Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has announced the creation of a state Senate committee that will consider eliminating Georgia’s income tax.
Jones, who presides over the Georgia Senate, announced last week he will seek the Republican nomination for governor next year. He signaled in his opening campaign video that, if elected, he would push to get rid of the tax. Legislative Republicans and conservative tax policy advocates have long called for abolishing Georgia’s income tax to help the state compete for jobs with neighboring states.
Committee to begin work this summer
The Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax will begin its work this summer and wrap up by December 15. Jones created the committee under Senate rules to examine strategies for reducing and ultimately eliminating the state’s individual and corporate income taxes.
“Last year alone, nine states cut individual income taxes, and three more reduced corporate income taxes,” said Jones. “If we want Georgia to remain the No. 1 state for business, we must build on the progress of the last four years.”
Jones pointed out that Georgia has one of the highest income tax rates in the Southeast—second only to South Carolina. He said the committee’s work will focus on finding ways to reduce the tax burden while maintaining the state’s financial stability.
Reduced rate
This year, the Republican-controlled legislature passed a Kemp-backed bill to cut the tax rate from 5.39% to 5.19% retroactive to the beginning of the current tax year.
Democrats who opposed the measure argued that it would primarily benefit wealthy taxpayers.
The 11-member Georgia Senate Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax will include eight Republican senators and three Democrats. Committee members include:
- Sen. Blake Tillery (R–Vidalia), Chair – Senate Appropriations Committee
- Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas), Senate Majority Leader
- Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming), Chair – Senate Transportation Committee
- Sen. Ed Harbison (D–Columbus), Chair – State Institutions and Property Committee
- Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R–Rome), Chair – Senate Finance Committee
- Sen. Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega)
- Sen. John Kennedy (R–Macon)
- Sen. Nan Orrock (D–Atlanta)
- Sen. Michael “Doc” Rhett (D–Marietta)
- Sen. Larry Walker (R–Perry), President Pro Tempore Nominee
- Sen. Sam Watson (R–Moultrie), Chair – Senate Ethics Committee
This article has been updated. WUGA News contributed to this article.
