No action was taken Monday on SB 343, which provides the most significant tax relief from Decatur school taxes to citizens 65 and over. The bill was tabled one week ago after getting pulled by Rep. Beth Beskin, R-Atlanta.
Decatur seniors aren’t sitting still, and about 18 were driven to the Gold Dome Thursday, positioning themselves along the ropes waiting for legislators to depart the House chambers. The collective, most using walkers, canes or wheelchairs, stayed five hours and were joined by Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett, Commissioner Fred Boykin and several other city officials.
They handed out information sheets on the Decatur bill that would exempt residents 65 and over from paying the school ad valorem tax on their homes. It’s been estimated seniors would save $993 per $100,000 house.
Garrett said they also sent messages to Beskin and House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge. Neither showed, though an aide to Ralston said the speaker was well aware of the bill.
There is still no projected date for a vote. Though only four sessions remain Garrett said Monday, “I feel strongly that it will still come up for a vote.”
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