Rep. Floyd Griffin: Boots on the Ground at the Capitol—Week 3

By State Representative Floyd Griffin (D-Milledgeville)

(440 words)

This week at the Georgia General Assembly, the House continued its work through a combination of floor sessions and committee activity as the legislative process moved deeper into the session.

My focus remains on ensuring that decisions made under the Gold Dome deliver real, practical results for the people of Baldwin County, Jones County and East Macon.

During week three, the House addressed routine legislative business, while committees continued reviewing legislation and policy priorities, including education, public safety, state spending and government accountability.

House leadership also elevated a major policy proposal from Speaker Jon Burns that would significantly change how property taxes are collected in Georgia. This proposal has drawn statewide attention and is expected to be one of the most debated issues of the session.

Committees also continued early budget discussions, building on the governor's proposed spending plan. These discussions are essential to understanding the fiscal impact.

Speaker Burns' proposal would seek to eliminate or substantially reduce property taxes for homeowners, with the stated goal of providing relief to families facing rising housing costs.

Property taxes currently play a major role in funding:

• Local school systems;
• Public safety services;
• County and municipal operations;
• Infrastructure and community services.

Because of this, any proposal affecting property taxes will require careful consideration of how essential services would continue to be funded.

Property taxes are a significant concern for many homeowners in Baldwin County, Jones County and East Macon-especially seniors and families on fixed incomes.

At the same time, our local schools, law enforcement and community services rely heavily on property tax revenue. As this proposal moves forward, important questions must be addressed, including:

• How education funding would be protected;
• How local governments would be affected;
• Whether costs would shift to other taxpayers.

These are issues I am actively reviewing as details continue to emerge.

Major tax reform requires thorough analysis, transparency and public input. Committees will play a central role in examining the fiscal impact of this proposal and identifying potential consequences-both intended and unintended.

I remain committed to asking the tough questions and ensuring this proposal is fully vetted before decisions are made.

Because of the significance of this proposal, next week I will be asking residents of House District 149 to share their views on the proposed property tax plan.

Your feedback is important as this issue moves through the legislative process, and I want to ensure the voices of our district are heard before any final decisions are made.

Serving House District 149 is an honor. I encourage residents to stay engaged, review the information carefully and be prepared to share their perspectives in the days ahead.

Representative Floyd Griffin represents the citizens of District 149, which includes portions of Baldwin, Bibb and Jones counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2024 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Special Rules and State Planning & Community Affairs committees.

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The views expressed above and information shared are those of the author.