From this Thursday, October 2, through midnight, Sunday, October 5, no sales taxes will be collected in Georgia on the purchase of certain energy-efficient and water-efficient items.

I am proud to have introduced the bill that added water-efficient products to the list of tax-free items available for purchase this weekend. The tax holiday covers goods such as refrigerators, doors, toilets, showers, and ceiling fans approved as either energy-efficient or water-efficient.

To qualify for the tax exemption, items must cost no more than $1,500 and must be intended for noncommercial home or personal use.

A detailed list of qualifying items and purchase amounts is available from the Georgia Department of Revenue by calling (404) 417-4477. You can view information about the tax holiday online by clicking here.

Four questions for voter approval will be on the ballot in this general election. Three are proposed amendments to our State Constitution, and the other is a proposed reform to the structure of the DeKalb County government.

Senate Bill 52 (SB 52). If approved by DeKalb voters in the general election, SB 52 would finally allow the County Commissioners to set their own meeting agendas and to preside over the meetings. As I have mentioned in previous newsletters, these powers--and too many others--are currently reserved for the Chief Executive. This results in an excessive concentration of governmental power, comparable to allowing the Governor of Georgia to set the agenda for the General Assembly and to preside over its sessions.

Moreover, the Chief Executive possesses nearly override-proof veto authority. SB 52 would begin the shift in DeKalb's government back toward a true balance of power.

As the chief House sponsor of SB 52 and a longtime advocate of the need for reform of our county government, I encourage you to vote "yes" on the bill, which will appear under "DeKalb County Referendum" on your ballot.

Other Ballot Measures

Amendment 1. "To encourage the preservation of Georgia's forests through a conservation use property tax reduction program."

Amendment 1 is intended to preserve forest tracts 200 acres and greater by allowing landowners to enter a fifteen-year covenant to protect the land from development. In return, the landowner would receive a property-tax reduction, the value of which would be determined by the Georgia Department of Revenue.

The Amendment is supported by a broad coalition of associations, including, among others:

*Georgia Forestry Association
*Georgia Agribusiness Council
*Georgia Conservancy
*Georgia Conservation Voters
*Georgia Farm Bureau
*Georgia Wildlife Federation
*The Nature Conservancy
*Georgia Chamber of Commerce
*Sierra Club - Georgia Chapter
*Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation
*Georgia Paper and Forest Products Association

Amendment 2. "To authorize local school districts to use tax funds for community redevelopment purposes."

Amendment 2 proposes authorizing the use of county, municipal and school tax funds (or a combination of them) to fund redevelopment purposes and programs, including the repayment of tax allocation bonds. If the Amendment is approved, projects like the Atlanta BeltLine and the proposed Sembler development in the N. Druid Hills area could be supported with school taxes for plans such as traffic- congestion relief.

Amendment 3. "To authorize the creation of special Infrastructure Development Districts providing infrastructure to underserved areas."

Proponents of this Amendment claim that Infrastructure Development Districts provide local governments a financing option for construction and maintenance of public infrastructure, including water, sewer, solid waste, roads, bridges, transit, public safety facilities, schools and parks.

Opponents of the Amendment claim that the Amendment would create "private cities" headed by developers and that it would put the government's power to levy a tax into private hands that are unaccoutable to voters.

For additional information about the three proposed constitutional amendments, you can visit the Secretary of State's website by clicking here. Opinion newspaper articles for and against the proposed measures, can be read by clicking here.

ABSENTEE VOTING. Georgia law now allows absentee voting in person or by mail without requiring voters to provide a reason for casting an absentee ballot.

As a convenience to DeKalb County voters, the Absentee Poll at 4380 Memorial Drive will have extended operating hours from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00p.m. from now until the day before the election

ADVANCE VOTING. From Monday-Friday, October 27-31, 2008, you can beat the long lines on Election Day by casting your vote in advance. A limited number of polling places will be available from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on these days.

For more information about absentee and advance voting and other important election information, click here .Remember, the voter registration cut-off date is Monday, October 6.

CANDIDATES FORUM. The Emory Lavista Parent Council, the League of Women Voters and the Tucker Parent Council will co-host a candidates forum for DeKalb School Board Districts 4 and 8. The forum will take place at Briarlake Baptist Church this Thursday, October 2, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. The Church is located at 3715 Lavista Road Decatur, GA 30033.

A moderator will pose questions to the candidates, and written questions from the audience will be accepted as well.

The League of Women Voters will videotape the event for CD release and distribution. The organizers have promised to conclude the event in time for attendees to view the vice-presidential debate.

The Emory Lavista Parent Council with Clifton Community Partnership and the League of Women Voters will host another candidates forum at the Glenn Memorial Church on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. The October 14 forum will feature the candidates for School Board Districts 2 and 9. Glenn Memorial is located at 1660 North Decatur Road NE Atlanta, GA 30307.