Bid to lower Fulton County property taxes fails for now

House lawmakers blocked a measure backed by Republican leaders that would increase Fulton County’s homestead exemption to $60,000 after a three-year phase-in period.

Under the proposal, introduced by House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, R-Milton, the homestead exemption would grow from $30,000 to $60,000 by 2017. The measure needed 120 votes, but it only garnered 119. House Majority Whip Ed Lindsey, R-Atlanta, called for another vote on the plan for Monday.