For Immediate Release Additional Information:

Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown

February 28, 2008 404-656-5035

House Democratic Leader Dubose Porter

404-656-5058

Georgia Democrats say No Way to 175 New Taxes by Republicans

Republican Tax Plan Undermines Education, Breaks Cities and Counties, and Increases Taxes on Working Families and the Elderly

Atlanta – House and Senate Democrats today announced their strong opposition to HR 1246 and HB 979 which is the Republican Tax Plan that puts 175 new taxes on Georgia’s citizens.

“Democrats are not against tax reform. We have our own property tax cut plan but we cannot and will not support tax reform that undermines education, breaks cities and counties, and increases taxes on working families and the elderly in Georgia,” said House Democratic Leader DuBose Porter (D-Dublin). “The Republican Tax Plan puts 175 new taxes on Georgians – from grits to putting you in the grave. The Republican tax plan is not just a new tax on food but a laundry list of 175 new taxes that would include haircuts, auto parts, ATM fees, home improvements – all would be taxed under the Republican Tax Plan.”

According to House Democratic Caucus Chairman Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus), “Right now, Georgia is entering tough economic times. Families are starting to feel the pain of the Republican recession. Republicans in Georgia have been poor stewards of your money, and the only answer they offer is to create 175 new taxes. And what are those taxes? If you go to the barber shop of the beauty shop, you will be taxed. If you go to a lawyer to have a will done, you will be taxed. If you take your car to the shop, you will be taxed. If you have a death in your family, the funeral services, the digging of their grave will be taxed. When you go to get your taxes done, you guessed it, you will be taxed.”

“On behalf of my Democratic colleagues in the Senate, we're pleased to stand here in solidarity with our friends in the House Democratic Caucus,” said Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown (D-Macon).  “We Democrats outlawed taxing groceries nearly a decade ago, and we are not about to allow the Republicans to tax groceries now.  The kitchen table should never be taxed.”

###

Editor’s Note: Attached is list of the 175 new taxes under the Republican Tax Plan.