(GA. NEWS NETWORK EXCEPT AS NOTED)
*Three state Representatives have introduced bills to address HOAs and they aim to put a stop to their abuses. House Bill 1036, entitled the Property Rights Through the Ballot Act, would require 20% of homeowners to sign a petition before the entire neighborhood would take a vote on whether or not to dissolve an HOA. Other proposed bills, like Senate Bill 361 and House Bill 1035, would increase the foreclosure threshold amount and change the rules so that only unpaid property taxes and mortgage defaults can lead to foreclosure.
*At least nine animals at a wildlife rehab in the South Georgia county of Tifton were found dead earlier this week -apparently poisoned. The animals were under active rehabilitation at Steadfast Wildlife Rehab. Owner Jessica Pisciotta tells WALB-TV she believes the person responsible broke through her fence to gain access to the property. She describes it as “nothing but evil.” And says the animals were there to be helped, not harmed.
*Georgia’s House Speaker wants to rewrite the state’s property tax laws. Jon Burns gave insight to his plan at the Capitol yesterday with some details that would phase out taxes on single-family homes by 2032. School districts and local governments would instead be allowed to repurpose existing sales taxes and charge assessments for capital projects. Voters would have to approve a constitutional amendment if lawmakers passed the idea with a two-thirds majority.
*A Rabun County man is accused a shooting at utility workers who were trying to restore power this week. The crews were around Bluebird Lane and Old Highway 441 when 56-year-old Bobby Mashburn allegedly fired shots and threatened them while they were on the job. Their work was part of an effort to bring power back on for thousands of people who lost electricity due to ice.