Ginn, Benton differ on prospects for tax reform

State Senator Frank Ginn expects the Georgia General Assembly to revisit the issue of “tax reform” when the 2012 legislative session convenes next Monday.

But Rep. Tommy Benton said he doesn't see any move coming out of the House in that effort.

The issue was a popular topic of discussion last year, but ultimately the plan that would have reduced the state income tax in exchange for expanding the reach of the sales tax was scuttled.

“I was proud that last year while it never got perfected we didn’t pass something just to pass something,” said Ginn last week. “There was no urgency to pass something that might be a problem later on.”

According to Benton, the effort that began last year to roll back the income tax rate in exchange for expanding the sales tax will not gain traction this go-round.
“They just can’t get the numbers to work,” said Benton of legislative leaders.

Ginn also expects legislation to be introduced to help curb the theft of metal, which he says, “has gone berserk… People are stealing anything not tied down and some of it that is tied down.”

Benton said he expects some “tweaking” of last year's immigration bill in an effort to help alleviate possible shortages of farm labor caused as immigrants — both documented and undocumented — left the state.

Other issues likely to result in legislation include healthcare and campaign disclosure laws.