Sen. Johnson files legislation to freeze residential property taxes

Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) pre-filed legislation today to create a Constitutional Amendment that would freeze existing residential property taxes.

"Georgia homeowners have had no protection from 'backdoor' tax increases, and their ability to pay is not tied to the tax," said Sen. Johnson. "This amendment would protect homeowners with a sliding homestead exemption that would, in essence, freeze their property taxes until the home sold."

Sen. Johnson's proposal would freeze the amount of property tax a homeowner pays at the time the owner acquires the property. Any increase thereafter would be subject to limitations, and an increase in the amount of the homestead exemption would accompany the tax increase in most cases. If approved by twothirds of the Senate and House, the measure would appear on the ballot in 2008 for affirmation or rejection by the voters.

"This is not a new concept. I have been trying to find a way to ease the residential property tax burden for homeowners since I first ran for office," added Sen. Johnson. "I introduced a similar bill in the Senate in 2003, where it passed overwhelmingly. As we debate tax reform, I believe the time is right to bring this initiative forward again, because local governments should not be allowed to tax people out of their homes."

Several Georgia counties already have this type of exemption in place, including Sen. Johnson's home of Chatham County, where residents say they have been very satisfied with the exemption.