Members of the Georgia House of Representatives this week passed four pieces of legislation that they said will cut taxes for Georgia families and businesses and create jobs and expand economic opportunity across the state.
These measures include the Tax Relief Act of 2021, the Georgia Economic Recovery Act of 2021, the Georgia Economic Renewal Act of 2021, and the reauthorization of the House Rural Development Council.
This, according to a press release that Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) emailed this week.
“The Tax Relief Act of 2021 (HB 593), sponsored by Rep. Shaw Blackmon, cuts income taxes by $140 million,” according to the press release.
“The bill raises the standard deduction on state income tax returns for a single taxpayer by $800 and raises the standard deduction for a married couple filing a joint return to $1,100.”
Blackmon (R-Bonaire), who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, said in the press release that the measure follows the tax cuts that the House passed in 2018 and 2020.
State Rep. Sam Watson (R-Moultrie), meanwhile, sponsored HB 586, also known as The Georgia Economic Recovery Act of 2021. That bill provides or extends a number of sales tax exemptions for manufacturing and other businesses to encourage job creation and economic growth, according to the press release.
“Among the measures are the extensions of sales tax exemptions for projects of regional significance and sales tax exemptions for supplies in select manufacturing industries,” the press release said.
“It also exempts tickets for fine arts performances from sales taxes to bolster an industry that has been devastated by COVID-19.”
Watson chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government.
The Georgia Economic Renewal Act of 2021, also known as HB 587, provides a number of business tax credits to encourage job creation and attract strategic industries to Georgia, the press release said.
“Among the measures is a tax credit to incentivize manufacturers of medical equipment to locate in Georgia and create jobs here,” the press release said.
“Originally proposed by Governor Brian Kemp, this measure would make Georgia less reliant on other states and nations for medical supplies. House Bill 587 also provides an additional tax credit for high-impact aerospace defense projects to attract such national defense projects to Georgia.”
The Georgia General Assembly’s website identifies State Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe) as that bill’s primary sponsor.
Ralston, meanwhile, sponsored House Resolution 185, which reauthorizes the House Rural Development Council for the remainder of the 2021-2022 legislative session.
“The House Rural Development Council has traveled to rural communities across the state meeting with local officials and business owners about the challenges facing rural communities,” the press release said.
“The Council has explored topics like expanding rural broadband, ensuring access to healthcare and advancing educational opportunities in rural Georgia.”
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Georgia Capitol” by Autiger. CC BY-SA 2.0.
