Georgia Legislative Watch

The State Senate passed a repeal of the state’s portion of the property tax:

Gov. Sonny Perdue’s plan to erase the state portion of property taxes in Georgia sailed through the state Senate on Thursday.

The plan would amend the state constitution to eliminate the state ad valorem tax that residents pay on their property and automobiles. County taxes – which make up the bulk of property tax bills – would continue in effect. It passed 49-4.

The $94 million tax cut must still be approved by a two-thirds vote in the House and by voters at the ballot box.

The property tax portion of the plan is expected to mean an average savings of about $30 per household. The proposal was originally floated by former Democratic Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor in his unsuccessful 2006 bid to unseat Perdue.

Perdue vetoed a $142 million property tax cut last year that was worked out by leaders in the House and Senate. While I’m all for a tax cut, this one is pathetic, and Perdue said as much recently.

Perdue could do this immediately if he wanted to, without an amendment to the Constitution. As Don McKee with the Marietta Daily Journal noted after Perdue announced the cut, the law allows the Governor to set the millage rate. He simply could zero it out instead of going through this long drawn out process.

The amendment is SR 859.