ATLANTA (January 29, 2009) – State Sen. Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta) is proposing an initiative to fund public safety and help fight crime in the City of Atlanta. A referendum, giving the citizens of Atlanta a choice to levy a 1 mill property tax dedicated solely to funding police and fire officer salaries was announced today. Senators Nan Orrok (D-Atlanta), Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta), and Horacena Tate (D-Atlanta) are co-sponsors of the legislation.
“It is time for us to come together around a common goal – reducing crime and keeping our citizens safe,” said Reed. “By conservative estimates, this legislation will fund 150-200 police and fire officers and eliminate current furloughs.”
A special fund will be dedicated only to paying salaries for police and fire officers would be established and would not be co-mingled with the city’s general fund. This mill increase would be subject to sunset, unless continued by the voters of the City of Atlanta in subsequent referendum, similar to the Water and Sewer legislation previously co-authored by Sen. Reed. For the owner of a $250,000 home, this would mean an impact of approximately $6.00 per month. Conservative projections indicate that a 1 mill increase will generate between $20-$24 million.
“The referendum will resolve the current impasse between the Mayor and the Council by providing the funds which are needed to push back against the tide of rising crime in our city,” Sen. Reed continued. “Our investments today will pay us back for years to come with safer families, safer neighborhoods and safer communities across our city.”
Senator Reed introduced the bill in the Georgia General Assembly on January 29, during the 2009 Legislative Session. For additional information on the referendum, contact Senator Reed or go to www.legis.ga.gov.
Sen. Kasim Reed represents the 35th Senate District which includes portions of Douglas and Fulton counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.463.1379 or by e-mail at kasim.reed@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 29, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
raegan.weber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028