By Maria Saporta
Georgia is at a crossroads.
That’s how A.D. Frazier, chairman of the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians, began a short recap of his group’s work at Monday’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Atlanta.
Georgia has suffered through the recession proportionally more than other states. That has led to declining state revenues during much of the administration of Gov. Sonny Perdue.
He described it as “the seven lean years after the seven fat years.”
Frazier commended the governor and the legislature for how they have managed the state’s affairs and been able to maintain Georgia’s Triple A bond rating.
Don’t look for the Tax Reform Panel to do away with the state’s income tax because that represents nearly half of the state’s $15 billion budget.
“We need to be prepared to confront fiscal reality until we see some reasonable growth,” Frazier said. “This is going to be the toughest budget year that we’ve ever had.”
Frazier also urged Rotarians, as responsible citizens, to not villainize those recommending significant reforms to improve the state’s fiscal health.
“Please weed out the dogma,” Frazier said. “We truly have to come together in a non-partisan manner behind our new governor.”
The Georgia Budget Policy Institute has produced a comprehensive review of Georgia tax policy with strong reccomendations to modernize and equalize tax policy in this state.
Required reading for all.