The state legislature got underway earlier this month. District 120 Representative Houston Gaines, who is running for the 10th District Congressional seat, currently held by Mike Collins, shared his priorities for his final state house session. Cutting taxes for homeowners and others is near the top of the list.
"The House has put forward a plan to eliminate property taxes on a primary residence for homeowners," he said, "The thoughtful plan that phases out the tax burden on homeowners over the next five years - look forward to working that plan through committee among weighs and means which is the committee that will hear that bill..."
Gaines is also seeking to pass House Bill 295, the measure would strengthen legislation allowing local property owners to have compensation if they are negatively affected by unhoused individuals.
"The job of the bill and what we're trying to do with the bill is to make sure local ordinances enforce their own ordinances, their own rules...particularly related to homelessness, camping, loitering," Gaines began, "It's an issue we've certainly seen in Athens and we've gotta make sure our local governments are enforcing their own rules and state rules by allowing property owners, if their home or their business has lost value or they've had to add security fences or security cameras, then they can get a refund on their property taxes up to the amount of expenses incurred."
Gaines has served in the state house since 2019.
