Saturday, February 8, 2025

T-U BOE TAKES HEAVY HEAT ON HB 581

 A WAR OF  WORDS  FROM  AN  S.R.O.   CROWD --DIRECTED AT THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  BOARD OF  EDUCATION  AT  THE  FINAL  PUBLIC  HEARING ON  HOUSE  BILL  581, THURSDAY. MOST  FELT  THE  BOARD PLANS  TO OPT-OUT OF  THE FLOATING  ASSESSMENT  LEGISLATION  THAT IS  AIMED  AT  TAX  RELIEF FOR  HOMESTEAD  PROPERTY  OWNERS. AND  THEY  REMINDED  THE  BOE UPSON COUNTY  VOTED  62%  IN  FAVOR OF IT.


DURING  TESTIMONY KIM  WELLS  CHARGED  THAT ADMINISTRATIVE SALARIES AT THE  T-U SCHOOLS EXCEEDS  THE  STATE  AVERAGE  BY  OVER   15%.


THE  FORMER VICE-CHAIR OF  THE  BOARD  JAYE EUBANKS SAID  THERE  SEEMS  TO  BE CONFUSION AT  THE  STATE LEVEL  ABOUT SPECIFICS  OF  THE  BILL  AND  HE  IS  WARY OF IT. TAX COMMISSIONER  ANDY  CHASTAIN  TESTIFIED  SCHOOL  BOARDS  ARE  BETWEEN  A  ROCK  AND A  HARD PLACE ON  THE  LEGISLATION.  THEY  STAND TO LOSE  REVENUE  BUT  CAN'T  LEVY  A  SALES  TAX  TO MAKE-UP  REVENUE AS  MUNICIPAL  AND  COUNTY GOVERNMENTS  ARE  ALLOWED UNDER THE  BILL.


CHUCK  THOMPSON   IS  OPPOSED TO AN OPT-OUT   AND  STATED  HIS ELDERLY MOTHER IS  STILL  SADDLED WITH SCHOOL  TAXES   THAT  ALSO    GRIPES MOST OF  THE RETIREES AT THE  MEETING.


FIREBRAND KEN WHATLEY SAID  THE  BOARD  HAS ALREADY  MADE UP ITS MIND  TO OPT-OUT AND "DON'T  GIVE  A  CRAP ABOUT  TAXPAYERS." . HB 581  WILL BE UP FOR A VOTE AT  TUESDAY'S REGULAR MEETING AT  6PM. MORE ON  THIS  STORY  ON    101 NEWS  AT 6;45AM, 7;45AM, 8;45AM, 12 NOON, 1PM  AND  5PM.   


No comments:

Post a Comment