Georgia voters on Tuesday not only were selecting new state leadership, they also were asked to decide on six key statewide referendums.
Voters rejected a $10 car-tag fee that would have benefited the state's trauma centers and also turned down a provision that would have allowed the state to enter into multiyear transportation contracts.
But voters said yes to a provision that will exempt business inventories from state property tax as well as one that allows property owners whose land has been zoned industrial to remove the designation.
Voters also agreed to allow the state to enter multiyear contracts that promote energy efficiency and conservation.
The votes were met with enthusiasm and disappointment across the state.
Trauma centers were hoping the car-tag fee would prop up mounting losses from uncompensated emergency care, which often comes after severe car accidents.
"We are disappointed in the results of the vote on amendment 2," said Kurt Stuenkel, president and CEO of Floyd Medical Center in Rome, Ga., a Level 2 trauma center. "However, I am hopeful that Georgia's executive and legislative leadership will recognize that over 1.2 million Georgians voted yes, and that many of those who opposed the amendment still want to improve trauma care."
Georgians already pay an ad valorem tax each year when they renew their car tags.
"Voters just did not want the tag fee," Stuenkel said. "For the state of Georgia, it may mean a more measured and slow approach to improving trauma care, but I hope the commitment will be there and that there will be funding through the state budget."
The passage of the economic development items was good news for developers, particularly the state property tax exemption on goods held in business inventory
Counties across Georgia have been passing so-called freeport exemptions that exempt inventoried goods from local property tax. Murray County approved such a measure Tuesday.
"We're happy to have this as just one more tool in our toolbox to make Georgia more attractive," said Elyse Cochran, executive director of the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority. "We're constantly trying make our state more attractive to business, and this is one more way we can do that."
GEORGIA AMENDMENTS
* Allow competitive contracts to be enforced in the courts
Yes: 68 percent
No: 32 percent
* Add a $10 tag fee to support trauma centers
Yes: 47 percent
No: 53 percent
* Allow the state to execute multiyear contracts for long-term transportation
Yes: 49.9 percent
No: 50.1 percent
* Allow the state to execute multiyear contracts for projects that improve energy efficiency and conservation
Yes: 61 percent
No: 39 percent
* Allow owners of industrial-zoned property to have property rezoned
Yes: 64 percent
No: 36 percent
* Provide inventory business tax exemption from state property tax
Yes: 54 percent
No: 46 percent