Issue Position: Taxes

Issue Position

What we have done in the past few years under Republican leadership:

* For the first time since they created the Georgia Income Tax, in the 2019 budget we cut the State Income Tax to you, as an individual. We all rejoiced when we voted on this, because we stayed within our sustainable budget AND refunded this surplus. I look forward to working on this more in the future!
* Reduced Taxes on Senior Citizens. We worked hard and voted a few years ago to provide a $35,000 deduction per person for all types of income for persons 62 to 65 and $65,000 for each taxpayer 65 or older for Georgia state income tax.
* Enacted Zero-based budgeting requiring a solid justification for every penny spent by state government. From what I have seen in the past few years, this has helped to cut State expenditures.
* I support Governor Kemp in making sure our tax dollars are spent wisely and keeping state government lean and focused on making our state a great one to live and do business.

Some politicians seem to forget that every dollar government spends was first earned by one of us. When times are good and revenues are high, they spend like there is no tomorrow. That is exactly what happened here in Georgia when state government spending grew much faster than our population.

Important points to know about Rick:

* I believe we are taxed enough, and that our state has a Spending problem not a Revenue problem.
* I believe in running government like a business or a family, and we don't spend money we don't have. Just like you or me, our government should not spend money it doesn't have. We have to prioritize and spend money where it is most needed and not be afraid to make hard choices.
* As a department head in the Pickens County government, I used Zero-based budgeting principles and was consistently under budget. I have always thought of tax money as your money and have operated my department in that way.
* Being fiscally responsible is a way of life for the Jasperse Family. I will be a good steward of your money. Yes, people say I am tight, but I think it's a compliment.
* Just like you, I hate seeing waste of any type, it all costs money. In our state and local governments, federally, at home or anywhere; we need to watch our resources closely.
* I work every day to help create state policy that sets the stage for a strong, vibrant economy so that our families can prosper, and also for a state that is full of economic opportunity for our children and our children's children.

As your State Representative:

* I will work to eliminate wasteful spending and reduce taxes. I have always wanted to do this. I will need your help in finding waste. If you see any please let me know.
* I will be listening for your suggestions and new ideas to make government more effective.

We are in a low-taxed state. Let's all work to keep it that way.

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