Georgia voters appeared to have approved three statewide ballot issues on Tuesday, including a measure to cap the state’s income tax.
The income tax amendment prevents lawmakers from raising the tax beyond 6 percent without passing another constitutional amendment. The amendment will likely have no real impact right now, as lawmakers haven’t considered raising the rate in several decades. Opponents argued that the cap would limit future state legislatures’ options for raising revenue. Despite the opposition, the amendment was passing overwhelmingly Tuesday.
Voters also favored a property tax exemption to private businesses that manage and build student housing and parking on public college campuses. The tax break is worth several million dollars to companies taking over the dorms, and gives them an advantage that other businesses that own apartments off campus and rent them to students don’t necessarily get.
The measure is part of a plan by the University System to privatize dorms, which is becoming a national trend in higher education.
It remains to be seen whether the plan would lower costs for students already dealing with increases in tuition and fees. The University System has included a 3 percent cap on annual rent increases in the contract for whatever company is selected to operate the first round of dorms.
Also receiving positive returns Tuesday was a provision to increase reckless driving penalties to help care for Georgians who suffer brain and spinal injuries.
The penalties, which go to the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission, is already added to convictions for driving under the influence, but because many DUI offenses are pleaded down to reckless driving, the trust fund was not receiving enough money.
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