Stephanie Webb

We have received coverage in the metro and national press (and now local press) pointing out what we feel are hypocritical positions by Rep. Calvin Hill.  Rep. Hill, in his response, indicates he’d like to discuss the issues.  So would we!  Not finding a single issue position (just lots of rhetoric) on his website, we thought it would be useful to voters to understand the difference between our positions and Rep. Hill’s. 

On Taxes

Rep. Hill has repeatedly voiced his opposition to any tax increases, but voted significant increases that will burden taxpayers with House Bill 1055, raising “fees” broadly, including: annual pesticide contractor’s fees, fertilizer licenses, commercial feed licenses and registration fees, annual registration of organic products, fees paid by mortgage lenders and brokers, annual registration fees for business, building construction inspection fees and many more.  A summary of the fee increases can be found by clicking here.  The bill itself can be read by clicking here.

These “fee” increases make it tougher for businesses, by increasing their costs.  Unfortunately, most of these costs will be passed on to the consumer. 

Rep. Hill voted for House Bill 307, imposing a tax on hospitals’ net revenues.   Sen. Preston Smith spoke passionately against this bill, and was stripped of his chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee for doing so.  There is little question that this tax will ultimately be passed along to the patients.  This bill can be read by clicking here.

Rep. Hill voted to allow Georgia Power to impose increased rates on its customers to finance the expansion of the Vogtle nuclear plants with his vote for Senate Bill 31.  This was initially estimated to cost consumers an estimated $1.6 billion in financing charges and an additional $400 million in related taxes.   Since passage, there has been speculation that the costs to consumer may be much more.  Click here and here to read about the bill’s passage and subsequent concerns about cost overruns.  The bill may be read by clicking here.

The Webb for Georgia campaign looks forward to reviewing the recommendations of the blue-ribbon panel which was established by the legislature to update the system of taxation in Georgia.  It is only through cooperative effort and significant political will that we can create a 21^st century system that is fair to all Georgians and that creates an environment where economic growth is encouraged.  We also feel that the legislature should adequately fund the Department of Revenue to collect the nearly one billion dollars in unpaid sales taxes.

Click here to read about Jobs and Ethics

The Cherokee Tribune's Ashley Fuller covered the recent candidate forum at Johnston Elementary School in Woodstock:

http://www.cherokeetribune.com/view/full_story/10056406/article-Candidates-sound-off-on-education?instance=home_news_left