Georgia House GOP leadership seeks $1 billion income tax cut

david ralston
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston announces plans for a $1 billion state income tax cut on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta. Ralston and other Republicans say rapidly growing state revenue enables a cut. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

Audio report by Rahul Bali.

Georgia’s House speaker on Tuesday proposed a $1 billion tax cut that would create a flat state income tax with a 5.25% tax rate, raise the amount of income exempt from taxation and eliminate many deductions.

Speaker David Ralston and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Shaw Blackmon, both Republicans, said the bill provides tax relief and simplifies Georgia’s tax system.