VALDOSTA — Revenue reports for Georgia have been in a steady decline for more than a year, with no end in sight. Lawmakers are trying to balance the state budget, while proposing some indigestible ideas along the way, including the elimination of the 4-H program and hiking tuition for college students.
A group rallied at the capitol this week to propose a $1 hike per-pack in the cigarette tax, saying Georgia’s 37-cent per pack tax is one of the nation’s lowest. Proponents claim it will raise more than $350 million for the state.
On the opposite side are anti-tax activists as well as some lawmakers who think they can balance the budget without raising any taxes.
A tobacco tax may not eliminate all of Georgia’s budget issues, but it’s much easier for taxpayers to accept than the elimination of educational programs and the punitive nature of pricing a higher education out of the reach of the average family.
But one wonders if the tobacco tax, a so-called “sin” tax, is raised, what might be next? If smoking is unhealthy and should be discouraged, isn’t over-eating a health issue as well? How about a tax on soft drinks? Or a Twinkie tax? In some states and in many foreign countries, paying up to $10 for a can of Coke is the norm. However, typically in those areas, there are no taxes on food, clothing, and other basic necessities.
So Georgia lawmakers have some decisions to make. But balancing the budget on the backs of the youth of the state shouldn’t even be in consideration. However, asking taxpayers to help fund the rising costs of health care, Medicaid and the like by paying more for their personal indulgences doesn’t seem too much to ask.
What We Think
What We Think: A taxing debate
- What We Think
-
-
Leaving NCLB behind
Georgia schools may be sighing in relief today, following the announcement that the U.S. Department of Education granted a waiver to the state, along with nine others, from the rigorous requirements of the No Child Left Behind act.
-
Don’t jettison landmark
While we respect the request to relocate the F-86 aircraft from outside Mathis City Auditorium to the new Moody Air Force Base Airpark, we would hope the city and MAFB would reconsider moving it.
-
Shame in Berrien County
Unfortunately for Sherrie Williams of the Berrien County school-based health clinic, she talked to The Times and praised the program that she oversees. This pride in her work led to the loss of her job.
-
Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
-
Be up to any weather challenge
Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today and runs through Friday. The idea behind the week is to prepare Georgians for weather emergencies and how to keep these situations from becoming tragedies.
-
Parents and schools
There is a lot of talk lately about school systems and grading policies, and how all of a child's problems come back to a lack of parenting. But is it really that simple? Can it be a case where the school systems are so focused on the problem few that the majority of students are ignored?
-
Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Brooks County High School engineering and technology teacher Don Morgan and his students. They recently received national attention for their work with biodiesel fuel. They collect used cooking oil from area fast-food restaurants then process this oil into biodiesel. Morgan hopes to next interest the Brooks County school buses into running on the fuel created in his class. This classroom not only prepares students for the future but may prepare all of us for an alternative energy source.
-
Take me out to the ball park
The Valdosta State baseball season begins today. The Blazers host Lindenwood at 2:30 p.m. Nothing beats quality baseball played in warm weather with a great venue like Billy Grant Field.
-
What We Think: Signing Day
Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the country make official announcements about what school they’ve chosen to sign with.
-
School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
- More What We Think Headlines
-
Leaving NCLB behind
