Fulton lawmakers sue to block tax hike

Six Fulton County lawmakers filed suit Wednesday to block their county commissioners from increasing property taxes.

The Republican lawmakers, plus one former legislator, filed the lawsuit in Fulton County Superior Court just hours after the commission voted 4-3 to raise taxes 17 percent. Lawmakers in 2013 passed a law that prevented any tax hike until at least 2015.

“We regret having to take this action, but the Fulton County Commission voted to increase property taxes contrary to state law and property taxpayers’ best interests,” Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, R-Milton, said in a release. “We’re committed to upholding state law and the Georgia Constitution and protecting Fulton County taxpayers.”