Representative Jenkins votes to protect local control and services

State Representative Charles Jenkins announces their vote against SR 796 this week. The legislation artificially caps assessments and property tax revenues without any regard to local needs or resources. Locally elected official's ability to meet the local needs of citizens would be severely restricted under this legislation.

"With this legislation cities and counties could be forced to reduce police patrols, cut local fire departments and stop road resurfacing," said Rep. Jenkins. "Schools could be forced to halt bus service, the school nurse program and other critical local services. This legislation would have been devastating to our community which is why I could not support SR 796."

The Georgia Association of Educators, the Georgia Parent Teachers Association, AARP Georgia, the Georgia School Boards Association, the Georgia School Superintendents Association, the Georgia Municipal Association, the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders and the Georgia League of Women Voters were all opposed to SR 796.

In the end, SR 796 needed 120 votes for passage and failed by a count of 110-62.

Representative Charles Jenkins serves on the following Committees: Banks & Banking,t, Economic Development & Tourism, Game, Fish & Parks, and Retirement.