Kemp Adds Local Sales‑tax Option for Property Tax Cuts to Special Session Call

Kemp adds local sales‑tax option for property tax cuts to special session call

ATLANTA — Some homeowners could eventually see a rollback in their property tax bills after Gov. Brian Kemp revised his call for a special session. Last month, Kemp ordered lawmakers back to the Capitol to redraw district lines and to address legal concerns with the state’s voting system. On Wednesday he expanded his proclamation to allow lawmakers from each county to vote on a sales tax-funded subsidy for homeowners. A 1% Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) would go before voters in each county in November if their local legislative delegation approves a referendum at the special legislative session, which starts June 17. The sales taxes, which would go into effect in 2028, would subsidize property taxes owed by homeowners. The new sales tax was authorized by Kemp’s signature on Senate Bill 33, which will cap increases in county valuations of owner-occupied homes at the rate of inflation. The law is aimed at restraining rapid rises in value that have been driving up property tax bills. Any LHOST approved under SB 33 would apply to a variety of products and services, including food, alcohol and motor fuels up to $3 in retail sales price per gallon. Kemp’s revised proclamation also calls on lawmakers to ratify after the fact his extended suspension of the 33-cent a gallon motor fuel tax. After lawmakers temporarily waived that tax in March, Kemp extended it last month using his authority after declaring a state of emergency. The gas tax suspension ended at midnight Tuesday. It is unclear how many counties will call for an LHOST. Clint Mueller, deputy director of ACCG, the association for county commissioners, said Thursday that he had heard of a few interested delegations.

Gov. Brian Kemp adds local tax referendums, appointments to special session

Kemp issued an amended proclamation Wednesday adding three new tasks for the legislature to consider in a special legislative session starting on June 17. Alander Rocha/Georgia RecorderA June special session aimed at redrawing the state’s political map and addressing election ballot QR codes just got busier. Gov. Brian Kemp issued an amended proclamation Wednesday adding three new tasks for the Legislature to consider when they gavel in for a sp…

Gov. Brian Kemp adds property taxes, appointments to special session

A June special session aimed at redrawing the state’s political map and addressing election ballot QR codes just got busier. Gov. Brian Kemp issued an amended proclamation Wednesday adding three new tasks for the Legislature to consider when they gavel…

Georgia will join other Southern states in redistricting efforts

Now that the Supreme Court has given states permission to eliminate majority black districts, Georgia’s Governor wants the Peach State to try its hand at a new map. Governor Brian Kemp is calling the state legislature into special session this month, setting up a June 17 meeting to tackle redistricting, a looming voting system deadline, and several other matters of state business. Redistricting driven by Supreme Court ruling The session’s most s…

Georgia governor adds property tax referendums to special session

Gov. Brian Kemp has added three new tasks to the June special session, including confirming appointments made by Kemp, formally approving the gas tax suspension, and allowing certain local property tax referendums to be added to the November ballot. The Current is an inclusive nonprofit, non-partisan news organization providing in-depth watchdog journalism for Savannah and Coastal Georgia’s communities.