WOODSTOCK (June 2, 2010) – Governor Sonny Perdue has signed into law House Bill 1405, legislation creating the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians. Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) sponsored the legislation through the Senate. The council will be charged with weeding through Georgia’s cumbersome tax system to bring balance, transparency and fairness to Georgia taxpayers. Rogers will be one of 12 leaders selected to sit on the special tax reform committee.
“Georgians deserve a tax code for our 21st century economy; a system that encourages entrepreneurship, hard work, savings, and investment. Our current tax system simply does not work for Georgia. We have a personal income tax that punishes success with a top rate higher than Massachusetts. We have a corporate income tax that discourages good companies from moving to our state. And we have an unbalanced sales tax with hundreds of special exemptions. We can do better than this. Georgians deserve better than this,” said Rogers. “The Council will find ways to create a system that is transparent, fair and balanced; a tax system that grows our economy not restricts it.”
The members of the council, as specified in the legislation, are Governor Perdue, Dr. David Sjoquist of Georgia State University, Dr. Jeffrey Humphreys of the University of Georgia, Dr. Roger Tutterow of Mercer University, Dr. Christine Ries of Georgia Tech, the 2010 chairperson of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the 2010 Georgia chairperson of the National Federation of Independent Business and two members each appointed by the Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House.
The Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgian will conduct a study of the state’s current revenue structure. Following their study, the Council will make a report of its finding and recommend legislation to the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House and the Special Joint Committee on Georgia Revenue Structure. The Special Joint Committee will then write a bill which will be voted on by the General Assembly without amendments.
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. His website is www.SenatorChipRogers.com.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
June 2, 2010
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
raegan.weber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028