Gov. Nathan Deal said Monday he supports a repeal of the tax Georgia manufacturers pay on energy sales.
Georgia is one of 10 states where manufacturers pay a sales tax on energy. The state portion is 4 percent.
“The governor thinks the tax on energy used in manufacturing could put our state in a competitive disadvantage as it related to bringing new industry and jobs to Georgia,” spokesman Brian Robinson said.
The idea has gone before lawmakers before and also was part of Deal’s “Real Prosperity” plan from his election campaign. State utility regulators earlier this month asked lawmakers to repeal the tax, saying it has caused Georgia to lose more than $1 billion in manufacturing jobs and investment to other states.
Not having the tax could cost Georgia tens of millions of dollars in revenue, however, state auditors say.
