Property tax reform passes Georgia House
By Anne Marie Kyzer annemariek@thetruecitizen.com

A property tax reform bill got nods of approval from Burke County's representatives last week.

House Resolution 1246, which passed the Georgia House of Representatives by a vote of 166-5, contains three provisions to decrease or limit taxes. It was supported by Gloria Frazier, whose District 123 includes most of Burke County: Jimmy Lord, who represents Midville; and Jon Burns, whose district includes the Sardis area.

The legislation calls for the elimination of the car tag tax by 2010 and abolishment of the state's quarter-mil property tax. It would also freeze property assessments for tax purposes at current levels, allowing for only a 2 percent increase for residential property and 3 percent increase for commercial property each year.

The legislation is the latest in a long line stemming from House Speaker Glenn Richardson's plan for tax reform. Another property tax reform bill was voted down by the House earlier this month after being approved by the Senate. That bill included a limit on tax revenues, but HR 1246 does not.

The legislation approved last week must still be approved by the Senate and given the nod of approval from Georgia voters in November before being enacted.

TAX REFORM

HR 1246, which was passed by the Georgia House of Representatives last week, would: • Eliminate the car tag tax by 2010. • Eliminate the state's ¼ mil property tax. • Freeze property assessments for tax purposes at current levels, allowing for only a 2 percent increase for residential property and 3 percent increase for commercial property annually.