As your State Representative, I'm actively working with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to address resident and city concerns about the widening of Georgia Highway 9 between the Alpharetta and Forsyth borders. You may have read, unbelievably, a former DOT right-of-way acquisition specialist was involved in a sophisticated falsification of internal documents.  This led GDOT to incorrectly believe land parcels had been acquired in preparation for the widening to proceed. No right-of-way had in actuality been purchased.

Unfortunately for those most impacted, the project will be significantly delayed. However, this development has opened the door for more community engagement to better ensure the road widening reflects community desires and needs. I'm engaged at the highest levels in advocating for our community to balance the need for improved infrastructure, while maintaining the quality of life we enjoy.

This session, I’m working on behalf of senior citizens to reduce the property tax burden so they can live, work, raise a family and retire in their homes. I introduced two partial senior homestead exemptions from school taxes to provide meaningful relief.

After researching surrounding counties, I learned Fulton County School exemptions for seniors fall far short in comparison. As a result, many seniors move out of their local communities for lower taxes, leaving their friends, families, churches and neighborhoods.

I originally introduced a 50% exemption at ages 65-69 and a 100% exemption at ages 70 and over. Unfortunately, I had to reduce the exemptions in half to garner the votes I needed to pass the legislation. The school board opposed the higher amounts and took a neutral position after I made the changes. 

The revised bills passed the House on March 21 overwhelmingly and on a bi-partisan basis. They will need to pass the senate after one more change that does not affect the level of the exemptions and return to the house for final passage prior to session ending.

This will fulfill a longtime priority of mine and others to provide real tax relief for seniors. The current floating homestead exemption for all homeowners already gives significant property tax relief by keeping the taxable property value “frozen” for tax purposes as long as you own your home.