Legislative Update

Budget Cuts

The governor has cut the budget $1.2 billion for the current year because the revenues into the state treasury are falling considerably. The QBE budget will be cut $157 million. This is after every school district has adopted a budget for the 08-09 school year and set the millage rates within the district.

Further the homeowner will not receive the Homeowners Tax Relief Grant, which was a state grant to local taxing authorities to reimburse them for giving homeowners a tax relief, averaging about $200/year.

The governor nixed calling a special session of the General Assembly so no new revenue sources can be explored this fall, nor will any of the tax exemptions and credits passed in the last General Assembly be delayed. So while public schools take a $157 million hit, private school students will get a tuition tax credit on the parents' state income tax, up to $50 million a year total.

Read the entire article on the Capitol Watch web page.

Voter Registration

Please be sure you are registered to vote in the November 4 Presidential elections. Voter Registration can be exercised through October 6. Forms are available at your local county election superintendent's office (see blue pages of phone book) and on the Secretary of State's web site, www.sos.ga.gov/elections. BE COUNTED. VOTE.