Politics

Georgia Senate to vote on new tax bill

March 21st, 2012

Twice this week, there’s been a full page ad in the Atlanta Journal Constitution urging the legislature to pass the tax bill. The Alliance for Main Street Fairness paid for the ads.

The Georgia Senate could soon vote on a bill that would make major changes to the state’s tax system.

The House passed the bill yesterday just one day after it was created.

Some argue the bill is moving too fast. At the same time, the bill’s business supporters are making themselves known.

“We’re trying to do it step by step and state by state,” said Brian Noyes.

Brian Noyes is the Alliance’s director in Georgia. The group is national. He says it includes small businesses.

“They’re the ones that are really suffering and need this kind of effort,” said Noyes.

However, Walmart, The Home Depot and other big retail members of the Alliance that sell in stores and online have been on a national campaign against Amazon, eBay and other solely online retailers. Both groups sell similar products, but Noyes says solely online retailers don’t have to charge Georgia sales tax to their customers.

“It gives them an unfair advantage because the government is not forcing them to play by the same rules as the tradition brick and mortar,” said Noyes.

Some conservative organizations say the Alliance and other groups have put pressure on lawmakers to rush the bill. However, House Majority Leader Larry O’Neal, a Bonaire Republican, says the bill is new but the issues aren’t.

“There was nothing in that package at all that I’m aware that hasn’t been debated for at least the entire session that we’ve been here,” said Noyes.

What’s different is some of the issues addressed in the bill were originally debated as separate items earlier in the legislative session. The Senate could vote on the tax bill tomorrow.

“Amazon Spars with States Over Taxes,” Wired, March 17, 2011.