Georgia House Blocks GOP Plan to Let Counties Seek 1-Cent Sales Tax

Overview

• Republican proposals packaged in Senate Bill 33 failed to pass the House after Democrats withheld the two-thirds support required for local referendums, a vote that failed Monday.
• SB 33 would have frozen property-assessment growth at the rate of inflation and required legislative approval before counties could put a one-cent local sales tax before voters.
• Supporters said the penny sales tax aimed to offset steep property-tax increases in some communities and could reduce or eliminate bills on primary homes, while opponents called it regressive because shoppers would pay the tax even if they do not own property.
• The defeat leaves 66 cities and counties unable for now to pursue voter referendums and leaves a few local measures calendared for reconsideration with little chance of success in the Senate.
• Lawmakers and advocates say the impasse will shape the fall campaign, and unresolved special-session items such as a gas tax measure and voting machine compliance remain on the agenda.