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DEL.ICIO.USHouse GOP tries to box Democrats on property tax hike
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
House Republican leadership are trying to put Democrats in a box with some admirably cagey legislation that could end the homeowner’s grant next year and result in increased property taxes across the state.
According to my AJC colleague James Salzer, H.B. 143 would requiring the funding of the grants this fiscal year, which would save homeowners between $200 and $300.
Next year, the grants might be continued — and but they probably wouldn’t. It would depend on revenue, and it likely wouldn’t be funded until early 2010 even — if the money is available, which is unlikely. Without the grants, counties say they will have to pass the $428 million in lost revenue on to homeowners.
Many Republicans, Sonny Perdue among them, have long condemned the tax breaks, begun by Gov. Roy Barnes, as poor policy. But with every attempt to kill it, Democrats have cried tax hike. And have broadcast their intention to do so again during the 2010 elections.
The key to this legislation is the fact that the grant debate has always been confined to the budget. With this separate piece of legislation, sponsored by Larry O’Neal of Bonaire, chairman of House Ways and Means, Republicans intend to turn the tables on Democrats.
Should Democrats vote against it, the GOP would be able to accuse them of killing a tax break. Vote for it, and Democrats have endorsed the tax hike that Republicans are all but admitting will take place next year.
Comments
By ARMed and Dangerous
January 27, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this
That strategy by the Republicans only works if the voting taxpayer does not understand the whole story. It’s time to start educating the voting taxpayer more and more often. Lesson number one: Any Republican that claims to be for smaller government and lower taxes is clearly a liar therefore Republicans are liars.
By beachy
January 27, 2009 6:13 PM | Link to this
Well, I for one do not want another $300 tax bill from the County in March or April this year….