Is anyone else pissed off about the new state budget/tax laws?

[groundloop]

First off the school system in my county is very tight on money, as are many school systems throughout the state. My daughter doesn't have textbooks for science or math that she can bring home, there's one set which has to stay in the classroom. I always help her in these subjects but the lack of a textbook to work from makes it damned difficult. I imagine it's even more problematic for students who don't have parents with engineering degrees.

The new tax bill which Gov. Deal just signed includes over $195 Million in tax cuts for businesses through the elimination of tax on energy usage in manufacturing. According to the AJC this will cost the state over $100 Million in tax revenues and local governments will lose an additional $95 Million.

Another part of the bill creates a permanent 1 percent sales tax exemption on commercial aviation fuel sales. The AJC article didn't say how much this will cost the state, but I'd bet it's plenty. This is a giveaway to Delta Airlines and all the other commercial operators.

I did see that online retailers with a physical presence in Georgia will have to start collecting sales tax. I haven't seen any estimates of how much that will bring in, I'm quite certain it won't have much effect.

Even though I doubt that it will do much good I"m writing to my tea-bagger state senator to let him know what I think about these giveaways to business, and to ask when my school system is going to be properly funded.

Is anybody else in?



http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-government/deal-signs-tax-bill-1422213.html

[sinkingfeeling]

1. He'll probably write back and explain that schooling your children is your responsibility.

[Ilsa]

2. It sounds likes race to the bottom

to bring in business. Maybe Deal is buddies with Guv Goodhair of Texas. But it's a direct hit on taxpayers and education. It's terrible. At least we are able to check out a set of textbooks to keep at home.