House’s transportation committee OKs statewide tax increase

The state House Transportation Committee today approved a resolution 20-5 that would raise sales taxes by a penny statewide for transportation projects — and would amount to what legislators say is the largest tax increase in Georgia history. Legislators are now expected to negotiate with the Senate — whose local-option sales tax strategy passed earlier today — and hash up a resolution both chambers find suitable. If it makes it out of the Gold Dome, voters will have the final say in November.

But if last night’s committee was any indication, lawmakers will most likely chisel away at the plan before a full vote in the House.

The meeting — which ran three hours past schedule — was filled with questions and concerns from legislators, many who were nervous in an election year to tag a tax increase on to the same ballot where their own name would appear.