10/16/2024
UNDERSTAND BEFORE YOU VOTE ...They sound good until you get to the fine print and understand the implications for smaller areas of Georgia.
Some insight on resolutions you will vote on …. Please read so you have more insight to make a good decision!
You vote how you want but this is just info on the 3 resolutions on the ballot that people don’t understand bc the way they wrote them .
When checking my Voter Registration, I printed out my sample ballot and saw House resolutions 1022, 598 and 808. All three were brief, but written in legalese. They sound great on the surface, but after further investigation and explanation that is not the case. I just attended a meeting where Georgia Representative Jackson explained all three and why they will have a negative impact on our community.
As he pointed out, it’s always good to know who wrote a bill and where they live to help determine who will actually benefit from said Bill. I will be voting NO as recommended on all three resolutions.
1. House Bill 1022 - this effectively makes a statewide exemption that puts home values across all counties equal, taking the power away from the local municipality to determine home values and the mileage rate. This means that areas like Alpharetta (which is where the author of this new Bill lives) will see their taxes go down while ours will go up!! VOTE NO ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 1022.
2. House Resolution 598- If passed, this Bill will fold the Georgia Tax Court under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court. Here’s the kicker… this new court would no longer be elected by the people but instead, the governor would appoint the Chief Justice over the court who would then have the power to appoint the remaining members, taking away any power that we have with our votes. Again, here’s the kicker… unlike currently under the separate Georgia Tax Court where if you want to appeal your taxes you can represent yourself in court without any fees, under this new Bill you can no longer represent yourself. You will be required to obtain an attorney and be responsible for all legal fees and court costs. VOTE NO ON RESOLUTION 598
3. House Resolution 808- At first glance it seems great to raise the exemption from $6,500 to $20,000 but the deeper implications were explained in the meeting. It doesn’t just refer to property taxes it says all tangible “PERSONAL” property. Once again this will benefit those in wealthier counties by allowing tax write-offs that most folks in our community will not be able to take advantage of at all. Here’s the kicker on this bill … the tax revenue lost could reach $250 million a year which will negatively affect funding for our area schools. It could also mean local counties might need to initiate a local option sales tax to make up the lost revenue. VOTE NO ON RESOLUTION 696
Historic data shows that the majority of people know nothing about these Bills until they are at the polls standing there so the tendency is to just vote yes. This is how some very dangerous and costly Bills are passed. Hopefully this serves as a reminder for people to go online to print and read your sample ballot ahead of every election. If you don’t, we risk passing bills that hurt us economically and socially in all kinds of ways.
