First off, I have to admit I think it was the smart fiscal move, and I applaud the General Assembly for getting it passed and Governor Perdue for signing it. Quite simply, the money wasn’t there to fund it, and while there are certainly a number of wasteful programs throughout State government, reducing and/or ending entitlements – which is exactly what this had become – is always a good place to start trimming the fat as well. (And note that I say this even though my wife and I own our home, meaning my own taxes are being raised.)
Truly, the only thing that I don’t like about this bill is that it allowed these entitlements to come back when the money is available. I’ve got a better idea: how about we just cut the property tax by the amount of the grant? This entitlement, like all others, is simply political grandstanding at its worst, and I am glad it was at least temporarily ended.
That said, here is the link to the voting record for the entire General Assembly.
Here in SWGA, Senators John Bulloch and John Crosby voted for the bill, and Senators George Hooks and Freddie Powell-Sims voted against it.
On the House side, State Reps Mike Cheokas, Gerald Greene, Bob Hanner, Buddy Harden, Jay Powell, and Ed Rynders voted for the bill, while State Reps Winfred Dukes and Carol Fullerton voted against it.
