By Sen. Bill Heath
ATLANTA (February 6, 2009)—This week witnessed exponential efforts to support tax relief and transportation development which hit as two of Georgia’s most current and critical needs. I support these issues and have helped pass the legislation which will provide Georgians with some much needed relief. I also had the honor of introducing my pastor, Brother Herman Parker from the First Baptist Church of Bremen, as the chaplain of the day.
This Tuesday the Senate Finance Committee, of which I am a member, recommended two key pieces of legislation that would protect a promised property tax break for 2009 and double the current statewide homestead tax exemption from $2000 to $4000.
The General Assembly has been committed to finding the funds to provide homeowners with their Homeowner Tax Relief Grant (HTRG) for 2009. The House and Senate passed House Bill 143 providing HTRG funding this year. The provisions of the grant have also been adjusted to provide for HTRG when Georgia’s budget is in surplus. During this tough economy, homeowners can be assured that the General Assembly is working hard to bring them some relief this year as we also work toward long-term economic solutions.
After much heated and diverse debate, House Bill 143 passed with 29-24 votes. However, the bill is up for reconsideration on Tuesday.
Senate Bill 83 also passed collectively through our committee which doubles the Homestead Exemption from $2000 to $4000 with automatic adjustments for inflation. The Homestead Exemption Act became State law in the 1930s. The tax exemption was proposed at $2000 and has remained that amount ever since. The Homestead Exemption adjustment proposed will protect homeowners from possible HTRG cuts in the future. Additionally Exemption funds would not be subject to appropriated funding decisions each year. The funds would be guaranteed to those it impacts most – the taxpayers. I encourage my colleagues in the House to pass this bill quickly for the benefits for all Georgians.
This act creates a homeowner tax relief the taxpayer can rely on each year. Increasing the Homestead Exemption in lieu of a grant removes the state government as the middle man. This is good for homeowners and taxpayers, because they will receive a guaranteed tax relief rather than relying on the government to provide a grant every year. In addition, the exemption will be adjusted to provide for inflation. This is tax reform at its best.
The Senate Floor also saw Senate Bill 83 come through today and after varied deliberation from many senators, the bill passed with 40 to 14 votes.
The Senate passed the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) this Tuesday which will fund much needed, long-term transportation infrastructure across the state, strengthening Georgia’s competitive edge in a global economy.
This voter-approved transportation funding enhancement allows counties the option to band together to levy a one percent sales tax to fund transportation projects in their district. Counties around the state have the option to be individual regions or come together as larger regions with local approval. They may also opt not be a TSPLOST region at all.
Different regions of our state have different transportation needs. That is why the TSPLOST plan allows for voters from each region to choose how their money is spent on transportation and on which projects. I support this bill, because it gives local cities and counties, especially in rural areas, flexibility, opportunity, and options for the transportation development and projects they need most. By giving options at local levels, they can get more done at a faster pace rather than relying on state-wide decisions.
Transportation is a vital means of jump starting the economy. The TSPLOST will generate up to $1.2 billion for the entire state. Contributing to transportation infrastructure will produce jobs and a better economy, capitalizing on the relationship between transportation development and economic growth.
This Wednesday I had the privilege of leading the Senate Chamber in the pledge of allegiance and introducing the chaplain of the day, my pastor, Brother Herman Parker from Bremen’s own First Baptist Church. Brother Parker led the Senate Chamber through his profound and helpful morning devotion. Brother Parker began preaching as a senior in high school, and after graduating from Sanford University, he continued his studies at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. To date, Brother Parker has served as pastor for 49 years and pastor of Bremen First Baptist Church for 16 years.
Sen. Bill Heath serves as Chairman of the Retirement Committee and Governor Sonny Perdue’s Floor Leader in the Senate. He represents the 31st Senate District which consists of Haralson and Polk counties and portions of Bartow and Paulding counties. He may be reached at 404.651.7738 or by email at bill.heath@billheath.net.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
February 6, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Hayley Howell, Senate Press Office Aide
hayley.howell@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0029