The possibility of capping the annual growth in the value of real property came one step closer to the ballot on this eighth day of the 2009 session of the Georgia General Assembly, as HR 1 continued its march toward the House floor as a result of committee action.  The House Ways and Means Committee, by a 17-5 vote largely along party lines, recommended that the resolution "do pass" and head to the Rules Committee for placement on a House calendar, likely by the end of the week.  It is on that House floor that the first real test of this concept will occur, as this proposed constitutional amendment will need a 2/3 "yes" vote to move forward.  It is known that some Democrats favor the bill, but the question remains if there will be the 120 votes needed for passage.

Also moving quickly through the House Ways and Means Committee (and, on that same 17-5 vote) was HB143, a quickly-drawn and introduced bill seeking to make some changes in the way the now-famous Homeowner's Tax Relief Grants are authorized, budgeted, and distributed.  A key provision in this bill would allow the grants to be distributed to local governments (counties, cities, and schools) over a two-year state budget period, perhaps signaling that as a strategy for handling the controversy over the grants this time around.  Stay tuned on this one.

Much of the talk around the Capitol on this day had to do with rumors that were emerging from Washington over just what might be in store for public schools as part of the much-ballyhooed "stimulus package."  It appears that additional monies are targeted for Title I and special education (both welcome, but specifically linked to those programs), and other funds may come in a more "general" fashion.  Of course, until the legislation passes both chambers of Congress, goes through the conference committee process, and is ultimately signed by the President, no one can be sure of what will finally emerge.  As on the local scene, stay tuned here, also.

Other legislation is beginning to drop, and as GSSA staff reviews and summarizes it, those bills will be highlighted and posted for reading by visitors to this site.  The ninth day of the session is set for Thursday, January 29.