James_Nov-Dec_2025_web - Flipbook - Page 53
eorgia House Republicans are busy
preparing for another
successful legislative
session under the
Gold Dome, where
our focus will remain on delivering
meaningful results on the issues
that matter most to the people of
our great state, including continued
tax relief.
This past year alone, House
Republicans passed measures that
returned more than $1 billion directly to hardworking Georgia taxpayers through a one-time special tax
refund. We were also proud to work
alongside Gov. Brian Kemp to accelerate the largest income tax rate cut
in Georgia’s history, reducing the
rate to just 5.19 percent. This cut
means that Georgians can expect to
save a total of over $880 million on
next year’s tax returns.
These historic rate cuts and
refunds are possible because, for
decades, our state’s conservative
leaders have prioritized fiscally
responsible budgeting and pro-business policies that increase economic opportunity and strengthen state
revenue through increased economic activity, not higher taxes.
Even as we have taken significant steps to reduce the overall tax
burden on families and businesses,
too many Georgians are facing skyrocketing property tax bills. Communities across the state are seeing
strong growth and rising revenues,
but local property tax assessments
have dramatically outpaced what
many Georgians can reasonably
afford or be expected to pay.
In 2024, the House led the
charge to address this very issue. Thanks to the leadership of
House Ways and Means Chairman
Shaw Blackmon, R-Bonaire, we
passed House Bill 581 to provide
much-needed property tax relief.
This landmark measure established
an optional statewide floating
homestead exemption to cap
annual property tax assessment
increases at the rate of inflation,
protecting homeowners from sudden, unaffordable increases in their
tax bills.
When this measure was placed
before voters during the 2024
general election, Georgians spoke
clearly. Nearly 63 percent supported the reform, affirming the public’s desire for this much-needed
relief— and it is clearly working.
Over 60 local governments successfully opted into the exemption, and
several other states have replicated the work we did here. Despite
the overwhelming approval of this
common-sense tax policy, 316 local
government entities throughout
Georgia have opted out of the
floating homestead exemption, and
some are even considering further
property tax increases.
In recent months, local governments across the state have
proposed or approved property tax
increases anywhere from six percent to a staggering 158 percent in
a single year. These soaring costs
place an undue financial burden on
retirees who are living on a fixed
income, young families who are
already struggling to establish roots
in their communities because of
housing costs, and small-business
owners facing climbing commercial
property valuations.
Georgia families work hard and
budget to live within their means,
and we should expect no less from
our government at every level.
When local entities determine that
additional revenue is needed to
fund essential services and operations, the proper and transparent
path is to openly adjust the millage
rate, allowing for public input and
discussion. Relying on valuation
increases undermines accountability and erodes trust in a system
that should always put the needs of
taxpayers first.
Responsible stewardship of
taxpayer dollars is the foundation
of our state’s success, and no one
knows how to spend their money
better than the ones who earned it.
That’s why when we return to the
Capitol in January, House Republicans will once again champion
opportunities to deliver property
tax relief and ensure every Georgian can keep more of their money
where it belongs— in their pockets.
State Rep. Jon Burns of Newington is
Georgia's 75th Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
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