Representative Jeff Lewis

NEWS RELEASE


   

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CONTACT:

Michelle Hitt Grasso
404.656.0311

REPRESENTATIVE JEFF LEWIS CO-SPONSORS TAXPAYER DIVIDEND ACT

ATLANTA—Georgia State Representative Jeff Lewis (R-White) has co-sponsored HR 1216, legislation to amend the Georgia Constitution to provide income tax relief to Georgians during years of revenue surpluses.

“Georgians have entrusted us with the obligation to be fiscally responsible with their tax dollars,” Lewis said.  “This resolution would provide a long overdue combination of spending reform and tax reform.  This long term approach will pave the way for elimination of the personal income tax and set standards for fiscally responsible handling of excess revenues.”

Under this resolution, the Taxpayer Dividend Act, Georgians will be given the opportunity to vote to amend the Georgia Constitution to provide tax relief in years of a budget surplus by limiting the use of excess revenues.  The resolution proposes no spending caps but instead provides for limitations on how excess revenues can be spent.  Specifically, in years of a budget surplus, excess revenues would be spent in the following order of priority:

  1. Education – for unaccounted for increases in student enrollment in local school systems.
  2. Revenue Shortfall Reserves – a savings account of 8% of the previous fiscal year spending will be maintained.
  3. Taxpayer Dividend – when the first two items are fully met, then remaining excess revenues will be returned to taxpayers by increasing the personal income tax exemptions for all Georgians.

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