A Republican leadership battle served as a backdrop for efforts to overhaul the state's tax system. Lieutenant Casey Cagle, who serves as President of the Senate, was pushed aside in favor of a committee of eight Republican Senate colleagues.
Senator Don Balfour of Snelling said the caucus would be meeting for much of today to discuss the issue.
Earlier this year, Republican Senators unexpectedly stripped Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle of the power to make committee member assignments. Instead, they delegated those assignments and other decision-making powers to a committee of eight Republican Senators.
Leadership issues re-emerged late in the legislative session when Republicans in both chambers sought to pass a tax reform plan. Speaker of the House, David Ralston, also a Republican, said his Senate colleagues needed to “clarify their leadership structure” and put an end to “their little experiment.” He was referring to the committee of eight.
The General Assembly, which recessed on April 14, was not able to agree on a plan to overhaul the state's tax system. Ultimately, the plan died amid disagreements over whether the plan would cut taxes for virtually all Georgians.
