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Friday, January 11, 2008
GREAT plan a most useful springboard
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While all were attentive, the least confused observer attending this week’s public hearings on House Speaker Glenn Richardson’s tax-shift proposal had to be 4-year-old Mary Scott of Rossville, a most remarkable child.
Through hours of testimony from interest groups and the occasional freewill citizen expressing personal opinion, little Mary Scott sat in dignified silence, watching, listening, doodling — contemplating for sure the vicissitudes of the GREAT plan (Georgia’s Repeal of Every Ad Valorem Tax) — the actual details of which had reached the House Ways and Means Committee less than 24 hours before.
Mary’s response to the day, which required more than three hours of quiet attention while seated beside her father, state Rep. Martin Scott (R-Rossville), was recounted later. Upon arrival back in Rossville, Scott says, “she ran in the door and said, ‘Mommy, it was great.’ I don’t think she was talking about the GREAT plan. She said: ‘I had cereal, Cocoa Krispies, and I had a cookie and I didn’t have to eat all my lunch.’ It was all about the food.”
A future legislator, no doubt — the feedings of which begin tonight with the traditional Wild Hog Supper that signals the start of every legislative session.
Barbecue and Cocoa Krispies are the diet equivalent of the GREAT plan. They have some nutritional value, but you can’t hang a life on them.
There’s so much unexamined about the speaker’s very consequential GREAT plan that the responsible course would be to set it aside. Why?
It has served an entirely useful purpose in that it has introduced Georgia to a new speaker as a leader willing to think big and take risks. A debate is needed about the cost and size of government, about the appropriate mix of taxes and how fiscal conservatives could structure them to stimulate and strengthen the economy. The GREAT plan is that impetus.
That said, however, it’s not a plan ready for prime time. At the week’s hearing, one critic after another sat down to voice objections or to raise questions. Many of those who spoke were advocating for some local government or interest group. Their primary interest appeared to be to rejigger Richardson’s proposal to swap a portion of a homeowner’s property tax for an expanded sales tax to something that would advantage them.
Howard “Buzz” Wachsteter, Rome’s mayor pro tem, made a valid point — “we need a plan with a lot of deep, detailed studies” — but then went on to advocate a tax on Internet sales, something long favored by merchants. Others saw it as an opportunity to press for tax breaks or more money.
Wachsteter proposed a blue-ribbon commission — the last thing, frankly, that Georgia needs.
Georgia already has a group perfectly competent at developing a sound tax system — one with a bipartisan combination of tax-policy expertise, youthful energy and a willingness to think creatively. It’s led by a strategic thinker who understands the implications and consequences of tax-law changes. It’s called the House Ways and Means Committee, the panel responsible for perfecting tax law.
Its chairman is state Rep. Larry O’Neal (R-Bonaire), who demonstrated last week the Southern gentleman’s ability to be polite, respectful — and firm in gently refocusing rambling speakers back to the legislation at hand.
It’s a group that — given direction from above as to the behaviors Georgia wishes to reward or discourage with tax policy — is entirely capable of building the vehicle. The parameters should be lower taxes, simplicity and economic stimulus — which suggests that the income tax is the far more inviting target.
The GREAT plan gives us a sales tax on services for the first time. It gives homeowners a significant but partial reduction in property taxes. And while it could put some dollars in some homeowners’ pockets, it takes them back out again at the grocery counter and the barbershop.
It’s easy to say: Just pass it and let the voters decide by constitutional amendment.
That’s politics. It’s not responsible stewardship.
The wise leader would not hang followers out on this one.
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