ATLANTA – Georgia’s top lawyer says the state must hand over $18 million in disputed sales tax revenue to local governments in the midst of a crippling state budget crunch.
The opinion from Attorney General Thurbert Baker was obtained by The Associated Press.
A spokesman for Gov. Sonny Perdue was critical of the opinion and said Wednesday the office was analyzing the decision. He declined to say whether the state would comply.
Some county officials who are grappling with economic woes of their own praised Baker’s opinion, which they say could hand them some badly needed cash.
“Every little bit helps,” said Clint Mueller, legislative director for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia.