Gubernatorial Candidates On The Issues

Dalton Daily Citizen
October 17, 2010

DALTON — It looks as if the state will be facing another major budget gap for at least the next fiscal year. What programs would you cut or taxes would you raise to close that gap?

Roy Barnes: We know that times are hard and that just like families, Georgia has to prioritize its spending — focusing on essential services like educating our kids and keeping our citizens safe.

Over the past few years, however, state leaders have passed billions of dollars worth of special interest sales and income tax exemptions. For example, in a report from 2006, there were sales tax exemptions worth over $10 billion alone. As governor, I’ll take a hard look at these exemptions and if a tax break doesn’t benefit every Georgian — like the exemptions on groceries and drugs — then it’s on the table to be suspended till we can afford to educate our children and protect our citizens. We cannot continue to expect taxpayers to bare the burden for these special interest groups.

Nathan Deal: Raising taxes on hard-working families and small businesses in Georgia is not an option to get our state’s fiscal house in order. Instead, I will focus on targeted tax reductions that stimulate job creation and small business growth. I will also implement zero-based budgeting to ensure limited revenues are being used for the advancement of the fundamental responsibilities of our state and are not being wasted on programs with little or no added value to the residents of Georgia. Education, transportation, public safety and health care are the critical and constitutionally mandated responsibilities of our state, and as governor, I will ensure these functions are prioritized.

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