State tax policy, school-zone cameras, education, health care and local transportation were among the issues discussed Aug. 20, when three state legislators met with local business and community leaders at The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton.
Hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce and Chamber President Robbie King, the breakfast meeting featured state Sen. Rick Williams, R-Milledgeville, and state Reps. Dale Washburn, R-Macon, and Trey Rhodes, R-Greensboro, each of whom represents portions of Putnam County.
Washburn, who represents House District 144, opened the program by emphasizing his focus on families and Georgia businesses. He said economic growth and job creation remain essential to strengthening families while criticizing what he considers an overly broad legislative agenda.
“A lot of the bills we pass make no difference to you and to most of your families,” Washburn said. He added, however, that he focuses on issues affecting the average Georgian.
Washburn said eliminating school-zone speed cameras remains among his priorities. He said legislation he recently introduced attracted 100 co-sponsors, including 47 Democrats and 53 Republicans, and passed the House. He added that a compromise reached with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones will require local voters to approve the installation or continuation of school-zone cameras beginning July 1 next year.
Washburn also called for changes to Georgia’s property tax system, arguing that market sales should play a larger role in determining property values and that local governments should have more ability to shift their revenue reliance toward sales taxes.
“I believe the property tax system is unfair,” he said, particularly for older homeowners who may place relatively little demand on local services but continue paying property taxes based on the assessed value of their homes.
Washburn also identified affordable housing as a priority, saying Georgia needs to make it easier for younger families to purchase their first homes and build equity.
Williams, who represents Senate District 25, described his role as both a legislator and an advocate for constituents dealing with state agencies. He highlighted his work on retirement benefits, elections, veterans’ services and public safety.
Among his priorities, he said, is legislation requiring DNA collection from people arrested for felony offenses. Williams explained that Georgia currently collects DNA only when someone is sent to prison, while several other states collect it earlier. He suggested his proposal could help solve cold cases while also protecting against wrongful convictions.
Williams also discussed several education measures, including legislation requiring student academic and disciplinary records to be transferred to new schools within 10 days, statewide standards for school library materials, and restrictions on sexually explicit content. He also pointed to legislation addressing artificial intelligence-generated obscene material involving minors and emphasized the need to confront bullying in schools.
“We want to hear from you,” Williams told his Eatonton audience. “That’s what we’re here for is to change lives, to look after our young people who need help.”
Rhodes, representing House District 124 and chair of the House Game, Fish and Parks Committee, said the most recent legislative session focused heavily on economic relief, education and affordability.
He explained that 91 cents of every state budget dollar is committed to health care, transportation, corrections and education, leaving all remaining state agencies to compete for the other 9 cents.
Rhodes promoted placing a 3% inflation cap on assessments for homesteaded property, as well as tax rebates, a reduction in the state income tax rate and a temporary suspension of the state gas tax. He also cited a $300 million needs-based scholarship endowment to provide up to $3,000 annually to eligible college students.
He also praised legislation banning cellphones in K-12 classrooms and discussed efforts to expand Georgia’s health care workforce through new medical and optometry programs, as well as additional graduate medical education slots targeted toward rural applicants and communities.
A question-and-answer session then shifted the discussion toward local concerns.
Putnam County Commissioner Steve Hersey questioned the legislators about Senate Bill 33 and the potential effects of shifting the property tax burden, noting that approximately 80% of Putnam County’s tax digest is tied to real estate.
Washburn acknowledged that the recently enacted property tax changes did not go as far as he wanted. He said he favors broader relief rather than measures benefiting only homesteaded property and continues to favor greater reliance on sales taxes.
Transportation also drew attention. Rhodes said the ongoing Highway 44 expansion has been under development for eight years and that the project footprint has been reduced from 142 feet to 92 feet in width. He added that the project will now include landscaped medians along portions of the Lake Oconee corridor and that a third phase of construction should begin next spring.
Eatonton Mayor John Reid used the opportunity to press for help with long-delayed Georgia Department of Transportation projects, including the placement of in-town speed-limit and directional signs.
Also mentioned was the problem posed by very large tractor-trailer trucks passing through downtown Eatonton. Rhodes acknowledged the problem; however, he said Highway 44’s status as a state route limits the government’s ability to restrict traffic.
King concluded the meeting by thanking each guest speaker and audience member for their attendance and participation.