Ginn expects more talk on tax reform

Among the provisions proposed last year was the addition of a sales tax to the individual-to-individual sales of motor vehicles. The idea was that tax commissioners in each county would collect the tax for the state much as they do the ad valorem taxes on vehicles.

“That’s a tax shift from higher income folks to lower income folks,” Ginn said. “I don’t care how you did the math, that would be a tax increase for the folks in the 47th District.

The 47th District currently all or parts of Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties.

Ginn said he expects changing the tax code to “be discussed and re-discussed” throughout the legislative session.

Crackdown On Theft Of Metals?

Ginn also expects legislation to be introduced to help curb the theft of metal, which he says, “has gone berserk… People are stealing anything not tied down and some of it that is tied down.”

He reported a conversation with a scrap metal dealer who bought a number of brass cemetery flower vases he knew were stolen, hoping to preserve the vases. He called police, who confiscated the items — leaving the dealer out $800 for his public service.

“There are several things (relating to metal theft) that need to be looked at,” Ginn concluded.

Other issues likely to result in legislation include healthcare and campaign disclosure laws.

The healthcare issue — as always — will be driven by increased costs of Medicare and Medicaid to the Georgia budget.

“Where do we go on the fight on the national health care plan?” Ginn asked rhetorically. “Do we do an exchange, or not? Does that buy in (to the national plan being opposed by Georgia and other states)? I’m not sure where that is going to drive us, but I think it is a total abuse of government to mandate to the citizens ‘you got to buy this.’ If they can do that, that’s too much involvement of government in our lives.”

Ginn said it is possible that legislation will be introduced to place “thresholds” on the requirements for campaign disclosure reports.

“I’ve heard from local elected officials, some of whom serve at no compensation, but they have to do campaign disclosures and file reports,” he said. “Some of them have been fined. I hope we do not encumber these folks so much they say ‘I’m not willing to serve.’ There may (need to) be some thresholds in place on that.”

The most important matter of business for the General Assembly will still be the passage of the 2013 budget. Ginn reports that revenues are up, but costs related to Medicaid and Medicare are as well.

“A net gain is not happening,” he said. “When costs go up faster than a rise in the state income, you’ve got a problem.”

The good news, the senator said, is that legislative leaders say education will be spared the across-the-board cuts of two to three percent that other agencies have been warned to prepare