One of the major issues during this special legislative session is an effort to lower property taxes – but Democrats have successfully blocked the first GOP effort. Republican leaders in both the House and Senate tried to push through legislation that would allow voters to approve a one penny sales tax in their home municipality, the proceeds of which would go toward lowering property taxes. But needing a two-thirds majority in either the House or Senate, Dems were able to stop the bills in their tracks. Republicans say they’ll try again, but with the numbers not on their side, any major property tax relief during the special session 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…
