Taxes plan fails in Georgia House as property cut falls short 99-73
The Georgia House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected a sweeping proposal to cut property taxes, a defeat that leaves an election-year priority in limbo and forces lawmakers to rethink how to offer relief to homeowners.
Taxes measure defeated 99-73
House Resolution 1114 failed by a mostly party-line vote of 99 in favor to 73 against, short of the two-thirds majority required for a state constitutional amendment. Because the change would require amending the Georgia Constitution, it also would have needed approval from voters in November.
How the proposal would have changed assessments
The revised plan in the House would have reworked assessments for single-family homes by taxing them based on 10% of fair-market value instead of the current 40%, phased in over a decade. To backfill lost local revenue, the proposal would have allowed repurposing existing sales taxes and would have created a state grant program to offset revenue shortfalls.
Arguments from supporters and opponents
Supporters framed the measure as relief for homeowners facing rising bills. "We’ve all received emails from constituents worried their property tax bills will force them from their homes, " said Rep. Shaw Blackmon, R-Bonaire. Backers pointed to recent increases in local property tax revenue, saying it rose 49% in recent years and is squeezing homeowners.
But critics warned the plan could gut budgets for schools, counties and cities. "The math’s just not mathing. It does not add up, " said House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus. Rep. Stacey Evans, D-Atlanta, said, "We can reduce property tax burdens, but we can do it responsibly. " Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, emphasized his priorities for constituents: "I love my cities and I love my county and I love my school board. But I love the people who sent me down here more, and we’re taking their life and livelihood away. "
House Speaker Jon Burns has made property tax relief a top priority and had originally proposed phasing out all taxes on homestead properties, drawing concern from local officials over potential multi-billion-dollar revenue losses. The House has already approved an amended fiscal year 2026 budget that grants more than $2 billion in income and property tax relief, and the Senate has approved plans to dramatically scale back the income tax.
What happens next is clear for the immediate calendar: the measure will be reconsidered Wednesday. Because it required a two-thirds legislative vote and voter approval, any revived version will still face a high bar before changing how property taxes are collected in Georgia.
