Nov. 2022 Amendments and Referenda - Georgia Ballot (EDIT)

[Pinback]

Last edited Wed Oct 26, 2022, 02:58 PM - Edit history (1)

Update, 10/26 -- After getting some input from a knowledgeable progressive friend, who quoted a well-connected Georgia consultant to Dem/progressive candidates, I have a different take on some of these. New comments in bold+italic. My apologies for any confusion created by the original post.

I'm clear on the candidates (D = Yes!), but I've been trying to get a handle on the ballot measures on the current Georgia ballot. I've posted descriptions of the initiatives below, along with my off-the-cuff reactions. I will update this if I get more substantive information or recommendations from trusted sources.

I'm generally suspicious of anything coming out of the Georgia legislature, but want to understand before casting a reflexive vote on any or all of these. Any input will be appreciated. General information about these can be found on Ballotpedia -- https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia_2022_ballot_measures

Here's the list:

State Constitutional Amendment 1: Administration of government and Salaries of government officials (Senate Resolution No. 134; Resolution Act No. 304)
Allows the suspension of compensation of certain public officials while the individual is suspended from office for being indicted for a felony

The measure was proposed in the state legislature shortly after the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in late January that Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck (R) has been receiving pay and benefits since being indicted for federal wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering charges in May 2019. The charges included allegations that Beck stole over $2 million from his former employer and used those funds to pay for his 2018 campaign. Beck was elected to the office on November 6, 2018, and was suspended from the office by Governor Brian Kemp (R) on May 16, 2019. Beck said "I am, in fact, innocent of these charges. In these circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to resign as commissioner of insurance." Because Beck was suspended and did not resign, the state has been compensating him as well as John King, Kemp's appointment to fill the position during Beck's suspension.
- Source: Ballotpedia

- This sounds valid, but (realist that I am) I can see it being used to deep-six political enemies. I'm sure Kemp saw the Beck case as an opportunity to burnish his own credentials as a purported non-crook.
- Then again, Ballotpedia lists 2 Democratic Senate supporters of the amendment (one of whom I know and trust) in addition to the 19 Republican supporters, so I think I’m a Yes on this one.
- UPDATE: Voted Yes. The measure would reinstate back pay for an indicted official who’s exonerated and reinstated to office.

State Constitutional Amendment 2: Taxes (House Resolution No. 594; Resolution Act No. 803)
Authorizes local governments to grant temporary property tax changes for properties damaged by disaster events and located within disaster areas
- Again, seems reasonable, but I have to wonder, what rich Republican absentee owners of coastal property (for example) stand to benefit from this, what's the guarantee that the tax relief would be applied fairly, and how "temporary" is temporary?
- This is tax relief only, no direct aid to residents affected by natural disasters. Therefore, it does nothing for renters, and little for low-income and older property owners. As usual, Republicans see taxes as the Great Satan, and view direct aid as “taking.”
- The only supporters listed on Ballotpedia are six Republican state senators. Looks like a “No” to me.
- UPDATE: Voted Yes. This will help small business owners and home owners who would be devastated by climate disasters.

State Statute Referendum A: Taxes and natural resources (House Bill No. 997; Act No. 859)
Exempts timber equipment owned by a timber producer from ad valorem property taxes
- What’s the justification for this? The endorsement from Brian Kemp has all this feel-good blah-blah stuff about “conserving wild places” and says it would “protect hunting, fishing, and conservation land.” In reality, it looks like what it does is to let loggers off the hook for at least some property taxes, further impoverishing rural school districts and other public services.
- The measure has one Democratic supporter (State Rep. Debbie Buckner of District 137 in rural West Georgia), so maybe it’s got some merit, at least to her constituents. I could be talked out of it if I’m off base, but I’m still feeling like a “No” on this one.
- UPDATE: No change. The timber industry is successful and does not need a tax break. Voted No.

State Statute Referendum B: Taxes and Agriculture (House Bill No. 498; Act No. 260)
Expands a property tax exemption to include merged family farms and dairy products and eggs
- Supported by only Republicans per Ballotpedia (including Brian Kemp) and the Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Agribusiness Council.
- Again, it’s about reducing business property taxes, which it seems would deprive public coffers of much-needed revenue.
- Maybe this would help some small farmers hang on to their farms, but I’m guessing it’s aimed more at larger operations, including factory farms. Feeling like a “No” on this one, but again, I could be talked out of it if there’s a reasonable case for supporting it.
- UPDATE: Voted Yes. This helps smaller farmers, not just factory farms.

[brer cat]

1. Thanks for the thread, Pinback.

I hate to get into the polling site and realize I don't know part of the ballot. I basically agree with your analysis, and I generally vote "no" on anything proposed by our legislature.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. Not a georgian

But very interesting - how they are willing to roll back property taxes so easily.

[Pinback]

3. Yes, Taxes Bad seems to be a theme.

Support for public schools, libraries, and people in need, not so much.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. The money will be there

Or they expect it to be - via the SALT Cap. NJ isn't taking its foot off the gas to 'Strong Communities'. My town is certainly not.

And that's WITH the increase in taxes (paying property taxes twice due to the SALT Cap).

What happens if we prevail in both the House and Senate - and we get the votes in the Senate to put it back to where it was prior to the 2017 GOP Tax Scam? I would vote no, because nothing is guaranteed to come in from another state.

[Pinback]

5. Great point.

The Republicans currently in charge of this state have time and again turned down federal aid that would help poor and marginalized communities (such as Medicaid expansion) in the name of “Freedom,” when in reality all they’re doing is thumbing their collective nose at the “Feddle Gubmint” to own the libs and give Stacey Abrams a sad, or some such.

[CottonBear]

6. Thanks for this post! I'm pinning it in the Georgia Group. NT

[Pinback]

7. Thanks. I've gotten some input from a friend who's better informed than I

about these issues and will post an update.

[CottonBear]

8. Thanks for contributing to our voter education & info sharing effort!

It takes a team effort for Georgia Democrats to educate each other on these special ballot questions.

[Pinback]

12. FYI - Updated OP today based on new input received. (nt)

[CottonBear]

13. Thanks! 🗳🍑🇺🇸

[jcm124]

9. Senate Resolution No. 134; Resolution Act No. 304

Indicted for a felony is a whole lot different than a conviction. Innocent until found guilty. If the bill said convicted then I would have said yes, with just a indictment, I say NO. How hard would it be for a governor to have a person be indicted.

[Brother Buzz]

10. The prosecutor ordered out for a ham sandwich for lunch, and the grand jury delivered....

Ham sandwich indicted

[Pinback]

11. That's my concern --

although I can also make the case that if someone is suspended from their job for whatever reason (being under indictment, in Jim Beck's case) maybe the taxpayers shouldn't be paying their salary while they're not performing the duties they were elected or appointed to do; and simultaneously paying their replacement to do the job.

However, I do see clearly how this could be abused by a corrupt governor such as Brian Kemp, so I'm still leaning No.

Welcome to DU!