(The Center Square) – The day after Democrats voted against a possible local option sales tax for Georgia’s cities and counties, one senator defended her vote in the “name of affordability.”
Cities and counties enact property taxes to fund operations and services. The taxes have risen sharply in the past few years.
The penny sales tax, known as the Local Homestead Option Sales Tax, would offset rising property taxes if voters approved. More than 80 entities asked lawmakers to approve referendums from the small town of Santa Claus in Toombs County to metro Atlanta’s Gwinnett County.
But the General Assembly had to approve local legislation by a two-thirds vote. Democrats have enough votes in both chambers to block a bill needing a two-thirds majority.
Albany Democrat Freddie Powell Sims said the sales tax would shift the tax burden.
“Homeowners may save on property taxes only to spend more on sales taxes,” Sims said in a statement. “In the name of affordability, we cannot pass legislation that kills jobs, raises grocery prices and wreaks havoc on Georgia families’ budgets in all tax brackets. Instead, Georgia must find a more equitable, less intrusive way to manage runaway property taxes while continuing to provide the services needed for the public good.”
Roswell Republican John Albers said the bills did not impose a new tax or change property taxes immediately.
“They simply would have allowed local voters to consider whether to adopt a local option sales tax in exchange for reducing their property tax burden,” Albers said in a statement. “Now, voters will not have the opportunity to decide the issue for themselves this November.”
Gov. Brian Kemp added the local referendums to the special session agenda so that cities and counties could get them on the November ballot. Local cities and counties can still ask for a referendum during the 2027 legislative session for future ballots.
Based on Democrats’ comments during and after the debate, it’s unlikely to pass then, too.
“This bill goes against the legislator’s most basic principle of caring for all constituents, instead of a select few,” Sims said.
Albers echoed comments made by Senate Pro Tem Larry Walker III during the debate, saying the Democrats’ opposition runs counter to a tradition.
“When I first came to the Senate, one lesson that stood out to me was that local legislation should be guided by the lawmakers who know their communities best,” Albers said. “That longstanding tradition has served this institution well because it respects local control and the people we were elected to represent. Departing from that principle sets a precedent that could affect every member of this body, regardless of party.”
