ATLANTA (March 25, 2009) – A measure to offer voters an opportunity to grant property tax relief was defeated in the Georgia House of Representatives on a mostly party line vote. Senate Bill 83, authored by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), would have incrementally doubled the statewide homeowners’ tax relief by doubling the current homestead exemption from $2000 to $4000. The measure, which required a two-thirds majority vote, failed in the House by a vote of 109 – 63. If it had passed, it would have gone on the November 2010 ballot. All but one Republican voted in favor of the measure and all but two Democrats voted against it.
Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) released the following statement:
“It is disappointing when elected officials vote against the very people that put them in office. It is the height of hypocrisy when certain legislators stand in the way of allowing voters to determine whether homeowners deserve a tax break. At a time when families are under a great deal of financial strain, I am not sure how any elected official can honestly say that the people don’t deserve a vote. Perhaps some representatives spend too much time in Atlanta and not enough time listening to the very people that put them in office.”
The statewide homestead exemption has not increased since it was created 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.
STATEMENT
For Immediate Release:
March 25, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
raegan.weber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028