Senator Rogers Authors Constitutional Amendment to Limit State Spending

ATLANTA – (January 27, 2010) State Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) has introduced the Senate Resolution 20 – “Taxpayer Protection Act of 2011.” The proposed Constitutional Amendment would limit how many tax dollars the state of Georgia can spend in any given year.

“The citizens of Georgia have a right to say ‘how much is too much’ when it comes to state spending. This Amendment would be the very best tool we have to ensure government does not spend beyond its means,” said Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers. “Once enacted Georgia taxpayers can expect our state to eventually refill the rainy day fund and begin to gradually eliminate the state income tax.”

Senate Resolution 20 would restrict the state from spending any money in excess of the previous year budget adjusted for inflation and population. Any additional revenue beyond the spending limitations would be required to go into the Rainy Day fund until it reaches a point of 10% of the previous year spending. Once the rainy day fund is at 10% additional revenue would be used to slowly phase-out the state income tax.

The Amendment was approved Wednesday by the Senate Finance Committee in a unanimous bi-partisan vote.

Sen. Chip Rogers serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 21st Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties.  He can be reached at his office at 404.463.1378 or by email at chip.rogers@senate.ga.gov.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 27, 2011
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Director
Natalie.Strong@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028