Decatur School Tax Exemption Stalls in Legislature

DECATUR, GA -- Four out of five Decatur homestead tax exemption bills passed in the state House on Tuesday, but the bill that would have provided the most significant school-tax relief for seniors was pulled, apparently over politics that have nothing to do with the city.

Senate Bill 343, which would exempt residents 65 and older from paying property taxes for schools, was tabled after a motion by Rep. Beth Beskin, a Republican from Fulton County.

Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, a Democrat who represents parts of Decatur, said the bill got caught up in a squabble over a similar exemption in Fulton County.

“I am hopeful we will be able to get over the partisan obstacle created solely by Representative Beskin," Oliver said in a blog post shared by the City of Decatur. "I believe the Republican leadership will ultimately be supportive of local control to support the success of the Decatur school system and good management."

Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett said in the post that Beskin, a member of the House Education Committee, told her the motion to table the Decatur bill had nothing to do with Decatur or the measure itself.

Beskin has been advocating for a similar seniors school-tax exemption in Fulton County.

“It is unsettling that legislation designed by Decatur’s elected officials for the benefit of Decatur’s senior citizens, that would have no impact on anyone other than Decatur residents, has been met with opposition,” said Board of Education Chair Annie Caiola, in the blog post. “We encourage our residents to join us in voicing these sentiments to the Republican leadership."

Exempting seniors from paying school ad velorum taxes on their homes in Decatur would save them an estimated $993 annually for every $100,000 their home is worth.

The four Decatur bills that passed the House unopposed on Tuesday have already been approved by the Senate and now go to Gov. Nathan Deal to be signed.

Those bills include a slight increase to the overall homestead tax exemption for all Decatur homeowners, offers an even bigger overall exemption for seniors and carves out yet another break for seniors 62 and older whose household income is $50,000 or less.

The state House and Senate will next convene Thursday, for the 34th day of the legislature's 40-day session.