The Georgia House and Senate have both approved House Bill 369, which would get rid of party affiliation for local races in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties. Democrats have slammed the measure, calling it discriminatory and unconstitutional, and pledging to file lawsuits if Gov. Brian Kemp signs it. Republicans say it’s a way to get politics out of the courtroom. But then why limit it to Atlanta’s five core (left-leaning) counties and not apply it statewide? Dems are petitioning Kemp to veto the bill, until he makes his final decision the law is DRIFTING…
Atlanta, Fulton Co. square off in tax fight
The City of Atlanta has long used tax allocation districts (TADs) as an economic development tool, leveraging property tax increases to pay for local infrastructure projects. But the Fulton County Commission has slammed on the brakes, voting 4-1 to reject a proposed 30-year extension of Atlanta’s TADs. That sets up a major budgetary clash, as the Fulton TADs would be expected to generate over a billion dollars over that period. Now the county will vote on TADs on a case by case basis, with stricter oversight and enforcement, leaving Atlanta’s money faucet DRIFTING…
