WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT—February 15, 2008
Speaker presents reduced version of tax proposal
By Rep. Hugh Floyd
House Speaker Glenn Richardson unveiled the long-awaited update to his GREAT (Georgia’s Repeal of Every Ad Valorem Tax) plan, which received considerable publicity last fall, on Thursday. In testimony before the House Ways & Means Committee, the speaker acknowledged HR 1246 is a scaled-down version of his original idea.
The new and reduced proposal is a constitutional amendment that would eliminate ad valorem taxes on auto license tags and provide relief from school property taxes through a state grant equal to the amount of a home owner’s taxes.
That part of the proposal sounds appealing, but the lost revenue would be replaced by a new sales tax on lottery tickets and groceries, which are now exempt, plus numerous consumer services not presently taxed.
Whether HR 1246 is a truly “GREAT” plan – or just another of the tax shifts we have seen the past six years – will require further scrutiny by House members during the second half of this legislative session.
On Wednesday, the House Government Affairs Committee favorably reported legislation that would impose a $10 per tag surcharge on all motor vehicle license plates to provide funds for the Georgia Trauma Trust Fund. HB 1158, also backed by Speaker Richardson is intended to generate revenues to support Georgia’s trauma care network.
On Tuesday, House members addressed reports of excessive bonuses being paid to employees of the Georgia Lottery Corporation by passing HB 919. The measure would strengthen the legislative oversight of the lottery’s Board of Directors and give the House speaker and the lieutenant governor the authority to appoint six out of nine directors, as opposed to the current seven-member board, all appointed by the governor. The board would then have the ability to approve or disapprove employee bonuses.
Chief Justice Leah Sears of the Supreme Court of Georgia delivered the annual State of the Judiciary Address to lawmakers Wednesday. She reported the state’s justice system is “sound, solid and strong.” The chief justice also noted that judges have not received a substantial pay raise since 1999 and urged the legislature to consider an increase this year.
In 2007, House members approved HB 119, and the measure is now under consideration in the Senate. The bill would provide a pay raise for Georgia’s Superior Court and Court of Appeals judges and Supreme Court justices.
Also Wednesday, House members approved HB 1041, which would require all nursing applicants to undergo a criminal background check by the Georgia Crime Information Center and the FBI. Unfortunately, the percentage of nurse applicants found to be lying about their backgrounds has increased, and this legislation is intended to ensure that applicants meet nursing board standards.
Other legislation approved by the House and sent to the Senate this week includes:
- HB 1027, which would allow the Department of Driver Services to approve six-hour defensive driving courses to be taken online.
- HB 1088, which would recognize agricultural tourism in Georgia by defining and registering agriculture tourism attractions.
- HB 494, which would set up two levels of certification for cosmetologists – a master esthetics level for skin care and waxing services and a waxing technician level.
- HB 1105, under which hospitals would be required to offer an inpatient vaccine between Oct. 1 and March 1 of each year for persons 65 and older.
Legislation has been proposed to create the Investing in Educational Excellence (IE2) Partnership, which is intended to increase student achievement and promote educational opportunities. The partnership would allow school systems to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the state that sets up a system of performance contracts.
The performance school system would be based on goals set over a three-year period, during which the local school system will agree to achieve certain results. In return for the increased accountability, the school system would earn negotiated flexibility from state laws and regulations.
- Rep. Hugh Floyd (D-Norcross) represents the 99th District (Gwinnett County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact him at 611 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-0314 or by e-mail at hughfloyd@mindspring.com.
