DEMOREST, Ga. — State Sen. Blake Tillery returned to Habersham County Tuesday night, meeting with members of the Habersham County Republican Party and discussing the legislative session, tax reform and local issues ranging from trout streams to annexation disputes.
Following the meeting at the Habersham County Senior Center, Tillery spoke exclusively with Now Georgia about the visit, the legislative session under the Gold Dome and his ongoing statewide campaign.
The meeting drew roughly 30 attendees, and Tillery said the visit offered a chance to step away briefly from the pace of the legislative session.
“It was a great time to break away for a few hours and come up and meet with about, probably about 30 people,” Tillery said. “Almost everybody left with a sign. So it was good. It was great to talk about issues that mattered to them, especially local ones, as it related to natural resources and creeks and streams, and then also economic issues like young families and trying to buy homes and affordability.”
Session moves forward after Crossover Day
Tillery’s visit came just days after the Georgia General Assembly passed its key legislative milestone known as “Crossover Day,” the deadline for bills to pass one chamber in order to remain viable during the session.
With that benchmark now behind lawmakers, Tillery said affordability for middle-class families remains a central focus of the remaining weeks of the session.
“Yeah, affordability for the middle class, and I think we best answer that on income tax reform,” Tillery said. “Of course, I’ve laid out a plan that eliminates the income tax on 64% of Georgians in the first year and gives the other 30 — whatever it would be, 36% — relief as well.”
Tillery has proposed a plan that would gradually eliminate Georgia’s state income tax over time while reducing the burden on working families. Under the proposal, many low- and middle-income taxpayers would see their state income tax liability eliminated in the first year, with additional reductions phased in later.
He has argued that the plan would make Georgia more competitive economically while returning more money to taxpayers. The proposal has also become a central part of Tillery’s message as he campaigns statewide for lieutenant governor.
Local questions raised at Habersham GOP meeting
During the meeting, Tillery said attendees raised several issues tied specifically to Habersham County and Northeast Georgia.
“I got a few about protecting the natural streams and trout streams,” he said. “There were also several people there who were running for county commission to ask some questions.”
Tillery said one local school board member also asked how eliminating the state income tax could affect local government revenues.
“A school board member who wanted to ask, you know, what’s if you do away with the state income tax, how does that affect local revenue?” Tillery said. “So we went through those issues, and I must have answered them ok, because they all left the meeting with signs.”
Annexation debate reaches the Capitol
Tillery also addressed questions about annexation disputes — an issue that has drawn attention at the state level following controversies in both Baldwin and Cornelia.
Now Georgia recently reported that lawmakers are examining Georgia’s annexation process after disputes such as the Red Apple development controversy and questions surrounding potential annexations in Habersham County.
When asked about proposed legislation dealing with annexation procedures, Tillery said he is aware of discussions among Senate Republicans. The legislation, Senate Bill 496, is sponsored by Bo Hatchett, whose district includes Habersham County.
“I know a little bit about it,” Tillery said. “Hatchett sits right in front of me. He’s talking about it with our caucus.”
Tillery said his general philosophy is that decisions about local development should remain in the hands of local officials.
“My position’s been to the best government’s the closest government,” he said. “So we should let local officials decide what’s best for their communities.”
Campaign continues across Georgia
Tillery, who is traveling the state as part of his campaign, said support from law enforcement leaders and elected officials continues to grow.
“The other thing else I would add is we’ve gotten the endorsements of over 75 sheriffs now,” Tillery said. “And over 300 elected officials.”
“We really are a statewide campaign organized in all 159 counties, just working as hard as we can,” he added.
Tillery also praised the reception he has received from Habersham County voters during his visits.
“The people of Habersham County have been — I’ll say this on the record — they’ve just been so kind to me,” he said. “And I hope I’m being just as kind in return.”
