Act 72, the gambling revenues related property tax relief bill, gives school districts the choice of whether or not to participate. The provisions clearly impact each school district uniquely because of the complexities of this law, including:

• the requiring of a new or increased earned income tax
• the fact that the tax relief offered is based on the state’s basic subsidy aid ratio
• the possible lowering of a district’s bond ratio because of the uncertainty of budget passage, and
• the fact that every property owner in a district will receive the same tax discount regardless of their assessment (the statewide average estimated to be $330).

School Boards, business managers and superintendents are attempting to analyze the complex effects as part of their due diligence and accountability to their constituents. They are asking for more time to reach an irrevocable decision. The present deadline of May 30, 2005 seems to be an unseemly rush since the administration agrees that gambling revenues, if they materialize, will not be available until 2007. (A suit, in which LWVPA is a plaintiff, against the unconstitutional manner of passage of Act 71 which created the expansion of gambling, has not been decided.)

However, faced with the hesitancy of school districts to “opt in” to this law with its many uncertainties, the Governor and some legislators are proposing to go back on their word, as written on July 4th weekend last summer and force the districts to participate! This legislation has been introduced as HB 403.

Call your representative today and tell them you oppose this bill and any similar action! Call the governor’s office with the same message. If Act 72 now seems flawed to the Assembly and governor , the proper procedure is to hold hearings and gather information, not to change the rules in the middle of the game they invented!

To find your representative and contact information visit the GA website
To reach the Governor, call 717-787-2500

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