By Sen. Chip Pearson
ATLANTA (February 20, 2009) – During the past few weeks, one of the main concerns under the gold dome has been the fate of the Homeowner Tax Relief Grants (HTRG). After lawmakers committed to finding the money to fund HTRG for 2009, a bill was successfully passed out of both the Senate and House to deliver on that promise. All that was left was the Governor’s decision. I am pleased to report that Gov. Sonny Perdue announced this week that he will sign House Bill 143, ensuring that homeowners receive the property tax break they were promised this year. I am proud of the cooperative effort by both chambers and the Governor to bring this needed relief to more than 3 million of Georgia’s homeowners.
Times are tight right now, and giving homeowners a break on their property taxes is the least we can do to help ease our constituents’ financial concerns. The economy will rebound, and in the meantime, I am working to pass legislation that will guide the revitalization of Georgia’s economy and position our state to take advantage of its renewal. Encouraging competition in the marketplace is essential to the health of our economy, and to capitalize on that I have authored a bill to ensure that Georgia’s key businesses have the opportunity to thrive. I’m talking about small business, which makes up over 97 percent of the state’s incorporated businesses. Senate Bill 21, which was recently passed out of the Senate Government Oversight Committee and is headed to the Senate floor for a vote, ensures that 10 percent of all state and municipal contracts are awarded to small businesses. Leveling the playing field for these companies will expand marketplace competition and allow businesses to create the jobs and services people need. With an intimate knowledge of their customer base, small businesses are uniquely positioned to develop innovative solutions to meet their customers’ needs. They are the backbone of the economy, creating jobs, needed services, and economic growth. With the right policies in place, small businesses will be responsible for the revival of our economy.
There is much debate over what shape our economy will in be over the long run once the federal stimulus package is put into effect. Many argue that we are putting the burden of debt on future generations, while others feel that an infusion of money into each state will greatly help offset revenue shortfalls. One thing is for certain: this money is not something to be trifled with, and any decisions relating to its use must be fully vetted and thoughtfully carried out, while keeping in mind the unique needs of each state. The American landscape is vastly different across the country, where economies are driven by different job markets, goals and values. The federal government does have limitations when it comes to forcing the hands of the state, and I assure you, that will not be allowed in Georgia. I have authored a resolution affirming states’ rights to ensure that the U.S. government continues to work for the people, not the other way around. As we prepare to accept the immense responsibility of pulling our nation out of an economic free fall, we must limit government growth and interference in the daily lives of our citizens. Mandates that are beyond the scope of constitutionally delegated powers must be prohibited. I look forward to seeing Senate Resolution 327 through the legislative process and its ultimate passage into law.
Sen. Chip Pearson serves as chairman of the Economic Development Committee. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Pickens, and Union counties and portions of Forsyth and White counties. He may be reached at 404.656.9921 or via e-mail at chip.pearson@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
February 20, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Kallarin Richards, Senior Communications Specialist
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028