Business news for Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Thursday Mar 18, 2010 - Macon TelegraphTax system overhaul emerges in state Capitol
Travis Fain reports that with the budget crisis continuing to squeeze state government, the effort to overhaul Georgia’s tax system is on again. This time, a committee of economists, business leaders and politicians would gather to review the state’s entire tax system and suggest changes.
Mar 18, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
House approves measure to strengthen sales tax collection
Nancy Badertscher reports that the state could have a new tool for identifying businesses that should -- but aren’t -- paying potentially millions in sales tax. The Georgia House passed legislation Wednesday that would require cities and counties to furnish the state Department of Revenue with information about businesses that are licensed locally.
Mar 18, 2010 - Gainesville Times
Local physicians pushing for cigarette tax
Ashley Fielding reports that hopes for a $1 tax on cigarettes may be snuffed by lawmakers who aren’t looking to spark controversy with a new tax. But local physicians say the proposed tax could spare more cuts to the state’s funding for indigent health care and might even cut down on the number of teen smokers in the state.
Mar 18, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Ralston urges transportation action
Jim Tharpe reports that the man who oversees the Georgia House of Representatives urged lawmakers Wednesday to not get bogged down on provincial transportation issues as they work to improve the way the state funds highway projects. Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) made a surprise appearance before the House Transportation Committee to urge passage of House Bill 1218.
Mar 18, 2010 - Atlanta Business Chronicle
House OKs tax exemption for road projects
Dave Williams reports that one of the few tax breaks with a good shot of winning approval in a budget-conscious General Assembly this year easily passed the House on Wednesday. Lawmakers voted 139-16 in support of legislation that would exempt from property taxes any transportation project in Georgia financed and built through a public-private partnership.
Mar 18, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Senate Dems block proposed constitutional amendment to opt out of federal health care
Ernie Suggs reports that Republican Sen. Judson Hill tried to send a message Wednesday to President Barack Obama about health care. Instead, the Democrats in the Georgia Senate sent the GOP a message by rejecting Hill’s proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed Georgians to opt out of federally mandated health care.
Mar 18, 2010 - Savannah Morning News
Georgia experts skeptical about Dems' bid to pass health care bill without voting on it
Larry Peterson reports that Georgia political experts voiced doubts Wednesday about a strategy U.S. House Democrats are poised to use to pass a health care bill. Analysts were skeptical about a plan to use an arcane parliamentary maneuver to pass a controversial Senate version of the bill without voting for it. University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock said using the tactic would mean "Democrats think you can hoodwink the voters."
Mar 18, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Perdue water agenda flows along smoothly
Dan Chapman reports that Gov. Sonny Perdue’s water agenda experienced smooth sailing through the General Assembly on Wednesday as his prized water conservation bill neared the end of its journey into law with his signature.
Mar 18, 2010 - Chattanooga Times Free Press
Georgia debates online voter registration
Ashley Speagle reports that Georgia senators passed a bill Wednesday to allow full online voter registration, but some legislators said that could cause more problems in verifying voter eligibility. "This will allow for the ability to register to vote online through a secure system maintained through the Secretary of State's Office through assistance of (Department of Driver Services)," said Sen. Cecil Staton, R-Macon.
Mar 18, 2010 - Marietta Daily Journal
A 'census-tive' issue
Kim Isaza reports that census forms are in the mail, and the survey seems rather simple. But one question the federal agency is not asking is whether the respondents are legal U.S. residents or citizens.
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Mar 18, 2010 - Augusta Chronicle
Senate committee passes a bill that would could streamline environmental appeals
Walter C. Jones reports that state judges hearing appeals of action by the Environmental Protection Division would have to defer to the agency's expertise on technical matters under legislation approved today by the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Critics say the proposal, Senate Bill 486, would make it harder for people to get a fair break if they disagreed with the agency.
Mar 18, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Bill targets per diem, but not for lawmakers
Aaron Gould Sheinin reports that Rep. Jill Chambers (R-Atlanta) wants to save the state money as its fiscal woes persist by eliminating travel and meal money for those who serve on state boards and commissions. While Chambers' bill asks hundreds of Georgians who serve on everything from the State Seed Commission to the State Election Board to go without mileage reimbursement and meal money, it does not eliminate the per diem enjoyed by state lawmakers.
Mar 18, 2010 - Clayton News Daily
Gubernatorial candidate Scott speaks in Stockbridge
Valerie Baldowski reports that the budget crunch facing local school districts can be traced back to the way the state handles its annual budget, a state legislator told a roomful of Henry County Republicans this week. State Rep. Austin Scott (R-Tifton), one of 19 announced candidates aiming to be Georgia’s next governor, was the guest speaker for the Georgia Young Republicans of Henry County meeting, held at Rico’s Mexican Restaurant in Stockbridge.
Mar 18, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution - COLUMN/BLOG
Political Insider: Two candidates for governor had teacher certificates suspended — for misconduct with female students
The Political Insider, Jim Galloway, writes that sccording to state records, two candidates for governor — one Republican and one Democrat, both trained as high school educators — have had their teaching certificates suspended for misconduct involving female students.
Mar 18, 2010 - Athens Banner-Herald - EDITORIAL
Task force proves too tough for lawmakers
The editorial board writes, There was more than a little bit of St. Augustine in Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle's response to the recommendations made by a panel of business people the lieutenant governor appointed to find longer-term ways for the state government - now facing a 15th straight month of declining tax revenues - to save money. Augustine was, of course, the fifth-century Bishop of Hippo who is reported to have famously prayed, "O Lord, help me to be pure, but not yet."
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Mar 18, 2010 - Valdosta Daily Times - EDITORIAL
Do the math
The editorial board writes that the state is in a pickle. And those in charge of this process continue to offer tax incentives and propose new programs while not being able to figure out how to pay for all of the ones they currently have. But it’s time for everyone to get a grip. Georgia needs revenue.
Mar 18, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution - COLUMN/BLOG
GOP must move on ethics reform
Kyle Wingfield writes, The Ghost of Speakers Past still stalks the Gold Dome. That statement will ring oddly for some denizens of the Georgia Capitol. The 2010 session, despite grim budget numbers, has in many ways been a modern Era of Good Feelings. And much credit flows to the present speaker, David Ralston.
Mar 18, 2010 - Georgia Trend - COLUMN
GreenRoom: March 2010
Ben Young writes, Gov. Sonny Perdue has endorsed a transportation funding plan, finally. He has also proposed $3 billion in bonds over the next 10 years to get transportation projects rolling. The regional “T-SPLOST” plan, which allows counties to band together to create a regional penny sales tax, has proven successful in other states and would enhance existing SPLOSTs funding transportation projects throughout Georgia.
Mar 18, 2010 - Savannah Morning News - EDITORIAL
Georgia Legislature: Justice polluted
The editorial board writes, State Sen. Ross Tolleson's bill to hamstring challenges to state Department of Natural Resources environmental permit decisions should be immediately flushed. It's a matter of maintaining equality under the law and protecting public resources. Senate Bill 486 robs Georgians of a fair hearing by forcing judges to accept prima facie any environmental evidence produced by the state, regardless of any relevant scientific challenge brought by those seeking to gain or block an environmental permit for a development. Plainly speaking, it tilts the playing field in favor of the state and against individual citizens. That's unjust.
Mar 18, 2010 - Atlanta Journal Constitution - OP-ED
Access laws need legal remedies to work better
Hollie Manheimer, executive director of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, writes, Sunshine Week is the national initiative to encourage dialogue about the importance of open government. It coincides with the March 16 birthday of James Madison (the father of the First Amendment), and is a good time to review Georgia’s open government laws. How do we compare to other states, and more importantly, how can we improve?
