The Georgia Budget & Policy Institute published a letter urging the governor and legislators to raise new sources of revenue. Thirty-six other signees joined the left-leaning organization including: the League of Women Voters of Georgia, the International Rescue Committee and Open Hand Atlanta. An odd mix to be sure.
In a press release distributing the letter, GBPI Senior Vice President Jennifer Owens said:
“Our leaders must recapture lost revenue given out through billions of dollars in special interest tax breaks and raise new revenues in order to reduce revenue shortfalls and ensure funding flows to health, education, programs for families experiencing poverty and more. By lifting the tobacco tax to the national average, recapturing taxpayer dollars spent through unchecked tax breaks that don’t deliver on their promise and removing Georgia’s double deduction loophole, our state can fully fund recovery efforts and make a down payment on prosperity for all Georgians.”