For the best experienceDownload the Mobile App
App Store Play Store
Georgia lawmakers hear mixed opinions on eliminating state income tax
Georgia lawmakers hear mixed opinions on eliminating state income tax
Georgia lawmakers hear mixed opinions on eliminating state income tax

Published on: 10/22/2025

Description

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Georgia lawmakers are weighing whether to join the nine states that don’t collect a personal income tax — a move that could dramatically change how the state funds its government.

On Tuesday, members of the state Senate’s special committee on eliminating Georgia’s income tax met in Gainesville for their third public hearing, hearing directly from the people who could be most affected.

At Longstreet Café, lawmakers traded their loafers for boots to talk tax policy over lunch.

Working mom Carley Jones told senators she believes a sales tax would be fairer.

“Spending more through a sales tax is much fairer in my opinion. We work hard for the dollars that are taken,” said Jones.

Others urged caution, saying the potential change could impact critical services.

Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish said Georgia agencies already struggle to compete for talent — especially when neighboring states like Florida and Tennessee have no income tax.

Firefighter Riley Shoemake said a bigger paycheck could mean more time with family.

“I think it would help with retention because people would be happier with their checks,” Shoemake said.

Republican lawmakers say the goal is to make government smaller and let Georgians keep more of what they earn.

Democrats argue the committee’s discussions are misleading, pointing out that the state already underfunds higher education grants, pre-K programs and waivers for adults with special needs.

“There’s example after example of where we need to be investing as a state,” said Nan Orrock, a Democratic state senator.

Committee Chairman Blake Tillery said he’s now drafting a bill. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has made eliminating the income tax a centerpiece of his 2026 gubernatorial campaign. He’s even signed a pledge not to raise taxes — a promise that drew applause at Tuesday’s meeting.

“If we want to continue to be competitive — for people to live, work and play — we have to be competitive from a tax point of view,” Jones said.

Tillery said the committee’s next meeting will focus on specific proposals — including what a phase-out could look like and how Georgia would replace the lost revenue.

Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.

News Source : https://www.walb.com/2025/10/21/georgia-lawmakers-hear-mixed-opinions-eliminating-state-income-tax/

Other Related News

10/22/2025

GRADY COUNTY Ga WALB - Deputies with the Grady County Sheriffs Office GCSO have captured o...

10/22/2025

WALB is working to produce a video for this story In the meantime we encourage you to watc...

10/22/2025

WALB is working to produce a video for this story In the meantime we encourage you to watc...

10/22/2025

CAIRO Ga WALB - The Cairo Police Department is hosting a Halloween pet costume contest for...

10/22/2025

ALBANY Ga WALB - A man who is accused of trying to entice an 8-year-old for indecent purpo...

ShoutoutGive Shoutout
500/500