ATLANTA (Mar. 3, 2009) – Today the Senate Appropriations committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 206, sponsored by Sen. Gregg Goggans (R-Douglas) and co-sponsored by Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock). The legislation seeks to create more transparency and accountability in Georgia tax policy.
“Last year, we revolutionized state spending transparency through Senate bill 300, which created Georgia ‘Open Government’ website (www.open.ga.gov). This year, Senate bill 206 continues this transparency effort by revealing the benefits of current tax exemptions.” said Senator Rogers. “As elected officials, we owe it to taxpayers to provide this type of fiscal clarity. I join my fellow Senators in a true bi-partisan effort in shining even more light on the actions of government.”
SB 206 requires that the value of all tax exemptions be calculated and publicly reported, giving the public and lawmakers a better understanding of the cost and effectiveness of current state tax policy. The tax expenditure report proposed in SB 206 is recommended by Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, and Pew Center of the States, which measures states’ performance and management. Georgia is one of 11 states that not utilizing tax expenditure reports with state budgets.
Senate bill will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for scheduling a potential vote on the floor of the Senate. For more information on the bill, go to www.legis.ga.gov and conduct a legislative search for SB 206.
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:
March 3, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
raegan.weber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028