House Democrats tank sales tax for property tax relief

(The Center Square) – Georgia House Democrats defeated legislation that would have allowed Georgia cities and counties to use a penny sales tax for property tax relief in a rare Saturday special session.

Property taxes increased by more than 50% in some Georgia counties, said Bonaire Republican Shaw Blackmon.

Senate Bill 33 requires the General Assembly to approve local legislation before cities and counties can ask voters to approve the penny tax on the November ballot. The final vote on the more than 80 local referendums presented to the House on Saturday morning was 95-67.

Blackmon named three counties in which the penny tax would bring in millions to offset property taxes. In Floyd County, it would bring in $20 million annually, in Forsyth, $60 million to $70 million and in Gwinnett, $250 million. He called out the opposing party for their votes.

“Republicans have continued to offer opportunities at relief, and sadly, Democrats have now twice blocked and denied their own voters across this st...