There are two good
amendments in the list. The others need
to be defeated.
VOTERGA -
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT HELP
We
received numerous requests for explanations of the complex constitutional
amendments and referendum questions on the November 6, 2018 ballot. A panel of
VoterGA members have looked at the questions and attempted to simplify them.
Since an
amendment or question frequently has hidden meaning we posed the question: “Is
it beneficial and equitable to most Georgians?” Our consensus answer for each
is included below. Special thanks to Mike Scupin and Ted Metz for their
research.
A link to
an article with more detail and a slightly different perspective is also
included: Garland 2018 Proposed Amendments
1.
Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund - HR238 This amendment requires the
legislature to allocate up to 80% of sales tax revenue from sporting goods sales
toward land conservation. The legislature can do this annually now in the
budgeting process. The amendment would prevent them from allocating those
proceeds annually to causes such as education, medical care and transportation
unless it is repealed later by another amendment. This amendment ties the hands
of the legislature in regards to this revenue and could even result in tax
increases to support other needs. Consensus: NO
2.
Business Courts - HR993 This amendment authorizes the establishment of a new
statewide business court with judges that are appointed by the governor. Large
well connected, businesses could exercise undue political influence over their
own court proceedings by advocating the selection of judges favorable to their
cause. Localities already have authority to appoint business courts with judges
that are elected by the people and accountable to the people. Consensus: NO
3. Forest
Tax Conservation – HR51 This complicated amendment reduces the ad valorem tax
on large tracts of land that are placed under a conservation covenant. It
compensates localities with assistance grants from state funds for loss of
revenue. It also allows the state revenue commissioner to retain 5% of a grant
for administrative costs. The covenant contents are not specified and the
amendment appears to be custom tailored to give a tax break for a special
interest. Consensus: NO
4.
Victim’s Rights – SR146 This amendment allows victims of an alleged crime the
rights to timely notice of all court proceedings of the accused and arrest
releases of those convicted. It also provides victims the right to be heard at
a release, plea or sentencing hearing of the accused. It originally had
language that could have negatively impacted the right of a defendant but that
was removed during the legislative process. Consensus YES
5. School
District Tax Proceeds Allocation – SR95 This amendment allows school districts,
including independent districts, to call for an educational referendum tax. It
also allows districts to distribute proceeds that are normally allocated on a
per student basis, to be allocated disproportionally across school districts if
an agreement is reached among those districts. It may allow a larger school
district to pressure a smaller school district into accepting a
disproportionately smaller share of tax revenues. Consensus: NO
22018
Statewide Referenda:
A.
Homestead Exemption for Residents of Multi-County Municipalities - HB820 This
referendum would allow residents in multi-county municipalities such as the
City of Atlanta to apply for and receive homestead tax exemptions that other
residents in those counties already receive. Consensus YES
B. Tax
Exemption for Homes Run for Mentally Disabled – HB196 This referendum would
provide an ad valorem tax exemption for non-profit or for profit corporations
who operate homes for the mentally disabled. Exemptions are typically reserved
for citizens not corporations. Consensus: NO
For more
information and another perspective on some amendments and referenda read this:
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody
GA Tea Party Leader
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