The state House passed a major tax overhaul bill today 155-9.
The bill got bipartisan support, but the speed at which the bill appeared and questions about the financial analysis and its effects on Georgians left some calling for the General Assembly to step away from the issue again this year.
"We are not sure why it's moving this quickly," said Shannon Brown of Hazelhurst, a member of the Georgia Coalition of Conservative Leaders, which includes 31 subgroups.
"If you are going to represent the people of Georgia, you have to understand exactly what's in this bill," Brown said. "And you can't do that in this short a time."
Rep. Mickey Channell, R-Greensboro, the sponsor, said he was confident the proposed legislation contains no surprises.
"This is the end of a two-year process," Channell said. "Every single idea has been vetted and vetted and vetted. ... We are not plowing new ground here."
The bill could make Georgians pay some Internet sales taxes, cap income tax exclusions for seniors, and do away with a portion of tax exemptions for property in conservation easements. It would change taxes on car purchases from car dealers and between individuals.
New breaks would give married couples a bigger exemption on state income taxes and give hundreds of millions of dollars in tax exemptions on equipment and energy for manufacturers and agribusiness, which supporters say could help lure businesses and jobs to Georgia. It could re-establish sales tax holidays for back-to-school shopping and energy-efficient appliances.
The Senate could vote on the bill Thursday.
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