And connecting the dots between the last two posts:
Did we mention that Georgia Power has exempted its corporate customers from the rate hike? That's right - it's only we individual customers who get to pay the extra fees.
Showing posts with label taxes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taxes. Show all posts
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Day 16 - Dateline: Fantasy Island (Part II)
Wednesday, February 12
Well, the Senate passed the bill written by 70-some Georgia Power lobbyists to allow the electric company to bill customers, in advance, for the costs of building new nuclear power plants. (That’s not a typo, 70 lobbyists.) The monthly additional consumer charges will help pay for plants that have not yet even been approved for construction.
Usually the Public Service Commission oversees the rate increase process, but the legislature usurps power here as a favor to their corporate benefactors. Why a bill to step in now? The PSC’s own staff researchers recommended against approval of the Georgia Power scheme. Inquiring minds want to know why the PSC has rolled over and allowed the regulatory power to be taken away. Could it be that they would have likewise knuckeled under to their corporate friends and voted for approval against staff recommendation and they don’t want to be blamed? Shame.
Well, the Senate passed the bill written by 70-some Georgia Power lobbyists to allow the electric company to bill customers, in advance, for the costs of building new nuclear power plants. (That’s not a typo, 70 lobbyists.) The monthly additional consumer charges will help pay for plants that have not yet even been approved for construction.
Usually the Public Service Commission oversees the rate increase process, but the legislature usurps power here as a favor to their corporate benefactors. Why a bill to step in now? The PSC’s own staff researchers recommended against approval of the Georgia Power scheme. Inquiring minds want to know why the PSC has rolled over and allowed the regulatory power to be taken away. Could it be that they would have likewise knuckeled under to their corporate friends and voted for approval against staff recommendation and they don’t want to be blamed? Shame.
Day 15 - Dateline: Fantasy Island (Part I)
Tuesday, February 11
Another corporate bailout sails through as Delta and others get fuel tax breaks further reducing the state’s income to fund budget shortfalls for services. Said Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam from the well: "It is incumbent upon the state of Georgia to educate our children; it is not incumbent upon the state of Georgia to bail out private companies." In other words, with all the cuts we've made to services like education this year, why on earth would the House vote to reduce the state's revenues?
Georgia’s legislature has been giving out tax breaks to corporations for a long time. There isn’t even a list of who has received long-forgotten favoritism. And no one evaluates whether the breaks are still appropriate. The conservative mantra has been that tax cuts are best given to business so they can trickle down benefits to everyone. And how has that theory been working out for us? Time to look at who gets what, why they got it and did they do what they prom ised in exchange for the break.
Another corporate bailout sails through as Delta and others get fuel tax breaks further reducing the state’s income to fund budget shortfalls for services. Said Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam from the well: "It is incumbent upon the state of Georgia to educate our children; it is not incumbent upon the state of Georgia to bail out private companies." In other words, with all the cuts we've made to services like education this year, why on earth would the House vote to reduce the state's revenues?
Georgia’s legislature has been giving out tax breaks to corporations for a long time. There isn’t even a list of who has received long-forgotten favoritism. And no one evaluates whether the breaks are still appropriate. The conservative mantra has been that tax cuts are best given to business so they can trickle down benefits to everyone. And how has that theory been working out for us? Time to look at who gets what, why they got it and did they do what they prom ised in exchange for the break.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Day 14 - "Pass the Buck" and Buckle Up
"Pass the Buck" is gaining momentum. The coalition aiming to pass Ron Stephens' (R-Savannah) $1/pack cigarette tax held a press conference this morning with probably 30 doctors, and Stephens spoke to the Working Families Caucus this afternoon.
He noted that each pack of cigarettes carries with it $9 in healthcare costs for Georgia taxpayers, and that what he's asking for is only what turns out to actually be a $1 voluntary user fee. And could be expected to raise $350 million for the state.
Rep. Stephens and many doctors also noted that studies have proven that price hikes do help prevent teens from smoking, because, let's face it, most teens are broke.
With the current budget crisis, this bill -- which would help financially and directly help save lives -- seems like a no-brainer. A smokin' good idea.
And also remember, there are a couple of bills floating around that would remove the exemption from truck owners having to wear seat belts. This little change in law would trigger $4 million in Federal Highway Safety Funds to be released to Georgia. Hey this stuff adds up. Anyone have any more good ideas? Could be helpful.
He noted that each pack of cigarettes carries with it $9 in healthcare costs for Georgia taxpayers, and that what he's asking for is only what turns out to actually be a $1 voluntary user fee. And could be expected to raise $350 million for the state.
Rep. Stephens and many doctors also noted that studies have proven that price hikes do help prevent teens from smoking, because, let's face it, most teens are broke.
With the current budget crisis, this bill -- which would help financially and directly help save lives -- seems like a no-brainer. A smokin' good idea.
And also remember, there are a couple of bills floating around that would remove the exemption from truck owners having to wear seat belts. This little change in law would trigger $4 million in Federal Highway Safety Funds to be released to Georgia. Hey this stuff adds up. Anyone have any more good ideas? Could be helpful.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Day 13 -- Who said fathers know best?
The Women's Policy Group held a lunchtime Capitol Briefing today that was so well-attended that about 15 of us sat on the floor.
And it was a good thing it was crowded -- with the budget cuts, women are taking some of the hardest hits, as usual.
Nice to hear from the crowd that many of them intended to run for office, as women are underrepresented under the Gold Dome.
Lobbyist Extraordinaire Elizabeth Appley listed some of the things coming down the pike:
The Governor's proposal to eliminate the Family Violence Commission: Since its creation in 2001, the Commission has reduced Georgia's per capita family violence homicides by 26.2%, a rate almost 6 times better than the national average. So why does he think cutting it is such a good idea?
He also wants to eliminate the Temporary Protective Order Registry, which keeps a computer record of every restraining order, so that when a woman flees her abusive partner with her kids in tow in the middle of the night, she doesn't have to find the paper copy of the restraining order first.
Oh, and he wants to freeze funding for Domestic Violence Shelters and Rape Crisis Centers. Who needs 'em anyway.
In the meantime, Appley pointed out, the state gives $5 million a year in tax exemptions to llama farmers. Call us if you want to find out how to get in on this great deal.
Oh, and if the state's in such a budget shortfall, wouldn't you think the 90% federal matching funds for family planning money make the state think twice about the 34% family planning cuts?
It's amazing how some people in our state government have said they are willing to turn down matching federal dollars.
And it was a good thing it was crowded -- with the budget cuts, women are taking some of the hardest hits, as usual.
Nice to hear from the crowd that many of them intended to run for office, as women are underrepresented under the Gold Dome.
Lobbyist Extraordinaire Elizabeth Appley listed some of the things coming down the pike:
The Governor's proposal to eliminate the Family Violence Commission: Since its creation in 2001, the Commission has reduced Georgia's per capita family violence homicides by 26.2%, a rate almost 6 times better than the national average. So why does he think cutting it is such a good idea?
He also wants to eliminate the Temporary Protective Order Registry, which keeps a computer record of every restraining order, so that when a woman flees her abusive partner with her kids in tow in the middle of the night, she doesn't have to find the paper copy of the restraining order first.
Oh, and he wants to freeze funding for Domestic Violence Shelters and Rape Crisis Centers. Who needs 'em anyway.
In the meantime, Appley pointed out, the state gives $5 million a year in tax exemptions to llama farmers. Call us if you want to find out how to get in on this great deal.
Oh, and if the state's in such a budget shortfall, wouldn't you think the 90% federal matching funds for family planning money make the state think twice about the 34% family planning cuts?
It's amazing how some people in our state government have said they are willing to turn down matching federal dollars.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
January 12 - Opening Day: Buckle your Seatbelts -- It's gonna be a bumpy ride (especially if you drive a truck)
H.O.T. Line
Here’s Our Take
January 12
Like going back to school after summer recess, the opening day of Georgia's General Assembly is mostly like “what I did last summer” day. Some ceremonial functions but mostly catching up with legislators or people in the halls you haven’t seen for a while.
There was no suspense in the voting for House and Senate Leaders. The Republican Majority had a lock on their folks. I think it’s in their DNA.
Most of the talk in the halls was about the budget. The mainstream press has written about this extensively, so in a way the mold is already set for what will be known as the over-riding issue. And it truly is. No one will be happy with the final budget. So tough is the balancing task, no one can even reasonably predict how long it will take.
Other issues on the table will be transportation plans that failed last year, a plan for funding trauma centers that failed last year, anti-immigrant proposals that failed last year, and even some proposals for new revenue sources (alcohol sales and tobacco taxes) that…you guessed it…failed in the past as well. No law against do-overs.
Too early to tell what stands a chance this time around. Although we know that the “sin taxes” give some cover to those who pledged never to vote for a tax increase. If proven to bring in enough dollars, watch for the magical transformation of new taxes to become “fees”.
One thing that may get traction this year is the proposal that would no longer exempt truck owners from having to wear seatbelts. After decades of being stymied by those so in touch with their inner NASCAR, the light bulb has flashed…removing the exemption will bring 4 million federal highway dollars to Georgia immediately. $afety first, eh?
Upsetting the jovial nature of the first day was a press conference by D.A. King, leader of an anti-immigrant organization designated as a “hate group” by the Southern Law Poverty Center and Anti-Defamation League. Same old bashing, with a dozen legislators and Governor candidate John Oxendine standing in support. It was a real vanity project…King spoke extensively but didn’t let any of the legislators speak. You’ll be happy to know they all just stood there like they lost a bet.
The Resolution will not be televised…from a Capitol newcomer, came the question of why the sound was so low on the House TV monitor that you couldn’t hear what they were doing inside the chamber. All the Capitol novices come in believing the place is consumer friendly. Sometimes trying to explain how things are decided here is like trying to explain why Paris Hilton is famous.
The newly issued lobbyist badges are way over-designed, but they do have enough colors to match any outfit. Stare at them long enough and you’ll see a sailboat.
OK, so the first day wasn’t exactly Jerry Springer material…but there are 39 left!
Here’s Our Take
January 12
Like going back to school after summer recess, the opening day of Georgia's General Assembly is mostly like “what I did last summer” day. Some ceremonial functions but mostly catching up with legislators or people in the halls you haven’t seen for a while.
There was no suspense in the voting for House and Senate Leaders. The Republican Majority had a lock on their folks. I think it’s in their DNA.
Most of the talk in the halls was about the budget. The mainstream press has written about this extensively, so in a way the mold is already set for what will be known as the over-riding issue. And it truly is. No one will be happy with the final budget. So tough is the balancing task, no one can even reasonably predict how long it will take.
Other issues on the table will be transportation plans that failed last year, a plan for funding trauma centers that failed last year, anti-immigrant proposals that failed last year, and even some proposals for new revenue sources (alcohol sales and tobacco taxes) that…you guessed it…failed in the past as well. No law against do-overs.
Too early to tell what stands a chance this time around. Although we know that the “sin taxes” give some cover to those who pledged never to vote for a tax increase. If proven to bring in enough dollars, watch for the magical transformation of new taxes to become “fees”.
One thing that may get traction this year is the proposal that would no longer exempt truck owners from having to wear seatbelts. After decades of being stymied by those so in touch with their inner NASCAR, the light bulb has flashed…removing the exemption will bring 4 million federal highway dollars to Georgia immediately. $afety first, eh?
Upsetting the jovial nature of the first day was a press conference by D.A. King, leader of an anti-immigrant organization designated as a “hate group” by the Southern Law Poverty Center and Anti-Defamation League. Same old bashing, with a dozen legislators and Governor candidate John Oxendine standing in support. It was a real vanity project…King spoke extensively but didn’t let any of the legislators speak. You’ll be happy to know they all just stood there like they lost a bet.
The Resolution will not be televised…from a Capitol newcomer, came the question of why the sound was so low on the House TV monitor that you couldn’t hear what they were doing inside the chamber. All the Capitol novices come in believing the place is consumer friendly. Sometimes trying to explain how things are decided here is like trying to explain why Paris Hilton is famous.
The newly issued lobbyist badges are way over-designed, but they do have enough colors to match any outfit. Stare at them long enough and you’ll see a sailboat.
OK, so the first day wasn’t exactly Jerry Springer material…but there are 39 left!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
