Here in GA, we have 3 State constitutional amendments to consider, having to do with forestry conservation use property tax reduction, authorizing local school districts to use tax funds for community redevelopment, and to create special Infrastructure Development Districts to underserved areas…

Constitutional Amendments On Nov. Ballot (11alive.com):

ATLANTA — Three Constitutional Amendments are on the ballot across the state of Georgia. Everyone gets to vote on whether or not they would like to see these measures enacted.

Amendment 1: To encourage the preservation of Georgia’s forests through a conservation use property tax reduction program. 

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the General Assembly by general law shall encourage the preservation, conservation, and protection of the state’s forests through the special assessment and taxation of certain forest lands and assistance grants to local government?” 

The proposal allows the state legislature to tax forest land — and allows those land owners to restrict the use of their land to “current use.” 

Pro: The Georgia Forestry Association supports this amendment.

Con:

***PASSED*** YES 2,410,852 68.0%; NO 1,133,361 32.0%

Ammendment 2: To authorize local school districts to use tax funds for community redevelopment purposes. 

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize community redevelopment and authorize counties, municipalities and local boards of education to use tax funds for redevelopment purposes and programs?” 

This measure lets local governments and housing authorities use tax funds earmarked for schools for redevelopment of communities. In relation to school taxes, they can be used only if they have been marked for repayment of bonds which have been approved by a court for issuance, or such use is allowed by general law after Jan. 1, 2009. 

Pro: Georgians For Community Redevelopment is a group set up to support this amendment.

Con: The Georgia Association of Educators is opposing Amendment two.

***PASSED*** YES 1,835,368 51.6%; NO 1,724,127 48.4%

Amendment 3: To authorize the creation of special Infrastructure Development Districts providing infrastructure to underserved areas. 

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the creation and comprehensive regulation of infrastructure development districts for the provision of infrastructure as authorized by local governments?” 

This proposal allows the state legislature to provide for the creation and regulation of “infrastructure development districts.” This would allow municipalities to impose and collect fees within the district they administer. 

Pro: Georgians for Quality Economic Development is a group pushing for the passage of Amendment three.

Con: The Georgia Sierra Club is urging people to vote against amendment three.

***FAILED*** NO 1,745,827 51.6%; YES 1,635,779 48.4%

See also the Georgia SOS website for further details.

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Update:

 

 

Peach Pundit brings a bit of context to Amendment 2; in part:

In assessing a constitutional amendment, the first rule should be “beware of the easy soundbite” – because it is often wrong.

Such is the case with Amendment #2, which has been pilloried as “sending school dollars to developers” when it actually only keeps the law the way it was until the Court intervened in February of this year. 

The reality:  Amendment 2 will give voters the chance to take back lawmaking from the Court and approve something they have already approved in a statewide vote – but was taken away from them by one activist lawyer and the Georgia Supreme Court (you know, the same ones that almost declared capital punishment unconstitutional)