After putting it off for a month or so, I finally got around to updating the lists for statewide and congressional candidates running in Georgia in 2010.
The lists are based off of filings with the Ethics Commission and Federal Election Commission and press releases I’ve received from various candidates. I also got some information off of Politics1.com.
If you see a candidate that isn’t listed, drop me a line.
Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers sent out this press release after passage of SB 346, legislation that will reform the property tax system in the state:
The most sweeping overhaul of the Georgia property tax system in decades has won unanimous (54-0) approval in the Georgia Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers’ (R-Woodstock) Property Tax Assessment and Appeals reform bill is aimed at ensuring all Georgia properties are properly assessed at Fair Market Value and that property owners have guaranteed rights to appeal.
[...]
The overall reform includes more than 50 changes to current state law. Significant taxpayer friendly provisions include:
- *Requirement that every property owner receive annual Notice of Assessment, which guarantees right to appeal
- *Every Notice of Assessment must contain estimated property tax
- *Expansion of appeal time-period from 30 to 45 days
- *Alternative streamlined appeal option for commercial property valued in excess of $1,000,000
- *Automatic taxpayer victory on appeals when government fails to respond within 45 days
- *Requirement that all relevant sales, including distress sales, be included when determining Fair Market Value
- *Requirement that only “current use of property” be used in determining Fair Market Value
- *Taxpayer must be given access to all data used in determining Fair Market Value
- *Sales price establishes Fair Market Value for next tax year
One of the more interesting rumors I’ve heard from the capitol this year is that leaders may be considering cutting the session short, perhaps at 33 days or so, leaving time to come back later on and address budget issues that may arise for FY 2011. This was an idea floated last year as well. Of course, last year wasn’t an election year.
Such a move would not cost the state additional money, however, it would push those last days of session past qualifying, which begins on April 26th and lasts until April 30th.
Most members of the state legislature aren’t concerned about general election opposition since only a handful of districts are truly considered to be competitive. Some members of the Republican caucus are worried about potiential primary challengers, specifically opposition that may arise from the tea party movement, if they decide to cast a vote for tax hike.
Once again, this is just a rumor and it likely isn’t the only thing being consider, but still worth sharing.
My apologies for not posting a round-up yesterday. I was swamped with work on other projects.
Heard an interesting rumor this morning that I’ll try to share later on today or tomorrow.
- Governor to release new, lower budget numbers
Aaron Gould Sheinin, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- State school budget cuts could be severe
Mitch Clarke, Gainesville Times
- Bills calling for larger classes, fewer tests clear House panel
Travis Fain, Macon Telegraph
- Property tax legislation clears Senate
Travis Fain, Macon Telegraph
- Milton County proposal could get House vote
Jim Tharp, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- AG to state: Give sales tax money back
J.D. Sumner, Albany Herald
- Lawmakers approve ‘culture of conservation’ water bill
Jim Tharpe and Nancy Badertscher, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On Day 24, Lawmakers covers Gov. Sonny Perdue’s decision to drop the bed tax, instead opting to eliminate the sales tax exemption on hospital purchases of equipment and cutting Medicare disbursements. They also cover passage of SB 346, property tax reform sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers.
After a hearing lasting more than an hour, and accusations of racism from state Rep. Joe Heckstall (D – East Point), the House State Planning & Community Affairs Committee approved House Resolution 21; the bill allowing for the re-creation of a previously existing county.
Before the vote, a motion to table the legislation was narrowly voted down, eight to seven. DeKalb County state Representative Billy Mitchell offered an amendment to allow for all of Fulton to vote on dividing the county. That amendment failed on a vote of nine to eight.
The committee vote was 9 in favor and 7 against.
The proposed constitutional amendment now goes to the House Rules Committee for placement on the debate calendar for a vote by the full House.
HR 21 needs 120 votes in the House and 38 votes in the Senate to be placed before the voters this November.
On Day 23, Lawmakers covers passage water conservation bills, the transportation sales tax (T-SPLOST),, criminalizing the solicitation of abortion based on race or gender and much more.
Most of Fulton County is municipalized, meaning that most residents of Georgia’s largest county live in a city. The only unincorporated area left in Fulton is about 66 square miles in the southern portion of the county.
Fulton County government provides city-like services to this small unincorporated area –such as police and fire protection, code enforcement, planning and zoning– even though it is no longer efficient for them to do so.
State Rep. Ed Lindsey (R – Atlanta) wants to end that inefficiency.
The Atlanta Republican has introduced a constitutional amendment that would require counties “which has more than 80 percent of its land area located within one or more municipal corporations” to provide only those functions designated by state law. (more…)