Tax Accountability Act

Georgians deserve an accountable and transparent government that works to protect their investments. As an official elected to represent my community, the interest of Georgia taxpayers and their families is always my top priority.

Too often, the well-being of our taxpayers and local government control is compromised by reckless outsourcing or corporate takeover of our communities. Tax subsidies, credits and abatements are given to big corporations at the expense of Georgia taxpayers.

This is why my colleague, Representative David Wilkerson, and I have introduced the Tax Accountability Act, or House Bill (HB) 148. This legislative proposal would create an independent panel to review existing tax subsidies, tax credits and tax abatements to determine the fiscal impact and policy achievements of the tax treatment. The commission would be required to make a recommendation for each item and whether to continue, modify, act, or end the policy.

The benefits of HB 148 are two-fold. First, the bill calls for careful and deliberate reviews of tax exemption proposals. When any kind of tax exemption is being considered for a for-profit entity, the fiscal impacts should be carefully considered. The Tax Accountability Act does exactly that – it required a House committee to examine whether the proposed tax credit is in the best interest of Georgia taxpayers. The House committee is permitted to amend the tax exemption

Second, this proposal protects taxpayers because it allows for an actuarial investigation of any proposals for calling tax exemption. If the majority of the committee deems an actuarial investigation necessary, no tax exemption bill shall be reported out of the committee or for a vote until the investigation is complete.

The Tax Accountability Act is serves a clear purpose and is long overdue. This bill seeks to protect Georgia taxpayers by requiring careful review of proposals for tax exemptions. Georgians deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent and a government that works for them – not big corporate interests.

Rep. Kim Alexander serves House District 66. The Tax Accountability Act, HB 148, is included in the 2013-2014 Legislative Agenda for the Georgia House Democratic Caucus.