The hearings over the GlennTax started yesterday and so far the plan has been met with opposition, I guess that was to be expected:

"We're not sure it's going to raise enough money," said Sally Fitzgerald, of the Georgia PTA.

Jeff Hubbard, president of the Georgia Association of Educators, said although Richardson has scaled back the initiative significantly it "continues to have fundamental flaws."

"No matter how you dissect it and rework it, it continues to not be a viable option," Hubbard said.

Richardson's 37-page bill would eliminate the school portion of property taxes and replace the lost revenue with a 4 percent state sales tax on groceries, lottery tickets and services such as haircuts, that are currently exempt. Richardson's plan would eventually eliminate all property taxes in favor of a sales tax on consumption, but it would be phased in over time.

It would have to win approval from a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the state Legislature and also be approved by voters at the polls.

Educators said they are worried that sales tax collections are too volatile to rely on, soaring when economic times are good and floundering when consumers tighten their belts. Richardson has maintained that school districts would continue to receive a steady flow of funds. The state also has a reserve account worth more than $1.5 billion to weather rocky economic times.

The Democratic Party of Georgia sent out a press release today claiming that the bill would create "200 new taxes." The release says there would be "new taxes on everything from ATM fees to gym memberships, from haircuts to piano lessons."

Media outlets previously reported some of the services that would be taxed.

One the new taxes that has some of my moderate and liberal friends up in arms is the new tax that would be levied on ATM transactions. I have to agree with them on that. I don't mind paying user fees for the convenience of an ATM, but a tax to take my own money of of my account is ridiculous, not only that but it's easily avoidable by getting cash back at the grocery store or just making a cash withdrawal from the bank.

The legislation is finally available. You can view it here.

Mark Burkhalter for Speaker in 2009!!!