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If you are voting in Georgia, there are some confusing amendments on the ballot. I had to research them in depth to figure out what the hell it means. Here is some info to help y'all.
THREAD!
THREAD!
First, House Resolution 164, Act No. 597
This is about the govt creating a fee for a specific act then using that fee for something else. Environmentalists are upset the money has not been used for its intended purpose of cleaning landfills. Learn more: https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-senate-gives-final-anti-bait-and-switch-fee-amendment/7eBcDrY8MtpB0BQMpPHD5N/
This is about the govt creating a fee for a specific act then using that fee for something else. Environmentalists are upset the money has not been used for its intended purpose of cleaning landfills. Learn more: https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-senate-gives-final-anti-bait-and-switch-fee-amendment/7eBcDrY8MtpB0BQMpPHD5N/
A YES vote for House Resolution 164, Act No. 597 would keep the government (read Governor) from being able to use the "fees" anyway they see fit. Instead the fees would have to be used for the purpose they were created.
Next, House Resolution 1023, Act No. 596
This amendment is about our ability to sue the state if they create laws we think are unconstitutional. For example, an abortion ban. We want to be able to sue GA for a law that is unconstitutional. Learn more: https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/constitutional-amendment-sue-over-laws-passes-georgia-legislature/PRjO4H0vZHs4xzu8hdWalK/
This amendment is about our ability to sue the state if they create laws we think are unconstitutional. For example, an abortion ban. We want to be able to sue GA for a law that is unconstitutional. Learn more: https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/constitutional-amendment-sue-over-laws-passes-georgia-legislature/PRjO4H0vZHs4xzu8hdWalK/
A YES vote on House Resolution 1023, Act No. 596, gives power back to citizens of the state to sue if our government goes too far. Right now we don't have that right.
Last, House Bill 344, Act No. 149
This bill would prevent the govt from collecting property taxes on property owned by nonprofits who provide interest-free financing to the folks purchasing the home the nonporift owns. See Habitat for Humanity. Learn More: https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/a-proposed-bill-would-make-some-nonprofits-exempt-from-paying-some-of-their-property-taxes/
This bill would prevent the govt from collecting property taxes on property owned by nonprofits who provide interest-free financing to the folks purchasing the home the nonporift owns. See Habitat for Humanity. Learn More: https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/a-proposed-bill-would-make-some-nonprofits-exempt-from-paying-some-of-their-property-taxes/
A YES vote would allow non-profits that provide low income housing to spend more of their funds on building or repairing more homes instead of spending the money on property taxes.
These were all my opinions based on my own research. Please feel free to make your own decisions, but I wanted to make it simpler to understand what is being debated. As a lawyer, even I have trouble discerning the language of amendments and bills on ballots. Happy Voting!
For DEKALB COUNTY VOTERS: Ethics Question
This is about reforming how the Ethics Board works. No one subject to the board has power to appoint who sits on the board. Also it stops routing ethics issues through the CEO and Human Resources. Learn More: https://dekalbcitizens.org/category/2020-ethics-referendum/
This is about reforming how the Ethics Board works. No one subject to the board has power to appoint who sits on the board. Also it stops routing ethics issues through the CEO and Human Resources. Learn More: https://dekalbcitizens.org/category/2020-ethics-referendum/
A YES vote for the Ethics Question provides authority back to the ethics board without being thwarted by people who may be under investigation by the board, the CEO or other Human Resources employees of the county.
If you found this thread helpful and would like to give a love offering, my CashApp is $MsAshPayne 
Someone asked me to address the ATLANTA Homestead Exemption question.
This is about creating affordable housing options, that don't expire after a few years, as the housing market continues to exorbitantly soar. E.g. the Beltline. Learn More: https://saportareport.com/atlantas-home-prices-are-soaring-can-a-new-model-keep-some-affordable-forever/
This is about creating affordable housing options, that don't expire after a few years, as the housing market continues to exorbitantly soar. E.g. the Beltline. Learn More: https://saportareport.com/atlantas-home-prices-are-soaring-can-a-new-model-keep-some-affordable-forever/
A YES vote helps low-income Atlantans buy houses that are on land that’s owned by nonprofit land trusts. And more importantly, in the resale process the home remains affordable to another home buyer; someone who might not otherwise be able to live there.
