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Legislation that would require a statewide base-year property tax homestead exemption for all local governments has passed the state Senate Finance Committee and received a second reading this week in the Georgia Senate.
Senate Bill 382 would also streamline the process for setting referendums on local sales taxes.
"For too long, homeowners have faced unrelenting property tax increases as some local governments opted out of existing protections. This bill restores fairness and puts homeowners first by ensuring everyone plays by the same rules," said state Sen. Carden Summers, R-Cordele (pictured at right).
In a written report on pending legislation, Summers also said he is "proud to introduce SB 443. This bill would increase the punishment for obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks and other public passages. Nobody knows the value of a hard day’s work like a South Georgian. There is a time and a place for peaceful protest, but there is never a place for lawless chaos."
Summers' bill states that anyone who "purposely or recklessly" obstructs public passage is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor; and if the offense results in bodily injury or property destruction, then the offender would be charged with a felony facing at least a $5,000 fine and/or a minimum five years in prison.
A similar bill has been introduced in the state House of Representatives by Rep. Ginny Ehrhart, R-Powder Springs Her bill, HB 1076, makes it a felony to block a police officer with a stopped car either “moving or stationary.” Penalties include one to five years in prison and a maximum $100,000 fine.
The bill cleared a first hurdle Tuesday in the House. The House and Senate bills are in response to protests in Minnesota.
Summers, whose Senate district includes Tift County, also said he supports Senate Resolution 563 urging the Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "immediately and fully comply with the United States Department of Justice in producing Georgia’s voter registration list."
Summers said that "it’s shameful that our elected secretary of state, a man allegedly of the people, continues to dodge criticism. I’ll continue to support this resolution as it moves through the legislative process."
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