Georgia's tax collections grew by 9.1 percent in August compared to last year.
Gov. Nathan Deal's office said Friday net tax collections for the month increased $108 million compared with August 2010.
"The second month of fiscal year 2012 has continued the trend of year-on-year comparison growth," Deal said in a statement. "I am particularly encouraged by this month’s results considering the global economic turbulence we are witnessing. It is with that turbulence in mind that I remain cautious about the months ahead."
For the first two months of the fiscal year that began July 1, state revenue is up 8.2 percent, or $191 million.
In August, individual income tax collections increased by 13.4 percent as individual payments rose $6 million, or 17.6 percent. State-issued refunds were down $7 million or 14 percent.
Sales tax collections, meanwhile, grew overall by 3.4 percent compared to last year -- and were up more than a percentage point year-to-date. Revenue from property taxes compared to last year were down nearly 25 percent while revenue from tobacco taxes increased by almost 31 percent. Kristina Torres
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Water and sewer customers in north and south Fulton should be spared rate increases for the next five to seven years thanks to low interest rates in a debt refinancing deal. On Wednesday the county issued $251.7 million in water and sewerage revenue refunding bonds at a rate of 3.24 percent, which will save taxpayers more than $31.3 million in payments.
Fulton provides water and sewer service to north Fulton, with the exception of Sandy Springs, and sewer to south Fulton residents outside Atlanta. Their rates are already the lowest in the region. JOHNY EDWARDS
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Two student newspapers in Georgia have been named finalists in the prestigious 2011 national Pacemaker Awards.
The Collegian at Georgia Perimeter College in Clarkston was selected in the two-year college category. The Signal at Georgia State University was named in the four-year non-daily category.
The awards by the Associated Collegiate Press and the Newspaper Association of America Foundation judge breadth, depth and quality of reporting, writing, photography and graphics. Winners will be announced Oct. 29. TY TAGAMI
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