Since the GREAT Plan is now no more, I vote we start calling it the CRAP Tax Plan:
CaR tax Annihilation Plan.
BTW, I like the present idea. Good on the Speaker for adapting to the political climate. Pitiful we spent all this time on a pipe dream instead of really engaging in other, more [...]

Surprise, surprise…another version of the Speaker’s tax proposal, now called the Property Tax Reform Amendment (SR 796 and HB 979), was presented to members of the State House this morning. You can view the details of it here.
This proposal seems decent at first glance, though there is nothing here that limits state spending which as [...]

Republican Tax Plan Undermines Education, Breaks Cities and Counties, and Increases Taxes on Working Families and the Elderly
House and Senate Democrats today announced their strong opposition to HR 1246 and HB 979 which is the Republican Tax Plan that puts 175 new taxes on Georgia’s citizens.
“Democrats are not against tax reform. We have our own [...]

Here’s a press release from the Lincoln Club of Georgia. Full disclosure: I’m on the Board of the Lincoln Club of GA.
LINCOLN CLUB VOICES STRONG OPPOSITION
TO LEGISLATION CURRENTLY BEFORE THE STATE ASSEMBLY
Suwanee, GA – The Lincoln Club of Georgia, a statewide, pro-business conservative political action committee based in metro-Atlanta, strongly voiced opposition to legislation [...]

 
Perhaps he should have gone with income tax reform over property tax reform. This makes for interesting reading from the Wall Street Journal.

Politicians who think taxes don’t matter might want to explain the Dakotas. North Dakota ranked second worst in out-migration last year, while South Dakota ranked in the top 10 as a destination. [...]

Bob Griggs writes in Sunday’s AJC:
Tax assessment “freezes” create inequity and unfairness in the property tax system. With a freeze, some taxpayers pay a higher percentage of their property’s fair market value in tax than do others.
Sen. Chip Rogers’ amendment (SR-796) would actually REMOVE the constitutional requirement that all homeowners be taxed equally! No longer [...]

Here is the list of things to be taxed, which even includes travel agencies and “other travel arrangements and reservation services.” So much for Georgia’s tourism industry.
But one of the ones that stands out to me is “credit card issuing.” What exactly is that?
Also “Internet publishing and broadcasting and web search portals” will [...]

The Senate just voted for a Constitutional Amendment - SR 859 to eliminate the car tax.
Correction:
Eburke says “The Constitutional Amendment in SR 859 would not eliminate ad valorem on vehicles. It does eliminate the State’s quarter mil advalorem tax.” on all property, car and real estate.

Yesterday Speaker Richardson was gracious enough to speak to members of Americans for Prosperity during their annual Capitol Day. He outlined what his current plans are with regard to tax reform and I have to say it is a program I can get behind.
I didn’t get a chance to get bill numbers from the Speaker [...]

While being one of the most engaging, lively speakers I’ve heard lately (and trust me, being out on the campaign trail, I’ve heard more than my share of snoozers), Georgia Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson (commonly refered to as Tax Jesus here on PP) emphasized his GREAT Plan as a way to try to begin [...]

Hmmmm . . .

If Gov. Sonny Perdue’s agenda for the new year sounds familiar, it should.
He’ll be pushing some of the same initiatives in 2008 that he tried - and failed - to get through in 2007.
Key among them is a tax break for wealthier retirees, which the governor had made the centerpiece of [...]

It has begun.
The public finally got a chance to weigh in Tuesday on House Speaker Glenn Richardson’s proposal to gradually erase property taxes in Georgia. And not surprisingly, school groups and local government officials, who’ve been excoriating the plan for months, came out swinging.
Education officials worried that the proposal leave could them without needed cash [...]

Here’s a recap of where Tax Jesus stands with his reform package.

The plan still proposes elimination of school property taxes, which make up the majority of a homeowner’s tax bill. To recoup the money needed to run local school systems, a sales tax would be levied on goods, including groceries, and most services. Those services [...]

I just don’t think its odds of passing are great and the constant flow of stories like this won’t help.

The Cartersville City Council Thursday unanimously voted to adopt a resolution in opposition to House Resolution 900.
Cartersville is joining a growing number of cities throughout the state speaking out against the planned state legislation. Proposed by [...]

This might be the best approach to solve the trauma problem.
Richardson said motor vehicle accidents account for some 70 percent of trauma injuries so it makes sense to have drivers them bear the burden.
Richardson said the proposal would tack on an extra $10 fee on vehicle tag renewals. It also would slap steep fines on [...]