GA Governor to eliminate income tax for seniors

[Joe Republic]

Link


Perdue Announces Plan To Eliminate State Income Tax For Seniors

posted September 13, 2006


Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Thursday night that he will completely eliminate the state income tax for the retirement income of Georgians 65 and older in his second term. This $142 million a year in tax relief will add to the over $2 billion in tax relief that the governor has delivered since taking office in 2003, his office said.

“If given the honor of a second term, this is my first promise to the people of Georgia. We will completely eliminate the state income tax on retirement income for seniors 65 and older,” said Gov. Perdue. “By not having to pay state income taxes, retirees can better cover the costs of prescription drugs and healthcare, or spend more time with their grandchildren.”

When Gov. Perdue took office in 2002, he inherited a $640 million deficit from the Barnes-Taylor administration, officials said.

His office said, "By focusing on priorities and streamlining government, Gov. Perdue turned the deficit into a $580 million surplus, helped create over 200,000 new jobs, and invested over $1 billion more for education – all while delivering over $2 billion in tax relief to Georgians."

The Perdue first-term tax relief included:

· Cutting the state income tax on retirement income for seniors in 2003

· Making the homestead exemption permanent

· Eliminating the gas tax for one month after Hurricane Katrina

· Reforming the corporate tax code to stimulate job creation

· Allowing small businesses to write off more expenses

· Passing the Teacher Tax Cut, a $250 exemption for the purchase of school supplies in the 2004 and 2005 tax year

· Exempting military income for Georgia National Guard members

· Providing a child-care tax credit for working families

Georgia taxpayers currently have one of the lowest state tax burdens in the nation, officials said. Based on 2005 data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, Georgia has the 9th lowest per capita tax burden of any state in the nation – an improvement from 13th when Perdue took office.

[MODU]

Good for him.

[Joe Republic]

I wasn't sure; has this been done elsewhere already?

[Colin]

Well that's a great way to pander to the elderly.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

He's up for re-election this year, isn't he?

[dazzleman]

I don't agree with this at all.  There are many wealthy seniors.  Why should they get a free ride at the expense of working families, many of whom have lower incomes?

[The Dowager Mod]

I don't agree with this at all.  There are many wealthy seniors.  Why should they get a free ride at the expense of working families, many of whom have lower incomes?

^^^^^^^^^

[dazzleman]

I don't agree with this at all.  There are many wealthy seniors.  Why should they get a free ride at the expense of working families, many of whom have lower incomes?

^^^^^^^^^

I'd also say this is a form of age discrimination.  Age should not be a factor in determining whether somebody pays taxes, and how much.  Why not eliminate taxes for certain ethnic groups too?

[John Dibble]

Well that's a great way to pander to the elderly.

Just in time for the election!

[David S]

I don't agree with this at all.  There are many wealthy seniors.  Why should they get a free ride at the expense of working families, many of whom have lower incomes?

^^^^^^^^^

I'd also say this is a form of age discrimination.  Age should not be a factor in determining whether somebody pays taxes, and how much.  Why not eliminate taxes for certain ethnic groups too?

Being a geezer my initial reaction was good, but you're  right it is a form of discrimination. How about an across the board tax cut for everyone instead?

[adam]

Jesus whats next? Tax cuts for people with brown hair?

[dazzleman]

I don't agree with this at all.  There are many wealthy seniors.  Why should they get a free ride at the expense of working families, many of whom have lower incomes?

^^^^^^^^^

I'd also say this is a form of age discrimination.  Age should not be a factor in determining whether somebody pays taxes, and how much.  Why not eliminate taxes for certain ethnic groups too?

Being a geezer my initial reaction was good, but you're  right it is a form of discrimination. How about an across the board tax cut for everyone instead?

This is a perfect example of why government involvement in distributing wealth should be minimal.

The elderly are, demographically, the wealthiest segment of the population.  They also vote in the largest numbers.  So they are able to use the political system to transfer wealth away from others who have less to themselves.

[Colin]

Jesus whats next? Tax cuts for people with brown hair?

No

Tax cuts for anyone who votes for me. I think that will be the next trick.

[MarkWarner08]

A good move on Perdue's part.

[Ebowed]

I don't agree with this at all.  There are many wealthy seniors.  Why should they get a free ride at the expense of working families, many of whom have lower incomes?

I agree with this.

[Colin]

A good move on Perdue's part.

Why? Seriously why?

Not all seniors are poor and suffering. A good deal, like how my father will be, will actually probably be richer after they retire than before.

Wouldn't this work better if you did it in proportion to incomes instead of age? If you do it just by age isn't that just pandering to a group that is most likely to vote when you are in an election year?

[adam]

A good move on Perdue's part.

Why? Seriously why?

Not all seniors are poor and suffering. A good deal, like how my father will be, will actually probably be richer after they retire than before.

Wouldn't this work better if you did it in proportion to incomes instead of age? If you do it just by age isn't that just pandering to a group that is most likely to vote when you are in an election year?

I think he meant politically speaking, at least I hope that's what he meant.