesn’t Perdue use the tax money to pay for PeachCare or indigent defense attornies? Or is it that he doesn’t care about poor kids and people that can’t defend themselves? When you vote Republican, you vote against your own best interests. Sonny and Glen have proved my point.

By JustMe

May 8, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

The money should not go back to tax payers. The money should go back to fund the education money Sonny cut back so deeply.

Sonny continues to want to buy public opinion and votes by reducing services.

By Joe

May 8, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Sonny LIED “again”

Joe

By Pauncho

May 8, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

I can’t fathom the decision from one who says he’s a conservative to refuse to return money to the people it belongs to—shame on Sonny!

By Zoomie

May 8, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

I guess in “Sonny’s World,” leaders act in whatever d**n way he tells them!

By Johnny C.

May 8, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

SOnny is just like all of the other politicians that take and take and when the chance comes to return a little he balks. Let’s start over and get rid of all of the politicians. We need fairness not catering to the special interest groups like we see every day.

By Philly

May 8, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Perdue just proved that he is a Democrat at heart.

I am a delegate to the Georgia GOP Convention and I plan on walking out in protest when Perdue speaks and urge others to do likewise.

Cagle has become Perdue’s puppet.

By Bre

May 8, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

I had voted Democratic all my adult life. This election I voted Republican, because I thought Georgia was due for a change. Little did I know that the Republican party would consist of a group of spoil men who all want to have their way. I am very disapponted. They need to remember that we can’t get our way all the time, if so I WOULD BE RICH!!!!

By left wing conspiracy

May 8, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

i’m glad all of these republicans are in power getting things done by consensus.

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By Valorie

May 8, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

I could certainly use my property tax rebate for my own use (i.e., high-priced gas, prescription refills or even a pedicure for myself). Come on, Sonny, gimme my money…..

By saundra

May 8, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

The tax rebate was a joke for making politcal hay; we’d get a paultry sum, a bare pittance, and take scads of money out of the coffers, all for some chest beating. Keep the money and buy more park land, fund Peach Care, fund education, or something else tangible that the citizens need. I’d give my $30 back to such a fund, no problem.

By Marc

May 8, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Why do you want the $142 million? It sounds like a lot but will only mean pennies per citizen when divided up. It will cost the state millions just to process and mail the checks.

By RPW

May 8, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

Most elected officials seem to lose site of what landed them in office to begin with. The last governor was dismissed over a petty little argument that was settled decades ago. I would hate to walk around with the sign that says “I kept your money because you dont need it anyway.” We should all be saying “STOP THIEF!!!, Give us back our money…”

By Dick

May 8, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

Since everyone is up in the air about this, let me ask you a question. what do you think of allowing a person to go to the local voter registra office and asking to see the sign in sheet for the primary election so they can see who signed in to vote either democrat or republican ticket. While they can’t see who you voted for, they can see which party you voted under. I think the wildfires in South Georgia have pretty well spent any additional monies the state thought they had.

By LarryMac

May 8, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

If we had the fair tax provision going - coupled with a constitution that requires a balanced budget every year, and both at the federal and local levels - none of this would really matter. Let’s make it happen, Georgia!!

By Peggy

May 8, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

You took a wrong turn with this one Sonny! Tax payer’s money, belongs back with the Tax payer!

By Debbie

May 8, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Sonny sux!! Use that money for Peach Care. He is satisfied as long as he gets his boat ramps!!!

By Paul

May 8, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

$142 million wouldn’t go that far as a rebate anyway. Just good, conservative fiscal responsibility, Sonny. Keep up the good work.

By JAMES

May 8, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

SONNY GIVE THE MONEY TO PEACH CARE AND EDUCATION.

By Average Jill

May 8, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Keeping the money in reserves is fiscally sound…good for you, Sonny! Don’t listen to the whiners; keep your head up and make those unpopular decisions….there are millions needed to fight Georgia’s fires… and while we’re talkin’, why not do away with all the “freebies” available to illegals and the whole state will be better off!

By Sean

May 8, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

After he let us down over the Georgia State Flag, we shouldn’t expect Sonny to do anything for GA residents.

By Buster

May 8, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Apparently the voters of this state could care less about how the govt. runs. He whipped Taylors butt so bad that it was obvious that some democrats even voted for him…….Why….I cannot answer that.

By Gentleman Jack

May 8, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

I guess Sonny took off of his Sonny Do list to be a conservative and cut taxes. However Sonny continues to want to control our lives by threatening to veto Sunday alcohol sales, and intrude in any way he can into the personal lives of Georgians. It is time to give the Democrats another chance to show this “Leadership” that Sonny says the House doesn’t have just because they disagree with him.

By John

May 8, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

Let me see if I have this correct - the Governor and General Assembly just completed the fifth straight year of “austerity reductions” to public education, tax collections are sluggish, and millions of dollars are needed to fight fire in South Georgia.

The Governor’s big government, big spending solution is to “beg” the federal government for fire fighting funds rather than emark surplus funds for this need or, heaven forbid, restore cuts in education funding?

The General Assembly’s solution to this is to return money to the voters rather than to restore education cuts or to direct the money toward fire fighting expenditures?

And these politicians are supposed to be from the political party of small government and fiscal responsibility?

By JD

May 8, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Giving the money back to tax payers gains as many votes as one loses to inflamed liberals. A fiscal conservative takes these kinds of actions. The right decision is to store it away for a rainy day. Something our Federal government and its citizens need to start doing.

By Sam Sludge

May 8, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

Sunshine,

You’re showing your a** again!

Putting $142 million in taxpayers refunds in a Gold Dome “reserve fund” is about as brilliant as storing whiskey in an AA Meeting Hall!

By john

May 8, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

$700 million surplus and we have cuts to education funding, public health (PeachCare included), mental health offices have been closed, funding for indigent defendants (a constitutional requirement). I wish Sonny would go fish and stay out of government before he ruins us.

By CommonSense

May 8, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Perdue is a waste and makes the GOP look awful. Can we have a special election instead of a special session? That McBerry guy doesn’t seem so bad now!

By GE

May 8, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Outside of getting brownie points from some voters, why would this inept legislature give back $100 to each tax payer when there are many other needs such as Peachcare, legal services for indigents, education, etc.? Is not there a link to increases in crime and the construction of more prisons when certain elements of our society cannot afford the basic needs that those with resources have at their leisure? I would prefer that my tax dollars go to prevention on the front end instead of remediation on the back end.

By Monica

May 8, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

With wildfires raging in both North and South Georgia, putting 142 million in reserves just might be a good idea. And tornado season is far from over. What a concept - a savings account.

By Georgia Voter

May 8, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

Perdue,

You killed my tax refund!

You damn sure better not pss away the rest of my tax payments on some stupid a* fishing junket for your cronies!

We’re watching and we damn sure aint gonna forget!

By Atlanta Sunshine

May 8, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

Someone please tell me how much each taxpayer WAS supposed to receive.

If it’s a nominal amount,I’m in agreement with “saundra”. What small pleasure will it bring you? Keep the money and buy more park land, fund Peach Care, fund education, or something else tangible that the to the good of all GA citizens.

By Anthony Wilkins

May 8, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

The “kissing & hugging” coming together party yesterday was short lived! This reinforces my theory that we’re a RED state because we’re embarrassed by the lack of real leadership.

By Rolltide

May 8, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

We need a new republican gov. cuz sunny dont no how to run and make ppl proud to be a georgian sunny you did it this time pal.

By Dick

May 8, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

Peach care is a rip off. I sacrifice $260.00 a month for health insurance, parents can do the same. Idf they didn’t buy lottery tickets and booze they could afford health insurance on the children. Parents are expected to make sacrifices. This blog shows what is wrong with America—we expect the government to take care of all our problems. They never will they make problems.

By JD

May 8, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

John, Today it’s education and fires in south georgia, tomorrow it will be something else. There are always reasons to spend the money, but someone has to stop spending and start saving for real issues (e.g. large natural disasters, terrorist events, etc.).

When those events occur, there is no more tax money coming into the government. Business stops (ref. New Orleans). You either start borrowing (see Federal Govt approach) or you save for the inevitable. It’s called insurance, but our governments don’t get that because its citizens either don’t want to pay taxes or want to spend it all.

By Fitzgerald

May 8, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

When will Perdue stop parading around as a Republican and come out and admit he is just a statist who changed parties just so he would be able to win a nomination to run. Nothing he does is classical conservative. Perdue is a joke and does nothing more than kiss babies and shake hands in order to pander to votes. It is a shame he is the best the republicans can nominate

By D Olson

May 8, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

Governor, make sure that the $142 million stays in reserves. This is a prudent step to insure monies in the future.

By Oldtimer

May 8, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…Georgia never saw a tax they did not like… Taxing all property at the same rate (40%) regardless of the use or impact on services is wrong! A “Homestead” places very little demand on services or impact to the infrastructure and should be reduced. Income producing property, industry, utilities place great demand on services, infrastructure and the environment and should be taxed much higher. Property taxes in general are confiscatory by design. …If you don’t pay, we take it….there is not even “current use” protection. If an upscale shopping center goes up near your “Homestead”, guess what- reevaluation to the shopping center property value. Sorry, homeowner; hee- hee-hee.

By Colleen

May 8, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

With so many Georgians struggling, you’d think that Sonny would either be giving more serious consideration to eliminating the gas tax or giving back this money. By doing nothing, Sonny just made me regret my vote. I was on his side because I THOUGHT he was on OUR side. I was wrong.

By Dot

May 8, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

Amen, LarryMac! Support Fair Tax!!!

By JD

May 8, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

Sam Sludge,

This issue is bigger than the $142 million. My point is philosophical. US Citizens are too greedy to make rational choices.

We want our money back so we can go buy some more DVDs and take a trip to Disney World. Hurrah!

By Atico

May 8, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

What bothers me most about this whole debacle is: The 142 million will probably end up as a raise for the already over paid and over rated Georgia school teachers. The Education Departments of this State are the largest users of taxpayers money and the largest squanderers thereof Lets put a rope around what we pay these sub standard workers and their supervisors. It is ludricrous how they spend our money, and they have an unsatiable money appetite. The agenda of the School Boards always start with these words; “We do not have enough money so…….we must lobby for more and more and more.

By So Ga slow burn

May 8, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

I could care less about the $35 property tax rebate. How insulting in the first place! Give us real tax reform. Georgia will never see that reform from either party. Most party politicians are just the same. Unfortunately the voters never tell them what they really think of them for fear of not receiving THEIR part of the pig when its handed out. GEORGIA REPUBLICANS better WAKE UP or they will find themselves back in the minority just like the big spenders in DC.

By anarchist

May 8, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ JUST JOIN ME $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

By Jen

May 8, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

Will someone answer this: Gas taxes are based on the price we pay at the pump. Our coffers should be overflowing with unanticipated tax “windfalls” from the high gas prices. Where is all THIS money going?

By Sharon Dupree

May 8, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Why do conservatives all over the country attempt to deflect blame for what their elected, selected and accepted politicans do? This decision had nothing to do with Democratic politicans since Republicans control the governorship and congressional votes. If you have a disagreement with what happened, go to the actual parties and complain. It’s action and inaction just like this, while blaming others for failure, that has gotten this country in such a mess. I, sometimes, believe that young people, when not overly influenced with the biases of adults, could do a better job at running the states and the country. Adults need to grow up

By state employee

May 8, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

You people are funny if you only could of seen the waste before Sonny. You would be thanking your lucky stars that he is trying to make a better state and take your tax dollars farther than anyone else has ever tried to do.

Its also funny how people get upset for 90 bucks than figuring out why Ga.’s education system is way behind.

By Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Taylor

May 8, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

Once again, we see the true power an un-informed voter has. It’s time to clean house, Georgia voters.

By Janelle

May 8, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

Give the money back to PEACHCARE Sonny… Thanks to all of you who voted for him… Great Job!

By Sam Sludge

May 8, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

JD,

You don’t get it my friend!

It’s my money - I don’t give a damn if its $5, $50 or $100! It’s my money to spend as I want!

Tax surpluses, large and small belong to the taxpayers! Tax revenues (surpluses) DO NOT belong to legislators or fat *ss Governors! Sunshine thinks the $142 million is his. It’s not!

Us hard working taxpayers are mighty pi**ed off at Sunshine for playing with our tax money likes it’s monopoly money in some game. Case in point: $19 million for GO FISH!

Hey Sunshine: GO FISH THIS!!!!!!!!!!

By GOPgal

May 8, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Hurray to Perdue for standing up for what he believes and instead of being pressured into vote-winning stategies! It would cost a bundle to refund the money to the taxpayer and in the end waste a lot. It’s better to put the money in reserve until folks calm down, debate, and come to an agreement that’s not just a knee-jerk reaction to discovering a surplus in the piggy-bank.

By G354ME

May 8, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

The last thing that I can be accused of is a Perdue defender, but he did the right thing here. It seems that most do not understand the Governor does not have the authority to rewrite the budget, but he can do line item vetoes. I believe Sonny would have much preferred to give the money to Peach Care or some other cause because he knew the 142 million could help them, but to the taxpayers of Georgia it was less than a meal out with the family. And none of the hotshot Republicans pushing this rebate could explain how it would be administered. Remeber the counties were to issue a rebate and be reimbursed by the State, and many counties were leaning toward offering a credit on next year’s tax bill instead. If Sonny or any other politican wants to offer a tax cut or rebate, let them take it out of their own collections like an income tax credit. Both Sonny and the Legislators seem to want to offer a tax cut to one element of the population, Sonny the rich retirees (most retirees do not pay incomne taxes now since their income is so low) and the House only wants to credit homeowners. The only bright idea came at the end of the session when the thought of one tax break was put on hold to overhaul the complete tax process and budget process.

By Oldtimer

May 8, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

I agree LarryMac, it’s time to get rid of this archaic tax system and implement the “FairTax” …personally, I prefer it to be in the form of a consumption tax collected at the cash register. Since cash registers are computers, they can be programmed to exempt staple goods, medicine, etc. and assess additional rates on luxury items. Pay the merchant a percentage for tax collections as is done with lottery tickets. No forms to file; no invasion of privacy; no threats of prosecution.

By Mario from FP

May 8, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Sonny is getting soft on us!

By Jenny

May 8, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

Is $100 really going to make that much of a difference to you. Look at the bigger picture here, Georgia is ranked very low in educational ability. Keep the money in reserves for education and healthcare.

By Will

May 8, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

How much would a special session have cost? That probably would have blown at least $1 million. A better use would be to increase the homestead exemption.

By CM

May 8, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Two comments:

(1) Who does Glenn Richardson think he is fooling when he talks about giving the money back to taxpayers? If I’m going to get a refund, I want something more than the less than $50.00 that would be my share of the refund. He’s jerking us around, hoping we don’t realize just how little of the $142 million individual property owners will actually receive. We are not stupid out here.

(2) Why does Perdue insist on a tax break for the wealthy? Does he think that we retirees who don’t have $100,000 in annual income don’t need a break on our income tax? Does he, too, think we are stupid and don’t understand whose back pocket he is in?

Thankfully, elections are in 2008 and at least, we can do away with the Republicans in the Georgia legislature. Perhaps that’ll show Perdue, and Richardson, who’s in charge.

By Dale Rainbolt

May 8, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

Put the 142 million dollars toward Peach Care. I would rather see the excise tax on automobiles rescinded. This would be a better savings to the taxpayers of this state than a paultry refund on property taxes.

By Michael R

May 8, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Veto a tax property rebate - that’s what Sonny did!

No i don’t own any property, I’m a renter but this is still wrong. Give the money back to the people of Georgia, Sonny. Thanks for nothing Governor.

And that is what Sonny did.

By Nancy

May 8, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

GLEN RICHARDSON IS THE ONLY LEADER WITH ANY GUTS AND THE ONLY LEADER WHO CARE ABOUT THE TAXPAYER OF GEORGIA!!!! AGAIN THE GOVERNOR HAS SHOWN THAT HE’S NOT FOR GEORGIA. CASEY CAGLE HAS SHOWN YET AGAIN THAT IS IS WEAK AND CAN ONLY FOLLOW WHAT IS SAFE. HE IS NOT A LEADER HE IS A SNAKE. I WILL BE AT THE CONVENTION ON THE 18TH AND CAGEL AND PERDUE WILL BE BOOED BY ME. I AM SORRY TO DO THAT I WOULD LIKE TO RESPECT THEIR OFFICES. BUT THEY SHOW NO RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA.

By G354ME

May 8, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

What “excise tax”? If you mean the county ad valorem tax then remember this is not a State Tax and over half of this tax is used for the local schools. The county tax is one tax I can see being used and anyone not happy about the way it is being spent can make a big vocal cry. State taxes are wasted day in and day out and frankly no one really cares about the individual at the state level or the federal level for that matter. I much rather see the income tax rate lower by 1% or more income tax credits being issued. How about issuing a 50% credit of the county ad valorem tax on the state income tax return. Many states have no income tax at all and that sounds good to me. Of course they have higher fuel tax, sales tax, and property tax (hey the money has to come from somewhere).

as to the so called “Fair Tax”, what is fair about a 32% sales tax (that was the amount I last heard from Linder). I guess for someone that earns 6 figures and puts most of their money into investments and real estate that is fine. But for someone like me (which make up the majority of the population), I spend about 90% of my income after paying bills so my effective tax rate would actually be higher under your so called “Fair Tax”. The “Fair tax” is being sold to the un-informed and ignorant by the rich and powerful. We are in need of tax reform, but the so called “Fair Tax” is not it.

By Nancy

May 8, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

I WILL WALK WITH YOU PHILLY AND I SURE OTHER WILL ALSO. GAGLE IS A JOKE!!!!

By Lisa

May 8, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Georgia will become a blue state in 2008. People are getting wising up.

By WTF???

May 8, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

Sonny is a true REPUBLICAN…..greedy, selfish, arrogant and just plain STUPID!!!!! And for the folks that voted for him………you got what you paid for!!!!

I wish he would disappear from the face of the earth and take Bush and Cheney with him!!!!

By Bert

May 8, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

Looks like King Bubba learned from King Roy!! Be a jerk in the second term, turn back into a yellow dog (where your roots are) and don’t even think about giving the 900 million surplus back to the people. We don’t know how to use it anyway.

By chris

May 8, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

The citizens of Georgia will suffer. We pay taxes to fund OUR Govt. When we fund more than needed, it should be returned to us, the taxpayers. The problem with Govt today is they feel tax revenue is theirs to do with as they please. Gov. Purdue wants to put the extra rev. in a “lock box” for future mismanaged programs to avoid being over budget. We as Georgians need to get serious and mad about these types of decisions and vote these greedy politicians out.

By Agatha

May 8, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

to WTF- That is so true.

By nunya

May 8, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

Hehehehehe. You voted Republican.

By Babes for Tax Cuts

May 8, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

Looks like old Roy Barnes has now given us more property tax cuts than Sonny Perdue.

And this man wants to be on a GOP Presidential Ticket????

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

By jess

May 8, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

WE vote people in and hope they are telling us the truth. Politicians NEVER tell the truth. They depend on the citizens stupidity for there success. What happened to the idea that politicians worked for the people?? The people need to rise up and take our country back. They live in the mansions paid by tax dollars, insurance benefits forever, security, food, cloths, trips, transportation any where they like, pass the laws THEY like, chefs, parties..you name it..al paid by the tax payer dollars. Something is wrong with that picture.

By paula

May 8, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

I think Governor Perdue is thinking long range for the best interest of the people. This refund per person is insignificant but as a whole it can do a lot for causes such as PeachCare and education. I am afraid most of the lawmakers are thinking of reelection and not about the future for the State.

By Nancy

May 8, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

When H**# freeze over will georgia become a socialist Blue State! We just need a recall on a Governor that say’s he’s Republican and a conservative when he really bleeds blue blood!! Democratic!!

By CJ

May 8, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

Dear Georgians, don’t you feel dumb for electing Sonny? Love, I Didn’t

By Dick

May 8, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

Sonny might have lied, but let’s all remember, he didn’t inhale.

By Teresa

May 8, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

Thank you for not wasting any more tax payer dollars!

By ABS

May 8, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this

The sad thing is…you voted for Sonny, now we’re stuck with him for the next six years. Please remember your anger about this the next time he runs for office.

By Waldo

May 8, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Where is the LEADERSHIP in this State?

By Jeanne

May 8, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Guess Sonny only likes last minute changes that would benefit him personally. Funny, the more the gas prices stay up and thus the gas tax revenues are way up, the more Sonny moans about the sad state of the state revenue. Wouldn’t want to help out the taxpayers, would you, Sonny? Gee, thanks a bunch!

By Steve

May 8, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

RECALL PERDUE!!!!

By Jenny

May 8, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

ABS, The Governor in Georgia has a term limit of two terms (four years each). Therefore he is not with us six more years. The next gubernatorial race is in 2010. Prior to criticizing the citizens or Georgia for electing a Republican, it might be wise to get your facts straight.

By Jack

May 8, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

If Sonny had any balls, he whould use it to bolster the State patrol to a unit that is more than Govenor’s honor guard. Having one patrol officer on duty for every two counties is rediculous. Pay them a descent salary and hire enough to be a descent force. Highway deaths and idiot drivers need to be dealt with!

By Ruth

May 8, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

I am sooooooooooooooo sick of the way people that are voted for forget the ” people” that voted them in. The retired people need this tax break. I am soooooo tired of all the money spent for the elections. Just think what we could do with the millions.

By C. S. Thomas

May 8, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

It’s difficult to say who looks worse in this deal. The tax cut veto wont really hurt Sonny. He doesn’t have to face the voters anytime soon, if ever.It does make him look ineffective. Don’t call for a special session if you don’t have the guts to get in the trenches and fight for what you think is right. Richardson comes off as a character challenged foul mouthed bully, who, in my opinion will never be Governor. Casey decided to start his campaign for Governor when the House sent him a pork laden amended budget only to cave for a gimmick tax cut. We ended up with no real fiscal restraint and no true tax reform. God help us if this bunch of “leaders” is the best our Republican majority has to offer. Hopefully a real Republican leader will emerge before the next election for Governor. Otherwise, a moderate Democrat not closely alligned with the national party can still be elected in this state.

By Voted For Taylor

May 8, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Can’t wait for Georgia to wise up and turn blue again, like the good ol’ days — before all of these uninformed transplants got to the polls and screwed things up.

By James A Clark

May 8, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Gov. Perdue, for standing up to the irresponsibility of grandstanding legislators. The tax break would have been minuscule compared with the cost of administering it AND the loss of income for state. Shame on the greedy citizens damning the governor. Thanks, Paula, for your sensible comment.

By GodHatesTrash

May 8, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Sonny Perdoofus is 100% Georgia trash.

The morons that voted for him are, too.

By Dick

May 8, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

ATTN God hates trash I voted for Perdue, and I am not moron. I am an employed tax paying citizen of Georgia. Nowe before a good many of us say things we shouldn’t say as to wasted tax dollars let’s think a little. How many of you that are upset have children who are not special ed but you kept ;fussing and fussing until they were labeled special ed so they could be the choice students in school? How many that are blogging are taking money from the state they are not netitled to whether it be food stamps, WIC, unemployment while yet working under the table for cash, drqawing disability when you know you could do some type of work, or possibly hacing children out of wedlock for the checks each month. Those who fulfill the above should be upset as they voted for Taylor as he is a number one program give away politician. Upset because they are use to getting money from the state and feds. I am so sick and tired of our politicians showing peole they will take care of them from the cradle to the grave, why work, vote for me and I will take care of you. I dispise the democratic party and have almost reached the same point on the republican side. America and a good number of its citizens have become their own worse enemny. What to now what is wrong with education-several weeks ago that question was answered with the Six Flags give away day. Parents/guardians won’t go to a PTA meeting or teacher parent conference but sure can get their lazy butts out of bed to get their children to Six Flags hoping for a free (there is that word again) ticket to get in for the day.

By Elizabeth

May 8, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

For those of you that voted for Sonny twice, don’t you feel smart!

By ohbwotha

May 8, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

to those that stated they voted for taylor: 1. taylor would’ve been in the same pickle as sonny and would probably have done worse. 2. and to the person who wrote this: …uh if i’m not mistaken taylor didnt do anything at all to inform voters. he sat in his office and ran that stupid sonny commercial. at least sonny went out and shook people’s hands. yeah taylor’s a real winner. 3. i’m sure that some will agree that we need to ease up on the pork, especially in the House. 4. to some like nancy, ease up on the caps lock and try to do at least some sort of spell check, cause by you misspelling some words, and you writing in caps lock, it just reinforces the idea that we need this money in reserve for education cause you look absolutely ridiculous.

By John

May 8, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

Governor Perdue finally exercised the courage that predecessors like George Busbee, Joe Frank Harris, Zell Miller and Roy Barnes showed. He pushed aside a political gimmick that would have given about 65 cents a week to the average Georgian.

By bugger

May 8, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

Sonny got his $100,000 personal tax break, now the rest of us can go to the devil. He’s corrupt.

Oh, and Mary … that’s a shame.

By Georgia Born

May 8, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

I agree with Saundra and Mark. Rebating the $142 million to property owners was a joke - just a political game. By the time it got to most taxpayers, it wouldn’t even buy a week’s groceries. It would only benefit the state’s poorest residents, and most of them probably would not have received it anyway, because they don’t own homes. However, we can only hope that our “brilliant” legislators can find a meaningful way to spend the money, which really does accomplish some good. If nothing else, it could remain in the state’s reserves until it is needed for future natural disasters.

By ralph

May 8, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

Sonny’s action is just more proof of the following fact:

All conservatives & Republicans are idiots. There is not one who is worth a crap. The whole country would be better off without any Republicans in office. Republicans make me vomit

By one of GA's poorest folk

May 9, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

Well, I for one, sure could use MY money! And since I’m one of GA’s poorest, it would buy a week of groceries for my family! And I do own my own home. (Proof that God is great!) And screw giving the money to education b/c it’s all to hell anyway—just a place for kids to buy drugs and get pregnant. I homeschool my kids (another blessing, by the way) and MY money would by a few text books for MY kids!