Local Govs May Lose Right to Opt Out of Tax Limit

Tax increases on Georgia homeowners could be limited to the inflation rate - including taxes for education after most school systems decided against capping property tax hikes last year.
The state Senate's Republican majority introduced a bill this week that would require all school systems to limit property tax increases that occur because of rising home values.
About 71% of Georgia's 180 school systems - including most of them in this newspaper's area - voted last year to reject the cap, as allowed by state law. This year's bill would change that law and prevent school systems from opting out of the cap.
If approved, the legislation would save homeowners money - and reduce funding for public education in some areas. School systems would lose the ability...