Smith's shallow criticism

The email sent by Rep. Bob Smith to various supporters and consituents has created some behind-the-scenes furor in a few circles. The 11-paragraph message was arguably a serious venting session for Smith, who openly criticized the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and three other member organizations (the Georgia Municipal Association, the Georgia School Board Association and the Georgia School Superintendents Association) for what he felt were obstructionist tactics against various Republican policy proposals.

Referring to these groups as 'The Gang Of Four' throughout the email, Smith works to lay the blame for the state's economic woes at their feet and accuses local governments of not doing enough to trim their budgets during the recent economic downturn.

In his email, Smith attacks these agencies for not proposing any solutions to the various issues confronting the state ...

No and no. The gang of four said NO! And on and on and on and on we go!!! I cannot recall a single suggestion or solution from the gang of four to find solutions to our pressing unfair tax system for property owners. Not one! All I heard from the gang of four was NO, NO, NO and then NO! The taxpayers lose again ... BIG!

It seems that every possible suggestion coming from the Georgia Legislature for reducing the burden of our hard working taxpayers meets resistance from the gang of four. What are their solutions? Other than nothing, the gang of four says we must have "tax reform". They have been advocating this for YEARS. Tax reform?????..what is their solution? What are their suggestions?

Beth Brown, the director of communications for the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, said she has seen Smith's email and disputed some of the implications and accusations made by the Watkinsville representative.

Brown said Griffin was sharing information, including an article from the magazine Governing with various board members, including Oconee County Chairman Melvin Davis, who is serving as a vice chairman this year for ACCG and ultimately forwarded article to Smith. Griffin was passing along the article as a practical example of a state government fixing various problems that arose from the passing of Proposition 13 in California. Brown said the article was purely informative and not intended to be directed toward any leadership officials in Georgia, as Smith implied ...

(Griffin) was by no means trying to imply anything about the political leadership here in Georgia or that Georgia is even headed down that road.

Brown forcefully disputes Smith's assessment that ACCG, or the other three organizations, haven't offered any policy suggestions ...

For the last several years, the County Platform has recognized the need for comprehensive tax reform. ACCG has expressed its willingness to work with legislators to achieve this goal while ensuring that counties remain financially able to provide the programs and services mandated by the state and demanded by their local citizens. ACCG has been opposed to individual legislative proposals that seek to provide tax relief by impacting local government revenues alone - especially at a time when many counties have already taken steps to reduce their budget and cut services. Many of the tax reduction proposals of recent years have
addressed specific taxes, such as property taxes or vehicle ad valorem taxes, which would have had a direct, negative impacted on local revenues. We know that taxation will continue to be an hot topic during the 2010 legislative session, and we will look for opportunities to work with state legislators and state elected officials on solutions. Some of the solutions we have recommended include eliminating the sales tax and property tax exemptions that are not serving their intended purpose, exploring ways to expand the sales tax base and reduce the rate, and allowing for local collection of sales tax to generate better compliance, just to name a few.

True enough, a simple search of ACCG's web site would assuage Smith of his concerns. The organization's 2009 policy platform features numerous proposals across a wide spectrum of issues ranging from transportation to water planning.