FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Cecilia Sáenz,
2020 Georgia
404-514-8445, info@2020georgia.org
Media Contact: Kimberly Krautter,
13th Generation Strategies, LLC
404-229-1073, Kimberly.Krautter@13thGen.com
Governor’s Plan Lacks Details to Pay For New Tax Breaks
ATLANTA, GA (Wednesday, January 11, 2012) – 2020 Georgia, a broad alliance of community leaders and organizations promoting a balanced approach to budget and revenue solutions that ensure Georgia’s growth and economic prosperity, has released the following statement in reaction to Governor Nathan Deal’s agenda:
We are encouraged by several elements of Governor Deal’s agenda, specifically his pledge to invest in 10 more days of school per year for children in Pre-K, school nurses, new medical residencies, a cancer center, and new parole officers and accountability courts to help turn around Georgia’s over-reliance on costly prisons.
We are also encouraged that Gov. Deal’s proposals include strategic borrowing and funding for infrastructure such as water, transportation and the Savannah port. Borrowing responsibly for infrastructure investment, especially on the good terms Georgia’s AAA bond rating allows in today’s financial markets, makes sense for our long-term economic health. It helps lay the foundation for economic growth and job creation once the national recovery finally comes.
What Gov. Deal failed to address is how we will pay for these new initiatives– or new business tax breaks. Instead of offering a plan to modernize the tax structure, eliminate ineffective tax breaks and produce sufficient revenue to address the state’s critical priorities, he continues with the piecemeal approach of the past.
The Special Tax Council’s report from 2011 offered a comprehensive solution to improve the tax structure. Our elected officials should not let it sit on the shelf. Effective governance requires a cost-benefit analysis on each existing and proposed tax break so that we know whether it is creating jobs and worth the taxpayers investment.
While portions of the governor’s proposal go in the right direction, Georgians deserve a “big picture” plan that has a balanced approach– including revenues– which creates the environment for jobs, growth and prosperity the people of Georgia want and need. We can do much more to ensure a better future for ourselves and the next generation. We ask Gov. Deal and members of the General Assembly to start now.
To schedule a media interview, contact Cecilia Sáenz at 404-514-8445 or via email at info@2020georgia.org.
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2020 Georgia is a broad alliance of community leaders and organizations. Our common goal is to promote a balanced approach and revenue solutions that meet the short and long term needs of our state and its people. For more information, visit our website at www.2020georgia.org.
