Transportation sales tax passes
The Georgia House voted to give Regional Development Centers taxing authority today when it approve a transportation sales tax, HB 845 by a vote of 136-35, well past the majority needed for a constitutional amendment.
The Americans for Tax Reform opposed the amendment and sent this letter to legislators urging them to vote against it. ATR's position is basically that a vote for the amendment was a vote to raise taxes, despite the fact that voters have to approve it, something I completely agree with. Our Founders warned us against the problem of faction.
There is good news. The Governor says he will campaign against the amendment should it pass the legislature (the Senate has to agree to the changes) and Casey Cagle is skeptical about RDCs.
As an aside, ATR has a pledge they send to candidates that asks the to oppose "any and all efforts to increase taxes."
Here is a list of members that broke that commitment today:
Amos Amerson (R-9)
Ben Bridges (R-10)
Mark Butler (R-18)
Buddy Carter (R-159)
Jill Chambers (R-81)
Mike Coan (R-101)
Brooks Coleman (R-97)
Sharon Cooper (R-41)
Clay Cox (R-102)
Katie Dempsey (R-13)
Melvin Everson (R-106)
Ron Forester (R-3)
Allen Freeman (R-140)
Mark Hamilton (R-23)
Ben Harbin (R-118)
Bill Hembree (R-67)
Penny Houston (R-170)
Sheila Jones (R-44)
Sean Jerguson (R-22)
Jerry Kean (R-179)
John Lunsford (R-110)
Gene Maddox (R-172)
Fran Millar (R-79)
Billy Mitchell (R-88)
Larry O'Neal (R-146)
Allen Peake (R-137)
Tom Rice (R-51)
Donna Sheldon (R-105)
Barbara Sims (R-119)
Bob Smith (R-113)
Len Walker (R-107)
Mark Williams (R-178)
John Yates (R-73)
Comments
What do I say about this when I see Larry O'Neal at the District Convention next month?
Posted by: Valerie | March 28, 2008 08:53 AM
I'd say, "Why did you vote to raise my taxes?" or "Why did you break your word that you would oppose tax increases?"
Posted by: Jason | March 28, 2008 05:12 PM
Meanwhile the Senate is busy passing a tax cut...
Rep. Davis,
When are you guys going to wise up and oust that liberal leadership you have in the House?
Posted by: Jace Walden | March 28, 2008 05:15 PM