By President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams
March 20, 2009
As a leader in the State Senate, I often reflect on the vision of our nation’s founders and will even go back and read The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States. Today I’m reminded of the biggest grievance against the King of England – “Taxation without Representation” – and think how asleep our country has been when it comes to paying taxes and government spending. We’ve been asleep because our taxes come out of each paycheck, which hinders our ability to see how much we’re really being taxed. Do you realize that most Americans have to work a half of a year just to pay for their federal taxes alone? That’s a real eye-opener. Let me give you another one.
Washington is spending trillions more taxpayer dollars for a “stimulus” package on the basis that the money will be paid back. By whom? AIG who just handed out our tax dollars for executive bonuses? No. In the end, it’s the taxpayer who will continue to pay the government as it invests in one business take-over after another. Here in Georgia, we’re proposing a true stimulus package for a robust economy creating an economic environment that encourage opportunity, productivity and innovation. It is the hard-working people of Georgia – not big government – that is the key to economic prosperity.
Recognizing that these are challenging days for most families and businesses, the leaders of the Georgia General Assembly are offering a single legislative package that acknowledges and appreciates the people of our state being the driving economic force.
The Jobs, Opportunity, and Business Success Act (JOBS) is comprised of two bills – House Bill 481 and 482. The Act provides a new business filing fee holiday, a $500 credit toward the unemployment insurance tax for each eligible employee hired, a $2,400 income tax credit for each eligible employee hired, and the elimination of the sales tax deposit. The Act would also eliminate the state inventory tax on all Georgia businesses.
This package creates an environment that makes Georgia attractive to new business startups as well as businesses seeking to expand in Georgia. It creates an environment that encourages the creation of jobs through the removal of government imposed barriers and provides incentives for job creation by independent businesses.
Current stimulus proposals include government sponsored spending projects that create “work” not jobs. This work is temporary and the employment created by those projects will end when the projects end. The cost of government created and funded work projects are high and taxpayers will pay the ultimate price for many years. The estimated costs are as high as $3,000 for every $1,000 in employment compensation. It’s not enough that Washington has used up our children’s credit. Now the spending has gotten so out of control that our grandchildren will be paying our debts.
Our plan spends absolutely no taxpayer dollars and allows the market to immediately respond. A less restrictive and constraining government will lead to a faster recovery. Georgia’s proposal harnesses the greatness of Georgia…the intellectual capital, the entrepreneurial spirit, and the true grit of every Georgian.
Sen. Tommie Williams serves as President Pro Tempore. He represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Toombs, Wayne, and Wheeler counties and a portion of Liberty and Tattnall counties. He can be reached at 404.656.0089 or by email at tommie.williams@Senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 20, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
raegan.weber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028