ATLANTA (April 3, 2009) – Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) applauded final passage of a bill that carries his provision to hold legislators accountable for filing their state income taxes annually. As chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, Johnson took swift action this session to ensure that Georgians have a right to know if their elected officials evade that responsibility.
General Assembly Passes “JOBS” Act for Georgia’s Economy
ATLANTA (April 3, 2009)— Today the Georgia General Assembly gave final passage to a true stimulus package with a joint House and Senate Conference Committee approving the Jobs, Opportunity, and Business Success Act of 2009 (JOBS Act). Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Cornelia) supported the bill.
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Sen. Seay Secures Funding in FY2010 Budget for Clayton County
ATLANTA (April 3, 2009) – Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale) has successfully secured funds in the state’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget for bond projects in Clayton County. The General Assembly passed the budget last week on the final day of the 2009 legislative session.
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Property Owners Will Have Easier Assessments in the Future
ATLANTA (April 1, 2009) – This week the Georgia General Assembly voted in favor of property owners with the passage of Senate Bill 240. Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) sponsored the legislation which enables property owners to go directly into arbitration over property assessments rather than going through the regular lengthy government process.
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Senate Democrats block potential Homeowner Tax Relief
ATLANTA (April 1, 2009) – Today, a majority of the Georgia Senate Democrats voted against allowing the people to vote on increasing the Statewide Homestead Exemption. House Bill 483 was amended by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) to include a referendum for November 2010 ballot. The measure would have allowed the voters to decide on an incrementally increase of $1,000 per year for 8 years. The measure, which required a two-thirds majority vote, failed the Senate by a vote of 35 – 21. The vote results fell mainly along party lines. Every Republican Senator voted in favor of the tax relief. Senator Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta) was the lone Democrat voting for the measure.
Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) made the following statement:
“Georgians are being taxed out of their homes. Yet, some elected officials would rather protect government than the homeowners they represent. Today’s vote shows a clear difference between those who stand with homeowners and those who side with government.”
Upon not receiving the two thirds majority vote, the Senate voted for reconsideration of the measure.
The statewide homestead exemption has not changed since its inception in 1937.
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:
April 1, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber,Director
raegan.weber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028