Education
Education

Georgia lawmakers weigh another sales tax for schools

A DeKalb teacher warns: “I fear the OSD will only create more schools that will continue to hemorrhage talented teachers and students who will wish to escape the culture of test prep and paperwork.”
A DeKalb teacher warns: “I fear the OSD will only create more schools that will continue to hemorrhage talented teachers and students who will wish to escape the culture of test prep and paperwork.”
By Ty Tagami
Jan 4, 2018

Georgia legislators on Thursday heard testimony about a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow another penny on the dollar sales tax for schools.

Unlike the current tax that communities can approve to pay the financing cost for new buildings, this sales tax would pay for ongoing maintenance and operations for up to five years.

House Resolution 319 was introduced last year by Rep. Bubber Epps, R-Dry Branch. It didn’t get out of committee. On Thursday, school officials from across the state gave their opinions about it, some favoring the idea of the voter-approved tax because of school funding shortages and others raising concerns that it wouldn’t bring in much money in the areas that need it most.

It’s unclear what will happen next with the resolution, which, if approved by the General Assembly, would place the tax question before voters. Rep. Brooks Coleman, R-Duluth, chairs the House Education Committee and gave Epps the informal hearing ahead of next week’s start of the legislative session. “We were getting some input, just seeing what people felt,” Coleman said.

About the Author

Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.

Follow Ty Tagami on facebookFollow Ty Tagami on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

HBCUs nationally will get $438 million, according to the UNCF, previously known as the United Negro College Fund. Georgia has 10 historically Black colleges and universities. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta HBCUs win millions from White House — but it could be at others’ expense

The additional allocation from the Trump administration will bring federal HBCU funding to a total of more than $1.34 billion in fiscal year 2025.

Georgia’s public universities hit record high for graduates

The University System of Georgia is also expected to set another record for enrollment when numbers are announced in November.

State gives cash-strapped Georgia school system ‘unprecedented’ $1.45M advance

Dublin City Schools is trying to come up with millions of dollars to cover unpaid state health benefits and cover a looming budget deficit.

The Latest

Georgia Tech graduates celebrate during spring commencement in May, and the school's growing enrollment helped contribute to the University System of Georgia recording record highs for degrees conferred this fiscal year. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia’s public universities hit record high for graduates

State gives cash-strapped Georgia school system ‘unprecedented’ $1.45M advance

DeKalb Schools chief resigns after indictment on financial crime charges

Featured

Corbin Spencer, right, field director of New Georgia Project and volunteer Rodney King, left, help Rueke Uyunwa register to vote. The influential group is shutting down after more than a decade. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2017)

Credit: Hyosub Shin

EXCLUSIVE

New Georgia Project shuts down, ending a decade of political influence in state

Founded in 2013, the organization was credited with registering tens of thousands of left-leaning voters who helped turn Georgia into a political battleground.

In TV ad blitz, ICE makes a play for Atlanta police officers

ICE spent more money on its recruitment campaign in Atlanta this month than in any other city.

Street vendors fear being sidelined by Atlanta’s World Cup permit freeze

Permits for street vendors and community gatherings are on pause downtown during FIFA activities under Mayor Dickens’ executive order issued last month.