The last day of the legislative session is upon us and there is plenty left to do. Or not to do. It’s Gov. Brian Kemp’s last Sine Die and he has remained mostly mum about his anticipated signing or veto of a number of bills.
Among the bills that Kemp has declined to comment on, House Bill 369 would make elections in Gwinnett, Clayton, Cobb, Fulton and DeKalb nonpartisan. The bill aims to end partisan fights for positions like county commissioners, tax commissioners, solicitors or District Attorneys. Fulton County State Senator John Albers (R-56) points to city elections being non-partisan already and he says it is a public safety issue. Critics say the bill targets counties with elected Democrats and is a way to sneak a Republican back into county-wide office. Until a few weeks ago, HB 369 was about motor vehicles. A good lesson in legislating.
One piece of legislation that may make the most news, since it is pocketbook related, is some tax maneuvering. The House has already passed an income tax cut and would also like to see property tax increases capped at 3 percent per year. On the Senate side, they would like to eliminate the state income tax completely by 2032, partially paid for by eliminating tax credits – and likely increasing sales taxes.
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